CHAPTER 2- MARKET PLACE

E S T H E L I A N

I'm having a tea party together with my ladies-in-waiting. To simplify, they're an attendant to a female member of the Royal Family and is usually the wife or daughter of a peer but could just be a close friend or cousin of the royal she is attending. Duties ties are to act as a companion and to help the Royal during her day-to-day duties. And Also they can't read they haven't been to school since they were recruited to serve the kingdom.

If the nobles came to visit we act formally in order to maintain their position. If we get caught then what's worst they'll lost their jobs. I don't want that. But as long they're with me it's okay. I became sleepy and my head is all aching after reading books over and over, straight.

Parang maduduling na ako pero gusto ko paring magbasa. I became bored all of a sudden, Yes, minsan inuulit ulit ko magbasa lalo na't favorite ko pero habang tumagal parang nakakaboring narin. Alam mo na kase ang bawat plot and how the story ends. Happy endings ba or not. I put back the book on its respected shelves and went upstairs; in the tower to find a new books to read. Sir Dick is not here, his out of town buying new version of books, wonder what will it be..

"Done, done, done--" i sighed heavily as I past on so many books, glancing on there titles. They're all done. I looked down and called them to help me find a new one. "Is there anything new?"

"Princess how about this?"-bumaba ako ng stairs nang sampung hakbang pababa at inabot niya sakin ang libro. "Next spring? Tapos na ako nito e"

"Ito po mahal prinsesa"-bumalik ako pataas at may dalawang maid pa na nasa itaas ng tower medyo nakakapagod umakyat pero excited ako mabasa kung ano ito. I reach my hand on the books they handed me and my eyelid sagged and I poked at her.

"Sinner or these kirin its a Monster high adventure"

I became frustrated and she put them back to the shelves and apologize with a bow but I stop her and sat on the stairs with my palm rested on my cheeks. Groaning for boredom "Ang boring no?"

"No your highness. Ahmp is there anything bothers you lately? Baka nakakadistorbo na kame sayo ah--"

"No, is just that, i'm not in a mood today...the ambience of this library makes me drowsy."

I walked downstairs and left the library and entertaining myself at the family portrait on the walls while humming alone.

"Queen Fynne and her King Dethen II lalala there's a picture of princess quera the sly little brat whose getting on my nerve. To noisy, too loud she's quite stupid and bossy, she's always whose right and she has a big big mouth~~ daradada-" I facepalm in disappointments, my voice sounded like a goat. Thankfully the weather is nice and I didn't ruined the day

Para akong tanga ah.. okay lang atleast maganda ang lyrics. Boses ko nalang mag adjust, aish the heck. Iba talaga minsan naiisip ko kapag boring na ako. Nagbabow lang sakin ang mga nalalagpasan kong maid at nilingon ko ang isang nakatayong warrior suite at may mahaba siyang ax.

Binaba ko ito at napaisip na sayawin ko siya. Well i'm a good dancer. Sinubukan ko itong alisin at di ko alam na napakabigat pala nito at di talaga umalis hanggang sa pinilit ko at nahulog ang bascinet and it fell on my head. My crown flew out and I winched as the metal hit my skull. I crouched on my spot and massages my head.

I whined and grunt "What's wrong with you-- you stupid metal!"- out of anger I kick the armor and heard the metal clang and it fell into pieces. Creating loud echoes on every corridors. I rushed away after what I did carrying my crown

I deviate on a east wing at dinikit ang likod mo sa wall at walang tigil sa kakahangos. Sumilip ako at wala tao kung saan ako tumakbo kaya napabuga ako ng malakas.

Binalik ko na ang korona ko at pinagpag ang gown ko tsaka naglakad pero natameme ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang makita ko ang mga maid na nakatulala sakin.

"Ah... good day"- I greeted to break the silence and bowed my head and walked past them and it had me think about it that why did I even bowed my head? "Tingnan nyo oh!"-turo ko sa likuran nila at pagkalingon nila tsaka naman ako kumaripas ng takbo paalis.

Paikot ikot ako ng east wing hanggang sa mapaupo ako sa sofa at pinahiran ang pawis ko. I looked at the picture on my back and its our family picture.

Tumayo ako at tinitingnan ang litrato at napahiya ako sa ngiti ko. Gagi para akong aswang. Di ko alam na bat uso ang head dress paningin ko kase parang palangganang may laman na gulay na nakapatong sa ulo ko. Baby pa si Quera na hawak hawak ni mama.

She's a widowed woman and has no child on her own. Napalinga ako sa paligid nang may narinig akong kalabog. Lumakad lang ako ng ilang hakbang at may sumidlak na ilaw at isa lang salamin. Parang antique siya pero ang ganda.

