"You're getting married, Your Highness."
Princess Cecilia's hand stopped mid-air the moment her father, King Heinrich De Saint-Germain Aldrich, blurted out those words. It's already ten in the evening when her father summoned her to say something important to her.
She didn't expect that he would be talking about marriage—her marriage.
She didn't know what to feel at that moment. It felt like her father dropped a bombshell on her. Although she felt conflicted and about to burst out, she took a deep breath to maintain her composure as she put the teacup on the table. "Your Majesty . . ."
"You're going to marry Duke Rowan Credieu of Ginerisey," King Heinrich added, sipping the tea the palace maids prepared for them. It was the Vintage Narcissus tea. It's an oolong tea produced in the Wuyi Mountains. It features yellow gold tea buds and a layered flavor that is unlike any other. The tea derived its name from the Greek hunter Narcissus who found beauty in everything, even in himself. She loved its aroma and flavor and the servants knew she wanted to take a sip of it.
But she couldn't even enjoy drinking the tea. Not because it was not prepared properly, no. It's because of the fact that the King immediately decided about her marriage when they're not even done with the selection. Although she did expect that sooner or later, her father will definitely decide about the matters about her lovelife but she didn't think it'll be this early. Not justhat... he'll let her marry to someone she barely knew, except for the fact that she could see the man's face through a picture that her father put on the table infront of her.
The man looked decent wearing his black tuxedo, with his slightly permed blonde hair slicked back. She wouldn't deny that the guy is indeed good-looking.
But she didn't know anything about this duke. She didn't even interacted with him in person. She didn't know him. He's a total stranger.
Not just that, she's not ready to get married yet. Not yet.
Not until she could finally have her freedom, not yet. She will not get married yet.
Princess Cecilia then took a deep breath then sported a gentle smile towards the King. "Dad, Your Majesty . . . I . . . I understand that you're worried about my life, especially in my relationship but, isn't it a bit early for that, Your Majesty? We-we could have so much time to think about it."
King Heinrich's brows creased the moment he heard her response. "What early? You're already an adult, my princess, and you're my sole heir to the throne, so you need a rightful partner to rule the nation. And the only person that I could think of that suits you is no other than Duke Rowan Credieu of Ginerisey. You're going to marry him."
"Your Majesty . . ."
"I will be settling the date of your engagement after meeting up with the duke. Then, we'll settle the date of your marriage after. Everything should be settled, prepared, and ready," he told her, sipping his tea once again.
"But, Dad . . ."
"No buts, Cecilia. You will be the next queen of Eshasea. Getting married to Duke Rowan Credieu of Ginerisey will be your security and greatness in leading the nation. You shouldn't hesitate."
***
"Childe, sooner or later, I might really faint due to dizziness. My gaze has been following your walking back and forth. Calm down, will you?"
She could see how tight Childe's brows were creased together the moment the latter turned his head at her while she's sitting on her bed.
"Are you really that upset to His Majesty that you decided to book a flight OUTSIDE Eshasea, Princess?!"
Earlier, Princess Cecilia noticed how Childe looked so anxious while they're talking outside so she decided to go back to the palace with him and talk in private so no one could hear them. Her room was spacious and wide that's why she couldn't help but complain when the latter kept walking back and forth and just being uneasy.
"I'm not," answered Princess Cecilia, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. "I mean, I may not like the idea of getting married to someone I barely know, but that doesn't mean I'll gonna back out."
She slowly stood up and walked towards the huge glass window in her room. Running her dainty fingers on the glass, she spoke. "I am the nation's Crown Princess, the sole heir to the throne. I couldn't change my fate being Eshasea's next queen and being married to that duke . . . so just a little getaway wouldn't hurt. Before getting myself to marry that duke . . ." she trailed off, heaving a sigh as she looked up the sky. ". . . I just want to be free and go somewhere. Somewhere far away from here . . . where people wouldn't recognize me nor know me as the Crown Princess."
"I won't stop you from anything that you want to do. I'll support you, even. But you see, Your Highness, you don't know the dangers outside the palace. There's no certainty that you'll be safe the moment you stepped out of the palace, go out of Eshasea, and go to another country you're unfamiliar with," she could hear the worry on her childhood friend's voice. As she turned her head towards her, she could see the glint of worry on Childe's electric blue eyes.
