CHAPTER 49- BACK TO ESTHERIA

A L E X

The wheels creaks and the carriage move forward. I feel refreshed after taking a long bath and my dress is beautiful. For our last goodbye, Vidiana gave me a wisteria colored dress, puff sleeves with cute ribbons. The embroidered flower are knitted very well it stands out. But I might as well need to blend in to the crowds rather that getting attention through myself. I hid the dress with a dark cloak.

As we arrived and with the help of Count Moreen we manage to fund the people of Ugana. Giving them a better homes and building a brighter future. Since count Moreen was a brainiac. He can help me build a school and buy books and also hired people to educate the youngster. I want to support count Moreen and he, too, wishes this and I made it happen. And also that I'll help that little Hamlet. As a promise.

I wanted to change the world. After all, I have the power to rule the land but not until I became a Queen. And reach the possibilities. Wonders and knowledge, a world for everyone. A fair treatment and respect for all races.

There's this flickering feelings inside me and as I look at the sun, scorching alone above the sky, it's heat might burn me but still I need it, everything around me needed that light. And I wanted to be that light for everyone. I raised my hand and clenched it with a heave blow. "Okay, let's get to work!!!" I shouted

"Boys!!!!!!" Xylldor calls his men and commanded to volunteer. And I never been so happy to see everyone working together. The winds blows onto me and the leaves dances on each breeze until it faded on my sight. I can finally see the beautiful future.

I have few more days before the harvest festival. I want to capture the culprit and those aristocrats for there false news about the taxes and rules, threatening my father's name. I can't leave the king, since this was princesses biological father because the culprit is already in action.

"Grand duchess Tonali. I can't wait to meet you back home" I muttered under my breath.

"Excuse me boss Alex" a voice interrupted me and turned my shoulder and I walked back immediately and a wagon past me, followed by the people with a logs to build the future of Ugana.

"Wear a protective gear your highness" someone put a bascinet on me and it's Aldanard. He pressed too hard

"Your crashing my skull"

"Oppss sorry. Your knight is away and he wants me to take care of you"

"Ano? Saan naman yun pumunta?" I asked but he just shrugged and put me aside. He and Luna Crest always carried me like somekind of a little kid, lightweight and useless because too short. "I wanna help"

"Nope, he already list some rules"

"That idiot!" saan naman yun pumunta!

"Just trust him that's what he said before he left, he doesn't want you to get hurt"

"I'm a grown up Aldanard for pit sake, helping people wouldn't kill me for a second!"

"But he'll kill me"

"He won't, fine you can follow me around" I had no choice but to stay away from the working sight. The priest was so generous and he gave a temporary home for the beggars inside. The chapel is old and only few people come to pray but tonight he had a lot of little angel will listen to him.

"Boss"

"You boss, how are you" pagbati sakin Ng di ko kilalang Babae at may kasama pa siya. "I have my fund baka makatulog din ito ket konte.."

"Tanggapin nyo po sana"

"....." My lips opened and closed, in a frenzied rhythm, trying to form a words but all of that came out was a sound of my breath. I waved them, refuses their money "You shouldn't have" Nakakahiya kase ang daming nag donate tas ako yung prinsesa na walang pera huhu "Galing yan sa mga hunt nyo diba?" Tumango lang Sila at parang naguilty Ako. "You should keep that money."

"But boss, we wanted to help"

"Keep that you don't know what will happen tomorrow. You don't have to worry I'll take responsibility for everything around her because this is what I want. Maybe you can just help me in the kitchen we have some people to fed"

"With honor boss" they said and she assigned her fellow companion to buy some ingredients for the soup. There are chef from Ugana volunteered to help. I even lit up a fire by just using rocks. Dati naririnig kolang to sa class ngayon heto gumagawa na mismo ako ng apoy. Palpak nga lang pero tinuruan nila ako and it was a success.

I guess Moonsune is not bad after all. These people around me are gregarious. Natawa naman ako ng dumating si Emion kasama si Luna Ziegler na mukhang Unggoy na nagdadala ng uling. Para bukas. Di ko rin nasabi kay Xylldor na hindi ako magtatagal sa Ugana dahil uuwi ako sa Estheria. I'll talk to him later after this. Because my home is in danger.

The nun came and help us scooped some soup for everyone and gave them bread. Malaking pera ang binigay samin ni boss Grimer'e at sa tulong naman ni Count Moreen hindi rin ako nagproblema para sa pagkain ng lahat. Madali silang kausap.

"Your highness medyo nakulangan ng sampung tinapay, Meron paba?" Sabi ni Aldanard at pumunta naman ako sa kusina at saktong may 15 na tinapay at Inabot ko na Ang sampo.

Count Moreen came and bow before speaking "I already report to Prince Inavie and he and his brother help with the fund. I hired teachers from different places and the book are on the way here"

There's no words coming out from my mouth but I was touch for everyones help "thank you for everything and you shouldn't disturbed him"

"Prince Inavie told me that if you needed help he'll help. And also I thank you for fulfilling my wish to Ugana, some hunters needs to gained wisdom on them"

"Aww never could have thought grandpa is down to earth" said Aldanard with a snort.

"Shut up!"

"Well, I haven't been to school before, but I can read. Is there an age limit?" Aldanard asked "I want to learn more"

From that moment. I knew by those eyes, Count Moreen was offered. And he was glad to hear it.

