PRINCE GEORGE'S POV
"Dang it! Hindi ako makapaniwala. Mag-aaral pa ba si Lady Rafaela sa lagay na 'yon?" Humalakhak si Prinsipe Johary.
Parehas lang kami ng reaction lahat. Even me, hindi stable ang utak ko habang nakikinig sa kaniya kanina. I felt pressured and awed at the same time.
"Napakamindblowing at fresh ng idea niya. Sobrang expensive niya rin pakinggan habang nagsasalita. Kinikilabutan ako!" Prince Ejay caress his shoulder like he was really in cold.
"Sa sobrang mangha ko sa kaniya kanina ganito yung reaction ko oh," ngumanga si Prince Ejay ng malaki bago tumawa ng malakas. "Dude! Hindi ko 'yon napaghandaan!"
I felt pressured not because our kingdom is failing but to her, to Lady Rafaela. Pakiramdam ko ang layo-layo niya sa akin. Like she's a queen and I'm just a mere prince who has a failing kingdom.
Yung nilalait lang namin noon...
"At ang galing niya kanina. The way she open her mouthed, talked, and explained, she was very professional. Her gestures and body composition was neat and cleaned. It says perfection."
Sumang-ayon si Prinsipe Johary sa sinabi ni Prinsipe Ejay. Who wouldn't? She's almost perfect and far different from the Lady Rafaela that we knew. Simula noong nagising ito sa nangyaring aksidente ay tuluyan na itong nag-iba at nagbago.
"It's a good thing na ahead tayo ng two years sa kaniya sa klase. Ayaw ko siyang makidebate sa politics. Feeling ko babarahin niya ako."
"Crazy but I agree with you, dude." Tinapik ni Prinsipe Ejay ang balikat ni Prinsipe Johary bago tumawa ng malakas.
Umiling ako sa kakulitan nila. Parang kanina lang ay galit iyan si Prinsipe Johary kay Lady Rafaela pero ngayon ay pakiramdam ko naglaho na. Mabuti naman. We can't deny the fact that Prince Johary started the fight at insulto iyon para kay Lady Rafaela at sa duke.
And it never across in our minds that the lady will answer the insult of Prince Johary with another insult. That's smart. At hindi lang 'yon. Kasabay ng pagbabago ni Lady Rafaela ay siya din pag-iba ng pakikitungo ng duke sa kaniya. Alam kong lahat kami naramdaman iyon. Lalong-lalo na si Lady Errioulizza na halatang threaten sa posisyon niya.
Pagkaalis na pagkaalis ni Lady Rafaela ay nag ingay agad ang dalawa. Habang kami naman ni Prinsipe Diego ay tamang tingin lang sa kanila. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sobrang tahimik ni Prinsipe Diego ngayon. Sa aming apat siya ang parating may nasasabi at napupuna. Siguro ay dahil nakaramdam ito ng hiya nang supalpalin ito ni Lady Rafaela kanina.
Damn that girl she's so unpredictable and not easy to read. Dati naman ay sunod-sunoran iyon sa amin. Palaging bumubuntot kahit saan kami magpunta. Ngayon hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako sa pagbabago niya o hindi. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay ibang tao talaga si Lady Rafaela.
At kanina, nakita ko kung paano niya ipaglaban ang sarili niya. Nang sabihin niyang may idea siya kung paano paunlarin ang ekonomiya namin ay sinabi ko sa isip ko na nagbibiro lang siya. Dahil sino ba naman ang hindi mabibigla? For seventeenth years of existing ni Lady Rafaela sa mundo ay wala itong nagawang mabuti. Sakit sa ulo at kahihiyan para sa pamilyang Francis ang lagi nitong binibigay.
Noong inilahad niya sa akin ang idea niya nang may kumpyansa sa sarili ay doon ako lubos na napahanga. Kakaiba... Talagang nakakagulat na may alam siya sa pamumuno. Even myself who is 3 years older than her don't know how to think a certain idea. Pero siya na napakabata pa at hindi pa nagsisimulang mag-aral ng kursong political science ay mas marunong pa sa akin? Hah! Napakahusay! I admit my defeat and lack of wisdom. Para sa akin si Lady Rafaela ay isang henyo na dapat hangaan at makilala ng maraming tao.