Princess Cecilia took a few steps towards Childe. When she reached her worried childhood friend, she gently tapped his shoulder. "I know you're worried, but you don't have to be. I'll be fine. I studied everything with you, which even includes self-defense and stuff. So, cease your worry, Childe. I am not a flimsy, naïve, and a panic-stricken princess. I can manage myself."
"But you know that His Majesty thinks otherwise." Childe sighed, looking at the princess who's now in front of him. "How are you going to tell him about this?"
The princess reached for his collar and gently fixed it, then she smiled.
Princess Cecilia's smile collapsed when she felt the intensity of her father's stare, reading her emotions and the little mannerisms she's doing.
At that moment, she felt like the King's stare is drilling onto her skull that she couldn't help but take a deep breath to calm herself down.
"You wanted to leave the palace and Eshasea so bad that you even booked a flight without my knowledge? Do you really dislike the idea of marrying Duke Rowan Credieu of Ginerisey that you wanted to leave that much? You're going to get engaged next month. After two months, you're going to marry him. And now you're pulling this on me?" asked King Heinrich. Albeit his tone was calm, Princess Cecilia could tell his anger underneath that calm and collected demeanor.
He's obviously angry about what she did impulsively.
"That's why these past three years, you studied the Filipino language because you wanted to go to that country? Are you really going to abandon this place?"
"No, Your Majesty," immediately, Princess Cecilia responded, holding her skirt tightly. "I don't have that intention. I may not like the idea of getting married to the duke, but that doesn't mean I am going to back out. I just wanted my freedom, Your Majesty. Before getting married to someone and becoming the queen of this nation, for once, I just wanted to have the time of my own. I just wanted to be free . . . even for just a short period of time." She intently looked at the King. "Rest assured that I won't back out from the engagement. I definitely won't back out from the wedding."
The King stared at her in silence.
"Just for a month, Your Majesty. Just give me a month to be free."
Pregnant silence engulfed the whole room that Princess Cecilia couldn't help but hold her breath, anticipating her father's answer. She could feel her hands getting sweaty inside her laced-white gloves.
With a sigh, her father finally responded. "You haven't gone out of the palace alone, that's why I am worried. But you're my beloved daughter and I trust your words, because after all, you're a responsible kid. So yes, I'll give you a chance to have your freedom."
Princess Cecilia's eyes immediately twinkled the moment she heard those words from her father.
"I'll give you a month of freedom to do whatever you want to do. You may not bring your bodyguards there but I will definitely keep my surveillance on you during your vacation." King Heinrich raised his point finger up as he spoke once aagain "I'll only give you a month, Cecilia. Nothing more, nothing less. After that, you're going to prepare for your upcoming marriage with Duke Rowan Credieu of Ginerisey. Remember that. This is our deal and you mustn't break it. Do I make myself clear?"
With a firm gaze, Princess Cecilia nodded. "Yes, father."
***
"You look excited," Childe said. Princess Cecilia turned to him who's standing beside her door, bowing at her. He returned his gaze at her and she grinned.
She was wearing a mid-length dress, the white and black under the sea cotton poplin. Then, paired it with pearls beret in black veil technical fabric and white glass pearls from Dior. Her black lacy short gloves matched her black cannage lambskin bag from Dior too. She spun around, showcasing her elegant appearance to her bodyguard.
"You dyed your hair . . ."
Touching her newly-dyed black hair, she smiled. She got worried that people might recognize her because of her copper ginger hair, so she changed it to black. "Yeah, I did."
Childe stared at her. This is the very first time he saw Princess Cecilia's hair in such color—except those times when he saw her wearing ridiculous wigs when she sneaks out of the palace just to stroll as a disguise and yet she's still an eye-catcher.
She's always been an eye-catcher.
The princess then looked at hhim "Does it look weird on me?"
"No." He smiled as he gently touched her hair. "You look beautiful."
Hearing such compliment from him, Princess Cecilia grinned. "I know. I always looked beautiful to you."
Childe stared at her for a second or two before he sighed and spoke once again. "I know that even if I ask to go with you, you'll definitely disagree. Of course, this is the only time you have for yourself. You finally managed to have the freedom you always wanted. But still, I just want you to know that if you ever need me, I am just one roaming call away. I will definitely travel seven seas just for you."
