The Vagabond Princess [Wainwright Series 1]

VAGABOND 11: Town Prukkehiya (Fiesta)

KHANARIE

At the backseat of the car—na ngayon ko lang nakita at nakapagtataka kung bakit may ganito kami—kasama ko sina Paris, Prinston, at Killio.

Katabi ko si Killio habang ang dalawa ay kaharap namin. Si Arizs naman ay nasa passenger seat habang si Kuya Donatillo ang nagda-drive.

"Gago ka, Paris!"

"Mas gago ka! Gago!"

Pumikit na lang ako para mawala ang inis ko sa dalawang nagsusumbatan ngayon. Nagsisimula silang magbardagulan dito sa kotse. I heave a sigh and look out of the window.

My heart is stillpounding until now. And my tummy is swirling with crazy butterflies.

🗡🗡🗡

"This is where I am needed? To be the substitute head of your knights?" I averted my eyes away from him. Does he hate the idea? Am I being too much?

"Umm... I need another person to—"

"Akong bahala na rito. Sige na. Alis na kayo."

"Chin up, Narie," I whisper to myself. I won't let my emotions eat me up. Sword before heart!

"Is it really okay? I mean, you can decline."

"I am sure. I would be alright. I will ask the other head of the patrol tonight for guidance."

"Thank you so much, Codhille!" I cup his right cheek and tiptoed towards his face. I kiss his left cheek and felt my cheeks burn.

🗡🗡🗡

Gosh. I kissed a prince's knight on the cheek. And I was even flustered!

"Hemington just called, General Wainwright. He said that everything is set. We can freely enter the town." I flinched before looking at Kuya Donatillo on the rearview mirror.

"Please tell Heming to stay on guard, Kuya Donatillo. Hindi pa rin natin maisisiguro ang malaya nating pagpasok at pag-alis sa Prukkehiya."

"I will relay the message." He was cut off by Prinston.

"Ang pangit ng suot mo, Paris!"

"Mas pangit ka! Gago nito!"

Suminghap ako sa pagsabat ng kanilang bangayan. Pinagpatuloy nila ito at hindi kami pinapansin. "Killio?" Bulong ko sa kaniya.

"Hmm?"

"Caliber49 gun."

"W-what?!"

"Just give it to me. Without bullets in it. No one will die."

Kumurap muna siya at daling inabot ang baril na walang bala. Kinasa ko ang baril at tinutok kina Paris. Kita ko ang paglunok nilang dalawa at dahan-dahan nilang inikot ang ulo nila sa direksyon ko.

"Ipagpatuloy n'yo pa ang bangayan ninyo at tatagos itong bala sa bungo ninyong dalawa," banta ko sa kanila. Itinaas nilang dalawa ang kamay nila at nanahimik. "Marunong pala kayo manahimik?" I smile irritatingly. "Kung iwan namin kayong dalawa rito sa liblib na daan? Tapos bangkay n'yo na lang pala iwan namin nang matahimik nang husto buhay namin?!" Sabay silang umiling at ang tatlo pa naming kasama ay humagikgik.

"Are we there yet, Kuya Donatillo?"

Tumingin siya sa akin mula sa rearview mirror. "Malapit na, General Wainwright."

Ilang minuto ang lumipas at naririnig ko na ang pangmalakasan na tugtugan sa Town Prukkehiya. Pagkapasok namin sa bayan na iyon, puno ito ng palamuti. The town is filled with fun and games. But I can see some of the people who put on a fake smile. They might have remembered that they were forsaken by their old ruler. And the abuse they received from them.