A Royal Affair

Chapter 1

Saymetri's Pov

The sound of thunderstorm and heavy rain woke me up in the middle of my nightmare. A reality-turned nightmare that I guess, was about to hunt me for the rest of my life.

Hinihingal na umupo sa kama at mas hinila papalapit sa 'kin ang kulay itim na comforter. The coldness that the aircon emitts made me feel uncomfortable. Ipinikit ko ang aking mata at isinadal ng bahagya ang aking ulo sa headrest ng queen size bed. I sighed and wipe the tears that falls in my eyes, unconsciously.

Napahiyaw ako sa labis na pagkagulat ng kumalabog ang paligid dahil sa malakas na pagkulog at kidlat. Sapo-sapo ang aking dibdib at hindi pa tuluyang nakakabawi ay nataranta na naman ako nang marahas na bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto. With a gun on his he immediately scanned the place as if he's in search for someone else presence. That same man who helped me earlier on the cementary took a step forward.

"Bakit ka sumigaw?" Tanong n'ya sa malamig at seryosong tono. I gawked at him for a moment and became panicky as I realized that someone I do not know, a man to be exact is inside my room.

Naalarma, kaagad akong lumayo sa kanya. As if my pillow can do something to protect me from him. Iyon ang una kong dinampot.   "S-stay away from me! Edward! Edward!" That was supposed to wake everyone but unfortunately, it didn't.

"Hindi mo kailangang sumigaw, I won't hurt you — Ha! As if I could really trust you." I mocked even though I am scared as hell. Kasalukuyan  na 'kong nasa sulok ng aking higaan samantalang hindi man lang s'ya gumawa ng kahit na anong pagkilos.

His thick brow arched as he put his gun back on his waist. "I saved you earlier." He mumbled and turn his back on me. Mariin akong napakapit sa muling pagkulog at kidlat kasabay nang pagyakap ko sa unang kinuha  kanina para sana ipanghampas sa kanya kung sakaling may gawin s'ya sa 'king masama.

"W-wait." He sighed frustatedly and face me once more with annoyance plastered on his obscenely handsome face. Nairita na rin ako sa 'king nakita.

No one should look at me that way.

"Tawagin mo si Prima." Taas noong utos ko sa kanya at bumalik na ng higaan. Muling umangat ang isang sulok ng kilay ko ng hindi s'ya sumagot at seryoso lang akong tiningnan.

We were exchanging intense gaze till I look away because of his taunting smile. Nakaka-intimidate 'yon mas'yado. I hate being intimidated.

"Look let's sort things out, Saymetri..." My forehead knotted out of irritation. Marahas akong bumangon sa kama at naglakad palapit sa kanya. Diretso lang s'ya sa 'king tumingin kung ang iba'y itutungo ang ulo nila s'ya ay hindi at sa halip ay pirmi pa rin s'ya sa postura n'ya.

Sino ba talaga 'to?

Where did they get this disrespectful man who seems like knows nothing about the royal rules and protocol.

"First name basis aye? We aren't relatives, or even friends and I assumed that you don't even have a royal title, so you should bow down to me and do as I say." I murmured. He should be scared by now. I'm angry at him right now. I am the future Queen of this country I can easily order someone to get him kill if I want too.

Rather than to be scared he grin even more. Mukhang sinasadya n'ya na talaga ngayon na inisin ako.

Isinilid n'ya ang kanang kamay sa bulsa ng pantalon na suot n'ya napatingin ako ro'n bago ko ibinalik ang mata ko sa kanya. Muli akong nagtaas ng kilay at tinupi ang braso ko saka iniligay sa ilalim ng aking dibdib.

"Let me tell you something 'cause it seems like you are disoriented. I am Senior Special Agent Barrette Thadeo Montefiore, sa 'kin naka-atang ang responsibilidad ng kaligtasan mo." I smile sarcastically and walk towards the one seater sofa.

"Bodyguard you mean?" Nagtiim bagang s'ya at ikinuyom ang kanyang kamao.

"I didn't attend years of training at the FBI just to be called your bodyguard, also I am not someone who gives f**k about your whims and the f**k I'll bow down to you, you weren't even worth it of my time and attention, respeto pa kaya? bahala ka na rin sa buhay mo dahil ayoko na rito." Galit na anas n'ya saka dire-diretso nang lumabas ng kwarto at pabalang na isinara ang double door. I gritted my teeth at that. Ilang minuto rin akong nakatingin sa pintuang nilabasan n'ya bago nagkibit balikat.

