Chapter 44

Samara's POV
I close my eyes emphatically to what Grandpa said. Next two weeks? What should I do?
"Informed your father Prince Dwight. He'll be very happy and you'll gonna be crowned once the marriage was done. I knew it was supposed to be in you 23th birthday but it was postponed because we can't find my granddaughter. Now that she's here. You'll going to be the next king, "
Dwight sneezed first before speaking, "Yes your highness. He'll be very happy,"
Grandpa nodded, obviously happy. I stood up and said goodbye to him.
"Please rest, Grandpa," I ordered
"Of course. I don't want to be sick in my granddaughter's marriage,"
I secretly winced at what he said before Dwight and I left. It was only then that I let out a deep breath.
"You should have refused lady blue—"
Before he could finish what he was going to say, I cut it off with a question.
"Nobody tells me that if you don't marry me. You won't get the throne?" I asked frowning.
"It's not important," he said briefly
"It is!" I just hit my head
"I won't—" Again, I cut off what he had to say
"Go home tomorrow and let the father know about the wedding. We'll prepare the wedding the day after tomorrow,"
I didn't let him speak anymore and then walked away. I went to the bedroom then picked up my phone.
"Please take care of my bath," he commanded before entering the balcony
I closed the glassdoor so I couldn't be heard and then called Zairo.
[Yes milady?]
"Mission postponed," I sighed. "Grandpa and I talked and the wedding went on. We can't take the first step until the wedding is over. Dwight will be damned," he said.
[Yes milady. What will I do now?]
"Watch his actions as well as those businessmen. When the wedding is over, then I will send them away. So is that minister!"
[Yes milady]
"Where are you? Have you been to the palace?
[I am actually filing my clothes milady]
He is already here
I took a deep breath, "Okay. And at least you're there right away when I have something important to say. I'll call you later,"
[Okay then your highness]
I went inside and then took off my clothes before entering the bathroom. I sighed in contentment when my skin felt the cold water. When I got tired of the soaking, I also got up and then wiped my clothes.
They adjusted my dress and then put on a floor-length violet dress.
(A/n: I don't actually know what I am talking about here hahahaha)
They tied my hair and then curled the end and left some strands on the side of my face. I stared at Lady Son as she picked up a bracelet-like made of solid gold. I thought he would put it in my hand but he put it on my head. He also put a pin that raised the ponytail even more. It's also made of gold. She took dangling earrings made of small diamonds and necklaces.
"Is it really necessary to ... put things like this on the body?" I asked as they put the belt around my waist
"Yes Your Majesty. Then they will know you are the queen," Lady Son
Just keep quiet until they finish what they are doing. When they finished, I went out to think about meeting Dad and Mom. I stopped walking when they bowed slightly to me. I just sighed.
"Good afternoon majesty," they greeted Papa
I approached and was ready to be hugged by someone speaking from behind them papa. My mouths secretly cried when I saw who he was.
"Good morning dear queen," Minister Costomo said with a fake smile on his lips
His face went blank as my eyes hit him, "What are you doing minister costomo?" I asked firmly
An annoying smile spread across his lips, "I'm here to apologize Your Majesty for my absence last night," he bowed.
"You drop the sarcasm on your voice or I'll punish you for being direspectful? I know if — you helped in the palace while I was away," I restrained myself from shouting at him "And being a good leader of ministers but no right insult me. If you have a problem minister costomo. Tell me. I'll make it better for you! "I said firmly
I knew he was angry but he still managed to smile which I secretly laughed at. I'll tease you first while I'm busy with Dwight and I's wedding. Hays.
"Sorry majesty," he bowed again
"I accept your apology but next time. I won't miss that,"
I gave them mama and papa a smile before they passed. I went to the room where the head of the kingdom and ministers were discussing the problem of the country. Now I should have expelled him but because of Grandpa's request.
We were postponed first
But I'm planning something that will definitely give him a lot of nervousness. I smirked inwardly. Get ready. The door opened and I was exposed to the ministers who stood and bowed. I sat in the chair my grandfather had occupied when I first came here. When Minister Costomo sat down I began to speak.
