The Royal Series 01: The Royal Agreement

Chapter 5

VICTORIA

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Tanong ko.

I was staring straight at his eyes but I pulled my gaze away, unable to hold it any longer.

"You can say no."

“I can say no?” I asked him.

“Yes, it’s that simple. Especially if you don’t want it.”

“I’m not in a good position to just say no, Prince Clinton.” I told him.

“Are you mocking me or what?”

“No, it’s weird to call you by your name but I assure you that I’m not mocking you.” I said without batting an eyelash. “Anong nakakatawa?” Gulat na tanong ko dahil bigla s’yang tumawa.

Mukhang may sasabihin s’ya pero biglang bumukas yung pinto kaya napalingon ako.

The King’s Royal Adviser entered the room and he placed a velvet box on table. My eyes then darted to the Royal Adviser who’s still standing near the table before I looked at Prince Clinton. Who then looked at the Royal Adviser.

“Oh, Your Highnesses, this will be the future articles that will be released by the Palace.”

I couldn’t help myself from pursing my lips upon hearing the word ‘article’. Because from what we talked about with Prince Clinton and his parents, the King and Queen, the published article today was a mistake. Hindi pa dapat sasabihin na ako dahil hindi pa naman daw ako pumapayag. Sila Mommy at Daddy pa lang ang payag.

That mistake from the Palace Spokesperson was one of the reasons why I couldn’t say no. Everyone have most likely read that article by now and taking that back would prove to be difficult. Not impossible, just difficult.

If that will be followed by one talking about how the article announcing me as the wife-to-be of Prince Clinton was false, that would make, not just me but my entire family a joke. Baka maging lifetime joke pa sa buong mundo ‘yon.

I guess I should be thankful that they’re actually planning to talk to me after class about this. Nagbago lang dahil nga naisama ako sa article kanina.

Hindi pa rin umaalis yung Royal Adviser kaya kinuha ko yung velvet box at nang buksan ko, nagulat pa rin ako kahit na ine-expect kong engagement rings yung laman.

I can tell which one was for me and for him. Mas manipis yung isa at nakapatong yung gemstone, I’m guessing an Amber gemstone. Habang yung isang singsing ay mas makapal at nakalubog yung gemstone.

Narinig ko naman yung pagsara ng pinto at napaismid ako. Yun lang pala makakapagpaalis sa kan’ya.

“They already have a story to tell the public.” Aniya na nagpaangat sa tingin ko. “You really should start calling me Clinton since they’re going to tell the public that we’ve been together for months privately.”

“I’ve been in Great Crystal for 4 years. Except break times. At madami sa Great Crystal ang may alam na nagkaroon ako ng dalawang boyfriend doon. Did they…dig that up?” Takang tanong ko.

“When did you break up with your last boyfriend?”

“…almost two years ago? Bakit?” Tanong ko.

“I broke up with mine last year. That still fits. Here’s the schedule for the wedding preparation.”

Kinuha ko naman yung inabot n’yang papel at kumunot yung noo ko sa halos lahat. Fittings. Food tasting. Cotillion practices. Kahit yung wedding day.