Chapter 5:Another Maharlikan Princess
The wind blew some of my hair, as I was stepping out from the chopper. The roaring sound of the main rotor slowly faded, the wind blowing my hair gone as well. I felt Aiden's presence, walking beside me. "Are you nervous?" I whispered.
"I think you're the one who's nervous here," he responded. I hid a smirk.
Both of us were standing straight, giving each of our salutes to the General himself—who's in front of us. He gave us his salutes permitting us to move at our will. "It's nice to see the former General's son again." General Santos gave his hand to Aiden to make a handshake.
"And you, Lieutenant…"
"Or should I say, Princess?" He whispered.
So this is it, I'm gonna become a princess again. Although, I've already expected this to happen. I was given to Filipinas to be taken care of so as not to become a Lieutenant from a family of soldiers. I'm still a princess with a duty to do, but why now? It's been twenty-four years, what do they need from me?
Aiden and I glanced at each other, following the literal footsteps the General makes. We are followed by some Private first classes on the way to the General's main office building–in which I don't know the reason why or maybe it was just a coincidence. On the way to the office, people were giving us side-eyes. Some of them were even whispering about something related to me, or maybe I'm just paranoid. I got so used to being just a Lieutenant with no side-eyes or whisper-worthy stories.
Entering the General's office with packs on our backs. I certainly wonder why they couldn't even let Aiden and I leave our pack to our hotel before talking to us. Is this conversation that crucial?
The cold air from the AC greeted us, making my body even cold because of the sweat I accumulated on the way to the General's office. For some reason that feeling made me more tense and uncomfortable, I have never felt this way in my entire life. I was the type of person whose face was as thick as the walls of Maharlika's palace, or maybe I felt this way when my real parents had to send me away, my younger self has always been afraid of change.
"As you can see, I immediately brought you here into my office without even leaving your packs behind. What I'm about to tell you is important," General Santos said before sitting down on his hot seat. He leaned both his arms on his table. I can't help but stare at his uniform, and the stars placed on its shoulder, reflecting how superior he is compared to us.
"Is it about me, General?" He looked at me as if he questioned why I even asked that question. Of course, it's about me, or maybe it's about Maharlika's royal family that has to do with me. With a sudden realization, I remembered I'm part of Maharlika's royal family but hidden behind curtains.
"Yes Lieutenant, it's about you. The Maharlikan Royal family wants you back." My heart is in a rampage mode, beating so fast. I composed myself, pulling off a poker face.
"Why?"
"They didn't specify the reasons why, but I think it has to do with the royal family's safety," he replied. I was having second thoughts about his response. I'm already safe, I'm far from them. Why do they want me back? Unless, if they wanted me to do something.
"When would I go back?" I asked in my monotonous voice.
"This Friday, you'll need to go to Maharlika. So we are only giving you a day to stay here and you'll be going back to your city by tomorrow," the General stated. Aiden and I gave each other a glance.
And just like that, we're going back to the route we took but with a different purpose. The General told us that Aiden needs to come with me, since the Maharlikan royal family entrusted my safety to his family.
We told the General that we'll be staying at a hotel near the main garrison. We chose to be away from the main garrison, for a reason, to escape for a little while. "Should I start calling you princess?" he teased. Naturally, I would answer with a clap back, but I was too distracted by the sudden turn of events. It's as if I was riding a roller coaster, but my time at the top was so long that I forgot that the fall would eventually occur.
"Your silence is making me uncomfortable you know that," he stated before sitting beside me.
"I don't know how I can approach my family, I don't know how to communicate with them. Or maybe I shouldn't, maybe I'll just act as if they're the General and I'm a lieutenant in that way it would be easier for me to handle them." I was trying to suppress my tears by looking up at the ceiling. He has already seen me cry countless times. I only cry in front of him, and I haven't remembered a tear without being shared with Aiden. He's my comfort in times like this. He has always been.
"If Lieutenant Claire can handle everything, Princess Leona Clara of Maharlika would surely handle all sorts of royal dilemmas," He encouraged.
I wiped my tears before smiling at him. "I know," I answered before leaning my head onto his shoulder. I took a deep breath. "I'm tired, I want to sleep," I yawned before letting myself fall onto the soft mattress.
"Goodnight," I told him.
He smiled at me before turning off the lights. He walked onto his bed, turning on the lampshade beside him. "Good night," He responded.
A thought entered my mind. I am indeed a princess of Maharlika, I can't turn my back to them, even if I want to, it would be very selfish. I am indeed another Maharlikan Princess with another duty to partake.
Admittingly, I'm tired. My eyelids seemed to shut itself without my permission. I can't help myself but to fall off to a deep slumber and let my mind rest from it's restless, endless, thought about my forgotten title.