Best Prince with Benefits (#Wattys2015 Winner)

TPBTTPW 9 : Wedding Banquet

CHAPTER 9

Julia

Andito kami ngayon sa balcony ng palasyo pagkatapos ng carriage procession to acknowledge the crowd for their support to the monarchy.  Kasama namin ni Quen ang buong royal family at ang pamilya ko.

"Magki-kiss tayo. Wag kang mag-alala akong bahala, relax ka lang." bulong ni Quen sa akin.

"Huh?" bulong ko rin sa kanya na parang nag-aalinangan at parang walang alam pero excited rin naman. Nag wave siya sa mga tao na parang hindi ako narinig kaya I also waved to the crowd.

This is gonna be my new life--a public figure, a prince's wife, a princess.

"Parang first time nating mag-kiss huh?! Kasal natin ‘to kaya dapat mag-kiss talaga tayo."sagot niya nang pabulong at nakangiti after we waved at the crowd.

"Naka-quota ka na sa akin Quen, ah."sagot ko rin nang pabulong sa kanya. Tama nga naman siya, hindi nga first time. I think it wil be the fourth time, binilang ko pa talaga. Nakakahiya.

"Masanay ka na." bulong niya uli sa akin and he hold my left hand tightly and continued to wave his hands to the crowd kaya I also waved my right hand to the crowd kasi nga hawak ni Quen yung kabilang kamay ko.

Oo nga naman, dapat masanay na kami, este ako pala. Di ba dapat kami?!

After that short acknowledgement to the crowd, we faced each other and he started to own my lips--at lalong lumakas ang hiyawan ng mga tao. The kiss says it all, I own your prince.

Pagkatapos nun, pumasok na kaming lahat sa hall of state ng Royal Palace kung saan naghihintay ang mga bisita--relatives, friends, and reigning and non-reigning royalties from all over the world.

Umupo kami sa seats of honour--ako, si Quen, Crown Princess, Crown Prince, my twin siblings Maverick and Cassandra at mga magulang namin ni Quen. Pink and white flowers were strewn over the table decorations.

Dinner had been served. Hindi ko maiwasan na maparami ang kain--hindi naman ako tumataba. Habang kumakain, tumayo ang hari para magbigay ng speech.

"Good evening. Your highnesses, your majesties, and ladies and gentlemen. It seems like just yesterday after the birth of my second son, Prince Enrique, My eyes welled with tears of gratitude that evening... or perhaps it was just tiredness after an 11 hour labor! But who am I to claim exhaustion after labor?"he paused for a while before he continued. Inaasahan niya kasing tatawa ang lahat sa corny niyang joke pero tumawa naman talaga.

"Since then, gratitude and thankfulness have been a theme throughout our life together ever since that blessed day. That joyous day marked the beginning of a road traveled together, between Prince Enrique and me, his wonderful mother ,my lovely wife, Queen Vilma and our whole family. Marriages, like births, mark the beginning of a journey together. Today, we have marked the beginning of a wonderful new journey, in which Prince Enrique has joined together with a most special, most wonderful woman, now Princess Julia. And today, you all bore witness, as Prince Enrique and Princess Julia exchanged vows, to just how special they are to each other. Surely their love and commitment will build a long and joyous union. Please join me in gratitude and thankfulness, to this, the day they begin their new royal journey together!"pumalakpak ang lahat pagkatapos niyang mag-speech. Nakita kong tumingin sa akin si Quen nang nakangiti. 

Everyone was amazed nung nag-abot ng rose ang hari sa reyna. How sweet are they.

"Let me honor the bride and groom for a moment. To my son, Prince Enrique. Your giving spirit and your love have earned you most a special gift, your bride Princess Juia. Cherish her. Princess Julia , you are indeed a gift from heaven and we welcome you into our family with all our hearts, and we rejoice in Prince's Enrique's good fortune that he found you, and you him."sana totoo na lang ang lahat ng ito. Nakita kong pinipigilan ni Quen na mapatulo ang luha. I hold his hand to feel comfort.