Chapter 2
Farewell
Today is the day! At hindi ako halos makatulog buong gabi sa kakaisip na papasok na ako sa Academy. Nakahanda na ang aking gamit, nasa loob na ng karwahe, kailangan ko nalang makipag-usap sa Reyna at Hari sa huling pagkakataon hanggang sa bibisitahin nila ako o uuwi ako sa palasyo. But I know the latter is the best.
Pumasok ako sa loob ng opisina ng Hari at nakitang nakatayo ang reyna habang may masamang tingin sa aking ama.
"This is not acceptable Laurence! Don't you dare!" Sabay turo ni Ina kay Ama habang nagagalit. But my father look at her with an amused face na sa tingin ko'y mas lalong ikinagalit ng reyna. And I don't know what my mother did that make my father amused. But I guess he always amused by the queen.
"Ailene its fine, its her descision. She's not a child anymore. Let her," he said as he tried to approached my Mother.
"Don't you dare take a step! Stay there!" My mother threatened, the king stayed as he watched my Mother. Now this is really amusing to watch. I know how the king loves the queen so much and he let her do everything she want him but I guess there are things my dad decided not to.
"My queen-"
"Shut up," then glared at him.
My dad closed his mouth and did a zipper sign to his mouth.
Napagdesisyonan na magsalita para makuha ang kanilang atensyon. Lumapit ako at bumaling sa Ina.
"Your Majesties," I said and bow my head a little.
Napabaling ang aking Ina sa akin. Galing sa galit na mukha, umamo agad ito at ngumiti sa akin.
"Laurine, sweet heart," she said and approached me.
"Are you really sure about this love?" She asked as worry itch in her face.
Agad akung ngumiti sa kanya to comfort her. I know she was worried but I can manage.
"Mother its fine, and let me remind you that you already agreed to it."
She sighed and held both of my hands.
"Well, its not easy to me. This is your first time to leave the castle Laurine."
"And I want to know the kingdom more my queen. And you know how I wished to study in the Academy."
She pout and hugged me tightly.
"Please be careful love." She whispered as she gently kissed my cheek.
"Yes mother."
"Laurine, you do realize that I don't like this idea of yours?" My father interrupt us.
"What idea?" Nagtatanong saad ng reyna habang tumingin sa Hari.
"Laurence?"
"Ayaw niyang dalhin ang ating pangalan at ang kanyang pagiging royalty."
Nanlalaking matang tumingin sa akin ang reyna.
"What? Laurine? No!"
"Mother, please. I don't want the previlages that I get. I just want to feel normal for once. Just let me to be a commoner, just this. I will let you announce it in my birthday." Nagdadalawang isip pa ang aking Ina. But later on she sighed.
"But I know some of them will recognize you Laurine. You resembled your father." Napatingin ito sa Hari na lumapit na din sa amin, he snaked his arms around the waist of the queen.
"Don't worry about that my queen, I already planned it out." As I smiled at her.
"Ailene, just let her. Hindi ko naman hahayaang masaktan and hindi siya respetuhin. I know she already know what to do."
My mother glance at the king and glared.
"That's why she's so spoiled Laurince. You always tolerate her! Akala mo ba hindi ko alam na hinahayaan mo siyang lumabas ng palasyo minsan?" My father stilled and cleared his throat. Nanlaki then ang aking mata habang napatingin sa aking Ina at sa aking Ama.
"W-Well, that..." hindi natapos ni Ama ang sasabihin dahil winakli ang kamay nito ng reyna. The queen glared at me too.
"And you young lady, if ever I heard that you did some trouble in the Academy. Hindi talaga ako magdadalawang isip na ipapabalik ka dito Laurine." She threathened. Napalunok ako ng wala sa oras cause I know my mother would do so. She's a powerful queen afterall.
"Yes my queen," I managed to answer. The king cleared his throat and immediately change the topic.
"I guess its time for you to leave princess. The administration was already waiting for you there. I already told them about your request and only the important people there knew your identity. Even some of the teacher's have no idea, so I hope you successfully obtain your goal for that." My father said as he get a box in his desk and bring it to me.
"And this is?" I asked as I received the box. It was dark colored box made of wood. The intracing design that carve in the box made it more intriguing.
I opened the box and inside of it was a necklace made of gold, emerald and diamond. It was a golden chain with a pendant of wings. The center of it was the diamond formed in a flower and above it was an emerald formed in a tiara.