Umikot ikot ako para tingnan ang gown ko sabay tinaas ko ang sleeve ko para tingnan ang muscle ko pero wala lanta. May dumi sa mukha ko at inalis ko ito pero di siya naalis lumapit ako sa salamin para tingnan ang dumi. San ko naman kaya to nakuha?

"What are you doing in here my daughter?"

I tried to change the topic. "Ah mama may dumi po ba ako sa mukha?"

"Anong dumi?"

"Nakita ko sa salamin may dumi sa kanang pisnge ko" kinuha niya ang handkerchief at pinahiran ang mukha ko at ang amoy ng perfume ni mama. "Mah how to be you po. Ang ganda nyo po kase can't help but adored you everyday"

She covered her half face with her fan. Her face turn red "Anak maganda ka naman. Nambobola ka pa"

➖➖➖

I went to the balcony watching the our beautiful maze like garden. Sumulpot ang mga maid sa likuran ko at dinadalhan ako ng macaron. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Yes princess were so worried. Whats bugging you?" Tanong naman ng pangalawa

"I have an idea"- binulungan ko sila at nagtanguan silang lahat at bilis nila akong dinala sa kanilang kwarto na walang nakakaalam.

I snuck out of the palace in disguised and went straight to the city. Blending entirely with the townsfolk. Cheap looking fabrics and rag like cloak. I feel awful wearing one.

I hid when I saw a scout past the alley and pulled the hood to cover my face, so no one would recognizes me and sent me back to the palace again for hundredths times.

Nakakabagot naman sa loob ang boring. And here I am now. Successfully pass the guard without noticing me and thanks to the help of my ladies-in-waiting. Sakay talaga sila sa trip ko.

The market square buzzed with life as I made my way through the bustling streets. The raucous, blaring calls of vendors rang through the air, blending into a polyphonic symphony of commence. The fragrant scents of exotic spices mixed with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked pastries, enticing passersby with their tempting flavors.

A gust of wind suddenly swept through the surrounding, causing the leaves to rustle in a heavy, susurrating chorus. My feet lead me to a dull, gloomy streets, dust was visible.

I made my way to an alley, therian  Its not what I have expected. It makes me loose my expectation. Its bustling with pheasant and deafening.

"Bili na po kayo!"

"Isang ginto lang po ang lampara!"

"Isda dalawang pilak lang paubos na!"

"Bagong ani lang po para sa tatlong pilak"

Yan ang mga naririnig ko sa paligid at naiipit ako sa mga taong dumadaan at nadadala ako sa mga lakas nila na ang iba palabas at papasok naman kaya tinutulak ko sila pero ako naman ang talo at napunta ako sa sulok. I went on a an alcove and at the end of it may mga tindahan.

Its crowded with commoners. But there's only a few costumers buying on there kiosk. Sampu pataas ang pamilihan ng mga karne na nagdidikit at iba iba ang mga karne na binibenta nila. I'm walking passed through them observing. I didn't knew that my kingdom is suffering in poverty. What is wrong?

Does my parents knew this?

"Bili na po kayo!!"-The old woman shouted calling my attention. She has dirt on her face. I glance on the table and the meat is fresh but I don't feel like buying one. I solemnly shook my head and she frowned.

"Bili na po kayo ng manok "-sabi naman ng pangalawa na matandang lalake at umiling din ako ulit na nakangiti pero masakit sa dibdib ang makita ko silang malungkot na tinitingnan ang kanilang binibenta. Nakakapagtaka bat kaunti lang ang namimili dito? e pareho naman sa kabila?

I keep surveying and sat down by the fountains rim. I saw children playing around with their rag like clothes and didn't even bothers on the dirt. Those smile is priceless. Those smile was torn my heart. I maybe living on a luxurious life, yet I'm not even contented.

May bata na tumakbo at napadlisan at inalalayan ko sya napangiwi ako ng makita ko ang pumutok nyang labi at di ko rin naman alam anong gagawin para tulungan sya.

"Tera! anak makailan ko sabihin sayo na wag kang maglaro ng tagutaguan!"-sabay palo nito at inagaw ko sa kamay nya ang kahoy na pinamalo nya at naalis ang aking takip sa mukha dahil sa kapabayaan. "Wag ka ngang mangealam!"

"Why do you beat her with this?"-i exclaimed

"You don't know what its like to be a responsible mother---"

"Then why beat her?! Is that how mother taking care of her child? shame on you!"-sigaw ko but it just broke my heart when I saw her burst in tears.

"Don't lectured me of how to treat my daughter you must asked yourself for letting your kingdom suffered. Wala na kaming nakakain. You do partied and for what. Ano naman samin..." she burst in tears and kneel after those words slip on her mouth "I'm sorry your majesty.." Nadurog ako ng makita ko siyang umiiyak. I assisted her to be on her knees but she was trembling in fear "N-no no-- don't hurt me your majesty"

"I deeply apologize. Pero di kita sasaktan"

Gumulo ang isip ko sa binitawang nitong salita sakin. HURT? Wala akong alam sa sinasabi niya. Whats happening di ko man lang binigyang pansin ang aking kaharian.

