Note:BatCom is an abbreviation for Battalion Commander.
Claire's Point of View
"BatCom told us that we should be there by 7 because they want us to ride a chopper." My forehead creased with the treatment they are giving us.
Usually when we are being called to the Main Garrison we have to book our own flights. Occasionally, this happens whenever a soldier is called inorder to be given medals for their bravery after a battle—like when Aiden was given a medal for his bravery.
"This doesn't feel right, they shouldn't be treating me this way," I told Aiden before finally grabbing my pack from my bed. He leaned on my door with his arms crossed.
"It does actually, you're still a princess," he said. I sighed.
"The thing is, my title doesn't work that way because of traditions and protocols that were made long ago by my ancestors. Admittingly, some of my ancestors were complete boneheads." Aiden chuckled with what I said. I mean, they were or maybe they were just playing safe. After all, the first twins of my ancestors died in miserable death, causing them to create a protocol that separates every twin that follows.
"I understand that your title doesn't work that way but the thing is, you're still a princess. You're not dethroned, you were sent here to be protected." I started to walk towards his direction. He stood straight and we both left my room.
"The thing is, I'm not someone that needs protection. I kick balls, even I can kick your balls." I playfully punched his arms. He didn't respond to my playful punch, he just chuckled and that's it.
"Jokes aside, the tendencies of me being called by the Chief of the army because of a Maharlikan conflict is strong," I stated.
He took a deep breath before entering his room. As we both entered the room, I was immediately greeted by the aroma of his favorite cologne. He's room is clean—it has always been clean. It's as if he always has the time to clean his room. What a clean freak.
He took his pack and we both headed outside. "Gising na po ba si Sofie? (Is Sofie awake?)" Aiden asked the maid that has been with us for as I can remember. Her name's Cely and we call her Manang Cely out of respect for her.
"Hindi pa eh, gising payan ng alas dose dahil gumawa siya ng project niya sa school (Not yet, the last time I checked for her last night, she was still awake at 12 o'clock because she was making her project)." Sofie and Aiden looked similar; and when it comes to hardwork and intelligence they got it both. Sadly, as someone who grew up with them and was treated like a sister, I always end up being the less academic achiever, nevertheless, their parents gave me all the love I've always wanted to feel from my real parents
I guess they love the throne more than their own children. I can't blame them, I just think they might have done something to change my fate.
Aiden told Manang Celly to tell Sofie that we are finally going to our Battalion. But before we left, we decided to take a look at our beloved Sofie.
We entered her room, carefully, in order for us not to wake her up from her deep slumber. She might be really tired, she needs to take a rest.
"I love you," I whispered to Sofie before giving her a swift kiss. It's always like this, whenever we have to go to work and Sofie's still in her sleep, we enter her room and take turns on saying our goodbyes, and we would take turns in giving her a kiss on her head.
It's as if she's still a kid. She's a teenager, but ever since both of her and Aiden's parents died; Aizen and I tried our best on being the best older siblings she could ever have.
"Let's go," Aiden whispered, gently grabbing my wrist.
We step out of our house. I took a glance at our house before finally heading outside the house gate with Aiden. The Uber was already there waiting for us, he assisted us by putting our pack in the trunk of his car. He gave us a warm smile and playfully gave us a salute. Aiden responded with a short salute. I stared at him for a while. We are not wearing our uniforms, we wore civilian attires, there's no way the driver would recognize our jobs, unless Aiden and the driver knew each other.
"Do you know him?" I asked.
"Yeah, I usually call for him whenever I feel like I'm too tired to drive," he responded before gently patting my shoulder.
Both of us entered the backseat from different car doors. We slammed the car door at the same time causing a loud banging noise.
The orange scent and the cold air made me feel a little discomfort. Aiden's silence didn't help at all, he's too fazed by looking at the surroundings that he always sees everyday as we go home after work. I chose not to bother him—although I could always choose to bother him any time—I just don't want him to lose his mood.
I rubbed both of my hands with each other before rubbing it into my arms to ease the freezing sensation. Aiden and his extremely amusing peripheral vision seemed to notice my gesture and told his driver friend to lower down the AC. I was glad he did.
The three of us inside the car remained silent, the lack of words didn't bother me at all as the radio was playing at almost it's highest peak of volume.
I decided to peek at the window. This environment is so far from my selective memory about "home." I remembered how the palace walls used to be the view I got to see everyday, the lack of freedom made me feel trapped. Although admittedly I was simply happy with what I have, afterall, my parents weren't that bad at taking good care of me and Maria, plus, we were given this lavish life that everyone wishes to have.
It's just that when our Uncle—the former King of Maharlika—had to die from assassination, my father— who's the youngest among the three brothers— was chosen to be the King instead of his older brother. Unfortunately, my father had twins, and in order for him to be seated on the throne, he had to separate me and Maria.
But I know that it was more than just the throne why they chose to separate me and Maria. I think it's also because there are a lot of people who are a threat to the royal family's safety. After my Uncle's death, it was even more clear that the perpetrator or should I say the perpetrators did it out of pure spite.
But oftentimes, out of pettiness maybe, I blame my Father's throne and his negligence to be a good father for all of this. Although I admit, this life is better than the palace life. It gave me more freedom to become who I wanted to be.
"We're here," I told Aiden before turning my head towards his direction. Our eyes met.
"Let's go," he said.
When the car stopped, and the sound of the engines finally faded like a sound you hear from 80's music ending. As I exited the cab, the bright streaks of sunshine greeted me.
The sound of the car door slamming from behind, and the footsteps getting louder as it got closer towards me made me turn my head. "Here's your pack," I told Aiden, aggressively throwing his pack towards him. He was surprised, but his reaction time made it easier for him to catch the pack.
I chuckled before waving our driver good bye. "Salamat!(Thank you!)" I shouted at the driver before entering our Commander's office.
"Sir," Aiden and I gave him a salute as soon as we entered his office. The aroma of coffee blended with the scent of bond papers that were neatly placed on the side of the commander's table.
When we were both given the permission, Aiden and I immediately sat on the empty chairs beside his table. "It's nice to have the Captain with you isn't it Lieutenant? You always got to be early," The commander chuckled. I can't help but smile.
"What do you mean sir? I'm a punctual person," I joked. The commander and I laughed a little bit.
"It's as if you're not being sent to the main garrison. You seemed to be happy, Lieutenant, or should I say...Princess." I was silenced by the title he mentioned.
"I prefer being called, Lieutenant, sir. I've worked myself to get that position," I firmly stated.
"Sir, they're here."
All of us went outside. Aiden and I carried our packs. The roaring sound of the main rotor made it clear that we were finally going to the Main Garrison, without knowing the main reason why.
"Let's go," Aiden said.
I entered first, then Aiden followed. We glanced at each other, giving looks with messages like, "It's gonna be alright." I smiled before lifting my eyes to the ground. We were elevating.
Never in my life have I felt this way. It's not about my fears of flight—I have never felt the fear of flying—but it was another fear. A fear that's so intense. A fear of change.
Aiden and I don't know what to expect at the main garrison. We don't know what the general wants us to do. And I'm afraid that with every word the commander would spit out might cause a drastic change to my life. I've never wanted to change my life, not now, not anymore.
The last time I remembered my life changing, it gave me a lot of sadness. And if my life is changing now...it might be tragic.