PROLOGUE
The girl immediately bowed her head when she saw the arrival of the Emperorʼs right hand.
“Wǒmen de guówáng xiǎng hé nǐ tán tán.” Our Imperial Majesty wants to talk to you.
Zhen Sanda is in the middle of her everydayʼs training and she can not think of any reason for the Majesty to call her so she is a little bit surprised.
“Wǒ néng zhīdào yuányīn ma?” Can I know the reason why?
“Lǔmǎng de!!” Imprudent!! The right hand stated in an angry manner. “Shuí shòuyǔ nín zhíyí wǒmen guówáng de quánlì?” Who gives you the right to question his Majesty?! He added.
“Duìbùqǐ.” I'm sorry. Zhen Sanda responded coldly to the hot-headed announcer, she put her head down again and headed to the Emperor’s location.
Sanda first went to the hall where the Emperor is always present but this time, he was not there. She asked the imperial guards and they said “The Emperor is currently resting in his room” so she quickly fled her way to its room and there she found the Majesty quietly sitting and seemingly deep in thought.
She gracefully put down her head as respect to the ruler in front of her and later speaks to get his attention, “Looks like His Majesty is spacing out” she spoke in her mind.
“Your imperial majesty, Emperor of China..”
And there, a pair of deep dark brown eyes that withholds a heavyweight of authority landed before her eyes.
“Nǐ zài zhèlǐ, Zhen Sanda.” Youʼre here, Zhen Sanda. The Majesty smiled a bit as soon as he saw her.
“Guówáng zài zhǎo wǒ.” Your Majesty is looking for me.
“Tama sapagakat may mahalaga akong nais ihayag sa iyo.” Yes, youʼre right. I have something to tell you.
Although the young lady was surprised by the language that the Emperor used, still, she managed to not let it affect her facial expression. She remained emotionless and looked coldly in the eyes of His Majesty.
Zhen Sanda was only ten years old when she started learning Tagalog (Filipino language) and from then on, this language is what the Emperor keeps on using whenever they have something important to talk about that no one should know. It means that the conversation is confidential, it is only for her and His Majesty.
“Handa na ho akong makinig, Kamahalan.” I am now ready to listen, Your Highness.
“Naaalala mo pa ba ang mga isinambit ko sa iyo, walong taon na ang nakararaan?” Do you still remember what Iʼve told you 8 years ago?
And as she heard that, the unforgettable events eight years ago briefly flashed back in her mind.
How can she forget the moment that changed her life? How can she forget the only reason why sheʼs still alive and continue living to serve this family?
She waited 8 long years for this moment so yes. She clearly remembers it.
“Oho, Kamahalan.” Yes, Your highness.
“Kung gayon mag handa ka sapagkaʼt mag mula ngayon ay itinatalaga kong isa ka ng ganap na Ochránce ng mahal na Prinsipe.” If that so then prepare yourself. From now on, I am declaring that youʼre finally an Ochrance of the Prince.
The Maiden immediately bowed her head with a great joy right after the Emperor is done speaking, although her emotions cannot be seen in her face it was transmitted into her shimmering eyes.
“Ikinagagalak kong tangapin ang responsibilidad, Kamahalan.” I am very grateful to accept the title, Your highness. She stated in confidence and she raised her right hand as a sign of taking an oath.
“Ako si Zhen Sanda ay sumusumpang hindi bibiguin ang tiwalang ibinigay ng mahal na Panginoon.” I, Zhen Sanda, swear not to disappoint the trust given by your Majesty.
The Emperor canʼt help but to smile a bit as he listens to the Maidenʼs oath though Sanda’s persona seems to be a real mystery to him.
Zhen Sanda A young lady from Zhen family who is famous for being trained as an Ochránce of each Emperor in successive generations.
The current Emperor was just a child back then when Sandaʼs Father became his Ochránce and he really proved to him that the Zhen family deserved the title and fame of being an Ochránce from their ancestor to the present because they are unparalleled in their duties.
“Malaki ang tiwala ko sa iyong Ama at ganoon narin sa iyo. Napanood ko ang ‘yong pag laki kung kaya tiyak at kampante akong ipagkatiwala saʼyo ang aking Anak.” I have great trust in your Father and so in you. I watched you growing up the reason why I am confident to entrust my Son to you.
“Lubos kong pinasasalamatan ang iyong papuri, Kamahalan.” I greatly appreciate your compliment, Your Majesty.
“Ngunit may nais lamang akong itanong sa iyo.” But I just have this one question for you.
“Ikararangal kong sagutin ang inyong katanungan, Kamahalan.” It will be my greatest pleasure to answer you, Your Majesty.
“Your father Zhen Qiang, just like you he is also a very quiet person but his expression isnʼt as rock as I see in you, and his aura? It isnʼt as cold as yours. May I know why you never showed any emotion, Zhen Sanda?”
Although the maiden was stunned, she was ready to answer it but she no longer had the chance to speak when the door suddenly opened and an exquisite lady appeared in view, the Empress.
She quickly bowed her head so does the Imperial Guards around them to pay their respects.
“Your imperial majesty, Empress of China..”
“Nǐ zài zhèlǐ, Zhen Sanda..” You’re here, Zhen Sanda.
“Wǒ bèi wǒmen de guówáng zhàohuàn.” I was summoned by, his highness.
“Nàme nín bìxū yǐjīng zhīdàole xīnwén.” Then you must already knows the news.
“Shì de, wǒmen de nǚwáng.” Yes, Our dear Empress.
The Empress softly smiled at her. “Binabati kita, Zhen Sanda. Nawaʼy hindi mo kami biguin.” I am happy for you, Zhen Sanda. Hope you wonʼt disappoint us.
“Maka-aasa ho kayo Mahal na Reyna.” You can trust me, our dear Empress.
“Zhen Sanda..” The Maiden immediately turned back her attention to the Emperor when he called her.
“Nais kong maghanda ka ngayong gabi sapagkat kinabukasan lamang pag sikat ng araw ay magtu-tungo ka na sa bansang Pilipinas upang tuluyang gampanan ang iyong tungkulin.” Be ready tonight and prepare your self because tomorrow, youʼll be going to the Philippines to fulfill your duty.
“Shì, Diànxià.” Yes, Your Highness.
“Nǐ zài děng shénme? Nǐ xiànzài yīnggāi zǒu.” What else are you waiting for? You should go now.
For the last time, Sanda bowed again to bid her goodbye. As soon as the girl came out, she felt more ecstatic.
Finally.
Her long wait is over.
She can now finally fulfill her promise to him.
Adamian, this is for you.