I. CHAPTER 1: MAIDEN OF DESTINY

~In a barangay, somewhere in the northeastern borders of the Duchy of Nueva Ecija…~

A black sedan arrived on one of the gravel roads that led to an isolated village near the borders of the Empire facing the Philippine Republic’s territory. As it had the seal of the Imperial authority, people immediately moved to the sides to make way for the vehicle. Everyone knew there was someone important inside it.

Since the Empire and the Sixth Philippine Republic had friendly relations, the village was in an area virtually untouched by war, and its residents just go by their daily lives. Farmers from the nearby fields coming home with their carabaos, or riding their kuligligs. Children played by the roadside under the setting afternoon sun, as schooling was suspended indefinitely because of the conflict. Mothers gathered by some random sari-sari store to pick up the latest gossip, or find a victim to gossip about. Internet lines and signals saw heavy usage as the people were stuck in their homes while the latest Ilocano-Oriental War raged, and especially affected were the computer cafes, where teenagers packed inside to access their online games to pass time.

“…”

As for the car, a man wearing a grey trench coat and sported a black eye patch that covered his right eye alighted the vehicle from the front passenger seat. Almost simultaneous with him was another man, this time in a white rayadillo-style military uniform with the rank of a corporal. He went to the back door and opened one, revealing a mustached man in long coat-tails and slick pompadour hair. The last one to get off the vehicle hesitated of putting his shiny leather shoes on the dirty, muddy ground, but he was soon convinced by the man in trench coat.

“Your Grace,” he said, trying to lower his voice so as not to be heard by the bystanders. “If you keep on dawdling, we’ll stay here longer.”

So, not wishing to remain a minute more than he had to, the nobleman quickly alighted the car. Upon setting foot, his eyes wandered around, looking on the houses made of plywoods, cartons, galvanized iron and curtains. There were also used tires for keeping the roof down in case of strong winds, and those were made into makeshift plant pots to avoid stagnant water and mosquitoes. “My god,” the noble blurted out. “I can’t believe people actually live in these conditions.”

“Is this your first time to see a shantytown, Your Grace?” his aide asked, all the while guiding his liege on where to step.

“No, but I still can’t stomach the sight,” he replied as his eyes kept on looking around. “And the smell…ugh, so putrid!”

The man in the trench coat shrugged and said nothing, focusing on getting his noble across the disgusting mud path. As it rained earlier that day, they had difficulty of navigating the roads. If not for pools of dirty water, they had to contend with mud, sometimes with droppings of carabaos. The children, amused at the sight of the nobleman’s struggle, began to laugh and jeer at them. They were only stopped by their parents, who knew that insulting someone wearing such clothes could spell disaster for them.

Lucky for them, the nobleman was already briefed before of what to expect in such place. He just ignored the children and carried on, silently praying that his ordeal with the mud would end soon. After all, he didn’t wish to annoy an entire peasant community if they would just stay around only for a few hours.

“Here it is, Your Grace,” the man in the trench coat stopped in front of a computer cafe that displayed the ‘PC-han ni Alma’ (PC of Alma) sign above its entrance. To make sure that he was in the right place, he peeked at his small notebook, kept inside his breast pocket.

“This is it?” the nobleman didn’t hide his disgust. “I can’t fathom the fact she lived in this shabby place for years! What if she already learned the uncivilized ways of these folk?”

“Then, it’s all better, Your Grace. She will understand how her subjects live and act, thus, she will have the potential to be a good ruler over them.” The aide fixed his coat and necktie before reaching for the glass sliding door. “Well then, let’s get this affair done and over with.”

“Yes, please do, Sir Lieutenant.”

The noble and his aide took deep breaths before the latter opened the sliding door. Upon entering the computer cafe, they were immediately greeted by the stench of sweat, mixed with other body odors and air-conditioned perfume. Deafening curses, jeers and screeches from the teenagers in the middle of their games added to their woes, and they had to squeeze themselves with the customers so they could make way inside. The noble nearly threw up, had it not for the aide quickly stopping him by giving him a mask.

“Oh? I see that we have some weirdoes for visitors!” A girl sitting behind the payment counter commented once she took notice of them, though she had a smile on her face. As she stood up, she revealed her clothes for the noble and his aide to see; a pair of spats shorts and a body-tight sleeveless blouse that emphasized her figure. The former quickly stared at her, for which, his aide nudged at him.

“Hey,” he whispered to his liege, “Your Grace, she’s a minor!”

“What? With that body?”

The aide ignored him, and went to the cafe attendant instead. He brought out his smartphone, showing a photo to her. “Hey, we are from the army, and we’re looking for this person. Her name is Pauline Maria dela Ramos, and we have people telling us that she lives here? Is the information correct?”

The girl stared at the screen for a while, before commenting, “Hmm, that girl certainly looks like Ate Pau, though this one’s got a shorter hair, and fairer skin.”

“Ate Pau?” the aide took his notebook and wrote a few words. “By any case, is she here?”

“Uh…” the attendant’s attention shifted immediately as the glass sliding doors opened, and a girl with grocery bags came in.

