The Vagabond Princess [Wainwright Series 1]

VAGABOND 39: Crown or Sword (Decision)

Credits to the original owner of the photo above. Photo is used for reference of the story.

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KHANARIE

"Let's talk to Papá," I whisper to Codhille's ear.

"Sure," he agreed.

Papá didn't oppose after I threatened the priest to give us his blessing. He noticed that he only stared at us with a blank expression.

"Kung andito pa ang iyong Mamá, sigurado akong tatawanan niya ako," agad nitong wika sa amin nang makalapit kami sa kaniya. Nakatayo lamang ito sa tapat ng hagdan. His expression starts to grow soft. It was like going back to the past when I knew Papá from my childhood.

"Siguro nga." I laugh and intertwine my hand to Codhille's. "I am very sorry," I muttered an apology.

Napatingin naman sa akin si Codhille saka bumaling ang kaniyang tingin ulit kay Papá. "The day has come. As I said before, King Howard, I will marry only this general and it was granted. Kasal na kami, at nakakapanibago pa nga para sa akin iyon, ngunit sana basbasan n'yo pa rin ang pagmamahalan namin."

"Your wedding was inconvenient. It was scandalous," Papá said exhaustingly.

"Was it?" I questioned him. "There were more scandals that is worse than this. And I can recite all of those scandals." Tumawa naman si Codhille.

Papá smile faintly. "There's no need. I give up. My daughters won against me."

"What do you mean, Papá?"

He shrugs. "I want to apologize on how harsh I was. I do not intend to harm any of you. Yet I do not intend as well to hurt my daughters."

I sigh. "I do not wish to go against you, Papá. But your pressure was too much. It suffocated us." I tightened my grip on Codhille's hand and he gently stroke his thumb on mine. "We are family, but I could not help myself with this rules and commands. We get to choose our own path. Our own decisions. We can still consider yours, and what we ask is for your to consider ours."

I look back to the memories where I find myself and my sisters struggle to reach his demands. And I can remember clearly the failure we made and cause him to somewhat spite us. And it led to some punishments that we were unable to bear.

"We wish we could at least talk this out, preventing to make any unwanted decisions or disputes. Papá, we always think about your expectations. We really tried to reach them, but the benefit of those expectations are solely to your advantage. To your desires. And it is not ours."

Papá sadly nodded his head. I hope my words would reach his judgment and try to make amends with all of us. Yes, we have our mistakes towards him. And Papá have mistakes towards us, too. I hope we get to talk about this more with my sisters. They also deserve to be heard.

I grab onto Codhille's bicep and smile at Papá. "I can still remember your story, Papá. You and Mamá's wedding. That was worth the memory."

His face starts to light up when he heard me talk about Mamá. It always does. "Yes, it is worth to remember. Cordiellia thrash her own wedding day. It was worse than hers, Codhille," simula ng pagkwento ni Papá.

"Mabuti na lang, hindi mo ginaya ang Mamá mo," bulong sa akin ni Codhille. Hinampas ko ang kaniyang dibdib gamit ang malaya kong kamay. "Aww!" Daing niya.

"Cordiellia Wainwright," pagpapatuloy ni Papá, "Ikakasal dapat siya sa isang kilalang prinsipe noong kapanahunan namin. Para akong si Arizs, pero nakatayo ako sa tabi ng ama ni Cordiellia para protektahan ito. Ang sakit na pinapanuod ko sila't pinapakinggan ang bawat salitang binabasbas sa kanila ng pari."