Chapter 21: Just Us

"We apologize, Your Highness. This is due to our own negligence," Paumanhin ni Lorcan habang nakaluhod ang isang tuhod sa harapan ni Levi. 

Kahit si Zael ay nasa ganoon ding posisyon. Nang malaman nila ang nangyaring pag-atake ay agad silang tumungo sa palasyo ng Crown Prince. 

"No, it was my fault, no need to apologize. I was the one who sent you away. Don't worry about it," Levi sighed. 

Napahawak siya sa kaniyang noo habang ang isang kamay ay nakapatong sa kaniyang baywang. 

To think that this kind of thing will happen inside our palace. I promised to protect her and yet, she was still harmed. 

"Your Highness, please allow us to investigate this matter," Zael requested. 

Saglit na natahimik si Levi. Napasulyap siya sa wala pa ring malay na si Serene sa kaniyang kama. 

I can't leave her side. Tobias is out for an important task either. 

"Alright. Balita ko ay humihinga pa rin ang bastardong iyon. Treat him for now because I still have a lot of things to ask. Investigate how that bastard was able to penetrate the First Princess' castle. Sa tingin ko ay may tumulong sa kaniya." 

Because I doubt that he can penetrate the palace alone knowing how tight the security is. 

"Yes, Your Highness."

"All right. You're dismissed."

Pagkatapos no'n ay umalis na rin ang dalawa. Si Nimfa ay saglit lamang na pinunasan si Serene at pinalitan ang kaniyang damit. She could barely be calm after what happened. Kahit siya ay sinisisi rin ang sarili. 

"Nimfa, don't blame yourself. Princess Serene is my fiancee, she is my responsibility. It was due to my negligence. This won't happen again... Not under my turf and my watch," Usal ni Levi nang makita ang reaksyon ng maid. 

"Huwag niyo pong sabihin 'yan, Your Highness. Alam ko pong ginagawa niyo ang lahat para sa Prinsesa. Alam din po iyon ni Princess Serene. Kaya sigurado po akong tahimik din siyang nagpapasalamat sa inyo." 

Hindi agad nakasagot si Levi sa kaniyang tinuran. That moment, for the first time, Levi doubt himself. Upon remembering Marquess Rafferty said to him, he began to think if he'll do a good job being Serene's fiancee and... Husband. 

"Thank you for saying that, Nimfa."

Pagkatapos palitan si Serene ay umalis na rin si Nimfa sa kwarto. Napatitig si Levi sa mahimbing pa ring si Serene. Umupo siya sa gilid ng kama. Tila may sariling buhay ang kaniyang mga kamay nang i-angat niya ito at bahagyang hinaplos ang pisngi ni Serene. 

I will never get use to how beautiful she is. 

Levi's heart was beating gently, as if the mere image of his sleeping fiancee is reassuring him that everything will be fine. 

"I've been neglecting you long enough. It's time for me to step up," Usal niya sabay haplos ng dulo ng buhok ng dalaga. 

Itinaas niya ang kamay na may hawak ng iilang strands ng buhok ni Serene saka ito inilapit sa kaniyang bibig. 

Her hair smells like scented Lavender as well. 

He gently kissed Serene's hair. A foreign feeling enveloped his heart. 

"Rest well, Princess."

Levi refused to left Serene's side for how many hourse. Inabala niya ang sarili sa pagbabasa ng mga dokumento at reports. Hours later, the Queen and Perry barged in his room as well. Both are worried for Serene. 

"Levi, how's Serene?!"

"Mother, please lower down your voice," Pakiusap ni Levi sa ina. 

"Oh. Yes, yes, I'm sorry. Nataranta lang ako matapos kong marinig ang nangyari. What did the physician say? Is she fine?" Theodosia asked. 

"Yes, she will wake up after resting enough. She inhaled a bit much of the sleeping draught from that bastard. Kailangan niya lang magpahinga at babalik din agad ang dating lakas niya."

"That's a relief then. What about the suspect?" Tanong ni Perry. 

Ilang sandaling natahimik si Levi bago siya bumuntong hininga at tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa isang upuan na nasa gilid lamang ng kama ni Serene. 

"About that... I need to talk to father," Aniya sabay pasok ng isang kamay sa bulsa ng kaniyang pants.

"Huh? Why?" Tanong muli ni Perry. 

"I saw Serene holding this. I think she was trying to get an evidence from that bastard." 

Inilabas ni Levi ang isang pin na may insignia. Ipinakita niya ang mga ito sa kaniyang kapatid at ina. Agad na nanlaki ang kanilang mga mata nang makilala ang insignia. A two-head snake wrapping around a sword made of fire.