“Ayan,” said the newcomer. “Can you help me with the groceries? There are a few more in the tricycle.”

“Ah, speaking of the devil!” the girl clapped her hands. “Ate Pau, it seems some people from the army are looking for you!”

“Oh?” the aide and the lady he was looking for locked stares. With a great sigh of relief, the former knew that his search had come to an end. This ‘Ate Pau’ was, indeed, Pauline Maria dela Ramos…only with longer hair.

----------

Typical with Filipino hospitality, the aide and the noble were entertained by their host to a snack of soda and banana cue. It was already evening, and Pau had Ayan cook some rice for them and their visitors. Just as the pot started to boil, the former asked the latter to buy some more sodas, and viands to accompany their rice. Though in reality, Pau did it so that Ayan wouldn’t hear the conversation between her and the army men.

“She’s a good girl,” the aide commented as Ayan left.

“True,” Pau agreed with him. “She’s an intelligent one, despite her sleazy looks. Whereas children her age would bother with their ’15 seconds of fame,’ Ayan would rather spend her leisure time reading books. However, without me, she would be left alone to fend for herself. Her sole guardian, Lola Alma, died a year ago.”

“I see…” the aide glanced at the noble, who was chomping down on the fried banana instead of listening. “What happened to her family?”

“Lola Alma died unmarried,” Pau revealed. “Ayaw is one of the girls she adopted and raised as her own. We don’t know what happened to her real parents, or if she has any siblings. Well, don’t ask me; Lola and Ayan are silent about that matter.”

“Oh…a sad and tragic life,” the nobleman quipped.

“Well, I am thankful for Ayan,” Pau countered. “That girl has always been with me through thick and thin. And I will always do everything to make sure she’ll have a good life.”

“Hmm, so those books are hers?” the noble pointed at the full book shelves, as well as the books strewn across the living room. Those titles include history, economics and international relations, mixed with graphic novels, romance pocket books and magazines covering a wide range of topics.

“Ah, I’d like to apologize for this mess.” Her cheeks blushed as she rushed to clean the scattered items.

“No, no, it’s all fine,” the noble reassured her. “It’s nice to learn something about the people that surrounds you, after all.”

Pau fell silent at the man’s words. This was then that his aide picked up after him, “Ayan has a lot of potential, isn’t it?”

“Yes, she truly is!”

“Well, I’m sure we both wanted what’s best for your step-sister, if that’s the case,” the aide took a deep breath. “And really, what else can help her excel other than to study from reputable and better schools! Say, what level is she before the class suspensions?”

“Grade 9.”

“I’m sure Ayan will benefit studying in the esteemed Philippine Science High School in the City of Lucena. Or if you don’t find it good, you can send her abroad in better schools.”

“Sir, what exactly are you trying to imply here?”

“I’m sure you know what I mean.” The aide pulled his phone once again and showed her the photo of her youth. “Let’s stop going in circles, Your Grace. You can’t deny your lineage, Lady Pauline Maria. You are a scion of the Ducal House of dela Ramos, and the 8th Baroness of Lemery, under the Duchy of Batangas.”

Author's Notes:  

Barangay - is the lowest local government unit similar to counties in most western countries. It was derived from the Malay word 'balangay,' which is a long boat used by ancient Filipinos to migrate to the Philippine Islands. A barangay is usually headed by an elected official called the 'Barangay Captain.'

Nueva Ecija - is a province in the central Luzon region. Central Luzon is the Philippine breadbasket, known for its fertile farmlands, and relatively flat terrain. The Philippine political subdivision, Region III, has jurisdiction over Nueva Ecija and other provinces of Aurora, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, and Tarlac. Oh, and yeah, if the name 'Bataan' does ring a bell to you, it must be because this province was the setting of USAFFE's last stand against the Japanese onslaught during World War 2 (as well as U.S.A. military's biggest surrender in any of its wars from past to present).

Carabao - aka the 'Philippine Water Buffalo' is the 'unofficial' national animal of the Philippines and the most common draft animal in Philippine farmlands. These creatures are the traditional Filipino farmer's companions in the fields, especially during the tilling season.

Kuliglig - is a makeshift motor vehicle made from a motorized plow and a riding/carrier platform. It is an 'illegal' vehicle, but due to lax implementation of Philippine laws, especially in the provinces, Kuligligs are often allowed on national roads.

Sari-Sari Store - is the Filipino equivalent of small, family-owned stores that sell a variety of commonly bought goods, and is usually located within a neighborhood. Sari-sari in Filipino means 'various,' and can be found in houses with converted areas meant to sell stuff.

Rayadillo - is a military uniform that originated from Spain and was adopted by the armies of the First Philippine Republic during their conflict with the U. S. Army in 1899. The Filipino rayadillo was said to be designed by the national artist Juan Luna, brother of the famed Filipino general, Antonio Luna.

Banana Cue - is a popular Filipino afternoon merienda (snack). It is just deep-fried bananas covered in caramelized sugar, served on sticks like barbecue.