She even delivered her words wisely and full of confidence. Her words are very ascertain that neither I can't help myself not to be driven by her knowledge. Now I'm curious what else she can do?
"Anyway dude, what's your plan?" Tanong sa akin ni Prinsipe Ejay.
"What do you think?" Sinagot ko ng isa pang katanungan ang tanong niya. Hindi pa ako sigurado sa hakbang na gagawin ko. Come to think of it. Parehas na makapangyarihan ang duke at ang emperor. At kung pipiliin kung makipag deal ng business sa emperor, ano namang proyekto ang imumungkahi ko? Wala akong ideya at talaga naman walang pumapasok na idea sa utak ko.
"I think proposing a project to the duke is the best and fastest way. Lady Rafaela is right. You don't have a choice but to deal with it." Prince Diego answered my confusion. Sumang-ayon naman agad ang dalawang prinsipe.
"Diego is right, George. Nandito pa tayo sa loob ng pamamahay ng duke. 'Wag ka ng lumayo pa. Being confident is indeed the one thing that the duke like. Compose yourself before meeting the duke or else you'll be losing the chances." Paalala ni Prinsipe Ejay sa akin.
I can feel the pressure. The Duke of Grimaldi's Kingdom, Duke Lynille Zyrex Francis is not so good at dealing business. Particularly when you are an investor. He will give you many what if’s until you decide not to continue the business proposal you are offering to him. Ganoon siyang tao pagdating sa mundo ng negosyo. He's straightforward and very strict.
At kung ka partner mo man ang duke sa negosyo, mag-iingat kang huwag siyang bigyan ng sakit sa ulo. Because the duke can manipulate the entire situation well. He's a beast when it comes to business. He's damn powerful when it comes to connections.
Kaya kahit natatakot akong humarap sa kaniya ng mag-isa ay wala akong magawa. Hindi ko naman pwedeng hayaang magutom at mamatay sa gutom ang aking mga mamamayan.
"I hope the purpose of your coming here is important, Prince George. I really hate the idea of someone will come and knocked through my door and only bring disturbance to my doings and what I'm intend to do. It's disrespectful."
Tumango ako sa duke bago ngumiti ng maliit. I understand him. Kahit ako, ayaw kong naaabala lalo na at tungkol sa trabaho.
"Good afternoon, Duke Lynille. I am here to propose a project. Lady Rafaela said I should come here to seek help. She's confident you will accept my proposal."
Tumaas ang kilay ng duke but gestures me to sit. That means he want to listen! "And what kind of proposal is that? Perhaps, did my daughter Rafaela told you to give me a big land in exchange of helping your kingdom?" The Duke smirked.
Shit! Did he just read what's on my mind? Tumawa ako sa isip ko. Wala ka talagang hindi malilihim sa duke.
"That's right, Duke Lynille..."
"See? You are easy to read. 'Yon lang naman ang kayang ibigay ng kaharian niyo, sa ngayon."
"Anyway, let's not talk about that. Pertaining to the steps that my daughter Rafaela discussed to you earlier, what solution did she gave you? Did the suggestions of my daughter Rafaela are ascertain? Or not?"
"Lady Rafaela is confident while discussing her ideas and that makes me feel assured. She started her ideas by cleaning the corrupt council first-"
"What the hell?" Pagmumura ng duke. "Where did she get the idea about your council? I can't believe my daughter Rafaela know something about that matter." Sa huli, tinaasan ako ng kilay ng duke.
Natigilan naman ako sa kinauupuan ko. Why did I forgot that part? Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin kaya umiling na lang ako dala na rin siguro ng kaba.
Oo at may idea na ako na hindi ginagawa ng tama ng councils ang trabaho nila. Plus they are really corrupt! Ang hindi ko alam ay kung paano iyon nalaman ni Lady Rafaela considering that she only wake up this day from the deadly accident she encountered.
"Oh? You don't know? What if my daughter Rafaela got wrong accusations about your council. What will you do?" The duke raised his eyebrow strictly.
Natigilan ako ulit. Ramdam ko ang pagbigat ng atmospera rito sa loob ng opisina niya. Kumuyom ang kamao ko habang nakatitig sa malamig na mga mata ng duke. I can't sense any emotion coming from him. So cold hearted eh?
