***

I STOOD near the balcony entrance as I watched my father and half-brother waving to the people. I hid behind the curtains, just enough to be captured in the photographs.

My father was doing his best to appear in public despite feeling unwell. Nakikita ko ang ilang beses niyang pag-ubo at nasisigurado ko na may iba rin na nakakikita niyon.

This would mean that Eugenio would be crowned king sooner than he was hoping. And that would also mean that he may never see his lover again—especially being the daughter of the mafia.

I would love to meet the girl, though. Gusto kong malaman kung paano sila nagkakilala ni Eugenio. Knowing that his upbringing was stricter than mine, being the crown prince, it was a mystery how they met and grew fond of each other. Realistically speaking, our families would be enemies.

"Mi princesa," pagtawag ni David nang hawakan ang aking baywang. He didn't mind the looks—both pleasant and eerie—from people around us with his public display of affection.

Coming from the royal family, we shouldn't publicly show our closeness. We had to look dignified and respected, but I didn't want that to define my relationship with David.

Hindi naman ako lumaki na kailangan pasayahin ang public at media. Nitong nakaraan lang naman nila nalaman ang pagkatao ko. Samantala, lumaki ako kasama ni David. Hindi rin naman ako ang magmamana sa korona kaya hinahayaan ko lang si David dahil ang aksyon naman niya ay hindi makasisira o makaaapekto sa trono ni Eugenio.

Baka nga nakatutulong pa sa kaniya dahil sa halip na mga larawan nila ng nobya niya, mga retrato namin ni David na lumalabas ang pinagpipiyestahan nila. Mas lamang naman ang sumusuporta sa amin kompara sa mga negatibong komento at may legal team naman na nag-aasikaso na niyon.

"David . . . "

"Why don't you stand with them?" pabulong niyang tanong.

I noticed he was cleanly shaved, and he looked more dignified and masculine with his choice of clothing. He was in a three-piece navy blue suit. He tried to pair with me, but he didn't know I would be wearing pastel yellow.

"You know I'm not into big crowds, David."

"I know. But you're still a la Cerda. Besides, I really want to show you off the world." Hinawakan niya ang kaliwang kamay ko upang dampian ng halik ang engagement ring na binigay niya.

"Or you wanted the people to see how flirty you can be?" pabiro kong bulong upang ikubli ang pag-init ng pisngi ko.

"Por supuesto que no, mi princesa. Sólo di una palabra y le diré al mundo que te amo," aniya. Hindi pa rin niya binababa ang aming mga kamay at dama ko ang labi niya sa likod ng aking palad nang magsalita siya.

"Sabes que sólo estoy bromeando," sagot ko at binaba na ang aming mga kamay. "I would not make you do that."

"I was actually getting ready to do that, mi princesa," dagdag niya.

I snickered as I faced the crowd's direction. Kung hindi ako mang-iiwas ng tingin, baka makuhanan din ng retrato ang aking mukha na magkukulay kamatis. After making all the formalities of me being a princess and being engaged to David, he had become cheekier, crazier, and cheesier.

Muli kong binalik ang aking atensiyon sa harapan. Kumakaway pa rin sina Papá at Eugenio. Ngunit hindi nakatakas sa akin ang  pamumutla ni Papá. He was breaking in cold sweat by the looks of it.

Sumensyas na si Papá at nagtanguan na ang kaniyang mga tauhan. Tinapos na nila ang serenonyas at pumasok na kami sa loob.

***

"FINALLY that's over," sambit ko kay David na nakahiga sa kama niya. Inaantok siyang nakangiti sa aking direksiyon. "Maybe we should return to the Philippines and have a holiday," pagbibiro ko.

"Come and lie down with me . . . " pagtawag niya at maayos na pinaginga ang braso sa kama. Ngumiti ako at naupo sa tabi niya at marahan na humiga sa kaniyang tabi.

Inayos niya ang buhok ko sa kabilang direksyon at umayos naman ako sa aking pagkahihiga upang pareho kaming maging komportable.

Napansin ko na parang naging balisa ang kaniyang hitsura kompara kanina. Dinampi ko ang aking kamay sa kaniyang pisngi at hindi pinuputol ang pagtitig sa kaniyang mga mata.

"What's wrong?"

I saw how his Adam's apple bobbed up and down before he whispered, "Are you certain you want to marry me?"

Nabigla ako sa tanong na iyon ni David, dahilan upang mapabangon ako mula sa komportable kong pagkahihiga sa kaniyang braso.

"W-what?"

I thought this conversation was already over when we returned to Spain. Hindi ko alam na nai-insecure pa rin pala siya na baka napipilitan lang ako at hindi pa rin sigurado sa desisyon ko.

"I don't want you to regret anything, Letizia" —He reached for my cheek and damped his big, warm hand— "I desire your complete happiness and . . . "

I silenced David when I lowered my face to his. Nanigas ang katawan niya nang pagdikitin ko ang aming mga labi.

Dalawang segundo lang naman ang halik na iyon at parang tuod pa rin siya nang dumistansiya ako. "I won't regret it, David. I gave you my word and I know we'll be happy . . . Besides, there's so much you need to teach me," I playfully whispered. "I promise you, I'm sure that I want to marry you, 'kay?"

Nang matauhan si David, bigla niya akong hinatak upang mapaupo sa kaniyang tiyan. Ang aking mga hita ay nakapuwesto sa kaniyang tagiliran.

"And I promise that I will do everything in my powers to make sure you don't regret choosing me . . . and I promise that I'll teach you everything that you'd like to know," he playfully replied as he bit his lower lip.

I smiled before resting my head on his chest. My ear was settled just above his beating heart.

"I look forward to it."

It was a short-term happiness that I would not change for the world.

I would be a liar if I said I didn't miss Rome, but I do. In a short period, he embedded his existence with me. But I would not make any sacrifices and lose the guy who had been with me since day one.

I hope he's happy now, wherever he may be. As for me, I'll marry and live happily ever after with my best friend, the Duke.

***

JO ELLE

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