Kiss from the enemy.

Graduation day! I am finally done with all the studying I can finally work. I'm a grown up. I can't hardly believe it.

It's like a festival at the capital today because of the graduation of the young scholars. Music can be heared at the whole town. Long parrade and street performances, they are my favorite things. We are out to check for a restaurants around the town. When I say town with parrade a picture out a classic asian place way back 500 years ago where town is built with woods and stones and clay. The town is covered with colorful papers, people are celebrating. Restaurants are full of people. The restaurant I want you to picture out is made of big lumber, with plates made of clay. During that time it's our high end restaurant. Only arristocrats can afford the meal costing 20 grams of silver. So we went to this restaurant who is not so full but is so expenssive. My father's friends are there so he got busy the moment we entered. My father is so proud of me being educated, one of the first women accepted on the class of famous Kala Majid, he is the smartest guy of that era. My brothers are celebrating as well for I am the last òne among us three to graduate, we will be together at work. They will help me get a job at the palace. Maybe my brother Oli's assistant or whatever. I studied Agriculture and Construction Planning but maybe I will end up recording informations on Palace library. Whatever job will do to me. I want to manage our land but father is against it. He'd rather give the job to my uncle. I will know tomorrow what they prepared for me.

I was introduced to the high ranking officials on the palace they are friends to my father. They are relinquishing the responsibility to take care of me while I work at the library. I will be an illustrator. Not the work that I want to but since my parents told them I can draw I will be stationed as an illustrator. I will be working at the palace library. My job orders will be coming from the head librarian an old man Mr Roque and the assistant librarian Mrs Paustina.

"Thank you for the tour Sir", I think I will love it here.

"You better be because I will be answering to your father if you're not happy here. Tell me if any problem comes. Don't be shy I have known your father for so long we are practically brothers. We've been palace guards together he rose up very fast in ranks. Your father is a smart man. I admire him so much. Now I manage this area. Palace documents, arts, and books I guard them well. I manage the people here as well. Keep the place clean and safe. That's what I do." The old man talked with pride.

You are doing a good job, Sir. I salute you for making the palace a better place. I gestured a Salute to Mr Policarpio the Chief Safety Officer of the Palace Library and Art Center.

You're such a sweet girl. Alright, I have plenty of jobs to do. I will leave you alone now. You can do it." The old man gave me a tap on the shoulder and left.

My brother walked me to a table. That's going to be my place. "Mr Roque and Mrs Paustina welcomed me. We will be together working at the library starting today. My brother left me with them to attend his work too. I think I will indeed like it here. I can read alot of books. Plus I can have the honor to illustrate and be part of making the books. Isn't that cool. Mr. Roque contributed in alot of books on this library. His works are about history and politics. I want to do the same. I want to contribute on producing books as well. Maybe soon I will find mý forte of what topic I can focus on.

I'm still new at work. I indeed do some illustration for the writers coming to visit the library and also for Mr. Roque. But I also do some cleaning and arranging ordered by Mrs Faustina. So I am technically busy at the library. The place is big and usually silent bit today group of men came over to read and get some books. The are probably the young scholars. They seem to be same age as me or a little older, not far my age. I greeted them and tell them to ask me in case they need assistance. I finally see the prince. He is seated on the table while reading silently. Some men are gathered around him. He is indeed handsome just like what other ladies mentioned. I'm so stunned with his looks. I'm behind the shelf watching the prince secretly. I didn't realize somebody is watching me.

"Another lady is now under the spell of the prince." He commented. "Can you please move away you're on my way."

"I'm sorry, I better go back to my work." This guy disturbed me from day dreaming. He went to the group of the prince and pointed me out. I can't hear what they are talking but looks like it is obvious. The prince look at my direction and smile. I answered him with a wave and a wide smile. The guy definitely told the prince that i am staring at his direction. The men the chuckled for a reasonI don't know. Before they leave the prince passed by my corner.

"Do you want to join us on afternoon game at riverside? We will have more friends coming including girls from the academy maybe you know some of them." He offered. I was so honored that the pris is talking to me so I answered.

"I will come if I'm free." I told him.

"You will be free tomorrow. I will tell your superior to release you from work early." I'm getting so nervous as he comes close to me. I can't handle my emotion. While the prince is so confident and enjoy the sight of my nervous me.

"I will be there then." I replied.

The Prince invited me to an event. I can't believe it. I just get here and I get to meet the Prince right away. I'm so lucky today. He is so handsome and he seems nice.

The usual afternoon party could be archery practice or hunting or a regular singing - dancing and drinking party. Whatever might it be I will surely be there.