"I know the collapse of Ihmapuleya is not new to you due to the decline of our economy," I seriously began.
Everyone was staring at me except Costomo who seemed bored in his chair and obviously not listening. I'm mentally laughing now.
"So I called you because according to my investigation. Someone from my kingdom illegally brought a businessman into the country without paying taxes and mercilessly evicted the poor citizens of Ihmapuleya!" I scream in anger
They were both knocked down because of my shouting and slapping the table in front of me. The eyes glazed as I looked around at them. I saw Minister Costomo stiffen in his seat.
It's just the beginning
***
I sat in the chair at the far end then looked around. I noticed Dwight wasn"t there so I asked right away.
"Where is Prince Dwight?" I will ask
"He left a few moments ago to tell his father personally about the wedding. I was happy for both of you," Tita Liana
I secretly swallowed and just nodded so he wouldn't see the nervousness on my face. I know I'm nervous at the thought but I also can't help but feel excitement.
I'm in love with him after all
He just didn't know that and what he knows now is that I'm just being forced. I want to say that I don't love him but I can't. I must first end the kingdom problem.
I picked up the cutlery to start eating as I could feel Lily's sharp gaze.
"L-ly—"
"He's an assh-le! You shouldn't have given him permission—" Ly stopped speaking when Tita cut him off.
"Don't say those words again Lily! Haven't I told you before that stopped cursing or calling inappropriate nicknames someone! You are a princess so act like one! You should be a good model to everyone!" Tita Liana rant
Lily was very upset, "I'm sorry Mom. That man is annoying,"
"If I hadn't given him permission. You would probably have been punished for what you did. I can't afford to imprison you," I explained.
His shoulders dropped, "I'm sorry Vy. It's a bad trip for you—"
"Lily!"
"Okay mom!"
Lily just laughed and then continued eating. I was about to finish when Lady son approached me and announced Zairo's arrival.
"Eat first Zairo," I said to the camel
"I have eaten, Your Majesty," he replied
I stood up at the table then said goodbye to Tita and Lily. I just frowned when Lily raised an eyebrow at me and teased Zairo. I just shook hands with him and then went out with Zairo.
"He's in panicked mode right now. I tract their CCTVS and hear his calls to those illegal businesmen. Looks like he knew about it milady," Zairo
I smiled sparingly at him, "I just scared him a little bit," I laughed a little as I remembered how he stiffened in his seat.
"Naughty," Zairo shuddered
"Nobody told me that traitors can play clown sometimes," I laughed
He also laughed when I told him what happened inside. I know it's wrong and not appropriate to talk like this to Zairo but I can't help it. He was like Lily. I trust and treat her like a brother. Though, I met him just a few weeks ago but I can't help but trust him easily. I have a feeling he won"t betray or fool me in the end.
We were walking down the hallway when I noticed some horses that looked like they were going to be put in the cage. The windows in the room are big so I can see them clearly. I stopped and stared while thinking.
"You wanna ride a horse milady?" Zairo
I turned to him, "Meet me later. 10PM," I meaningfully commanded him
He bowed down, "Your Majesty will follow,"
***
10 PM
Everyone in the palace was asleep at this time except for the guards who were assigned to guard around. I got up from lying down then put on comfortable clothes and put a cloth to cover my face. Before I went out I took the sword and put it to the side. At the side of the door Zairo greeted me with a cloth also covering his face.
"At the back gate are the horses majesty," Zairo
I nodded and silently headed in that direction. When some guards saw me guarding the back gate, they bowed down. I just hugged them and then got on the horse. Led by Zairo. We got there in an hour.
In the deep night people seem to never get tired of building a building. They each have tasks and excessive noise. Many were on guard so there were trees we chose to hide.
"What are they doing?" I will ask
"It was the area where the shipment of drugs takes over. They chose this place because it was far from civilization. It's just one of the people that Minister Costomo illegally enters the land of Ihmapuleya," Zairo said.