"And so if he resigned?" I scoffed before I sipped on my jasmine tea.

Sapo-sapo ang noo na bumaling sa 'kin si Zeid matapos ang ilang minuto n'yang pakikipag-usap sa cellphone.

"Saymetri it looks to me that you really don't know what is happening. Someone's trying to kill you for so many possible reasons." He began his litany. Marahas akong bumuntong hininga. Alam ko 'yon, hindi n'ya kailangang isasalita pa. Dinadagdagan n'ya lang 'yong takot ko eh.

"Could it be that they're after the  throne?" I saw him stiffened at my question before he redeemed his composure. Pilit s'yang ngumiti sa 'kin.

"That could be but let's just wish this is about something else and not about the throne." I carefully put the tea cup back on the coffee table and eyed him worriedly.

Hindi ko magawang ngumiti sana nga hindi. "Kasi kung ang trono nga ang dahilan ibig sabihin ay isa mga kamag-anak lang rin natin ang may pakana ng planr crush at pagpapasabog ng mga bomba sa cementery."

"Your highness, Grand Duke Alexis and Grand Duke Marfori has arrived." Kasabay no'n ay ang pagbukas ng double door at pagpasok ng mas mga nakababatang kapatid ni Papa.

"Your highness." Duke Alexis was the first one who did his curtesy. Hindi ko naman 'yon gusto. Mas gugustuhin ko sana kung yayakapin na lang nila ako at ikocomfort.

Lumapit rin sa 'kin si Duke Marfori saka ako tinabihan. He flashed an apologetic smile. "I am sorry about your lost, Saymetri. Hindi rin ako kaagad na nakabalik rito. I attended a state visit in Japan." He murmured and it was more than enough for me to know why he didn't make it earlier. Katangap-tangap na 'yon para sa 'kin.

"Nasaan si Barrette?" Duke Alexis asked as he scanned the whole place. Tumikhim si Zeid dahilan para mabaling sa kanya ang atensyon ng dalawang Duke.

"Dapat ay lagi mo s'yang kasama, hindi natin alam kung kailan aatake ang nasa likod ng mga krimen na 'to. Saymetri, Turin cannot afford to loose another royalty. Si Aram nga pala nasaan? Mas makabubuti kung ipagpaliban n'yo na lang muna ang kasal n'yo sa katapusan ng taon." He suggested like it'll be the best choice we have as of this moment.

"I don't like him, he resigned already. Oh well, if he didn't do it himself I was actually gonna fire him. Another source of stress and frustration is the least thing that I need right now and his existence shout that two things." Napailing silang tatlo saka bumuntong hininga. Come on don't me make me feel like I'm a case of hopeless brat.

Napatingin ako sa engagement ring na ibinigay n'ya sa 'kin. Should we postponed the wedding first and just go aa it planned when everything is okay? I do not know, I am still confused.

"Greetings, your highness." Aniya sa malambing na boses saglit s'yang pinasadahan ng tingin nina Duke Marfori bago s'ya tuluyang nakalapit sa 'kin.

"Good morning, Cara." He muttered using his menancing voice and kiss the back of my hand that somehow made me smile.

"Aram, alam mo na ba ang tungkol sa pagreresigned ni Barrette?" Alexis asked in a serious manner. Umayos s'ya ng tayo saka tumango.

"But I have talked to him, nakumbinsi ko na s'ya na bumalik bilang head of security ni Saymetri." My eyes widened at that. For the first time since I met him, I found Aram really annoying that I wish I could just punch him in his face.

"No! I said I don't like him." Tiniklop ko ang braso saka ipinatong sa 'king dibdib. "Find someone else. I don't think he's the best on that field — Well apparently, he is. You didn't know what we've been through just so he'll accept this work." Sansala ni Zeid. Just in time Barrette walked in graceful yet intimidating manner.

What's with this man? Why does he seems so dangerously alluring and annoying at the same time? Iwinala ko ang kaisipan na 'yon sa 'king utak at iniwan na lang sila ro'n.