***

"Presenting Her Highness, Letizia la Cerda, Princess of Spain, and His Lordship, David Juan Carlos."

David and I heard the cue of our entrance as we took another step in the hallway with several security staff on the side. I couldn't fathom that this was happening. This wasn't a dream. I absolutely wasn't dreaming.

Kung wala si David sa tabi ko, baka kanina pa 'kong natumba at nagpaikot-ikot palabas ng hall para tumakas at magtago sa kanilang lahat. Maybe it would just be the high heels that I was wearing making me uncomfortable. Pero kung panaginip 'to, gusto kong magising na.

Princess of Spain . . . Wow . . .

I don't think I ever imagined being called that title publicly, let alone by the media. My throat felt like it was drying up, and a massive lump was stuck in it. I have never had a public presentation in Spain and do not desire one. And to think this was happening in the Philippines instead of Spain was more nerve-wracking.

Hindi ko na rin sigurado kung masiyado lang ba masikip ang suot kong damit kaya parang nahihirapan ako sa paghinga. Pero sakto lang naman ang lapat nito nang aking isukat noong isang araw. Halos hindi na rin nga ako nakakain nang maayos dahil sa sobrang kaba ko.

"I can never get used to having those long introduction," bulong ni David nang marahan na pinisil ang aking kamay na nakakapit sa kaniyang braso. He cut my imagination off.

"Neither." I mean, how would I be used to it? It was the first time the title was ever mentioned to the public.

I softly placed my hand on top of his. We were both about to face the media as the double doors were slowly opened.

"But you know what?"

Lumingon ako kay David at malapad ang ngiti niya. Parang sabik na sabik na bata dahil binigyan ng paboritong lollipop at laruan.

"What?"

"I'm glad my name is after yours, mi princesa." Kung may ilalapad pa ang ngiti niya ay paniguradong 'yon ang masisilayan ko ngayon. "Just as how it's meant to be."

It was expected since it was based on the hierarchy of the titles—the royal family first before any other nobility. Pero wala naman issue sa aking kung hindi ako mauuna sa pagtawag nila. Hindi naman ako sanay sa ganito.

"I'm sure you did something about that." I smirked and faced the front. Binigyan na nila kami ng signal na puwede nang pumasok at tumuloy na kami sa loob ng hall at walang tigil ang flash ng camera sa bawat paghakbang namin.

Mabuti na lang talaga at nasuri ko ang hitsura ko sa lahat ng anggulo dahil kahit kaunting mantsa sa damit o munting kalat ng makeup ay makikita sa dami ng kumukuha ng retrato.

Ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko at parang hihinto ako sa paghinga. I almost winced because of the never-ending snaps from all directions. I expected this to happen, but it definitely exceeded my expectations and imaginations.

"Breathe, mi princesa," malambing na bulong ni David at napatingin ako sa kaniyang direksiyon. "Just breathe."

He didn't even look at me, but his thumb was brushing on my hand that held his arm. We couldn't show too much affection, but we didn't want to look indifferent. It was hard showing for the first time to announce my wedding with my best friend, but it was harder to poke fun at him during that stressful and serious time.

Questions were thrown in our direction, but we didn't address any. I couldn't hear everything clearly since they were all speaking simultaneously, and the camera snaps echoed in the hall. Basta nasisigurado ko na tinatanong nila kung sino ako at bakit ngayon lang ako lumabas sa publiko.

I don't even blame them. kahit sino naman ay mapapaisip talaga. How could a nobody like myself suddenly announce my existence and my marriage at the same time. At naganap pa talaga sa labas ng Espanya.

"Can you please show us your engagement ring?" Malinaw na dinig kong usal ng isang journalist.

I cleared my throat and turned to David before looking at my engagement ring. I slowly extended my hand to show the diamond sparkling on my finger. Wala pa ring tigil ang mga kumukuha ng retrato. Sa halip, pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo pang dumami ang mga flash ng kamera.

"You're very beautiful, mi princesa," biglang bulong ni David sa akin.

"You know you don't have to try too hard to please the media," pabulong kong usal habang patuloy pa rin ang pagkuha ng mga retrato sa aming direksiyon. My eyes were starting to hurt because of the endless flashes from different directions.

Napayuko ako nang kaunti dahil nagsisimula nang mairita ang aking mga mata dahil sa mga flash. I blinked my eyes a few times before raising my head properly again to face them. Lumapit si David at inayos ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko at sinipit sa likod ng aking tainga.

"I don't need to pretend at all, Letizia. You know I care for you more than my life."

I knew he did, and this was not about maintaining his appearance as the heir of his family or about my introduction to society. This was not the most unexpected way a half-royal like myself would have the limelight.

One of the staff approached us and informed us that we could return. This announcement did not require us to speak a word; we only needed to show our faces. The official interviews will take place when we return to Spain.

That would be a stress for another day.

***

Please don't forget to read Sole Mate: Rome by Imcrazyyouknow for Rome's POV!

JO ELLE

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