The day came, I wore my best dress and made sure I'm well-groomed. I practice my composure in the mirror repeatedly. This is it, my chance to get to know the prince and be part of their circle. I was sent to the palace 2 hours before dark. The commotion says the people invited had arrived. They were surprised when they saw I'm wearing something formal. Others girls can't help their giggle while the boys whisper around. The Prince who invited me welcomed me to the group. So it's a hunting party. The aim is to capture a wild boar for our dinner. Looks like I can participate on that I can't even ride a horse properly with my dress.

The other girls are whispering secretly about my choice of clothing. The hunt started I am behind the group. I can't move properly because of my dress. I was so ridiculous choosing this outfit. The Prince came closer to me wearing a smile half-laughing actually and apologize. " I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you it was a hunting party. But you look great. You try so hard to hit any target. Seeing you here is enough."

" Thanks your highness for being nice to me. I feel better that you don't find me ridiculous at all."

"Of course not. But I must admit this is a little funny. I will remember this before I sleep." He assured me. Then he scanned the area for a possible target. " Did you hear that? I heard a sound of wild boar." He gets excited and went down his horse. I went down too and follow him. The black animal pass in between us. I was so surprised. " I found one." The Prince called so other men can help him. Before they can get closer I have to help him trap the boar so it won't escape. He commanded me to go in a different direction. "Your highness I don't think I would be of any help. I'm a little scared of this monster." He stayed still trying to perfect a shot. "I need you to pick a stick, then scare it away towards me so I will get a better shot. Can you at least do that?" He is concentrating on his shot. I admire him for his focus. I'm just extra baggage here but I would like how he can capture this monster. I indeed get a stick and wag it towards the boar as a proctection for myself. It runs away in The Prince direction, he didn't release the arrow right away as if he is counting 1, 2, 3, then boom he got it. It's been hit. The monster cried in pain. He shouted louder for the other men to come. He is rejoicing for his bounty. " Over here. I got one." The mean arrived runn8ng towards the boar and the Prince I'm so happy just to be there as if I helped him. Everybody is congratulating him for the good shot. We then left early to enjoy a possible good dinner. All I hear is rejoice, we are dancing and singing for the successful hunting. "I'm glad you came, I think your lucky coz last time we can't anything, not even a bird. You're my new lucky charm, I will bring you in all my hunting days." He said happily while sipping his wine. He is joyous over the outcome of the hunt. " That is over rated. I think you could have done the same even without me. I didn't help at all. I was scared earlier I don't know what I was doing. It's all you." He sits next to me and offer me something to drink before they serve the grilled meat. His presence is overwhelming me but he treats me as if we've known each other for so long. He is talking so comfortable with me.I'm not even sure he remembers my name.*

"Thank you for coming, it's so different to have a new persona on this group." Said the prince while others nodded in agreement. More dancing and sing happened that night I get to know ladies from the well knowned family. They seemed to approach me since they know my father is well known for trade industry and my brothers are high ranking soldiers. Well considering not plenty of girls are educated at this era. They definitely heared of me already before I get to work at the palace library. It's getting a trend for the ladies to learn something these days other than household skills so my parents sent me to school as well. If my education will pave the way for me to marry the prince I will be thousand times thankful to my parents for educating me. Anyway I really love learning but yes I want to be the princess. So working at the palace library close to prince office is perfect.

The meal was divine. I went home 1 hour after the meal. Long enough to know the whole circle. I need to know them all since I want to be part the circle. This is how my brain works, sorry but I'm not sorry. These are all part of my skimming to be the princess. The night was good. I'm sure I leave a small mark on their memory about me. I want to be fun and smart on their eyes. I wanted to be pretty as well but my dress sabottage it instead.

This sucks so much I have nobody to talk to about the successful hunting party yesterday I went home too late to catch my brothers awake while in the morning we are all busy trying to leave the house for our own work. While here in the library, workers have no time for a longer chat. And i have no friends yet to talk to in regular basis. I wanted to talk so badly to anybody. So I tried talking to the cleaner he is a younger boy cleaning the floor. He is so lively and he showed interest on listening to me. Thanks God for the presence of this kid. He is probably 14 years old too young to work but being an orphan, he has no choice but to work early. His name is Jael, adopted by the asst Librarian to help here at the library in cleaning and arranging books. Jael wants to study as well but it would be impossible for him to do so. The Librarian teach him little by little though to read and write soon he will be reading the books here at the library. I can even help him too. I illustrated some trees today. I drew the kinds of trees that can be found in our place and which lumber is good for what. Like the Narra tree is the hardest tree available in our area but the mahogany is a good replacement for contructing a house or building a furniture since it is more available and with plenty of supply. Im on one side of the library just being busy illustrating simple images. The visitors of the library can spot me easily in case they need something. Mael approached me, he is the guy who pointed me out to the Prince Pael. Thanks to him I got invited. He was on the hunt as well with his sister. Looks like he is the right hand of the prince and his opinion is well valued by his highness. I need to be friend this guy so he can report good things about me to his highness. He returned a book about politics and leadership. It is the record of all the leaders of the kingdom since the very first King. It just make sense for him to be interested on this kind of book since he is beside the prince.

