A Royal Disguise

Prologue

Prologue

Cordelia's POV

A noise coming outside of my huge bedroom woke me up at the middle of the night.

Is that a monster? Is he going to eat me?

Sleepily, I forced myself to leave my bed and bring my little feet towards the door. I tiptoed to reach the doorknob and quietly peeked to see what's going on.

Why is my older brother sitting on the floor, hugging his legs?

I couldn't see his face because it's buried on his knees. My grandmother, the Queen Mother, is also kneeling beside him as she's comforting my Kuya. There are tears falling from her eyes.

What's going on?

I hugged my teddy bear while I continued to watch the scene. It's strange. Everyone's crying, weeping as if today is a sad day.

Curious, I opened the door wider and walked out of the room. The moment they heard me, they all looked at me with pity.

Hinawakan ko ang ulo ng kapatid ko bago ako nagsalita. "Kuya Cairo, wag ka na malungkot. May dala daw pasalubong si Papa paguwi niya. I told him to buy me a new teddy bear. I'm sure hindi lang isa bibilhin niya. I could give one to you if you want."

Iniagat niya ang mukha niya bago siya tumayo. Pinunasan niya ang mga luha sa mukha niya at huminga ng malalim, pagkatapos ay hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. "Halika Cordelia, samahan kita kay Mama."

"Okay," I simply answered. "Is she not sleeping? Baka magising natin siya, Kuya."

Everyone told me not to bother my Mom unless it's time for me to visit her. May sakit kasi siya kaya palagi siyang nakahiga lang sa kama niya. I usually sneak in to play with her but they keep on forbidding me since my Mom needs to rest all the time.

Kuya Cairo didn't say a word so I kept my mouth shut. Pagpasok sa loob ay nakita ko ang ilan sa mga doctor at nurse niya na nakapalibot sa kanya. It's a normal sight for me since they're always checking her health.

I curtsied first before I climbed on her bed. Tumabi ako kay Mama na nakapingit ngayon. I held her cheeks and slowly, she smiled. Binuksan niya ang mga mata niya at tinitigan ako.

"Hi Mama---" I stopped when I noticed a red liquid on her lips. Bago pa 'ko makapagsalita ay umubo siya ng malakas kaya tinakpan niya ang bibig niya ng panyo.

"Is that blood?" I asked, feeling afraid.

She smiled again and nodded. "The monster got me, my baby." Sobrang hina ng boses niya pero rinig na rinig ko ang sinabi niya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at tiningnan ang mga tao sa paligid ko.

Bakit hinayaan nilang malapitan si Mama ng monster?!

"Oh no!" I shouted in terror.

Tumawa si Mama ngunit tumigil din dahil naubo na naman siya. It was bad. She's been coughing for weeks but this is the worst one. Halos parang hindi na siya makahinga.

"Ma, are you okay?" worried na tanong ko. Ang payat payat niya na kumpara noong bago pa siya magkasakit. Her bones are almost showing and there are dark circles under her eyes.

I could still remember how beautiful she was before. Her white was skin and her cheeks are glowing. Now she looks like a vampire---pale skin and chapped lips.

My Mom patted my hair and pulled me to kiss my forehead. "Cordelia, I'm so sorry if I won't be around you anymore as you grow up. I'm sure your father and your brother will take good care of you. Magpakabait ka anak at lagi mong tatandaan, mahal na mahal kita---"

Umubo na ulit siya nang umubo kaya naman binuhat na ulit ako ni Kuya. I hugged his neck and watched as my Mom struggled to breathe. The doctors tried to help her but she suddenly stopped moving.

"Time of death, 9:53 p.m.," one of them said.

"Kuya...." I muttered.

And then I heard a loud voice outside. A second later, my Dad barged in the room and ran towards my Mom.

"Noooo!!! Wake up, honey!!!! Please!!! Please don't leave me yet!" My father keeps on kissing my Mom's hands as he continued to plead. "You didn't even wait for me! How unfair is that!"

I maybe young but I'm aware of what was happening. Ito na 'yong sinabi sa akin ni Mama noon na kapag dumating ang araw na lahat ng mga tao sa paligid ko ay nagiiyakan at ang mga mata niya'y nakapikit na, ibig sabihin ay pumunta na sya sa langit. She said it's not her choice to leave me but once she's in there, I could never talk or see her again.

Yumuko na lang ako at pumikit.

From this day on, my life will forever change.

And the whole kingdom of Costa Vira will never be the same without its Queen.