Chapter 04

Princess Victoria's Favorite

[Snow White]

Nagsimula ang tunay kong klase sa pagpasok ko sa ikalawang araw. No one expected me to be on the swordsman department. Kaya gayon na lamang ang gulat nila nang makita nila akong umupo katabi nila.

"I would like you all to meet the Princess of the fourth kingdom. Princess Snow White Rowenstein." I just gave them my sweetest smile. But it feels like, I'm not welcome in this department.

"Why is she here?"

"A young and delicate like her?"

"Swordsman department is becoming a joke nowadays."

Another discrimination. Hindi na talaga maaalis sa bibig nila na ang mga babae ay dapat na nasa bahay lang at nag-aaral nang history and literature.

"She's the second swordswoman in this class." Napatingin ako kung saan nakaupo si Lady Rebel, inaasahan kong magtatama ang tingin namin pero kahit ni isang sulyap ay hindi niya ginawa.

"Don't misunderstand my personality Princess Snow. I prefer to be alone. If you need any of my assistance, that's the time that you can talk to me,"

"As long as you don't have any business with me, please restrain yourself from approaching me. You're a noble and I'm just a guard of a brothel. It'll ruin your reputation."

And then I remember those words from yesterday. Napag-isipan ko nalang umupo at makinig nalang sa pag-uumpisa nang klase.

Itinuon ko ang atensyon ko sa pagsusulat at pakikinig dahil malaki ang idudulot sakin nito sa magaganap na digmaan.

"Ang paghawak nang espada ay nangangahulugan nang digmaan at kamatayan."

"If it's not necessary, hindi niyo kailangang ilabas ang espada para lang masabing malakas kayo."

"Remember that being a swordsman means you're a respected noble. Some of you can become royal guards and some of you will fortunately serve our country as a knight in the future."

"Being a swordsman requires a lot of strength. Dapat ay itinuturing niyong pamilya ang espadang pagmamay-ari niyo."

"If you and your sword are connected to each other, you will notice that the sword will become light as you handle it."

"When fighting enemies, remember that it's not all about being offensive but also being defensive."

"Keep your head high and your posture correctly."

"Princess Snow, since you're just new to the swordsman department, I suggest you to learn basic posture and basic knowledge before practicing."

"That's not a problem. Thank you." Kalmado kong sambit na ikinatuloy niya sa pagsasalita.

"Princess Snow is just a beginner and needs a trainor to guide her for the basic movement. Who wants to volunteer?" Marami ang mga tumayo pero isa lang ang pinili.

"Then Mr. Trevelyan, please guide Princess Snow until the end." As far as I remember, Morris Trevelyan is the son of Count Steffan. Although, I'm not well informed, I can say that his son is truly a noble man.

Morris smiles at me as he turns back, his eyes straight to the instructor.

Natapos ang klase makalipas ang dalawang oras. Pagkatapos nang klase ay pwede ka pang kumuha nang ibang oras pero dahil wala pa akong gustong kuning asignatura ay gusto ko munang matutunan ang mga unang palapag sa pagiging swordswoman.

"Let's take our leave shall we?" Kinuha ko ang kamay ni Morris at lumabas kami sa klase. Kasunod naman nito ang pagkakita namin kay Prinsesa Victoria patungo sa aming departamento.

"Princess Victoria is here again."

"It's been days."

Napatingin ako kay Morris na sinusundan din nang tingin ang prinsesa. "She's clinging to Lady Rebel for almost days." Sambit ni Morris tsaka tumingin sakin.

"That's just a slip of a mouth. Forgive me, Your Highness." He said as we walk again. She's the one that I saw yesterday.

What's the deal with the both of them?

Should I even care? I'm here to practice my swordsmanship. I really shouldn't care about small things that I'm not involve.

"Shall we start?" Tumango naman ako. Pinakita niya sakin ang mga battle stance at sinabihan akong gumaya sa kanya.

Hindi naman mahirap kung titignan pero nang ako na mismo ang gumagawa ay nawawalan na ako nang balanse. Inaalalayan naman ako ni Morris sa pamamagitan nang pagtama nang posisyon nang kamay ko at sa paghawak sa bewang ko.

Aaminin kong naiilang ako dahil hindi ako sanay na hawakan nang ibang tao.

Ilang oras kaming nagtagal pero lima palang ang nakukuha ko at may sampu pang dapat pag-aralan.

"Lord Travelyan, Is Princess Snow a part of the swordsman department?"

"Yes. She is." Yumuko ang dalawang lalaki at dalawang babae tsaka nagpakilala nang kanilang mga sarili. "Forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty. I'm Lady Scarce Charlemagne. This is my fiancé, Lord Strauss Hectasis."

"I'm the Young Master Harace Lowell, and this my fiancé, Lady Xiu Yumen."

"Nice to meet you, Your Majesty." Yumuko din ako bilang pagkilala sa apat na nakatataas.

"We would like to invite you in our circle, Will you like to join us for a cup of tea in the commissary?" If I want to have a good life in the noble society, I might as well accept their offer. Wala naman sigurong masama sa bagay na iyon.

Nang makarating na kami sa commissary ay nakaupo na kami nang matiwasay. "Lady Victoria sure is taking her time." Sabay higop ni Scarce nang tsaa.

Is she a part of this circle?

Bakit pakiramdam ko na hindi magiging maganda ang pagsama ko dito?

Pagbukas nang pintuan ay bumungad samin si Lady Rebel na ngayon ay inaalalayan si Prinsesa Victoria patungo sa pwesto namin. "Forgive my late appearance everyone."

"There goes Princess Victoria."

"You can't deny that they're a perfect match."

"Cover that mouth of yours, hindi sila pwedeng dalawa."

Talagang sila ang sentro nang atraksyon.

"You seem to be Princess Victoria's favoritism of the month." Hindi ko alam kung isa itong pangungutya para kay Lady Rebel pero mukhang ito ang tinatawag na biruan sa noble society.

"Lady Rebel is my friend. Watch your mouth Lord Harace." What did they think of Lady Rebel? A pet?

"Welcome to the circle swordswoman." Sabay inom ni Xiu nang tsaa. I think she's crossing the line. Rebel is still a part of the Ainsworth family.

"I'm too popular to be in this circle but thank you Lady Xiu." Napatigil si Xiu sa pag-inom nang tsaa.

"You're just a mere guard of a brothel." Lord Strauss is also crossing the line.

"I'm a respectable noble of Ainsworth family, Lord Strauss. You're always welcome at my own manor." If she has her own manor, bakit kailangan niya pang magtrabaho bilang gwardiya nang isang brothel?

"You're all a respectable noble in my circle am I wrong?" Malambing ngunit may pagbabantang tanong ni Prinsesa Victoria.

"We beg for forgiveness, Your Highness." Nagtama naman ang mata namin ni Prinsesa Victoria.

"Welcome to my circle, Princess Snow White." Pagkatapos niyang inumin ang tsaa ay tinulungan siya ni Lady Rebel para makatayo.

"You must respect Lady Rebel. She's my future knight. Opposing her is like opposing the future Empress of the Eighth Kingdom."

Now I know the reason behind Lady Rebel's cold attitude towards me. She's destined to be the knight of Princess Victoria.

I expected too much. But maybe she can help me. Hindi naman siguro masamang humingi nang kaunting kapangyarihan mula kay Lady Rebel.

Lalo na't kailangan ko nang taong katulad niya sa tabi ko.