Princess Cecilia chuckled. "You're exaggerating, Childe."
"I will definitely do it for you, Ceci. I will follow you if you need me."
Caressing his cheek gently, Princess Cecilia stared at her bodyguard anf childhood friend before tapping his shoulder. "I'll be fine, Childe. Don't worry that much. But if I do need your help, I will definitely count on you."
With that, Childe smiled. "I'm always at your service, Your Highness."
They both turned their heads when they daw that the Crown Princess's personal private driver was walking towards them. The princess didn't like to catch anyone's attention the moment she'll leave Eshasea so they decided to keep her departure in private so no one, not even the paparazzi, royal reporters—or just anyone will know.
The driver bowed at them as a greeting and then he spoke. "Your Highness, your car is ready."
"It's time," Princess Cecilia muttered and she looked at Childe.
"Take care, Your Highness."
She nodded. "I will."
Princess Cecilia was about to walk out of her room when she felt Childe's hand holding her wrist. Childe's hand was warm and she could feel how he held her tight, as if he didn't want to let go. She turned her head towards him, meeting his gaze. She knew that her bodyguard wanted to say something but he chose to remain silent.
She smiled. Even if Childe didn't say it, she knew what he really felt.
"Take care, Your Highness," Childe repeated what he just said to her earlier.
"I will."
After their conversation, the two of them finally went downstairs. Princess Cecilia then took a deep breath and turned her head towards the palace's second floor. She could see the Kimg, her father, watching her. She smiled and she didn't expect that her father will respond a subtle smile. That somehow made her happy at that moment.
She waved her hand at him before she left the palace's doors and her luxurious life as the Crown Princess of Eshasea.
For a month.
***
"Mga binibini, ginang, at ginoo, kalalapag lang po natin sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport at tayo ay patungo na sa Senteñial Terminal 2. Maligayang pagdating dito sa Manila. Mangyari lamang na manatiling nakaupo at nakakabit ang seatbelt. 'Wag po munang kunin ang gamit hanggang ang ating eroplano ay hindi pa ganap na nakahinto. Sa ngalan ng Philippine Airlines, kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagtangkilik sa amin. Inaasahan po namin ang muli nating pagkikita. Maraming salamat po."
"Ladies and gentlemen, we just landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Cebu Pacific Air welcomes you to Manila. On behalf of your flight crew, headed by Captain Estrosas, First Officer Quiapo, and the rest of the team, we thank you for choosing Cebu Pacific as your airline of choice. Maligayang pagdating."
After heading the landing announcement of the said airlines, Cecilia took a deep breath as she hold onto her bag tightly. She fished out her sunglasses and wore it on before getting out of the aircraft.
The moment she got out of the airport, she couldn't help but feel such astonishment as she roamed and looked around. She even forgot that she's standing on the exit door that she was caught off guard when someone bumped into her. It impacted so much that her sunglasses fell off her.
"Sorry!" the stranger exclaimed and in a hurry, she picked up Cecilia's sunglasses. "Ikaw kasi, haharang-harang ka pa sa may pintuan. Sino ba naman kasing matinong taong haharang-harang sa pintuan? Jusko naman."
Cecilia's eyes widened the moment the woman looked at her as soon as the latter handed her sunglasses over.
She felt the nervousness creeping into her whole system the moment the woman stared at her.
Oh. My. Gosh. Did she just recognize me?
The woman sighed and stood up properly. "Ah, kaya naman pala hindi ka makasagot sa mga pinagsasasabi ko kasi foreigner ka pala. You're a foreigner. No wonder you didn't understand me. Next time, don't stand near the door, okay?"
Cecilia blinked and slowly nodded. "O-okay."
She didn't recognize me! What a relief!
"Looks like it's your first time here." The woman smiled at her. "Welcome to the Philippines, Miss."
Cecilia couldn't help but flaunt a wide smile at the woman and nodded at her excitedly. "Sa-salamat!"
"Oh, that's impressive. Hahaha. Enjoy your stay," said the woman and she finally left.
Cecilia's smile didn't wear off that moment as she looked at the people around her.
This is it, this is the freedom I've always been dreaming of.
"Your journey starts here, in this place, Ceci."