Winning The Magnate's Heart (#LTNI Book 2)

#WTMH Roll 11: Back to Neverland

"Can you stand?" Isaiah holds Margaret's face. Still the look of fear and being lost are still present on her large eyes. "Marga?"

At parang doon lang ito nakahuma nang kumurap ito at lumingon sa paligid.

"Margaret?" He called her again. "Can you stand?"

The woman looked at him.

Doon na lumuhod si Joaquin sa buhanginan sa tabi nila. "Margaret? You okay?" He pushes Isaiah's hands off the princess. "Come on, let's take you back to the camp." He holds both her hands to help her stand.

Annoyed, Isaiah tries to suppress it. It's not the right time to be selfish with his feelings especially the woman is still dazed about the whole event. Tiningnan niya paano dahan-dahang tumayo si Marga na ginamit pa ang dalawang kamay para itukod sa buhangin. Parang di pa talaga nanumbalik ang lakas nito.

Having a fear of something is scary especially when you tried to overcome it yet faced it all at once.

What happened to her is she stubbornly tries to conquer it and when accident occurs, her willpower was succumbed into fear. May takot ito sa dagat, ang mas malubha pa'y malapit na itong malunod sa dagat. He can't start to imagine how scary it is for her – not knowing what to do but pray for help.

Lumapit kay Marga si Trish (babaeng architect na sumakay sa kabayo ni Isaiah) at binalbal sa naginginig na prinsesa ang jacket nito. "Here, Princess."

Joaquin wrapped his arms around the woman to keep her warm.

Isaiah looked at Marga's small body enclosed between the prince' arms. It was supposed to be him in his position... but...

His eyes fall on the sparkling diamond ring on Marga's finger.

...someone already marked their territory.

Habang naglalakad papunta sa direksyon kung saan nila iniwan ang kani-kanilang kabayo, huminto si Margaret.

Joaquin looks down on her. "Marga?"

She turns back to look at Isaiah still standing on the same place. Joaquin turns to look at the man as well.

Isaiah softly nods, telling her to go of which she answers with a sad smile. She then resumes walking slowly.

.

.

Tahimik na binaybay nila ang masukal na kagubatan pabalik sa kampo. Chomper remained un-manned as the tour guide holds his reins. Nakasakay kasi ang prinsesa sa kabayo ni Joaquin. Naka-pambabae ito ng upo sa harapan ng prinsipe na ang mga mata'y nakatingin lang sa lupa. Tulala at tahimik.

Isaiah, maneuvering his horse with Trish behind her, throw long glances at the princess.

Di pa rin ito naka-recover sa nangyari.

Earlier, when Isaiah was frantically searching Marga on the boat and into the wide ocean... his eyes caught on something floating on the surface. It was a jacket. Then and there, he knows it was Joaquin's jacket and it was Margaret's distress signal. Despite being scared, she still tried to survive. And when she reaches her hand towards him, he knew... she was expecting him to come to her rescue.

Sa mga oras na iyon na nawala ang babae sa paningin niya ng ilang minuto, di mapapalagyan ang takot niya. His anger, bitterness and pain are gone in a snap and all he can think that time is to bring back her safe – that's just it. Lihim siyang natawa sa sarili.

If Margaret is scared because of the sea, he was scared that he might lose her –- and this time, it might be forever.

Kaya ganoon nalang ang galit niya dala ng pagkabahala nung nakita niya itong sa wakas ay humihinga.

"Andito na sila!" Sigaw ng batang si Logan nang makita ang mga kabayong may sakay na lumabas sa kagubatan.

Jean and Ussie, upon seeing the woman wet and shivering with cold, immediately left their posts from washing the clothes. "PRINCESS!!! OH MY GOD!! WHAT HAPPENED?!!"

Unang bumaba si Joaquin at tinulungan ang prinsesa na bumaba.

Jean holds the cold hands of the princess. "Oh! What happened to you?"

