Chapter 35: The Royal Family

"Who are you?"

I opened my mouth to answer but no words came out.

"Who are you to be present at the royal meal this evening?" She made it sound like an insult.

"Sister.." Neuron interrupted her.

The princess' gaze left mine and went to Neuron.

"Well, hello there, our dear prince."

Neuron walked towards her and kissed her cheek.

But then the princess stared at me again. "Who is this woman you brought unannounced?"

Neuron turned his head on me. He went back to his seat, beside me.

"She's Rathna. My girlfriend."

The princess' left eyebrow raised up.

I bent my body to formally greet her. "It is my honor to meet you, Princess Ameline, Your Highness."

"So you're Prince Amirson's girlfriend?" She made sure to clarify. Then she faced the prince. "I wasn't informed, how come? When I am in charge of your marriage? From which family?" She continually asked.

"Doesn't matter," came Neuron's uninterested answer.

"The coronation--" She stopped and then tried to rephrase what she was going to say. "The royal wedding is--"

"Sister, would you please sit down now?" Neuron cut her off mid-sentence. "So we can sit down too."

Fury blazed in her eyes but she took a seat in front of us, and that's when Neuron motioned me to sit down too.

Underneath the table, Neuron held my hand as if to tell me not to be bothered by the princess.

"She's pretty, though," the princess remarked so indifferently, and she didn't even look at me. Like she doesn't want it to sound like a compliment.

"You're pre--" I stopped. I was about to say she's prettier when I remembered she doesn't like compliments at all. "That's too kind of you, Your Highness."

And then Neuron grinned proudly. "Right? My girlfriend is pretty. She's the prettiest." He flaunted and my stomach hurt from the embarrassment.

How could he say that? Especially in front of the princess?

I smiled awkwardly and drank from the water goblet on the table to release the tension on my body.

The princess, on the other hand, scowled at Neuron. Like she couldn't believe he's bragging about his lover. Like it was too cheesy to take. And like it grossed her.

Maybe she isn't used to Neuron acting this way? Then maybe, I really am his first lover?

I can't quite assume Neuron's relationship with his family. Judging from how he interacts with the 2nd princess, they're definitely not affectionate with each other, but they also do not appear like they hate or annoy each other.

It's hard to describe it.

Then the double door of the room opened once again.

"Your Highnesses, Princess Ameline, Prince Amirson, the third princess has arrived."

Neuron and I stood up, but Princess Ameline stayed seated.

At one glance, I could already tell she's the bubbly, out-going type of person. Just judging by her kid-like ponytailed then braided hair.

The light pink cocktail backless dress that hugged her body perfectly and which complements her fair complexion gave off this very girly vibe from her. Her rouge-painted lips only solidify that girly vibe she emulates.

I think I could understand why Neuron told me I just have to tell her she's pretty and we'd be friends. Her whole appearance and vibe reverberate exactly that compliment-loving personality.

And not only that, in contrast to the elegant strides of the 2nd princess, Princess Amyzel hop-skipped, with her sparkly pink ankle-strapped, ribbon-accented, espadrille heels, from the doorway towards the table while smiling. She's so child-like. Her braided ponytailed hair is tossing relentlessly in the air as she makes her way near the table.

I could definitely see the 2nd princess giving her scolding glances. And when Princess Amyzel saw this, she immediately straightened her back, put her hands together in front of her, and courteously bowed her head to the 2nd princess.

"How have you been, Princess Ameline, Your Highness?" She modestly greeted the 2nd princess.

But as soon as she straightened her back, formality immediately left her when she turned her face to Neuron. She has a very bubbly smile.

Her eye color resembled her mother's, which means, they resemble Neuron too. But hers has a much darker shade than Neuron.

But their resemblance stopped there. Only her eye color kind of resembled the queen. But her protruding eyes indubitably resemble Mirando's, and the 2nd Princess'.

Neuron's eyes are upturned just like the Queen.

"My baby brother!" She screamed in excitement while spreading her arms widely to get a hug from Neuron.

Neuron sheepishly gave me a look like he's kind of embarrassed. But he walked near her anyway to hug her. The princess in return gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Now I'm confused. They look like affectionate siblings. Very different from the 2nd princess. Maybe the prince's relationship with his siblings is different from each one's?

Then our eyes suddenly met. It appears like she was shocked to see me there.

"You are?" She innocently enquired.

"My girlfriend. She's Rathna," Neuron answered her for me.

I bowed my head to her. "It's an honor to meet you, Princess Amyzel, Your Highness."

I looked at her dress. "I like your dress. You look really pretty in it."

She covered her mouth with her hand like she's so surprised at what I said. She minced towards my side and linked her arm with mine.

"Really?!" She exclaimed loudly. "My siblings hate my closet preference. I'm so glad I met you!"