"Then I'll be her witness and fight for her rights. I'll do that with dignity and pride. Your daughter Lady Rafaela were not making wrong accusations about my councils because she's perfectly right. They are corrupt and selfish. They only love and cared for their well-being."
Ngumisi ang duke. "Relax, Prince George. You can breathe in. I knew your council are corrupt and hypocrites." Napahinga ako ng maluwag sa sinabi ng duke.
"I'm glad you will be her witness if things happened vice versa. Though she's not wrong and will never be wrong but willing to stepped up for her is good. Because if you are coward enough to answer me bulllshitness then your kingdom must prepare for my wrath..."
"... I can make your kingdom suffer until your people don't have a choice but to go to another kingdom and live their whole life there. I will wipe out your kingdom totally if you happen to betray my daughter Rafaela. That's how powerful I am, Prince George, and I'll not gonna blink while doing that."
I can't help but to gasp for air. "Yes, Duke."
"Great. You should follow the first idea of my daughter Rafaela. About your council. Make sure to clean all of them before proceeding to the steps on how to grow your kingdom economy."
Hindi niya ako binigyan ng oras magsalita. "Now, continue on your discussion. I want to hear the other suggestions coming from my daughter Rafaela."
"Uh... Lady Rafaela advice me to make proposals to the kings of the other kingdom. But I declined that idea, Duke Lynille. There are only two kings who are willing to lift up their hands to help us. They are the King of Zacharias Kingdom and the King of Machuca Kingdom."
"I already know that. Continue."
"When Lady Rafaela heard my answer about those matter, she think of another idea and that is to loan a big money, Duke Lynille. That's why I am here..." Tumango ang duke sa sinabi ko.
"Also Lady Rafaela advice me to make partnerships and be friendly to other kingdom. She discussed some things that will make my kingdom more solid and stable. She then lectured me about the import and export stuff. She take note that as a son of the ruler of the Mallace Kingdom I should value and support the products that came from my own kingdom..."
The Duke smirked. "You're right. My daughter Rafaela's ideas and suggestions are ascertain." The Duke stand up and offer his hands for shake hands. "Let's seal the deal. I'll be there in your kingdom tomorrow in the afternoon."
Hindi mapaglalagyan ang tuwa sa puso ko. I'm glad the duke accepted my proposal. Hindi nga nagkamali si Lady Rafaela nang sabihin nitong papayag ang duke kapag aalokin ko ito ng malaking parte ng lupain sa Mallace Kingdom.
LADY RAFAELA'S POV.
"... the Princess of Versailles Kingdom got her happy ever after when she married the Holy Knight, Agustin Leio..."
I'm currently reading the ending of the love story between political drama and love. Entitled Adelfa; The Cage Princess of Siberia. Hindi ganoon kakapal ang libro at mayroon lang itong dalawampung kabanata. Umiikot ang bawat eksena sa Prinsesa ng Versailles Kingdom na si Prinsesa Adelfa Jane na kasalukuyang nasa kritikal na posisyon sa buhay niya.
Her father the King of Versailles Kingdom wanted her to marry the Crown Prince whom she not love. But the princess don't have a choice to marry the crown prince which she fully regret afterwards because the crown prince who is now the emperor of the Zerbaian Empire is a bastard. Starting from his evil schemes and bad attitude. Aside from the fact that he is annoying, he is also an unrespectful husband. He bring mistress every single night and would make out to their room. He's totally a fucker.
After two years of being married with the emperor she meet the Holy Knight, Agustin Leio. He's completely opposite to the emperor. The Holy Knight Agustin Leio is kind, lovable, respectful, and humble.
Naging suki si Emperatris Adelfa Jane sa simbahan dahil palagi niyang ipinagdarasal na siya'y makalaya na mula sa hagupit at kademonyohan ng emperor. Isang araw nang bumisita siya sa simbahan para manalangin ay hindi sinasadyang marinig ng Holy Knight na si Agustin Leio ang dasal ni Emperatris Adelfa Jane. Agustin Leio then became interested to Empress Adelfa Jane. And that's the real story began.
To make the story short, naging magkakilala ang dalawa, naging magkaibigan, naging magkasintahan ng patago, at sa huli ay naging mag-asawa.