Dinama ni Ussie ang pisngi at pagkatapos ay ang tumutulo pa sa tubig na basang damit nito. "Answer us, Princess..."

Slowly, the princess turns to look at the group she was with on the travel then to her two attendants. "I... I d-decide to have a quick dip in the ocean." She forces a smile --- a smile that never reaches her eyes. "A-Ang ganda kasi ng tubig roon. Wala kasi a-akong dalang damit kaya sorry..." She swallows a lump on her throat. "...ito ang ginamit ko-kong pangligo."

"G-Ganun ba?" Jean looked at Prince Joaquin, trying to get confirmation if that's what really happened. Tumango lang ito para sabihing totoo ang sinabi ng prinsesa.

"Tara." Akay ni Ussie ni Margaret. "We need to wash you off! Naku, bakit itong damit pa ang ginamit mong panligo?! Ang bigat nito pag nabasa!"

Joaquin turns to the team behind him. "That's it for now. I hope you'll respect Princess Margaret's decision to keep the incident a secret. She has a reason and that is not to worry everybody."

Everyone answers except Isaiah. "Yes, Prince."

Lumapit si Isaiah sa kabaya ni Marga. "Come on, Chomper." And pull its reign towards the forest to let it drink and rest.

Sinundan lang ni Joaquin ang lalake ng tingin at tumalikod na rin papunta sa kampo.

.

.

Matapos mahubad ang damit ay agad na sinalubong ni Jean ng makapal na bathrobe ang lantad na katawan ng prinsesa. "Please wait for a few minutes, princess." Tinaas nito ang tumtulo pa niyang buhok. "Nagpapakulo pa ng tubig si Ussie para makapagbanlaw ka --- "

Napapikit nang mariin si Margaret nang pumitik ang sentido niya. "Uhn~"

"Princess?" Nag-aalalang hawak ni Jean sa dalawang balikat niya. "You sure you okay?" Tinaas nito ang namumutlang mukha niya. "Should we call the palace doctor and ---- "

"No, no!!" Mariin niyang iling bilang pagtanggi. "No.." Iniwas niya ang mukha. "Don't call anyone."

"But, Princess ---- "

"Jean." She looked at her attendant. "Can I have a private time alone?" Yakap niya sa sarili.

Di muna tuminag si Jean at nagdadalawang-isip kung lalabas ba o ipipilit na magpatingin ang prinsesa sa doktor pero nakikita nito sa mukha ni Marga na kailangan nga nitong mapag-isa. Kaya wala siyang magawa kaya tumango. "S-Sige po, mahal na prinsesa. Pag may kailangan kayo, nasa labas lang po ako."

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at tumango.

Jean picks up the wet, heavy dress on the floor and leaves the tent.

When the place went dark again as her attendant closes the curtain, Margaret slumps herself on her bed. She exhales deeply and buries her face on her palms.

> "Bata!! Bumaba ka diyan!! Matatamaan ka ng kidlat! Patay na ang kaibigan mo!!"

Those memories again. She thought it stopped haunting her when she arrived in Scotland since she thinks the case was closed. But being surrounded by sea and slowly drifting deep down the bottomless water, it awakens a lot of sleeping memories on her.

> "Do you want to borrow Ms. Pepin?" Lahad ng batang babae na may asul na mga mata sa manika nito. "We're going to Indonesia as well."

[Note: Ang tanging alam ni Margaret sa nangyaring trahedya ay doon lang sa parte na alam at nilahad ni Pablo. Those are the k********g scene @ the airport, their detention in the house, the killing of their mothers and when Margaret suffered brain trauma while waiting near the fountain for Pablo. What happened before the k********g where Marga and Elaine had a short conversation, during their stay at the warehouse and their accident at the stormy sea are still fragments on Marga's mind.]

Is there more to that incident years ago?

Ano pa ba ang nakatagong lihim sa karumaldumal na pangyayari noon?