"You made my mother cry I hate you! I hate you!"-umiiyak ito at kinukusot ang mata nyang luhaan. Bumaba ako at magkasingtaas na kame at I pat her and apologize.

"I'm sorry tera. Ayaw kong nakakakita ng ginawa ng mama mo sayo"

"Its not her fault. Tumakas ako sa bahay para lang makapaglaro sa mga kaibigan ko. May sakit po kase ako kaya ayaw ni mama na lumalabas ako ng bahay na baka maging tulad din ako ni ate at papa"-umalis ito sa harap ko at di ko pansin na napaluha na pala ako na di ko napapansin.

Di ko alam na ang buhay pala ng mga tao sa labas ng palasyo ay mga taong naghihirap. What was it like to be one of them? Makakain kaya ako ng maayos gaya sa palasyo?

Nawala sa isip ko ang imahe ng tahanan ko at pumasok sa isipan ko ang buhay na pabaliktad sakin. Isang buhay na ang pait palang mabuhay. Pano ko nagawang magpakasaya kung marami sa kaharian namin ang naghihirap.

"Mama hingi po ako pambili ng damit at sapatos para sa nalalapit na pyesta. Mama kulang pa ito?! sa sapatos lang ito aabot? gosh?!"

"Anak i'm sorry kung wala kaming nairegalo sayo ng ilang beses at pagbigyan mo ako ngayon na makabawe man lang"

Isang babae ang nakuha sa dalawa kong mata at napakunot noo ako sa kanya. Binalingan ko ng tingin ang kanyang ama at ina na kanina pa'y walang tigil sa kakatrabaho at gusot gusot na pananamit maliban sa kanyang magarang palamuti sa katawan. Did she even notices their sweat at work? Sumigaw pa sya lalo at di ko natiis ang kabastusan nya.

"Hey!"-hinila ko sya at sinamaan lang ako ng tingin nito at pilit pang bawiin ang kanyang kamay sakin pero hinigpitan kolang. "Pagod na ang mga magulang mo at humihingi kapa ng malaking halaga para lang sa pyesta? Anong klase kang anak?!"-napabulyaw ako ng wala sa oras at napadilat ito at sinampal ako sa mukha ng malakas.

Halos mamilipit ako sa hapdi ng palad nya. "Pake mo!"

Mas di ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko "Are you even their daughter?!"

Mas umiba ang itsura nya sa insulto ko at tinulak ako. "Kapal ng mukha mo para tanungin yan? Bakit sino kaba?!"

"Ate hingi po ako per---"-isang bata ang kumalabet sa kanya at sinabunutan nya ito at hinagis papunta sa nagwawalang kabayo at napatakbo ako para ligtas ang bata pero nahuli ako dahil ako naman ay natilapon palayo sa lakas ng pwersa.

I suddenly felt ill, but I managed to sit down and covered my nose and mouth because of the dust. The carriage is gone! But the child!

The town people began to crowd the place. I joined the crowd and my eyes widen. The child is safe. He's on someone's arm, whose appearance was obscured.

Agad akong lumapit sa taong nagligtas sa bata. Nakapalibot sa kanya ang mga tao at umalis ito kaya't sinundan ko. May mga daanan na di naaabot ng mga tao ang dinadaan namin at halata dahil hindi naman talaga ito daanan.

Makulimlim at tahimik lang ako nakasunod sa likuran nya at bigla syang lumingon at naging alarma ako at nakatago sa tabi ng lumang upuan. Ilang segundo lang at sumilip ako at napaatras ako ng makita ko na sya ay nasa itaas na pala ng bangko at ako lang ang di nakabisto. Grabe pano nya nagawa yun?

"Why are you following me?"-iritang tanong nito at napalunok ako dahil boses niya ang lalim. Pero maganda siya pakinggan. Virile

"Gusto kolang malaman kung saan mo dadalhin ang bata"-nakasandal ang bata na walang malay. Ano ang gagawin nya sa bata? Anak ba nya ito o kapatid?

Di ko rin makita ang mukha nya dahil nakamaskara ito at naka tingin lang siya sa paa ko. "Why'd you care? Your just standing in there without moving your fucking ass. Muntikan na syang mapahamak kanina!"

His furious because of what happen and even blame me for not doing anything. He save him and I was sure I didn't made any noises as I followed him but he still noticed me. One breath later he just disappeared leaving a dust to covered him. I walked back and covered my face.

From that moment no sound was heard and I slowly look. Little by little the place became clearer. And found out I'm the only one standing. Who is he?