The Royal Series 01: The Royal Agreement

Chapter 17

VICTORIA

Okay…what’s next?

Napasandal na lang ako sa swivel chair ko at tiningnan yung folders na nasa desk ko. Para hindi ako matambakan ng gawain, kinuha ko na lang yung nasa tuktok at nakahalumbaba kong binasa yung laman ng folder.

Sa tabi ng folder ay may notebook akong pinagsusulatan ng important parts ng binabasa ko. Wala pa ngang isang buwan, nakakalahati ko na yung pages na nasulatan sa notebook. It’s winter break but I have tons of things to do. Ones called, Royal Duties, and this one comes in the form of paper. The other kind is one that requires my presence.

Napatingin naman ako sa katapat na desk at napabuntong hininga dahil wala sa Clinton doon.

He’s out of the Palace, attending an event. I don’t even know if he’s going back since he’s got another event to attend tonight. That event, it’s actually the two of us that should be attending it. And I’m not sure if I want to attend.

Hindi ko naman napigilang mapabuga ng hininga dahil naalala kong for the past few days, madami akong events na dapat attend-an. Pero hindi ako pumunta. Partly because the people in the Palace wanted me to rest.

I heard the media wants to interview me about the shooting. But none of the Royalties and representatives present in the shooting spoke to the media. So we’re doing the same.

“Your Highness?”

“Yes?” Tanong ko kay Red na hindi inaalis yung tingin sa binabasa ko.

“Um…Her Majesty the Queen is here.”

Mabilis akong napabitaw sa hawak kong pen at lumingon. Napatayo rin ako at agad na nag-curtsy nang makita s’ya.

“Oh please, don’t curtsy Victoria. Red, can you get us some snacks and drinks?”

Red then bowed at us before leaving the room. The Queen then walked towards the table set of the study room, where Clinton and I eat our snacks if we're not too busy. She took a seat on the round table and gestured for me to sit, which I did.

“How are you feeling, Victoria?”

“I’m good, Your Highness.” I smiled at her.

“This won’t do.” The Queen chuckled and leaned to take my hand in hers. “You, get to call me Mom. You’re my daughter-in-law. So what did the psychiatrist say?”

“I’m doing fine. And they will continue watching me for a month before they can say if I have PTSD because of the shooting.”

“That’s what they said?” She asked like I was hiding something. “You’re not hiding anything?”

“No and I don’t think I’m going to have PTSD. Since, I don’t even have nightmares about it.”

“What makes you think so?”

“I know someone who has PTSD and I’ve personally seen her symptoms. And I don’t have any of those.” I smiled.

“Princess Laurice of Great Crystal?” The Queen said more to herself than me but I still nodded politely.

It’s normal that she knows about Lauren’s PTSD. Anyone aware of what happened, knows. Especially the ones involved.

The day after I got back to Great Amber from the shooting, a pair of psychiatrist and psychologist was invited to the Palace. And they’ve been visiting every week. Just to see if what happened had an effect on me.

“Alexander asked for the doctors, you know. First thing in the morning since you looked shaken up when you got back.” The Queen said.

“You call him Alexander?” I asked after a few seconds.

“Yun talaga ang pinansin mo?” Natatawang tanong n’ya sa akin.

Napaiwas naman ako ng tingin dahil sa totoo lang, kinailangan ko isipin kung sino si Alexander. And I literally just remembered that Clinton’s full name is Clinton Alexander Williams.

“Everyone calls my son Clinton, it’s like his second name doesn’t exist. Just like how no one calls you Janelle. Can I call you Janelle?”

“Of course…Mom.” I carefully said but she smiled.

Sakto namang pumasok si Red na may tinutulak na trolley tray. Naglapag s’ya ng platito na may macarons na assorted in color. Saka ng cups.

She poured coffee on Mom’s cup and placed a small tray with milk and sugar cubes. While she poured chamomile tea in mine.

“Tea?” Tanong ni Mom sa akin na napatigil sa pagkuha ng sugar cube.

“Oh, I can’t drink coffee.” Sagot ko.

Kumain lang kami ng snacks habang pinag-uusapan kung nakapag-adjust na ba ako at kung kumusta yung pagtatayo ng Royal Hands dito. Sinabi ko naman na good condition yung building, according to the engineer. Pinapalitan lang yung windows and doors saka nire-repaint.

Carefully taken care of yung building kaya interiors designs na lang ang ginagawa. Kaya in less than a month, as both the engineer and architect said, Royal Hands in Great Amber can be opened.