"I-Isn't that the insignia of P-Prince Oberon Lockridge's order of the knights? W-Why...?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Theodosia habang nakaturo sa pin. 

"Yes, it is." 

Napatitig si Theodosia sa seryosong mukha ng anak. Agad siyang nanginig. Napatakip na lamang sa kaniyang bibig si Perry at agad na nag-isip nang malalim. 

Prince Oberon Adelle Lockridge. Father's older brother and practically... Our Uncle. After Father was declared as the Crown Prince and was engaged to Mother, he carried forces and started a rebellion against the Kingdom. But Father was able to stop him and his troops. Father said that he killed himself by jumping off to a high cliff because he doesn't want Father to capture him. 

Ngunit noong bumaba sila para kunin ang bangkay, tanging dugo lang ang nakita nila sa pinaglaglagan nito. There's no body. So we assumed that he was eaten by forest creatures and died. But that insignia... 

Is it possible that he's still alive? 

More than that...

Napasulyap si Perry sa kaniyang ina. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa mga nanginginig na kamay ni Theodosia. 

He was mother's persistent ex-fiancee. He abused Mother by locking her up and beating her. But Father saved Mother by asking for her hand for marriage to the former King. When Father returned from a two-year expidition, the former King, my grandfather, let Father wished for anything to reward him. Father asked for Mother's hand in marriage. 

Dahil ayon lamang ang naiisip na paraan ni Dad upang mailigtas si Mommy. A marriage that was permitted and signed by a King can never be touched nor ignored by anyone, regardless of their status. Lalo na at hindi pa opisyal noon ang engagement nina Mom at Prince Oberon. Kaya walang nagawa si Prince Oberon noon kung hindi ang pakawalan si Mom at hayaan siyang mapangasawa ni Dad. After that, Kingdom was brought into chaos by Prince Oberon's treachery and my grandfather, the former King, died in his hands. Prince Oberon killed his own father.

"We will investigate this further, so don't worry, Mother. Something like that... Will never happen again," Usal ni Levi sa ina. 

Saglit na napapikit si Theodosia. Bahagya siyang napaiktad nang maramdaman ang malambot na kamay ni Perry sa nanginginig niyang mga daliri. Napatingin siya kay Perry. The Princess flashed a reassuring smile to her mother. Napabuntong hininga naman si Theodosia upang pakalmahin ang sarili at nginitian din pabalik ang kaniyang anak. 

"Thank you, Levi, Perry. By the way, your father is in the middle of a meeting with the Royal Council right now for the upcoming Conference. Sa tingin ko ay matatagalan sila, pero ginawa niya na ang pinakausap mo. The Captain of the First Order of the Knights are guarding the whole palace right now. Kausapin mo na lamang siya mamayang gabi o bukas. For now, your fiancee needs you more than anything," Theodosia explained. 

"Yes, Mother. Thank you," Ani Levi. 

Dalawang oras matapos umalis nina Perry at Queen Theodosia ay unti-unting binuksan ni Serene ang kaniyang mga mata. She winced when she felt a sudden searing pain in her head. Ngunit agad din itong nawala nang muli niyang isarado ang mga mata. Napahawak siya sa kaniyang ulo. 

"What's wrong? Your head hurts?" A familiar soft and low voice.

Muling binuksan ni Serene ang kaniyang mga mata at napatingin sa lalaking nakaupo sa isang upuan katabi lamang ng kaniyang kama. Agad siyang napatitig sa nag-aalalang mukha ni Levi. 

"Y-Your Highness?" Tanong ni Serene. 

"Yes, it's me. Do you need anything? May masakit pa ba sa'yo?" He asked. 

Bumuntong hininga si Serene at pinilit ang sarili na bumangon. Agad na tumayo si Levi at hinawakan ang magkabilang balikat ng dalaga upang tulungan itong makaupo. Inayos niya rin ang unan sa headboard ng kama saka sinandal doon si Serene. 

"W-Water..." Usal ni Serene. 

Agad na nagsalin ng tubig si Levi sa baso na nakapatong lamang sa kalapit na nightstand. He also assisted Serene on drinking the water. 

"What happened?" Tanong ni Serene habang inaalala ang iilang detalye ng mga pangyayari bago siya mawalan ng malay. 

"You were almost kidnapped. But everything's been taken care of, don't worry about it too much."

"Oh, right. That's a relief then. That... Was terrifying," Serene sighed. 

Tumindig ang balahibo ni Serene at bahagyang nanginig ang kaniyang mga kamay nang maalala muli ang pangyayaring iyon. She can still feel the suspect's firm grip on her face and shoulder. Serene shuddered at the thought. 

Kung hindi dumating si Prince Levi, ano na kaya ang nangyari sa akin? Geez. Just by imagining it makes my body tremble. Let's stop thinking about it.