"That's our gift for you love." My mother smiled at me.
Agad kung kinuha ang kwentas sa loob and look at it in awe. My father grab it and went at my back. Isinuot niya ito sa aking leeg habang hinawakan naman ng aking Ina ang aking buhok.
"Emerald is the sign of our clan Laurine, a very enticing stone but manage to be invisible to all. Like the green vast of field as you watch outside. We always listen to our people Laurine, always the calm leader and stand what is right." The King said.
"The diamomd symbolize class, bravery and strong. A leader must always a brave one to face any challenges in life Laurine. It has a class, always set the right and good example. And a strong one, strong to accept what is right and wrong, strong to admit mistakes and learn from it cause leaders are not always perfect love. Leaders will always try to learn as he guide his followers." My mother added.
My eyes sting as I hold the tears back. Among the jewelries I owned in the palace, this is the best gift I received. A simple and elegant looking necklace with a great value and deep meaning.
"Huwag mo itong tanggalin Laurine. Its makes us less worried when we knew you are wearing this so we can still feel your presence." I nodded at my father.
"How lovely," the queen said after they put the necklace. Tinabihan siya ng hari at tinignan ako.
"I can't believe she's not my baby anymore Laurence," my mother said as she watch me. Napahinga ng malalim ang hari at bahagyang niyakap ang aking Ina.
"Mother, come on. Stop crying. You know, its painful to leave when the last picture in my mind of you is crying." Saad ko at lumapit sa kanilang dalawa at niyakap. The king embrace us in his wide arms and kiss our forehead.
"Please be careful princess. And if any troubles you encounter don't hesitate to send me a message." My father said.
Pagkatapos ng pag-uusap sa loob ng opisina ay umalis ako doon upang bumalik sa kwarto at kunin ang naiwan pang gamit at makapagpaalam na din kay Naha. Naha is one of my closed friends and at the same time my maidservant. Siya lang ang nag-iisang kaibigan na meron ako sa palasyo. With a lot of royalties around Austreville, hindi ako nakikihalobilo sa ibang mga royalties. Hindi kami umaalis ng palasyo pwera na lang sa aking Ama kung kinakailangan. Me and the queen always stays behind but sometimes the king bring the queen. He always invited me with the social gatherings and meet some of the royalties but I always decline even though this is my chance to went outside.
Dahil alam kung sa panahon na wala sa palasyo ang hari at reyna, ito lang ang pag-asa kung umalis sa palasyo at libutin ang kaharian ng Eminent. And I want to explore my kingdom more than going to social gatherings. Its tiring to face some socialites who are fakes.
The kingdom always had the festivals and gatherings, but the palace will always excluded. The people there always curious what's inside the palace. They are only allowed to be at the palace north wing, kung saan tumatanggap ng bisita. And not the rest of it.
"Mahal na Prinsesa," saad ni Naha at yumuko. I went to her and hugged her tightly. Now she cried in my shoulder, I know she will going to miss me.
"Hey, huwag ka ngang umiyak. Your like the queen."
Suminghot ito at umalis habang inalis ang mga luha.
"Sino na po ang mag-aalaga sa inyo doon? Tutulong sa inyo para magbihis? Kukuha ng inyong pagkain? At tiyaka-" I raised my hand to stop her from babblering.
"I'm fine okey? Don't worry and please take care of Winter for me." I asked. She nodded and gave me my red mask and red hood.
"Mag-ingat po kayo, Kamahalan."
I smiled as I received it. Of course, I'm not going to leave it here. This is my other identity.
"Yes Naha."
I give Naha one of my favorite pins that made of silver with sapphire stones in it. Its a very special pin that I owned. Nanlaki ang kanyang mata ahbang nakatingin doon.
"Ano po ito Kamahalan?"
"That's my gift for you. Thank you for staying in my side for too long. Your not only my maidservant, but your my close friend as well."
Naha teared up and hugged me tightly. I just chuckled at her response to my gift.
Pagkatapos ng mga pagpaalam. Ang hari at ang reyna ay hinatid ako sa aking karwahe kasama si Naha at ang kanang kamay ni Ina na Nanay din ni Naha. They are waving their hands as a goodbye.
I waved back at them as I saw how my father comfort the queen. Hindi ako huminto sa pagkaway hanggang sa nawala na sila sa aking paningin.
I sighed. This is it, this is what you wished for a long time Laurine. And hopefully, my journey on the Academy will not be too bad.