The Vagabond Princess [Wainwright Series 1]

VAGABOND 3: A Queen Can Be A King

KHANARIE

ello sa inyo," pabalang kong bati sa kanila. Napahikab na rin ako sa tagal nilang paglakad pababa ng hagdan. Animo'y parang kukuhanan sila ng litrato sa bagal ng lakad nila.

"Wala na bang ibibilis 'yan?" Tanong ko sa hangin. Ang tagal talaga nila.

"I heard what you said, Khanarie." Kimora hissed. Ang talas naman ng pandinig niya. Nasa taas pa ito para marinig ang sinabi ko.

Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin at itinaas ang mga kamay ko sa ere para mag-unat. "Why are you all here, Papá? What is the important gathering?" Tanong ko kay Papá na nakababa na ng hagdan.

"A family dinner and meeting."

"Okay," I shrug. "May I know where our guests came from?"

"Northern," maiksing sagot niya.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko at pabalik-balik ang tingin ko kay Papá at sa mga bisita. I've been there for three years and I've never seen them there.

I met different envoys, princes, knights, and generals, but not a single core memory that I have seen these two. Posible bang may nakaligtaan ako sa mga taong nakilala ko? Kung gayon, aling kaharian ang pinanggalingan ng dalawang ito para malimutan ko?

"Which family?"

"Khanarie, nanggaling sa kanilang palasyo."

"I've been to different palaces, Papá. I could not remember them."

Napabuntonghininga naman si Papá. "He came from the Steadman Family," turo niya kay Sir Kohlen.

Mabilis kong dinukot ang glave knife ko. At napaatras si Sir Kohlen habang si Sir Codhille ay ginawa niyang harang. "What's wrong with you?!"

"Get away from my family. You are princes! How dare you walk and talk casually around us?!"

"THAT IS ENOUGH, KHANARIE! YOU ARE GIVING THEM A BAD IMPRESSION!" Sita sa akin ni Papá. Napabitaw naman ako sa sandata ko.

"What do you mean?! Kasasabi mo lang na galing ang isa sa kanila sa Steadman!"

"And you are in no position to point a weapon at them! You should kneel!" Napamura naman ako saka lumuhod sa harapan nilang lahat. "Apologize."

Nilunok ko ang pride ko saka humingi ng pasensiya. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I did. But royalties alarms me to protect my family. I hope you forgive me."

"No matter how alarming you feel, Khanarie, it is not your right to harm another royalty. Put in mind that Kohlen is a prince of the Steadman Family who hired you. Show some respect, General Wainwright." Pagkasabi niya nun napakagat ako sa ibaba kong labi. "Don't bring any more shame to the family."

Tumango naman ako. "Sino naman iyong kasama niya? Is he also a prince? Kabalyero niya? Kaibigan? O ligaw na mamamayan niya?" Tanong ko kay Papá.

"He is—"

"I'm a friend of Kohlen. And a knight, Princess Khanarie." Agad na sagot ni Sir Codhille kaya tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. I observe how he dress, his posture and way of speaking.

His whole appearance screams domination and control. How can he not be a prince? Or have any royal blood?

"Is that really true? Not even a royal blood?"

Umiling siya. "Just a knight."

"I doubt it. Sir Codhille, your outfit is flashy for a knight to wear." I emphasize the word 'knight'. Upon seeing him like this makes me puke. He really have a profile fit for a royalty.