She knew that Charlotte and Elaine Miller were kidn*pped accidentally and were killed by the Rene's group.

She knew that she and her mother were their main target, and, on the process, her mother was killed upon protecting here.

Now, why is a memory about a blue-eyed girl seems to haunt her. Who is she?

Parang may mali 'eh. Parang may parte sa memorya niya ang di tugma. What Pablo shared to her seems familiar. Alam at dama niyang totoo ang mga sinabi nito. Pero pakiramdam niya'y may nangyaring sa mga panahong iyon na siya lang at ang batang may bughaw na mata ang may alam.

Natigilan siya.

> Galit na galit na niyuko ni Isla si Liam na noo'y nakadapa sa kalsada at hawak ang shorts niyang aksidente nitong nahila pababa. Blue-eyes looked up to her.

> The blue-eyed girl turns to her. "Do you want to borrow Ms. Pepin?"

The girl's eyes and Isaiah's eyes have the same shade of azure.

.

.

"How's the princess?" Tanong ni Ussie kay Jean nang lumabas ito sa tent.

Umiling ito. "She's not well for sure but she wishes to be alone in the meantime."

"Si Marga?" Tanong ni Joaquin nang makalapit sa dalawang katiwala ng prinsesa.

"Inside, Prince." Sagot ni Ussie.

Tumango lang ang prinsipe na noo'y nakapagbihis na nang puting t-shirt at itim na riding pants. "I see."

"Prince." Hinarap ni Jean ang lalake. "If you don't mind me asking, what really happened during your survey?"

Namulsa ang prinsipe at nilingon ang direksyon ng tent. "If the princess wishes to keep quiet with it, let's just respect it for now."

Nanlumo ang dalawang katiwala na halatang nabahala sa kinikilos ng dalaga. Nilingon naman ng prinsipe si Isaiah na noo'y nakaupo na sa bench at may ginagawa sa laptop nito.

Earlier, seeing Margaret on Isaiah's arms really invoke a strong sense of jealousy on him and he was close on making a scene when Margaret's face stopped him on his tracks. Di biro ang iyak nito. On her sobs were a message of fear and pain. The way she clutches on Isaiah's back was not that of a lover's but a kid on a parent --- wanting to feel the sense of safety and security. Sigurado siyang may alam si Isaiah kung anong kinatakot ng husto ng prinsesa.

ROMBLON, PHILIPPINES

Elaine pinned her lush black hair behind her ears as she places marinated fishes on a flat net to be dried under the sun. Kasalukuyang nasa ilalim siya ng puno ng Talisay sa likuran nang dalawang-palapag nilang bahay.

"Elle?"

Nilingon niya ang ina-inahan niyang halos mag-setenta y cinco (75) na sumilip sa bintana, "Po, inang?"

Lumabas ang maitim at ugod-ugod nang maglakad na butihing matanda. "Nakita mo ba ang anak mo?"

"Si Miguel?" Pinahid niya ang kamay sa apron niya at umiling. "Di po. Huli ko siyang nakita sa duyan sa may hardin, kumakain ng chichirya. Bakit po?"

"Kanina po kasi tinatawag, di sumasagot." Napakamot nalang si Titang sa ulo nitong puno ng mapuputing buhok. "Baka'y sumunod sa itang mo sa dagat."

She smiles. Miguel visits the sea if he has the chance to. Kampante naman siyang hayaan ang anak kasi mas magaling pa nga itong lumangoy sa kaniya. Ang anak pa nga 'ata ang sasagip sa kaniya kung sakaling malunod sila. "Baka nga ho siguro."

"Batang iyon, oo. Di ko maabot-abot ang luma kong basket sa taas ng aparador (closet)."

"Oh? Ako nalang po, 'nang. Ibilad ko muna 'tong mga isda. Aling basket ba? Yung kulay itim?"