"How was the book? Did you like it?" I inquired with a smile. He seemed to be in bad mood and answered me coldly.

"It's boring ." He answered.

"Why what is this book about?" I asked try to make our conversation longer.

"You work here if you want to know so bad then read it your own." He said sarcastically.

"This is not the kind of book that I would read actually so if you can just tell me what is it about that would save me time." I still managed to respond nicely trying not to be on the badside of anybody.

He breathe so deep and look at me before answering again. " I don't really understand it yet. I just read the dates and events and what things they did in the particular time but I want to know why they did it, for example the war. Why the King chose war over peace or the other way around. That's what I want to understand." He said with sincere face this time. I'm delighted for his change of tone.

" Hmm cool, this seems to be interesting. I told you I'm not interested about this kind of book and that's true I like the agriculture section. The plants compatibility to the weather, and which area those plants grow more those kind of stuff Im more interested in. For me its cool but hearing your thoughts over a book is amazing.

"Sometimes I don't really wanna read but I don't seem to have a choice i need to learn things to somehow catch up with the prince, I need to give him alot of insights and discuss politics with him almost everyday so if sometimes my brain is empty I will be useless to him.

" That's not gonna happen. You look like a very smart guy and besides you are the Prince's friend."

"You can never be sure of things here in the palace people can be disposable here. They can change one position so easily.

"Then I will be seeing often in the library I guess." I gave him a smile to finish the conversation.

" I think your right. See you some other time then." Gabo left with more books on his hands. His family are from scholars and political area. His uncles are teachers and his father is a political advisor to the King. His sister who came to the hunting is close to my age. She's pretty but I'm prettier and I look smarter than her. She is yet to finish her education of Culture and arts next year.

The hunt for the new princess is on. I felt it right away in 3 months all qualified to be princess will be gathered. Then after 3 months of straining the candidates the prince will choose the 1 he wants to marry. I'm so excited I have to prepare for this. Even before that day. I have to establish myself to the prince mind. I have no much chance as of the moment since I'm working here at the library but I have to make the situation myself if fate won't do it's job. The whole day the prince did't visit the library. Only his friends came, I got to talk to them about what is happening in the palace. There will be parties but I need invites to get there. With my position I need a man to invite me first for me to get to those parties. It is more like political party. My father seldom go there. He has no political affairs but maybe is invited for he shares big tax to the kingdom.

At home with my brothers on the dinner table they mentioned their invitation to a political party. Where in all high ranking officials are coming that includes my brothers and father.

" I want to bring the daughter of Mang Kulas. She's pretty and she seemed willing to come with me on that party." My brother mentioned. I need my other brother to come by himself so I can escort him to the party. Or should I just come as a plus one of my father. I can do that too but I'd rather be that escort to my brother and join him with all his conversation with younger officials.

"Brother please don't bring anybody to the party let me be your date. Please! I beg my other brother Oli.

"Come on you can just come as you please you are father's daughter anyway." Oli responded in disagreement. " I wanna bring the girl I want not you. You will just destroy my style."

"Gosh I need to go there with dignity, with honor. Not as someone who just wanna hunta husband, so please just let me be your date since we are best friends brother. Please..."I emphasized my point in case Oli didn't get it.

"Only you think that way. Its fine for you to go, as plus one of father.

"God Nobody understand me on this house. Father can you please oblige Oli to bring me ashis escort." I called for help from my Dad.

"Oli just give in to yoursister to finosh thos drama I want to eat in peace." Dad backed me up.

"Whatever I'm not going then." Oli teases me. That ask for my violent reaction to it. My father doesn't want me whining so he just asked my brother to let me win on this one.

It's final I will be escorting my brother to the party. My whole family will be there and the prince of course. I will see him again.