➖➖➖

Three days past and I scolded Luna Crest like a child when he just decided to flee without my permission. But those anger slowly cooled down and I patted his head while his on his knees.

"Don't do that again okay?"

"Yes your highness"

"I don't want anything bad happens to my fairy" i said and turn my back and went to the construction sites.

I felt relief. Amazed that Ugana people are pretty hardworking. Parang kani kanina lang nakita ko pa silang nagpupukpok at pinatayo ang kahoy ngayon may atip na at dingding. Konte nalang at matatapos na. Xylldor separate men doing different labor and that made it easy. His such a good leader.

"Your highness take some soup, you looked worn out" Luna Crest handed me a bowl of soup. "I'm sorry for leaving you, I have some errands and I encountered enemies on my way back here.. "

" Enemies? Sino Ang mga iyon?" I look at him and he scratched his nape

"Basta" tipid nitong sabi

I just sighed "It's okay, as long as you came back safe. But where have you been?!" I asked but he didn't replied. I want to question everything because I'm curious but those eyes of him tells me that there's nothing to worry about. After all, his optimistic and unpredictable. I don't wanna be puzzled.

"I don't wemhen to start Basta"

"Okay don't tell me" I said and roll my eyes. I saw Xylldor talking with his men and leave, going back to their designated assigned area. Parang may inutos ito sa kanila.

Lumapit ako habang dala dala ang sopas. "May I have a moment with you?"

"Oh.. your highness with pleasure ket umabot pa bukas walang problema"

"Patawa ka talaga, nga pala, can I leave this job on your care, you can have your position back..." Di ako natapos ng bigal itong umiyak, his being dramatic and it's creepy! Im not used to see a large beefy man crying like a child.

"Your already leaving?!"

"Yes....." Di ako natapos kase mas naging O.A pa sita kala mo naman namatayan. He tried to blocked me, spreading his arms either way

"No, stay here and be my boss"

"But your the boss Xylldor this is your territory. Your home and everyone's leader"

"But.. but" his sniffling and i heard Luna Crest secretly laughing at him. Nainis ito at binalibag siya paalis. "I can't, I'm tyrant, selfish and narcissist.. I want to be obeyed and be feared because I was greedy. I can't give my position to anyone but later I realized, when that night I lost in our duel. I was devastated, ashamed because I was lost in the hands of a woman and yet not just any woman but a princess, and that princess made me realize that I was a fool"

"You aren't, maybe you are before, but look, everyone is working, following their task of what you assigned them, you managed to deal with hard headed hunter and huntress. You are beloved by your companion. And they're working by heart not by force" I said and punch his chest "That a leader. You see. I'm very sorry for judging Moonsune, back in my kingdom. This place is described as a prison and home for people who knows nothing but hunts, drunk, woman and money, but now. Those gossips slap me for good. Its a total opposite. This Moonsune is beautiful, its unique it has its own flaws and that's make the other kingdom wants to conquer this place. Please protect this place no matter what happen" I said and I turn to him and his I saw his puffy eyes. "Gagi bat ka umiiyak!!"

"I can't let you leave us"

"Magbibisita lang ako ano kaba, Basta promise me take care of your people someone will tried to steal this place. I cant tell you exactly who was those people are but I want you to never let your guard down"

"With my honor, your words are marked of pledge"

"Tomorrow we're moving.... Wag ka sabi umiyak!!!!"

."Sorry but I never feel Inlove..." Natahimik naman siya at tumingin sa gilid namin. Luna crest is casting an intense glare "You got it all wrong you crazy lunatic, all I can say is, I never been so fan with nobility but I do idolized the Legendary Dethen the great and now his descendants, changes my perspective towards the royal people. Maybe I too, judge you harshly, thanks to you I've learn alot in my journey and even for a short period of time my mind cleared up that dark cloud that covered my sight to the world"

"Masyado naman kayong seryoso sa buhay kanina pa akong namamatay sa gutom dito e" singit pa ni Luna Ziegler at hinatak siya bata papunta sa kusina.

"Just do careful" he said and I nodded and leave.

"You have something on your eyes your highness, you have feared something"

"I'm afraid that if I failed, I'll never be able to live to see the future that I want to change.." The head bonk got me and I crouch on my spot while patting my skull. Didn't he realize that his arms are big enough! Those impact can split my skull in half! "Gagi ka talaga Luna Crest!!" Sinipa sipa ko siya at sinuntok pero ako lang Yung nasaktan tangnang katawan yan semento!

"Parang nakakalimutan mo naman ako mahal na prinsesa. I live to protect you remember? If you say those words again. I won't forgive you. Maybe feeding you to a crocodile will not satisfy me"

"Say Luna Crest, don't yah think I will win over my crown again or maybe lies dead"

"Your highness I've already warned you, don't made me yanked you outta here!" He clenched his teeth. Kulang nalang sasakalin na niya ako

"I'm just being advance"

"Geez if I heard that again. I won't forgive you"

"Well then let's go back home, a place you and I met on that same moon, same destination" I said and I love how he gave me a sweet smile and pinch my cheeks by surprise.

"Yeah, a princess who stolen my first kiss. I promise to stay by your side, and serve the same princess" he said and kiss my forehead.