"Oo. Arrruyy~" Ungol ng matanda habang sapo ang balakang. "Ibang-iba na talaga ang lamig sa gabi. Di tulad noon na kaya ko pang hubad matulog. Ngayo'y kahit magbalbal pa ako ng tatlong kumot ay napaginaw pa rin."

Di mapigilan ni Elaine na mapangiti habang naglakad at isabit sa sampayan ang net kung saan nakahilata ang mga isdang marinated. "Bakit nga ba natutulog ka ng hubad noon, inang?"

"Mainit kasi sa katawan."

"Bakit naman mo mainit?" Pilya niyang ngiti.

Agad namula si Titang at kinuha ang tsinelas sabay tapon sa direksyon niya. "Ay batang 'to oo!!"

Tumatawang umilag si Elaine. "HAHAHAHA! 'to naman. Nagtanong lang." Pumasok siya sa loob.

"Ngayo'y alam ko na saan nagmana si Miguel sa kapilyuhan nito." Habol ni Titang sa babaeng tumatawa pa ring umakyat sa kahoy na hagdan.

.

.

Kumuha ng isang silya si Elaine at pinuwesto ito sa harap ng aparador. Pagka akyat niya'y sinilip niya ang taas niyon. "Itim na basket ---- " Natigilan siya nang may nakita siyang pamilyar na kahon. Kinuha niya ang nagsisimula nang alikabuking kahon at umupo sa silya. Kahon iyon nang mga gamit niya noong secretary pa siya ni Liam. Binuksan niya iyon at napangiti sa mga litratong bumungad sa kaniya sa loob.

Sari-saring litrato iyon na kinunan ni Isla noon na p-ini-rint nito at isa-isa silang binigyan.

Kumuha siya ng isa at napatawa. Mukha iyon ni Liam na himbing na natutulog at nilagyan ni Isla ng tig-isang limang piso na barya sa nakasara nitong mata.

Isang litrato nama'y naka-wacky pose sina Isla at Boyet. At may litrato pala siya ni Peashooter na medyo blurry kasi halatang sinampal ng pusa ang cellphone ni Isla nang balak nitong kunan ito ng litrato.

Then her smile disappeared upon seeing a familiar paper. Kinuha niya ito at dinama.

This paper... It was one of the blank papers on Dra. Melanie's clinic. Matapos kasi ang ginagawa nitong hypnosis sa kaniya'y agad niyang sinusulat ang mga nakukuhang clues sa papel para di niya makalimutan. Scribbled on it is a name MARGARET.

Dinama niya ang pangalan na iyon na napapalibutan pa ng kung ano-anong sulat kamay niya.

MARGARET.

Right. It was one of those session that she recalled meeting a tiny girl with a bandage wrapped around her head on the warehouse.

MARGARET.

Wait... isn't Isla's real name Margaret Victoria Carolina?

Umiling nalang siya at tinawanan ang sarili habang binalik ang papel at mga litrato sa loob ng kahon. There's no way the Margaret on her history is the princess. In the first place, what could be their connection? Second, when Margaret was still Isla, Isla never mentioned about an accident on her past life. [A/N: Note that during Isla's discovery about her true lineage, they almost never met since Hailey was busy arranging Liam's schedule since Liam was "detained" on the Miller's mansion that time.] Third, there are hundreds or maybe thousands of Margaret in Philippines.

Umakyat siya uli sa silya para ibalik ang kahon at kunin ang basket.

Kinalimutan na niya ang paghahalukay sa nakaraan niya. She knew that once she started the process of acceptance that it wasn't her fault that her mother died, she can be at peace. Alam rin niyang ayaw ng ina niyang makita siyang malungkot at sinisisi ang sarili sa nangyari.

Charlotte lived to love and protect her. Charlotte died to let her live and that's what Elaine will be doing from now on.

"MAMA!!!"

Napalingon siya sa bintana at dumungaw roon upang makita ang unico hijo niya sa may gate na basa ang buong katawan. Halatang galing nga ito sa dagat.