My mouth watered. I just silently watched what they were doing but in my heart. I want them to be picked up. We spent a few more minutes there when we decided to leave but we had not gone far when three large men blocked our way.
My eyes narrowed, "Get out of where we're going," I coldly command
"Who are you? What are you doing here? You have no right to go inside! Get down there and remove the cloths from your face!" His command is authoritative
"Who am I?" I asked coldly, I got off the horse
"Milady! What are you doing?" Zairo
"Well. I owned this land and you culprits have no place to stay here !!"
I quickly took my sword and then rebuffed it with the gun he was holding. I moved quickly and hit him in the neck causing him to fall to the ground. One of them was about to pull out a gun but Zairo was ahead of him when he hit him in the head. I turned to the third who stiffened on the stand.
His eyes widened then he raised both hands as I stuck the tip of my sword on his neck with a trace of blood.
"Tell your boss that I am coming for them!"
Samara's PoV
I left my bloody sword to the two soldiers and then removed the cloth from my face and then used it to wipe the blood from my forehead.
"Two weeks from now. The wedding will take place. I'm sure Costomo has a plan especially since he knows I know what he's doing illegally," I threw the cloth to the side then faced Zairo "I don't want him to use Dwight against to me in case he is removed from office. So I want you to watch his actions. For now, I will watch over Dwight as well as my family, "
He stared intently at me so I frowned at him but he said, "Did you love Prince Dwight?" He asked seriously
Gone those royal endearment that makes me feel uneasy. In what he is doing now. He looks like an older brother to me.
"When he saw you walked out of the door, in your coronation night, he looked so shocked to see you actually standing there in a royal dress with a crown in your head. He seems like he already knew you. So I assumed. Before you went here. You already knew him. So I wonder why you're pushing him away, "tumuwid sya ng tayo saka tumitig sakin" I asked myself why? Then I figure it out. You don't want to marry him dahil ayaw You can ruin him. But why don't you want to ruin him milady? "
I averted my eyes from him. I don't want to hurt him because I love him but I hurt him because of that.
"When it comes to our love ones. We're confused of what to do. Especially if their safety depends there but milady. Prince Dwight is no child. He can't protect himself from all the harm he might receive someday. Costomo was just a piece of cake with Dwight if he wanted to keep it quiet. Since he was a child. He was definitely trained by his father when it comes to battles because he was the next king! But do you know where he has a hard time protecting himself he? It was from the pain he was recieving from you, "Zairo
My chest tightened as I realized what he said. She is right. I forgot that Dwight was a prince. A crown prince and he definitely went through more training than me to be able to protect himself. I"m just hurting him for what I"m doing.
I was just hurting him and myself
"I just want him to be safe," I whispered softly
"He'll be assured safety if you tell him who's the enemies here milady and please don't hurt the prince. I knew him. He has a good heart. If might not be telling you but he's dying inside when you told him that You won't be able to worry marry him. He can protect himself. If you love him, tell him milady. Don't take him away from you just because you don't want to hurt him because, trust me, he'd been through a lot of danger but he's still standing here, fighting like what you're doing, "Zairo," Love was a powerful thing and that will make your country and him to become strong. Make the two powerful kingdoms unite and reign the whole world, "
'Make the two powerful kingdoms unite and reign the whole world'
I felt him tap me on the shoulder so I looked up at him. I smiled broadly.
"Thank you for enlightening me Zairo. I've been very confused lately and don't think about anything but his safety as well as my family's," I said.
"You're always welcome milady," Zairo
I slightly laughed, "You could be my personal adviser/butler/secret assassin and older brother,"
He said, "Older brother? Nah. I don't deserve to be called brother by my queen. You were a diamond and I was just a stone,"
"What now? They are different in value and form but they are both necessary. Status in life and appearance are nonsense when the person has those qualities as no humanity," I explained.