"I'm sorry, Princess. It was due to my own negligence. Ako ang nag-utos kila Zael at Lorcan na magpahinga na. I promised that your safety is one of my priorities, but you were still harmed." 

Natigilan si Serene at napatitig kay Levi na nakatitig lamang hawak na baso. Serene blinked. Maya-maya ay saglit siyang napapikit at ngumiti. She reached for Levi's hand. Agad na bumalik ang tingin ni Levi sa mukha ng dalaga. 

"I know that you're doing your best. The moment I became a Princess and your fiancee, I'm already aware that those kind of things are inevitable. Naiintindihan ko na hindi porque mataas ang status mo sa society ay kaya mo nang i-please ang lahat ng tao. There will always be people that will do anything to bring you down. Isa pa, Your Highness, I am also responsible for my own safety. So don't beat yourself too much. You did nothing wrong," Ngiting usal ng dalaga. 

Ilang sandaling napatitig si Levi sa mukha ni Serene. 

Hah... To say those things with comforting smile, how can I not calm down?

"Princess, do you want to live with me here in my palace? But if you're much more comfortable with Perry's residence, then I will not force you. You can do anything you want." 

Umawang ang bibig ni Serene sa pagkabigla. But more than the shock, the happiness she's feeling is much more dominating. Her gently smile grew wider. 

"Okay. Let's do that, Your Highness. I'd be so happy," Ngiting sagot ni Serene. 

Muling napatitig si Levi sa ngiting-ngiting mukha ng dalaga. The both sides of Levi's lips lift up a little. 

"Perry's gonna flip out," Usal ni Levi. 

Serene giggled, "She sure will." 

Inayos ni Levi ang nakapatong na blanket sa kalahati ng katawan ni Serene.

"Oh! By the way, Your Highness, why is there an envoy from Sardonia?" Tanong ni Serene.

"Oh that? There's an upcoming General Conference of the five Kingdoms of North Continent. Ang purpose ay ang amendment ng Peace Treaty. It's because of the rogue warriors that's spreading in Zarcaiah this past months," Paliwanag ni Levi. 

That reminds me, there's no Empire in North Continent, there are only five Kingdoms. Kaya binansagan ang North Continent bilang pinakamapayapang Continent kumpara sa East, South and West Continents. For how many decades, there were no territorial dispute in between the Five Kingdoms of North Continent. We were binded by the Peace Treaty. 

"Oh, so that's why." 

"Yeah. I'll be attending the Conference with father the day after tomorrow. Baka abutin ng buong isang araw ang Conference. I won't be able to see you during that time. Unfortunately, Perry, Lucio and Ahren has to attend the Conference too. The same day, Vester needs to attend the selection of the new trainee knights as well. Mother will entertain the wives and daughters of the invited guests of the Conference. Kaya wala kang makasasama sa araw na iyon. Will you be fine?" 

They are so busy. I feel bad for just lying around. I can't join Queen Theodosia on accomodating the wives and daughters of the guests as well. Lalo na't hindi pa opisyal ang engagement namin ni Prince Levi. We still have to undergo Engagement Ceremony before I could join these kinds of events and attend gatherings in high society.

"What about Prince Ezra and Prince Nicklaus?" Tanong ni Serene. 

"Ezra doesn't like to go out of his palace that much. Mas gugustuhin no'n ang magbasa nang magbasa ng mga libro niya kaysa ang makisalamuha sa labas. I don't know about Klaus, but I heard he kept on sneaking out of the palace nowadays."

Muling naalala ni Serene ang sinabi ni Ahren noong samahan niya itong maglakad-lakad sa buong palasyo. 

"There are even rumors circulating about him. That he's in love with a commoner. A baker from a bread shop, to be exact."

Napatakip sa kaniyang bibig si Serene upang itago ang munting ngiti. 

I guess, he's at that age. Kaya rin marahil madalas siyang lumabas ng palasyo. 

"Is something the matter? May masakit pa rin ba sa'yo?" Biglang tanong ni Levi. 

Saka lamang napansin ni Serene ang kamay na nakatakip sa kaniyang bibig. Agad niya itong ibinaba at umiling. 

"No, I was just thinking that maybe Prince Nicklaus was meeting someone outside the palace. Nasa ganoong edad naman na siya." 

"Hmm... You think so?" 

"Yeah. Your Highness, what if your siblings are going to be in love with a commoner, would you let them?" Tanong ni Serene. 

"If it's my decision to make yeah, I have no problem with that at all. But I don't know about Mother." 

"The Queen? Bakit naman?" Kunot-noong tanong muli ni Serene. 

