Chapter 11: Promise
As the empire's youngest princess, I knew I could easily get everything I wanted. I could just ask the king and queen, and no question asked, they would quickly grant every wish that I had.
It was a blessing for everyone— but to me, it's something that always gave me limitations to grow.
I sighed.
I slumped my right cheek on the table while I lazily blew the pages of an opened book.
Who would have thought that my brothers would go outside and become the public market vendors? I even heard Lily scold Evan for selling his jewels at a lower price.
When would I see Livius again?
While I was lazing out on my table, I could see how Casper was engrossed in the thick book in his hands. He was like Dastan and Evan. They're all boring.
There was always a time in the day that I'd spend with Casper studying inside a room. Our teacher just left leaving us with so many books to read.
I knew that Casper had his adventures too, but did our brothers tail him as well?
"When are you going to come out again?" He asked.
My lips prodded. I got up. "I don't know. Everyone's so silly! Hindi mo naman sinabi sa kanila na lalabas ako? I thought we're partners, Casper?"
Tumigil siya sa pagbabasa ng libro at lumingon siya sa akin. "We are, Harper. I don't have any idea that you're going outside."
Nanliit ang mga mata ko sa kanya. "You're lying."
"No. I heard it from Zen. Nagsusumbong siya kay Dastan."
I gasped. "Si Zen?"
Casper rolled his eyes. "He may look unaware, but he's been aware of everything. Siya ang higit na nakalalabas ng palasyo. He's just not involving himself in formal meetings. Dastan and Zen are partners in crime. Always remember na matagal sila ni Dastan naging magkasama bago pa dumating si Lily."
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin kay Casper at napatitig ako sa nakasabit na larawan namin sa pagitan ng nagtataasang mga aklatan.
It was an oil painting of our family portrait. My brothers were dressed in their red and gold suits, while Lily, my mother, and I were in white. Lily and I were smiling so sweetly with Mother's timid smile between us.
Maganda rin ang ngiti ni ama sa likuran ni ina habang nakahawak siya sa balikat nito. Katabi ni ama sina Dastan at Zen. Dastan was not even smiling while Zen's looking away.
Ngumiwi ako. "Didn't the painter try to fix it? At least, he'd try to make Zen look at the front."
Tumanaw na rin si Casper sa painting naming magkakapatid. "It's hard to imagine Zen's smiling face, Harper. Can't you remember? Ilang beses na hinawakan ni ama ang ulo niya, lumiliko pa rin."
Unlike Zen and Dastan, Caleb, Finn, and Evan smiled willingly like us. Si Casper halatang napilitan lang din ngumiti.
I sighed again. "They are so silly, Casper. I was just trying to play outside."
"If you think that you can outsmart them in some situations, think again, Harper. You can't deceive our brothers. You're still young. We're still young. But—" Napalingon na ako kay Casper.
Ngumisi siya sa akin at isinara na niya ang kanyang aklat. "We'll get there."
Hindi ko mapigilan tumalon sa upuan ko at tumakbo na ako patungo kay Casper. I kissed his cheeks. "You are really my favorite brother!"