Tonight will be the party but I still have to finish my duty for this day before going. For the first time I'm so bored at work since i'm excited to the party. I can't wait to finish my duty. I still have 3 hrs before my day ends. Very little scholars sre coming 1 or 2 every hour and the time is passing so slow. This is killing me.

"Hi! Greeted Mael he is a regular to the library. "This place is dead today. You should go home early."

"I would love that but it's not for me to decide." I answered. Boredom is painted on my face I'm not usually like this. Even Mael can tell.

"There will be a party tonight at the palace do you know about it?" He asked out of curiosity his eyes are studying my reaction.

"I do that's why Im bored and want to go home right away so I can prepare but I can't do that. I still have to wait for the working hours to end sadly."

"So you are coming to the party. I'm glad to hear that. Who are you coming with?"

" With my brother Oli. If you go as well we will see each other."

I said relactuntly.

"That's what I'm about to say, you just say it first.I would love to see you there." Mael is happy to hear that I'm coming to the party too his smile showing on his face even his eyes are happy. "Well can you save me a dance later." He asked as if he wanted me to reserve a chair for him.

" Yeah that would be amazing I love dancing "Tinikling" (A dance with the use of 2 bamboo sticks). How about you which do you prefer?"

" I'm not a good dancer but I will try whatever. You should be careful with the bamboos. My cousin hurt her foot one time with Tinikling.

" hahahah, don't worry about me, I'm an expert." I danced tinikling since I'm very young I never missed. I always get the steps and my feet are fast, they have their own brain." We laugh over my joke. All of a sudden I'm no longer bored I didn't even noticed it. We chatted so long until the work is over. I promised him a dance at the party.

We just get down of the carriage. I'm with my brother Oli he is in his fancy uniform. I'm so proud to have a handsome brother. Even me love walking beside him girls will definitely envy me. My hand are on his left arm while we walk behind our parents. In just a moment we arrived at the hall where the party is people are just talking casually and complimenting each other. I'm new at this big parties since I just entered adulthood. We celebrated our own party at our villa but not this big. This place is so fancy, I love to see this kind of place everyday. Oli get something to drink while I adore the place . I tried talking to everybody as well, that's kind of my duty as a noble lady. I have to show courtesy to everyone I bump into. They seemed to be enjoying their time here just like me. The announcer then yelled the arrival of the royal family. They held the party show their power , their influence and definitely to show their wealth. The kingdom is still hiding boxes of gold and threasures even with all the rumors we hear around.

The royal family walk down the beautiful stairs wearing their glamourous clothing while the people clapped of adoration. My eyes are glued to the Prince Pael so are the girls beside me.

I'm wearing my best dress tailored especially for tonight. I'm new and my beauty is simple but i'm maximizing my resources, including my family's influence and my brothers' position whatever I can use will do just to boost me higher than the other girls. This way I know I not on disadvantage compared to others. I spotted the prince he is heading to the group of souldiers. Fortunately my brothers are there too. I can easily get there using my brothers as my alibi. I made my presence known by saying hello to everyone. I lingered on my brothers arm even though he is busy talking to another soldier. I know he is so annoyed by my presence now but I need him qt the moment.

" Oli you promised me a dance. I wanna collect it now." I said to my brother Oli.

" I'm busy right how about you dance with somebody else for the moment." He is trying to shun me away he is giving me the go-away look. But I can be so thick and insist what I want.

He called another soldier so he can dance with me.

"Raul, come! Please dance with my sister and keep her company."

" Yes Sir!" He obliged.

So my brother just passed me on his subordinate. This will do for now.

We danced "Pandanggo sa Ilaw". It is dancing with candle on the hands. It's romantic for the dancers, I'm dancing with a newly met but i need to perform to show off my dancing skills. At the end of the music people are clapping and my partner Raul vowed with happiness he is so honoured tp be paired with such a dancer as me. He lead me back to the table of the soldiers. Now every soldiers want to have their turn dancing with me. I can't dance them all 1 by 1 so I just agreed to dance them in group. I ttied to asked other girls to to dance along Rigudon this way the party won't be boring with the soldiers dancing with the timid girls now dancing turned out to be fun like a regular game. It's not usually like this since girls are so shy unlike me. At the end of the music joyful clapping can be heard evidently the guests are having fun. In no time I'm the star of the night the soldiers are around me laughing with joy. Unexpectedly I can be a funny girl. I didn't aim to be funny but I turned out like this. I tried to grab some other girls beside me as well then pair them with the soldiers randomly. I managed to get a job match making noble ladie to noble men. All this to get the attention of the prince. I have to go to my target soon before i get so tired and destroy my look. I waved at the prince happily he gladly went to my direction even thou he was talking to someone.