She has this really exaggerated way of talking. Like her tone really sounded extra frustrated when she said her siblings hated her preference, but then she suddenly became extra joyful when she said she's happy to meet me.

She dragged me down on my seat, and she sat on the chair beside me. I saw Neuron shake his head slightly before going back to his seat.

"So where did you guys meet?" She inquired enthusiastically.

"Francia.." Princess Ameline called her with a warning in her voice.

"We're the only people here. A little informality doesn't hurt," she argued.

"No."

The 2nd princess is strict about etiquette. I could see that.

The 3rd princess pressed her lips together and she made it so obvious that she's upset.

"So, where did the two of you meet?" She asked again but this time, with a more serious and formal tone.

Neuron did not answer.

So I glanced at him, and he looked like he didn't want to answer that question at all.

Why? He doesn't want to tell them where we met?

"At a resto-bar, Your Highness," I answered. "It's called Mi Casa Restobar."

I don't know why but the two princesses both looked at Neuron at the same time.

With a surprised face, Princess Amyzel asked. "You still go there?"

Neuron did not answer again.

What's with Mi Casa Restobar that they are acting this way?

"Neuron, stop going there." Princess Ameline butted in with his composed voice. "She won't come back even if you go there every day."

She? She won't come back? Who?

"What are you--" I paused and looked over at Neuron.

I wanted to ask but he held my hand underneath the table like he's telling me not to ask anything.

So I zipped my mouth even if I was itching on my seat to ask him what they were talking about.

"But.." Princess Amyzel suddenly interrupted.

So we all turned our faces on her.

"Does His Majesty know she'll join us tonight?"

I moved my gaze to Neuron. And then came his dreadful answer.

"No."

For the 3rd time, the double door opened. And the butler announced the arrival of the first princess and her family.

We all stood up, including the 2nd princess.

My feet already hurt from this multiple standing and sitting event.

The twins are the first ones that came from the door. Rafael who has this cute curly brown hair is wearing a black suit jacket and pants, with a lemon-colored ribbon.

This ribbon matches Gabrielle's lemon-colored lace tail dress, with flowerets on the neck strap covering her neck. With her high-heeled black boots.

She also has curly brown hair.

I don't know if they dyed their hair because both of them have brown hair.

They stood in front of the table, and together, they bowed their heads.

"How have you been, Your Highnesses. 2nd princess, Princess Ameline. 3rd princess, Princess Amyzel. And the 1st prince, Prince Amirson."

They both went near the 2nd princess and kissed her cheek. The 2nd princess just caressed both their heads.

"Oh come here little archangels!" The 3rd princess called excitedly.

Archangels? Such a unique endearment. Maybe because their names are derived from Archangel Gabriel and Rafael? It could be.

The twins went near her and they had the most heartwarming greetings.

Then Gabrielle gushed loudly. "Uncle!"

Both of them happily went to Neuron. The prince had to sit down and as soon as he did that, the twins both sat on his lap.

They're such beautiful twins.

Not until I grabbed Gabrielle's attention.

She raised her eyebrows at me. She stood up in front of me and crossed her arms on her chest.

"Who are you?" She asked in the tiniest but meanest voice.

I wanted to answer but then the 1st princess arrived in the room. Neuron stood up again with the twins beside him.

The elegant pine floral print maxi dress with lace long sleeves is the first thing that caught my eye. It's a high-waisted A-line long dress.

Very beautiful. Very elegant.

She's walking with her husband, the Prince Consort, their arms linked. The Prince Consort is wearing a high-end pewter three-piece suit with full shoulder design and slim cut with 3D draping.

And judging by the color of his hair, I think it's inborn. And the twins got it from him.

We all bowed together to show our respect.

"Welcome, Princess Ameerah, Prince Consort," the 2nd princess greeted.

She took a seat beside the 2nd princess, and her husband sat beside her.

When she's finally seated, we also took our seats.

"Rafael, Gabrielle," she called with no emotion at all.

And the twins, as if they already know what their mother wants to say, departed Neuron's side and went to their proper seats.

There's this weird atmosphere hanging around the room. The 2nd princess has this intimidating and fierce aura on her, but the 1st princess gives off a more intense atmosphere.

Like they're intimidated by her. Or like they fear her.

Even Princess Amyzel is now staying quiet and formal.

It's fascinating how the three princesses resemble the king so much. I could definitely tell their siblings. Only Neuron has unique facial features because he takes after the queen.

While Neuron has this perfectly straight stunning nose shape, the three princesses have arched noses just like the king.

Princess Ameerah too has a protruding pair of pure black eyes. She also has downward-turned lips like the two other princesses and like Neuron.

I think the only feature Neuron got from his father is his downward-turned lips.

At this point in time, I already was wishing I were invisible. But there's no point in wishing because her eyes landed on me.