Naputol lang yung usapan namin nang pumasok sa study room yung Lady Maid n’ya. And Mom, the Queen, just finished her snacks before saying that she'll take her leave.

Tinuloy ko lang yung ginagawa ko hanggang tumunog yung alarm ko. Err…reminder pala. It’s a reminder for the birthday of a Viscount’s son who is…if I remember it right, the Queen’s cousin.

And I just decided on going because Clinton’s been filling in on the events I should be present in for days. Ilang events na rin na dapat kaming dalawa ang a-attend na s’ya lang ang pumunta.

Kaya naman pinatay ko na yung laptop ko at inayos yung folders sa table ko. Nakasalubong ko rin si Red kaya sinabi kong tulungan na n’ya ako mag-ayos.

I can actually do my own hair and makeup but I would take too long to do that. And the Viscount’s family lives in a province. So I need to quickly get ready.

Red and the Lady Maids quickly chose a dress and pair of shoes. So I immediately wore them and they immediately started doing my hair and makeup.

Naglalaro lang ako sa phone ko habang inaayusan nila ako pero may naalala akong dapat kong gawin. Pagkaaalala ko ron, I messaged Clinton that I’m going to the party. But he’s not replying so I decided to call him. Only for it to go straight to voicemail. Sinubukan ko ulit s’ya tawagan pero saktong sa pang-limang subok ko, narinig kong biglang bumukas at sumara yung pinto sa labas dahil nakabukas yung pinto ng banyo.

Paglingon ko, nakita ko sa Clinton na niluluwagan yung tie n’ya habang may kausap sa phone. Dire-diretso lang s’yang naglalakad at sa tingin ko, pumasok sa walk-in-closet. At sa pintong nagkokonekta sa bathroom at walk-in-closet s’ya lumabas, napatigil s’ya sa pag-aayos ng sleeves ng dress shirt n’ya.

“You’re going?” Gulat na tanong n’ya.

“Yeah.” Sagot ko at humarap ulit sa salamin dahil may ikinakabit pa na bobby pin yung isa sa Lady Maid.

Pinasalamatan ko naman sila nang matapos sila sa pag-aayos sa akin. Sinara rin nila yung pinto ng bathroom sa paglabas nila.

Binaling ko naman yung tingin ko sa mga nakalabas na jewelry set at tiningnan kung aling set yung babagay.

I’m wearing an emerald green floor length dress with laces on the upper half and sleeves. Green ankle strap heels with its strap and heels in gold. So I chose the tear drop emerald earrings and gold bangle.

Isusuot ko na sana yung minimalist necklace na may gold chain at pear shaped emerald design pero kinuha ni Clinton.

“You sure you want to go?” Tanong n’ya.

“Yeah. I’m getting bored of just seeing and working with papers. Winter break pero puro ako paper works.” Sabi ko.

Tinipon ko naman yung buhok ko hinayaan na lang si Clinton na ikabit yung necklace. Pagkatapos n’ya ay tumayo ako para pumunta sa walk-in-closet at ganun din s’ya.

Pumunta ako kung saan naka-display yung bags ko at si Clinton, pumunta sa drawer n’ya kung nasaan yung watches at neckties n’ya. Yung minaudiere bag na lang na covered with big gold pearls yung kinuha ko.

“Anong ginagawa mo?” Tanong ko kay Clinto at sumilip sa gilid ng balikat n’ya.

And I can't help but notice how he smells good as I wait for his answer.

Imbis na sagutin yung tanong ko, may kinuhang dalawang boxes si Clinton at tinapat sa damit ko. Palipat-lipat yung tingin n’ya

“Pairing my tie with your dress.” Sagot n’ya pagkatapos ibalik sa drawer yung isang box.

Napatango na lang ako sa sinabi n’ya at lalabas na sana ng walk-in-closet para ilagay yung gamit na dadalhin ko sa bag nang makita ko yung reflection ko sa full body mirror.

“Hey.” Tawag ko kay Clinton habang nakatingin pa rin sa mirror.

“Yeah?”

“Are you okay with this dress?” Tanong ko sa kan’ya.

Tumayo naman s’ya tabi ko habang inaayos yung necktie n’ya at napaiwas ako ng tingin dahil tinitingnan n’ya ako.

“Yeah, it’s nice, you look good.” Sagot ni Clinton na tiningnan ako sa mata kaya napalunok ako. Bumalik naman s'ya sa pagbutones ng vest n'ya bago isinuot yung coat n’ya. “Bakit?”