"MAMA!!" Malapad ang ngiti nitong tinaas ang isang malaking posit (squid). "LOOK!! Ako nakahuli nito!!!" Pahid pa nito sa mukhang basa ng tubig-dagat.

Her heart swells with adoration. "Aba'y galing 'ah!" Tinukod niya ang mga siko sa hamba ng bintana. "Mukhang masarap ang hapunan natin ngayon 'ah."

"Hehehe!" Bungisngis na takbo ni Miguel papasok sa kabahayan.

Live to love and to protect her own child. Just like what her mother did.

EVENING | CAMP | SCOTLAND

On a swing made of blanket between two trees, Isaiah prompts himself to lay on it. Dala ang isang folder na lama'y isang kontrata, hinanap niya saan siya huling nagbasa. Making his own little bonfire, few meters away from his tent, he starts reading the document.

"Di kumain ang prinsesa?"

He peeks above the folder he's holding. He saw Ussie holding a tray of food. She shakes her head to answer Jean's question.

Nalungkot si Jean na sinilip ang direksyon ng tent nito. "She never ate a single thing since they came back."

"Umiinom naman siya ng tubig." Alo ni Ussie sa kaibigan.

"Ussie naman 'eh. Di nakakapagbigay lakas ang tubig. Tinanong mo ba kung anong gusto niyang kainin?"

Umiling uli ito. "Di nga nagalaw ang hinatid nating snacks kanina."

"Anong ginagawa niya sa loob?"

"Nakahiga. Nakatalikod sa'tin. Pag inaalok ko siya na kumain, sinasabi lang niya na ilagay lang diyan kasi kakainin raw niya mamaya. Nakadalawang tray na ako ng hatid, di man lang nagalaw."

"Nababahala na ako, Ussie. Pag di pa kumain bukas ang prinsesa, mapipilitan talaga akong magpadala ng mensahe sa palasyo. Paano pag may sakit pala siyang iniinda? Alam mo nama ang prinsesa, ayaw niyang may mag-alala --- "

"Excuse me."

"WAHHH!" Sabay na tili nina Ussie at Jean na napalingon sa direksyon ni Isaiah. "M-Mr. Miller???"

Tumayo si Isaiah mula sa pagkahiga sa duyan at binaba ang dalang folder tsaka lumapit sa dalawang babae. "I happened to overhear your conversation."

Sabay rin itong yumuko at nanlumo.

"Di kumakain si Margaret?" Namulsa siya.

Tumango si Jean. "Opo." Binalingan nito ang tent nila na tanging isang lampara lang ang nagpapailaw sa loob. "Mr. Miller ---- "

"Isaiah. You can call me Isaiah." He gave friendly smile.

Namula si Ussie at kinilig na siniko si Jean. Pinandilatan naman ng mga mata ni Jean ang katabi. "Umayos ka nga..." At tiningala ang matangkad na lalake. "O-Opo, Mr. --- este, Isaiah. Nag-aalala na talaga kami. Kanina pa niya ayawng kumain. Nagmumukmok lang sa tent at nakahiga. May nangyari po ba kanina?"

Di tuminag si Isaiah at nilingon na rin ang tent. "Yeah. But if she wants to keep quiet about it, let's choose it that way."

"Gaya rin ng sinabi ni Prince Joaquin." Malungkot na lumabi si Ussie.

"May I?" Lahad ni Isaiah sa kamay.

Niyuko nina Jean at Ussie ang tray ng pagkain at sa lalake sa harapan nila. "Po?" Sabay pa silang napakurap.

"Let me try giving it to her."

Nagkatinginan sina Jean at Ussie.

Alam ni Isaiah na nagdadalawang-isip ang mga ito. Lalake siya at engaged ang prinsesa nila sa isang prinsipeng na andito rin sa kampo. He changes his tactic. "Well, you prioritize your princess' health, right?"