"Sol I'm glad you came, the night is so bright because of you. You are a talented woman. everybody here adores you. He kissed my hand a greeting and adoration. That's so sweet coming from the prince.

"Thank you, your highness that's too much but i will take it." I'm in full smile right now, so happy to finally be with the prince.

"If you are rested can I have my turn to dance with you." He proposed like a gentleman.

" I will be honoured your highness." The prince commanded the band to play a music. It is "Cariñosa" the most romantic music of that time. Our eyes are locked to each other. I gave him a smile, he lead me so well every step I didn't imagine the prince is a talented dancer too. He chained his arm to mine while we rotate as if we are the only ones around the hall. The next step is when he kneeled down to give me chance to show my freestyle dance then he stand up and I kneeled down for his turn of freestyle. we both enjoyed this dance people are clapping as they watch the prince dancing. The music is over we are about to go on the side but the "Tinikling" my favorite music is rolling. I grabbed the prince back to the floor and dance again he happily obliged to dance again. It is a fast dance, your feet can get caught between bamboos if your not fast enough. As we jump fast the bamboos our heart beats are in sync to our every moves. The prince himself show off his skills proudly. The people are overjoyed to see full of energy. The ones get caught by the bamboo has to stop dancing and rest, at the end of the music only few remained dancing that includes me and the prince. The King himself congratulate the prince for his performance. He extended his greetings to me.

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Said the King. He is satisfied with the outcome of the party since people are seemed to be enjoying the night. His highness the King noticed me among hundreds of ladies who came tonight. I'm already happy about it.

"What a talented lady you are. To what family are you from?" Asked the King. He will definitely check my background, to see if I am worthy of his sons attention.

"Good evening your highness! I am Sol daughter of Saul the gold miner I proudly responded. Even though my family get more our gold from trade I still chose to use miner as the occupation to my father since it is more appealing. I guess the impact of a mineris stronger than a trader.

"Ow you are the daughter of Saul. I thought her daughter is still to young for occasions like this. I'm glad I'd mistaken. You're a beauty I hope to see you more of you in the future occasions here at the palace." Commented the King with delight.

While i responded in bright manner, "I would love to be on every single one of them your majesty. I have enjoyed dancing since childhood so I would grab every opportunity to dance."

" You're so sweet. Have you tried some of the delicasies the cook had prepared? Pleasehealp yourself. Prince Pael please lead Sol ti the table."

"Thank you your majesty. I'm so glad to finally meet you!" I vowed down and dismissed myself in front of the king. The Prince lead me to the food section. I enjoyed trying lots of sweets with them. Besides I'm quite hungry after all the dancing I did.

"Woow this night made me forgot my worries.." Said the prince.

"What would the Prince be worrying in the middle of beautiful night?" I asked.

"Hahahah you just don't know, the court is like a hunting ground and I'm the target all the time. I always need to prove myself and my decision should always be balance and fair. It's jist so tricky."

"I know nothing about the prince' job, sorry I can't help you with Dad. Hope I can be a man like my brothers so I can help you running the kingdom."

"I like you the way you are. You have your own participation on this kingdom. That's enough and besides you make me relax. I need more of you actually. I should visit you more often at the library Sol."

"I will always be there if you need me." He looked at me with a big smile. He is amazed how I looked at him back directly coz I'm not shy at all in front of him. I'm so relaxed. I feel the prince feel the same. We love each others company.

"Sol I find you really special. You have this aura unlike the other ladies at the whole kingdom."

"Ow is it bad your highnes?"

"No, I actually like it. I like you confidence. The palaceis so different since you started working at the palace library."

"For real.? It is so much honour to clean the books your highness. I will do my job well."

"Hahahha its not that. I keep on hearing around that you're just so sociable unlike others and you bright up the everytime you're around. You are just so different. And everybody likes it actually. I'm scared I will have a lot of rivals in the future."

"Thanks for the compliment your highness. It is my pleasure to work in the palace library. Don't worry you're my only prince. Nobody can match with you with looks nor wit nor dancing. Hahahaha"

We laugh together. Our hearts are beating the same speed, our brainwaves are on the same frequency. I wish not depart with him. It's getting late but our stories are never ending. If only my brother Oli din't came to collect me then I will be chatting with the prince Pael the whole night.

He then sent me to my carriage himself and kiss my hand goodbye. I like more of him. He is just charming, talented, smart man. If I'm not going to be her wife then I don't wanna get married. I promised myself, he is going to be mine.