Chapter 2: Marriage

Disclaimer: The inside of the parenthesis is the translation.

8th of May, in the Kingdom of Maharlika

"Princess," she curtsied as she gave me an envelope. I assume it's another invitation, the only question is from whom. I nodded at her as I received an all-black envelope laced with gold-colored ribbon.

This past few weeks, I have been to several social events. I refused some events that I think were not suitable for what I'm coming for. Some took it personally and blogged about me not showing up to their event but I think what boiled their blood more when I didn't really care about it.

"The crowd loves you so much." I turned my head towards the direction of where my Aunt is. Her black fascinator hat complemented her gold-embroidered black dress. She looked like someone who's going to an event or something. Her hat was a little over the top but she handled it gracefully; she's always over the top and it's not a surprise if she pulled this like a natural.

"They do," I answered as I curtsied in front of her. She kissed me on the cheek before looking at me from head to toe.

"You're going outside wearing that?" She questions before staring at me with visible disbelief. I nodded.

"It looks average, don't you think? Maria, your the crown princess people would be expecting a more glamorous look." I took a deep breath before shaking my head to check what's so wrong with what I'm wearing. I'm fond of pastel colors since it's beautiful, simple and elegant, and her taste in fashion isn't something that I would like to swallow.

"Aunty, you know how much I love pastel colors. Simplicity is beauty after all," I defended myself before sitting down on one of the vacant seats.

"So what brings you here Aunty?" I asked before offering her a seat.

"Nothing, just checking on you." I kind of wish that she didn't—or should I say that I'm wrong for trying to convince myself that her intentions were good. She loathed my father being on the throne, so it's expected that she loathed me as well.

"That's very kind of you, Aunty." I faked a smile. I gestured for one of my maids to bring us something to eat and drink.

"You're cousin Martha, you know how much the tabloid love her fashion sense. You should be like her as well," she said in a passive-aggressive manner. So is this really what she came for? To criticize me.

"Yeah, good for her," I said with an empty mind. I don't really care much about her being petty, as long as she's not crossing the line it's fine with me.

"Thank you." I smiled at the maid who placed a glamorous teapot and cupcakes on our table.

"How is the Duke of Infanta?" Her husband hasn't made any presence in the palace after my coronation. I'm wondering how much anger the coronation bore for him.

"He's doing great I mean, he's doing great in his job considering now that he's 4th in line to the throne." I faked a smile.

"But anyway, I'm here to congratulate you once more. You know, I just came here to check you out before proceeding for another fashion-related agenda that they invited me in," she said in a manner of bragging.

"Oh, so you weren't really going anywhere?" She asked as if she was really amused. I bit my lip to stifle a smile.

"Was it from Eleganté?" I asked.

"Yes, he's one of the best," she bragged, trying to make me jealous.

"Yeah, actually I was invited. I told them that I can't come," I revealed before standing up from my seat. My heels clicking towards her were a little loud as I walk towards her.

Obviously, she was surprised, she was frozen. "Hope you enjoy it," I finished as I accommodated her outside my office. I opened the door for her and she looked as if she was disappointed with what I said.

If Claire was here, I know she'll do better at embarrassing our least favorite family member.

**

"Mamá." I curtsied in front of the Queen. Queen Rosaline, my mother, is not a tall woman, she has black silky hair and a tan skin. She has a couple of wrinkles on her face, brought to her by aging, nevertheless, she still looks as ethereal as ever.

"The Queen Dowager is here." I gave my mother a bewildered look as I look towards where my grandmother is standing. I walked towards her and curtsied. she gave me her hand for me to kiss and gently put it onto my forehead as a sign of respect.

"Hola, Maria," my grandmother greeted me with a bright smile on her face.

"Hola," I responded.

"Rosaline, sinabihan mo na ba siya? (Have you told her?)" My forehead creased out of curiosity. My mother hasn't told me about this.

"Tell me what?" I asked with complete confusion.

"Ikakasal ka sa isang prinsipe mula ng De Luna (You're marrying a prince of Del Luna)." I looked at my mother to check if what I heard was right. Maybe I mistranslated my grandmother's native language, or maybe I was just daydreaming.

I can't just marry some random prince that I haven't met. My desire is to rule this kingdom just like how my uncle, my twin, and my father would want.

"Why? Am I not suitable enough to rule this kingdom?" I questioned in a reserved and calm manner. I don't want to end up disrespecting my family for my own sake.

"You are suitable enough, but the whole kingdom would want a prince to be with you. The kingdom needs a king, and not just a queen alone," my mother reasoned.

"Pero diba dili baya maharlikan imong kagikan? Nganong gi sugtan man nila si Papa nga makasal sa imoha? Akong punto mama kay gusto nako makasal sa lalaki nga gusto nako makauban hantod sa kahangturan (But you're not a Maharlikan by birth, but why did they let you marry my father? Mama, my point is that I want to marry a guy that I would like to spend my whole life with)," I reasoned with my mother's native language inorder for my grandmother not to understand.

"Maria, our circumstances changed when your father became the King of Maharlika; and as the crown princess, it's your duty to obey every single orders, I'm sorry." My mother seemed disappointed on the thought of me marrying someone I don't love.

"Maria, please understand that you as princess this is part of your responsibilities," my grandmother spoke with a heavy accent.

They're right, it would be very irresponsible of me for not following their rules, anyway, marriage won't end me nor my reign.

"I know, and I understand. When shall I meet this said Prince?" I asked with my modulated tone.

Mamá and my grandmother looked at each other. Shock and bewilderment is visible onto their faces. "We expected the worst possible reaction, but here you are...composed and understanding, just like what crown princess should be," my grandmother said with happiness in her voice. She seemed proud of what my agreement towards this bethrothal.

My grandmother hugged me, squeezed me into her arms. I leaned on to my grandmother's shoulders and felt her warm embrace. I opened my eyes and smiled at my mother.

My mother smiled at me bitterly, trying to hold back her tears. I tried not to be fazed with the view of my mother being teary eyed.

"You'll meet the prince after his coronation therefore you'll wait for further announcement, my crown princess," my grandmother said before hugging me for the last time.

She left the room alongside the maids. My mother and I were the ones left. We looked at each other, trying to give messages through our looks.

"I know that look," I told her with honesty.

"I had to agree, I know how much you wanted to be the queen. And if I disagree they might reap that title from you," my mother finally gave in. Tears fell down from her eyes. I rushed towards her to give her a hug.

"I wanted to become the Queen of Maharlika, I also wanted to feel the love that you and papá felt. Now, I had to choose from both of my dreams..." I separated from our hug to make things clear for her.

I held her hands and offered her to seat on one of the couches. She looked at me with love and sadness, and I could not bear seeing her this way.

"You're my dream, Maharlika is my dream. I wanted to rule this kingdom like how Uncle and Papá ruled it. I will make all of you proud," I explained.

"You already did," she said with no hesitation before trapping me into her arms, although I don't really mind being trapped by both of her arms since I have no plans on escaping from her warm embrace.

I guess this is where all of this leads, I'll be someone's wife but that won't stop me from being the Queen of Maharlika.