Tumingin ang dalawang katiwala sa kaniya.

He winks. "Let me handle it."

Agad nilahad ni Ussie ang tray sa lalake. "P-Please do, I-Isaiah."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Jean na nilingon ang kaibigan. "Ussie!"

"Jean." Malungkot ang mata nito. "It's for the princess. All we want right now is for her to eat." Ussie turns to Isaiah. "Please. K-Kahit dalawang subo ---- "

"Sampung subo." Singit ni Ussie. "Maraming subo ng kanin, Isaiah."

He smiles upon winning their trust. Kinuha niya ang tray mula kay Ussie. "My pleasure." Tatalikod na sana siya nang may naalala. "By the way, can you do me a favor? Can you find me some sweets..."

.

.

Nakahiga si Margaret at nakatalikod sa pintuan ng tent.

She was not sleepy. She was not hungry. But her mind and body were tired. Tired from thinking what's wrong with her.

Ano pa ba ang kulang? May dapat pa ba siyang malaman? Akala ba niya tapos na lahat?

She heard the main curtain moves. She sighs. "Ussie... I told you, just leave the food there. I'll eat it later --- "

"Kung di ka raw kakain, isasauli ka nila bukas sa palasyo."

Natigilan si Margaret sa pamilyar na boses. Nagmamadali siyang bumangon pero pagharap niya'y agad siyang pinakain ni Isaiah ng matamis na...

"Hmm..." Niluwa niya ang sinubo nito. A sugary-sweet yellow gummy bear. "G-Gummy bear?" Tiningnan niya itong nakatalikod at parang may inaasikaso sa lamesa. "Isaiah?"

Humarap ito na may dalang umuusok na bowl ng lugaw. He pulls a chair towards her bed. "Eat it." He commanded.

Automatically, she eats the sweet jelly and closes her eyes as a surge of sweet energy spreads on her mouth. "Ang saraaaapppp~"

"Bat di ka kumakain?" Inihipan nito ang kutsarang may lamang lugaw.

"May gummy bear ka pa?" Masigla niyang tanong. She definitely wants another one.

Isaiah looks at her blankly.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

"I'm asking a question."

Tiningnan niya ito. "W-Wala lang akong gana?" Sinubuan siya ni Isaiah ng lugaw na siya namang kinain niya.

"Is it because of what happened?" He softly blew the hot porridge he scoops with the spoon.

She slowly nods. "A-Akala ko kasi nalagpasan ko na ang takot ko sa d-dagat. Di pa pala..." She ate the porridge Isaiah lends.

"Fear does not completely disappears on our lives, Marga." Subo uli ni Isaiah sa kaniya. "It always stays deep within us. Can start torturing us whenever they like to." He looks at her straight. "All of us has our own fear."

Ngumunguyang yumuko si Marga.

"We can control it to not let it control us. That's just it." Lahad nito sa kutsara. "Eat."

She remained quiet as she ate the food being served by him.

"What happened back there, was an exception."

Napatitig si Marga sa harap. "E-Exception?"

Isaiah clears his throat. "You are not weak. We succumb to our fear occasionally..." Nagsubo uli ito sa kaniya ng lugaw. "...bec. fear is part of our lives. Ang daming pwedeng katakutan sa buhay ng isang tao, Marga. Yet here you are, standing great for your people. Fear is what makes us strong."

Di niya namalayang tumulo na ang mga luha niya.

"You reached your hand that time towards me bec. you wanted to live. A sign that you fight for your life that time. It doesn't make you weak."

Kinagat ni Margaret ang ibabang labi at tumango.

"If you are weak, you should have gone home with I rejected your proposal the first time, but you didn't. If you are weak, you should have been discouraged by the first report that it might be impossible to make a lake in here. If you are weak, you should have given up and let your body drown in that ocean. If you are weak, you should have gone home to the palace yet you didn't because you don't want people to worry about you."