“Wala.” Sagot ko sa tanong n’ya at lumabas na.

“Kung hindi ka komportable sa suot mo, pwede ka naman magpalit. May oras pa naman.” Sabi naman n'ya nang makalabas na s'ya sa closet.

“No, it’s okay.” Sabi ko.

Inaya ko na lang s’yang umalis at may pagdating namin sa exit ng South Wing, nandoon na yung sasakyan na ginagamit namin. Sa byahe, nagce-cellphone lang ako.

Nagkakatanungan na sina Gian sa group chat namin kung kailan kami mage-enroll. May usapan pa silang sabay na lang. Pero ako kahit gusto ko, hindi ako makakasabay sa napag-usapan nilang araw.

Puno talaga yung schedule namin. Ang sabi ni Clinton, ayaw ng Royal Family na gamitin yung power and authority sa school. Kaya as much as possible, sa weekends or vacation inilalagay yung ibang schedule. Pero kung importante yung event, such as international conferences that neither the King nor Queen can attend, saka lang nae-excuse.

Napatigil ako sa pagt-type ng reply ko sa group chat naming anim. Para kasing may ingay ako narinig. Imposibleng galing sa driver at bodyguard sa harapan dahil may partition yung front at backseat.

Lumingon naman ako sa side ni Clinton at nanlaki yung mata ko nang makitang tulog s’ya. Nakasandal pa yung ulo n’ya sa bintana, na gumagawa ng ingay.

Malayo-layo pa yung byahe namin kaya umusog ako palapit kay Clinton. Hinarang ko muna yung palad ko sa bintana at ulo n’ya para hindi tumama saka ko dahan-dahang ginalaw yung ulo n’ya para ipatong sa balikat ko.

Pero biglang dumilat si Clinton. Aayos pa nga sana s’ya ng upo pero umiling ako.

“Malayo pa. Matulog ka muna.” Sabi ko sa kanya.

“Ayos lang. I don’t like sleeping in the car.”

“Pagod ka na at lahat nakuha mo pa mag-inarte?” Hindi mapigilang tanong ko. “Come on, kung iniisip mong nakakahiya na makatulog ka or what, spare me from that excuse. We literally sleep next to each other every night.” Dagdag ko at umismid lang si Clinton.

“Alright. Gisingin mo ako kung nangangalay ka na.” Buntong hininga ni Clinton at umayos ng upo para makasandal sa balikat ko.

I'm not really ticklish around my neck but when he brushed the strands of hair resting on my shoulder, a shiver ran down my spine. Which I tried to ignore.

For the remaining travelling time, I just watched a movie with earphones on. I didn’t choose a movie that’s too comedic, thrilling, or dramatic.

Because first of all, I don’t want to mess my look from crying on a movie. And watching a movie falling in one or all those three categories would wake Clinton up.

Nang napansin kong pumasok na sa driveway ng isang hotel yung sasakyan, tinanggal ko na yung earphones. Bumaling naman ako kay Clinton at nagdalawang isip pa ako kung paano ko gigisingin si Clinton. Dahil sa totoo lang, never ko pa s’yang ginising. And vice versa.

Pero dahil papalapit na kami nang papalapit, tinapik ko na lang sa pisngi si Clinton nang marahan. Hanggang sa nagising s’ya.

I just looked at him stretch his neck and look up with his eyes closed. Seeing him sitting still with his eyes closed, I had to look away and bite my lower lip. He looks cute.

Ganito ba s’ya lagi kapag bagong gising? This makes want to wake up before he does.

Nakalingon lang ako sa bintana sa side ko hanggang sa bumukas yung pinto sa side ni Clinton. Umusog naman ako kaagad para makalabas.

And as usual, the back of Clinton’s hand is touching the doorframe of the car as I get off.

Once again, after days of staying in the Palace ever since the mass shooting, I’m walking a path where camera flashes are following me. As soon as I was out of the car, I couldn’t help but stand closer to Clinton.

His eyes immediately met mine. Yumuko naman s’ya hanggang malapit na yung tenga n’ya sa bibig ko.

“It’s cold.”

Pagkasabi na pagkasabi ko non, naramdaman ko yung paglapat ng kamay n’ya sa balikat ko at parang hinila pa n’ya ako palapit sa kan’ya. Mabilis kaming pumasok sa hotel at pagkatapos ng ilang minuto, hindi ganun kalamig dahil sa heaters. But Clinton’s still holding me against his body and it feels like he’s not letting go any sooner. And neither am I.

***