2 Chapter 2: Welcome to the General's Mansion
Chapter 2: Welcome to the General's Mansion
I am already 23, but it is still easy to cry like a child away from her mother. But I have to be strong especially that my father arranged me to marry the Capital’s General, General Randall Ferrer.
A few years ago, my mother died from the fire at my uncle’s house.
My father the President always thought that the Gionite Tribe was the ones who plotted against his family in order to seize control from the Central Government in the Capital to which he is the head.
According to history, the Gionites almost seized the control of the Central Government in the past during the Civil War before I was born.
My father is the President of Ransang State, one of the greatest they say because he was instrumental in maintaining the sovereignty of Ransang’s Central Government when he helped the former President pacify the rebellion of the Gionites in their failed attempt to take over the government.
My father was still the Mayor of Linden City back then. Because of the failed sedition, the President didn’t reside in the Capital anymore and chose to reside at the countryside.
When my father became President, he also preferred to reside in the countryside and hold office there. It was only his Cabinet Members who were holding office in the Capital. My father chose to always travel to his engagements rather than risk his life and his family by residing in the Capital where enemies surround him.
Now that he’s the President, he’s even more worried for my safety. He always believed that the Gionites were responsible for setting the fire to take revenge on him and that fear manifested when the fire was set at my late uncle’s house and killed my mother. It almost killed me too.
From then on, my father kept me away from the public. He hired more private guards to protect me. I stopped going to a university and was merely schooled by professors at home.
I didn’t even know if it was really the Gionites who plotted against his family when it could be any other tribe.
There are just so many tribes in Ransang. There’s the Sabanas at the hinterlands, the Lawans at the coast, and of course, the Gionites of the East.
My father knew that he’d retire from politics soon and that the state’s protection would not be as powerful as it is right now when he’s still the head of the government. The best means to protect me for a lifetime is to marry me off to one of Ransang’s most prestigious Generals.
After some time, the raven black ironed gate spread open, welcoming the procession of my arrival.
I remember how I used to go home with the palms standing taller back home while watching the fields with thick vegetation. I bit my lip and crumpled my crimson white dress while fighting a tear from falling.
I have lived in my father’s house for most of my life, and now, I’m going to live in a military mansion and marry the General.
My father told me that the General could protect me from those who successfully set a fire and killed my mother.
If my mother were still here, she wouldn’t agree to this marriage because she believed that marriage has to be shared with two people who love each other.
I chose not to see any picture of the General for fear that I might be looking into a middle-aged man’s face. I even refused to hear any information about him, except that he was bestowed the title as General after pacifying the alleged Gionites’ plot that killed my mother.
I should be grateful for him for responding to the fire, but I knew that someone else saved me. The one with the strong arms who lifted me up and saved me from getting burned alive.
“Young Lady, are you thinking of the late madam?” Runi asked. She has always been the closest maidservant to me.
“Yes, I am, Runi. You really know me so well,” I said. “I just wish that she’s here to send me off. Although I know that she’ll not agree to me marrying an old General.”
Runi held my hand. She snickered a little. “Young lady, I’ve heard of something to ease you.” She edged closer. “The General’s not over 35.”
I danced a little in my seat after hearing the unexpected news. “Well, at least I’m not marrying an old man then.”
“But you still don’t want to marry General Ferrer, right?” Runi asked.
I paused and daydreamed a little. I could always replay the way the man saved me from the fire. I could still feel his arms around me, and I couldn’t forget the outlines of his face. “There’s only one man I pray of marrying, Runi.”
“Young Lady, is it still the man who saved you from the fire?” Runi asked with curiosity in her eyes.
“Yes. I owe my life to him, Runi. But I’m afraid that we won’t meet each other again. I don’t even see him at all. All I have is my memory of how he might look like when I traced the edges of his face by my finger. And all I could remember was how it feels like being held by his strong arms,” I answered, taking a deep breath.
“Young lady, I know that you dream of marrying your savior, but I also know that the General is willing to protect you for a lifetime. All I want is for you to be safe too, young lady,” she replies, holding my hand again.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I also want to become a Diplomat first too, Runi, before becoming a wife and a mother.” I shrugged again.
Because my mother perished because of someone’s strife against my father, I realized that it could’ve been avoided if the Central Government was able to forge good relations with the tribes. I figured that becoming Diplomat is the best way to do it , so that no one will die again because of differences in ethnicities.
Runi is still not letting my hands go. “I believe that with your capability and with the General’s permission, you could pursue your interests even if you’re already married to him, Young Lady.”
Four hours of sitting down inside a Toyota Hilux made my knees week that it was even difficult to lift myself up for a little.
The dresses that Runi and I were wearing were even more difficult to breathe in. I am wearing an off-shoulder blue dress while Runi is wearing a tight yellow sundress with a cardigan over it.
My father told Runi that we should look presentable to the General once we unloaded from the car. Dressing formally isn’t a problem for me as I have learned how to dress up ever since my father was first elected as the Mayor of Linden City, and now as the nation’s President. I’ve watched my father thrive in politics and got used to how my late mother dressed me up for every political event.
I rolled the window down from where I was sitting.
I could see the men here were much better in standing still. Scanning their eyes for any warmth might be futile because all I could see were blank stares that were immobile and completely mundane. Or maybe perhaps the General instructed them to do so.
“Here we are, ma’am,” Gregory announced, stopping the vehicle abruptly. He has been my personal and official driver ever since I remember.
I took a deep breath and touched Gregory’s shoulder blade, saying, “I am grateful for enduring the drive with me, Gregory.”
A thin smile spread across his face. “As I am instructed, young lady. You’ll soon be the General’s wife, and you’ll have a new driver to serve you. It has been my privilege to have served your family.”
I nodded, wiping a tear from my eye. Before I knew it, the door has been opened for me. The sun greeted harshly on my face. I had to cover my eyes as I descend slowly.
“Natalia!”
I immediately forget the harsh sun or my weak knees. My pupils dilated and my heart raced when his rough and blistered skin brushed through my soft sunburned arms.
I didn’t know he’s going to be here!
He guided my head as I completely descended from the vehicle.
He kissed my cheeks and wrapped his arms around me. “Look at you! Still the radiance I remember!”
I read his nameplate stitched over his uniform’s right breast. LT MARCIAL VERGOZA
When I have recovered mildly, I look straight at him, my thin smile disguising my racing heart. “Marcial? What are you doing here!”
“Is that how you greet an old friend, Natalia?” he asked, suddenly scratching the back of his ear, a habit he hasn’t been able to abandon since we were children.