"She's with me," Neuron immediately butted in as if he's defending me.

"How rude of you, Prince Amirson, to bring a woman we don't know. A woman who's not part of the royal family." She makes sure she puts proper emphasis on her words. She speaks so elegantly and formally. Very much royal.

"Sister," Neuron argued with a heavy tone. "She's my girlfriend."

She sharpened her gaze on the prince. "Does that make her part of the royal family?"

"Then would you rather want us to not attend this meal?"

I immediately stared at him.

No! We can't go home now!

"I'm fine," I told him in a low voice. Low enough to not make the others hear, but loud enough for him to hear.

The princess gawked at me. "At least introduce yourself to us."

I stood up and bowed to her.

"I apologize for coming here unannounced, Your Highness."

"It's not your fault. The prince should've known better," the 2nd princess inserted.

"I'm Rathna Beatixi Pablo, Your Highness."

It's like cold air suddenly just passed by because of the absolute silence they gave me.

"Pablo?" Princess Ameerah clarified. "And how are you related to Mr. Ricardo Pablo, the People's Representative in the royal court?"

"She is not, in any way, related to him," Neuron answered for me so defensively. Then he held my hand and made me sit down again.

"She's still a Pablo."

Why? Why does it matter if I'm a Pablo? Why does it matter if I'm related to the Chief or not?

The 1st princess turned her head to Princess Ameline. "How did this happen? I thought you're taking care of his marriage?"

His marriage? Was he supposed to marry someone else?

Probably. Probably with some girl from a family with good social status.

Princess Ameline did not answer, because she couldn't.

"We have to talk, Prince Amirson, after this meal. Don't even dream of bringing a Pablo in this household."

I saw how Neuron's jaw moved like he's gritting his teeth.

"Sister," Princess Amyzel called. "Let's not ruin this gorgeous evening, okay? We rarely see each other. Can't we just be family for tonight?"

"I agree with that, sister-in-law," the Prince Consort seconded.

And then the highlight of the night has come. At least for me, it's the highlight.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As I stood up from my seat, I felt like my surroundings started going in slow motion. My breath started getting heavy. And my muscles are trembling and aching for that moment when I get to see His Majesty's face.

I'm curious. Of how I would react once I see him eye to eye.

I'm glad I don't have a gun with me. I'm afraid I might just shoot a bullet on his head.

I became deaf from everything else. All I could hear was the subtle clucking of his shoes on the floor, desynchronized with the beating of my heart.

He's wearing a well-pressed high-end three-piece two-button black suit with the king's crest on the right chest. The king's crest is a golden turtle with a crown on its head. Since Maharlica is known as the Turtle of the East Sea in Asia, the turtle symbolizes Maharlica. And a golden turtle with a crown just signifies that he is the king of this nation.

His suit jacket has two front pockets and a pen pocket.

I clenched my fist.

My soul knows how much I wanted to attack him right there and then. My blood is boiling. And I'm trembling out of sheer rage.

"Rathna, you should bow your head."

I came to my senses when Neuron tugged me. And that's when I only noticed everyone is already bowing, and I'm the only one standing up facing the king.

I immediately bent my body. And it's torture to bow my head to someone I loathe.

I subtly caressed the bugging device on my thigh. I need to focus. I need to contain my emotions in order to be successful this evening.

"We are gratified that you are gracing us with your presence this evening, Your Majesty." It was the 1st princess who initiated the formal greeting.

The hierarchy in this family is really evident.

The eldest princess apparently has more power than the rest. And although Neuron is the future king, because he's the youngest, he doesn't have that much power over his sisters.

And I hate that they're being too old-fashioned. This age-hierarchy system is so old-fashioned and stereotypical. But I do understand why. They're royals after all.

When His Majesty finally sat down, we also sat down.

I gawked at him.

Protruding eyes. Arched nose. Downward-turned mouth.

He looks exactly like how he looks in photos. But unlike in photos where he feels distant, his actual appearance feels closer but surreal.

It's like I met a celebrity. A celebrity I hate so much.

A few wrinkles can be found at the corner of his eyes and forehead. He has a stoic facial expression. He's the type who doesn't stand out in a crowd of people.

If he's not the king he'd probably just look like any other typical person out there.

But because he's the king, and because he's really impossible to meet, because I know those facts, I also feel a little awestruck.

I'm one of the very few citizens who are able to meet him eye to eye.

Should I be honored? Should I be grateful?

I probably should be.

But sorry, I am not.

I don't know how it happened but I found myself looking at him eye to eye. Intently.

I know it's not proper to look at the king's eyes like this. But I can't help it. He's the murderer who killed my parents.

He's the reason for my anguish. Of my anger. Of my sufferings. He's the root of it all.

His forehead moved a little. Then he said to me, "You resemble someone I know."