"Even though Mother is kind to people, she's kind of picky when it comes to our marriage partners. But knowing her, hindi naman siya iyong tipo na hindi mapakikiusapan. I'm sure my siblings know about that fact. Ang kailangan lang nila ay ang huwag magpaligoy-ligoy sa ganoong bagay. Mother uphold consistency. If one can't show her consistency, it'll be hard for them to convince her." 

Hindi agad nakasagot si Serene. 

Now that I think about it, I think it wasn't just Perry who doesn't like Marcela. The Queen also. Maybe because Marcela suddenly disappeared without a trace? Nagsisimula na akong mapaisip sa punto ni Perry. 

Alam kong wala akong karapatan para kumwestiyon ng pagmamahal ng iba, pero bakit umalis siya nang walang paalam? Bakit nakaya niyang iwan si Prince Levi nang ganoon na lang? Is there a valid reason as to why she disappeared? If there is, was that an enough reason for her to hurt Prince Levi like that? She could've at least told her why she has to go.

Whatever I may think... I won't have an answer to these questions. Dahil hindi ako si Marcela at wala akong kaalam-alam sa nararamdaman nila ni Prince Levi sa isa't isa. Yes, I know that they loved each other, but to what extent? 

I don't even know if I'm making sense. 

Bahagyang napaiktad si Serene nang maramdaman ang mainit na daliri ni Levi sa kaniyang noo. Hinawi nito ang nakaharang na buhok sa kaniyang mata.

"What are you thinking so deeply?" 

Napatitig si Serene kay Levi. Maya-maya ay napayuko siya at pinaglaruan ang kaniyang mga daliri. She became nervous just by thinking about what she's about to ask. 

"Y-Your Highness..."

"Hmm?" Levi answered softly.

"H-How close are we now?" 

Levi's eyes widened a bit. He was taken aback by the Princess' question. But the answer to it was already clear in his mind. 

Levi is not a vocal person. He tend to keep his thoughts for himself most of the time. But seeing Serene like this in front of him wants him voice out every words he has on mind. Ang problema ay hindi niya alam kung paano niya ito bubuohin o kung ano ang tamang mga salita na dapat niyang sabihin upang hindi lang ito marinig ni Serene, but also to make her feel the sincerity behind his words as well. His thoughts about the Princess was overwhelming yet refreshing for someone like Levi.

Levi smiled a bit, "Close enough to ask you if we could continue with the wedding?" 

Muling inangat ni Serene ang kaniyang gulat na reaksyon kay Levi. 

"H-Huh? W-What do you mean, Your Highness?" 

Levi held Serene's hand on her lap. 

"Princess, let's forget about the agreement that we had when we first met. Can we take this relationship seriously now? No agreements, no limitations. Just us... Being lovers." 

Unti-unting nanlabo ang paningin ni Serene dahil sa nagbabadyang mga luha. Levi smiled gently while looking at her sparkling eyes. That was the first time that Serene saw Levi with that smile. Kaya mas lalo siyang naiyak. Her heart was screaming with happiness that all she could do was to cry. 

"My dear fiancee, you have to answer me," Biro ni Levi habang nakangisi nang bahagya at pinapahiran ang mga luha ni Serene sa pisngi. 

Serene forced herself to calm down. She sighed heavily before looking at Levi again. 

"Okay. Let's do that," Tango ni Serene. 

"All right," Ngiting sagot muli ni Levi saka niyakap si Serene, "I'm sorry for keeping you wait. Thank you for giving me a chance." 

I'll be selfish now. I won't deny it anymore. I can't let this Princess of mine go.

Author's Note:

Kingdoms and Empires are different in this story, so please don't get confused. Mas malaki ang sakop na teritoryo ng Empire kaysa sa Kingdom. A whole Empire can own almost 1/3 or 1/2 of an entire continent's land. Though Zarcaiah and Sardonia are two large Kingdoms of North Continent, they are still Kingdoms and not Empires. The population number and density has a huge role in establishing an Empire as well.

Pwede bang maging Empire ang isang Kingdom?

In this series' world, yes, it can. Kaya tayo may mga territorial dispute dito. Dahil isa sa mga rason ng pagpapalaki ng sakop ng teritoryo ng isang Kingdom ay ang pag-lelevel up ng Kingdom nila into an Empire. Uwu!

I also want to add this info:

Kingdom - headed by King & Queen
Empire - headed by Emperor & Empress

Kingdom - Grand Duke & Grand Duchess
Empire - Archduke & Archduchess

Grand Duke, Grand Duchess, Archduke and Archduchess are the highest position of nobles in an Empire and Kingdom. They are atleast below the Royal Family and Imperial Family.

So yeah, I hope this clears your mind hehe. See you in the next chapter!