Chess Pieces #5: Loki Von Amstel

Special Chapter - The Royal Wedding

A heavy sigh has escaped from my lips as I stood in front of the mirror and let the stylist do their jobs. My eyes remained staring at my reflection in the mirror in about an hour now. I could clearly see the tension in my eyes that I tried so hard to hide but clearly failing in doing so.

Bloody hell... I must calm down.

Today is such an important day. I was praying silently since I got up hoping that this will be a perfect day for the perfect occasion. I couldn't afford if anything bad will happen today.

I... want the best for today. As my soon-to-be wife deserves everything.

Bumunot ulit ako ng malalim na paghinga at hindi ko na alam kung pang-ilan na iyon sa araw na ito. I just couldn't help it. My heart is crazily thumping so hard and so loud that its sound is the only thing that I could hear.

I noticed the stylists will all look at me everytime that I will sigh and there's a ghost of smile on their faces making me feel so stupid for being stupidly nervous like this.

"Your coat, Your Highness." said one of the stylist as she held out the coat for me. Sya na ang nagsuot noon sa akin.

I'm certain that this is the only time I felt so grateful that someone is helping me getting dress up. I have a feeling that I wouldn't finish anything today with my trembling hands.

I am always a calm and collected man, always reserved, but fuck it. Kabang-kaba talaga ako ngayon!

We heard a knock on the door and I saw my Mom, peeking her head through the door. She smiled when our gaze met and opened the door widely as she walks in my room.

The stylists bowed at her as a greeting and continued their work on me but my Mom stopped them all.

"Leave us. I'll take it from here."

My Mom, the Duchess of York, always looks so strict. So she doesn't need to tell it twice as the stylist tidied up and quietly left the room even if my coat hasn't been properly buttoned yet.

I couldn't possibly blame them as I saw her like that. Like every words she'll say is an order that must follow immediately or you shall face the consequences. Kaya naman pakiramdam ko noon ay wala akong kakayahan na magdesisyon para sa sarili ko. My Mom was always the one who will tell me what should and shouldn't I do.

"Mom." I greeted her as she walks her way towards me. Tumigil sya sa harapan ko at hindi ko inaasahan nang binigyan nya ako ng isang ngiti.

"Alexander... My son." she said and reached for the buttons of my military uniform and buttoned it. "You've grown into such a fine young man."

I was just staring at her face, not believing that I will hear her say those words one day. And she chose to say it on my wedding day.

Mom finished buttoning my coat. She flattened the fabric on my chest before she started pinning down the medals that I've gain when I served the military as a royal family tradition.

I could see emotions in her eyes and I couldn't possibly believe what I am seeing. She seems so proud as she pins the medals on the left side of my chest. She fixed the aiguillette, or the gold braid ornament on the right side of my chest as well.

When she's done, she looked up to me as I was a few inches taller than her despite of her four inches heels.

"I'm so proud of you."

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng may kung anong nakabara sa lalamunan ko. I tried to gulp it down as my eyes started to feel warm. My mother laughed when she saw my reaction.

I just couldn't believe it. I never hear her say something like that. I always thought that I disappointed her as I didn't grow up to her expectations. I always thought that she saw me as a disappointment. And hearing her say something like this was so unexpected.