She sniffs as she tries to wipe her tears and eats the porridge Isaiah keeps feeding her.

"Feeling the fear will remind us how strong we are."

Humihikbing tumango si Margaret.

"Eat."

She opens her mouth yet instead of warm porridge, she munches a sweet gummy bear again. Agad sumilay ang ngiti sa labi niya. "Anong kulay ng bear??"

"Blue." Sagot ni Isaiah.

At nagtama ang kanilang mga mata. Di nila namalayan na malapit na pala ang mukha nila sa isa't-isa.

Slowly munching her sweet treat, Isaiah's eyes slowly drops on her damp lips.

Gently, Margaret made a sound as she swallows. Tinaas uli ni Isaiah ang mga mata nito sa kaniya. Now, they're breathing their own air. They can't hear anything but their heartbeats and ragged breathing. Marga knew they're both thinking the same thing. Dahan-dahan na dinama niya ang ibabang labi ng lalake. Tracing it with her finger, Isaiah closes his eyes to savor the pleasure.

He places both his hands on her waist and presses her side to tell her, he yearns for her touch as well.

Dahan-dahang dinama ni Margaret ang pisngi ni Isaiah. His day-old stubbles tickle her palm as she keeps feeling his chiseled features. This feels really good.

Isaiah opens his eyes to meet hers.

Itataas na sana ni Margaret ang isang kamay para damhin ang kabilang pisngi nito nang nakita ni Isaiah ang kumikinang na singsing sa daliri niya.

In an instant, Isaiah woke up from the tempting dream. Agad itong tumayo. "Easy..." Lumayo ito sa kaniya na nameywang at inis na tumingala. Nagpalakad-lakad pa ito sa loob ng tent.

Unaware of the reason on his change of demeanor, Margaret looks at her with curious eyes. "W-What's wrong?"

Umiling si Isaiah. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" Tumayo si Margaret at akmang lalapit rito nang lumayo si Isaiah. Nasaktan siya sa inasal nito na para bang may sakit siya na ayaw nitong mahawa. "Isaiah, what's wrong --- "

At sabay silang napalingon sa direskyon ng kurtinang pintuan ng tent nang may narinig silang boses.

.

.

Ussie and Jean wipe their tears as they heard Isaiah's words to their princess. They never imagined that the princess nearly died earlier.

Bago pahintulutan nilang pumasok si Isaiah sa tent, nagbigay sila ng kondisyon na babantayan nila ang b****a ng tent sakaling dadaan o hahanapin ni Prinsipe Joaquin ang dalaga. Mairap nang madatnan nito na may lalake sa loob.

At parang nagsisi silang nagbantay sila. Ang bigat sa damdamin nang naririnig nila. Despite all the princess' achievements, she still thinks she is weak.

Ang lungkot lang kasi di sila sanay na makitang o marinig na malungkot ito. Ang prinsesa kasi ang naglilibang sa kanila pag sila ang malungkot pero di nila magawa iyon sa prinsesa.

It was wrong but they appreciate the princess' efforts to keep the incident quiet. Kasi bukod sa ayaw nitong mag-alala sila, ayaw rin nitong matanggalan silang dalawa ng trabaho oras na malaman ng reyna na napabayaan nila ang prinsesa. A threat to the life of the princess is not a joke at all especially she's the only living heir of the Queen.

She still thinks about them.

"Princess..." Hagulhol ng dalawa.

"Jean? Ussie?"

Napaangat ang tingin nila sa prinsipe na noo'y naglalakad papunta sa kanila.

"s**t!" Mura ni Jean na agad hinarang ang sarili sa kurtinang pintuan ng tent.

"G-Good evening, Prince Joaquin." Kinakabahang bati ni Ussie.

"How's Marga? Did she eat already?"

Mabilis na tumango ang dalawa.

"Good. Can I check up on her?"

Napasinghap si Jean at mariing umiling. "N-No you can't, P-Prince."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Joaquin. "Why?"