"Correct milady. You're so smart,"
We both laughed at our antics when we heard footsteps. We both looked at the blank -expression man who was staring at us. I was a little taken aback.
"It's 12 in the morning. Why are you two together outside the palace?" He asked
I couldn't figure out if he was angry or not which made my heart beat faster. Zairo's hand slowly dropped to my shoulder and bowed.
"Good morning Prince Dwight. The highness just clarying some things-"
"Clarifying things in the middle of the night at the back gate?" Dwight still looked expressionless
It was as if I was just staring at Zairo's side. I feel like I go back to the time I first saw him. When I recovered I sneezed loudly.
"That came from the Philippines. You should come home later so you can rest first,"
"Yeah," he replied shortly then turned away
I just stared there and if Zairo hadn"t called me I would have just kept standing there.
"He was jealous milady," Zairo
"A-what do I do k-when a man is jealous?" My clueless question
"It was what we called lambing.Go on milady!" He pushed me
Like a child, I followed Dwight into the palace. I made sure he didn"t know I was following him. Nawe-werduhan some soldiers who were circling inside the palace when they saw me. I stared at them and mouthed 'Go back to your work!' Which they did immediately.
We reached the hallway near his room and I was about to approach him when he entered. I wondered if I would knock or not but decided not to. I just sighed and stared sadly at the door of his room.
"I'm sorry for hurting you Dwight," I whispered
With a broken shoulder, I went to my room to take off my clothes and take a shower. I decided to wear a gray emphire-waist dress and then cut my long hair. I lay down on the bed and tried to sleep but I remembered the blank expression on Dwight's face again.
Is he angry or jealous?
I"m thankful to Zairo that he made me understand what to do in my relationship with Dwight before it all caught up. Why did I forget he was a prince? That's enough again. He is good at fighting and he can take down costomo. I should've not underestimated him.
"I'll get him back tomorrow," I whispered
I lay down on my side and was forced to sleep. I'm slowly drifting to sleep when I felt something touch my bare arm. My eyes quickly opened and I rolled down on the bed. My lips parted when I saw a man in black and wearing a mask. His sword was buried in my bed and if I hadn't avoided it, he would have ended up on me.
"How did you get into my room?" I shout
He did not answer and approached where I was. I quickly stood up and dodged his next attack then kicked him in the back with a strong reason so he crashed into the cabinet full of displayed fragile figurines. That made a noise as they crashed. I was a little disappointed when I remembered that I had cleaned my sword with the soldier earlier.
I opened the drawer to retrieve the gun that was hidden there when his sword struck my arm. I sat up while my arm was bleeding.
"Who sent you here?" My question was barely audible
But like before he did not answer. He was about to attack when I kicked his knee, causing him to be out of balance. I took the nearby vase and hit it on his head then ran out of the room.
"Soldiers !! You all wake up!" I desperately screamed hoping someone might hear me
"M-MILADY!"
I stopped walking and my eyes widened as I looked at Zairo with a wound on his side.
"A-what happened-"
I feel an excruciating pain behind my back and Zairo's desperate scream of my name was the only thing I can absorbed. I got on my knees and bit my lip to stop screaming because of the pain I was feeling.
He caught up with me!
A-the back!
"MILADY! NO! NO!" I heard Zairo shout as he stomped towards me
Even with so much pain and soreness in my back. I was even able to look at the masked man holding his sword and was about to be stabbed at me by someone who stopped him. The man expertly blocked the culprit's sword and attacked him consecutively before piercing the culprit's heart using his sword. The man's body collapsed as I lay weakly.
I heard fast and noisy soldiers approaching us and in a moment the surroundings lit up. Enabling me to see the man's face who save me. My eyes watered.
"L-Lady Blue ... P-please .... D-don't leave me," his face was pale
He carried me with care in his arms. I just leaned my head on his shoulder and when I felt the touch of his hand on my back. I cried in pain. He hold my hand with his trembling ones.
"Y-you're gonna be okay? You'll gonna be okay,"
"D-Dwight ....,"