Walang nagawa ang emperor nang humiling ang emperatris ng diborsiyo. Lalo na't may ebidensyang ipinakita na sinasaktan ng emperor ang kaniyang emperatris at may mga witness rin ito sa palasyo.
"That's new. I didn't know you are fond of reading romance book, Rafaela."
Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at talagang muntik na akong mapamura dahil sa biglaang pagsulpot ng duke sa likuran ko. Hindi ko napansin ang presensya niya at hindi ko rin siya nakitang pumasok sa pinto! Mukhang konektado ang library sa opisina ng duke kaya may sekreto siyang daan patungo rito.
Tumayo ako at hinarap ang duke. Akmang magbibigay galang pa sana ako sa kaniya nang pigilan niya ako. Natatawa pa niyang hinawakan ang siko ko.
"You don't need to bow in front of me whenever you sees me around, Rafaela. Continue what you are doing and don't mind me. I'm just here to find some book about the laws of Mallace Kingdom. I forgot reading each one of them..."
"Okay..." Wala sa sariling sagot ko.
Mukhang tapos na silang mag-usap ni Prinsipe George and I bet the deal was been sealed. Na pumayag ang duke na tulungan ang Kingdom ng Mallace. Heh! Maswerte ang kingdom na iyon na ang duke sa simpleng kasunduan lamang.
A piece of big land you say? Hindi magtatagal ay patatayuan rin ng duke ang lupaing iyon ng mga business niya. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na maraming business ang duke at halos wala ng paglalagyan rito sa Grimaldi's Kingdom. Kaya kung ako ang duke magsisimula na akong ipalaganap ang negosyo ko sa buong Sebastian Empire.
"Let the princess have her own freedom by setting her free... Adelfa; The Princess of Siberia." Basa ng duke sa pamagat ng libro. "What's the lesson you get by reading that book, Rafaela?"
Why the heck he is curious? Akala ko ba maghahanap siya ng libro tungkol sa batas ng Mallace Kingdom? Bakit siya nandito sa gilid ko at sinisira ang pagbabasa ko?
"Do not let other people invade your feelings and command what you should do even if it's your family. That's the lesson, Father."
Dahil doon nagsimula ang lahat! Kung hindi nangarap ang ama ni Prinsesa Adelfa Jane ng malawak na kapangyarihan ay hindi maghihirap ang anak niya. It's her father fault that he's bullshit and greedy. Ginawa niyang kasangkapan ang anak niya para matupad ang minimithi niya which is not good. Women are not a damn toy that men can sell, control, and play with!
"Don't worry, Rafaela. I'm powerful enough to make you choose whom you gonna marry in the future. As much as I want you to be married at the age of 18 for I want your life to be directed but I think I should stop that plan. I know you're changing for the better. Keep it up."
"I treasured you as my daughter, Rafaela. And I love you. Make yourself happy from now on and I will be happy."
Kumunot ang noo ko at natigilan sandali sa sinabi ng duke. Hindi ako makakilos. Pakiramdam ko nanigas ang leeg ko at ano mang oras ay magkakaroon ng stiff neck! Hindi ako alam kong pinaplastik niya lang ba ako o ano. Who knows? He's an evil duke! And he now treasured me? Heh! Nakadrugs yata ang duke na ito, e!
Kahit hindi ko gusto ang mga salitang lumabas sa bibig ng duke ay matamis pa rin akong ngumiti sa kaniya. I clicked my tongue.
"I think you are in love with the fact that I been changed, Father. My changes is the one you love not me..." Saklap naman nu'n 'di ba? Noong napansin niyang nagbago ang anak niya ay magbabago rin ang pakikitungo niya at aakto siyang parang walang nangyari in return?
Kumurap ang mata ng duke at hindi alam ang sasabihin. He was about to say a word but I cut him off. Tumitig ako sa mga mata niyang puno ng misteryo. Hindi ko mabasa ang mga nakapaloob na emosyon doon.
I breathed hard. "I'm not saying this because I want trouble nor want to create havoc with you, Father. I'm saying this because I feel weird. My heart can't still accept any flowery words coming from you. You hurt my heart and break my trust overplus and no words could make me feel alright."
Especially the words coming from your mouth.