Republic Reborn: Against the Stars and Stripes-Chapter 79: Assumptions

How badly I wanted to be in a quiet room all by myself.

The events in Sta. Cruz had been physically and mentally exhausting, and I had been looking forward to a quiet day or two in the Casa Real.

But alas, it would seem that God had other plans.

As soon as I arrived—without even being able to greet my daughter—I set out again.

The townsmen whispered to themselves as I crossed the plaza, accompanied by Dimalanta, Sargento Guzman, and a dozen soldiers.

Boac should have been abuzz about our impressive feat on the beaches of Kasily by now, but that had been buried by a heavier event. Now they whispered about a potential civil war or someone getting hanged.

We arrived at my former home, where the Alcantaras were now staying. I was impressed to learn that Colonel Abad had stationed men to guard the residence. Two stood at the main entrance, one at the back door, and the Sargento Segundo was stationed inside himself—all Bulaceños, without local allegiances.

It was a wise precaution. With Señor Alcantara away, the family was especially vulnerable if a large clan like the Contrerases decided to silence them.

Understandably, Señora Alcantara did not look her best when she received us. She wore no powder, and didn’t seem to mind how visible her puffed eyelids were, or how tousled her hair had become. I felt a pang of guilt for convincing them to come to this backwater place, only for them to experience something this tragic.

She led us to the sala, mustering a weak smile.

As if suddenly entering a trance, she blankly stared at the table once she sat on the couch across from us.

Then, just as suddenly, she sprang out of it.

"Oh no... would you... would you wait, Heneral? I will make you coffee..."

"No, no, no..." I eagerly waved my hands. "There’s no need, Señora. We’re just here to check on your daughter." freewebnoveℓ.com

She stared at me as she slowly settled back into her seat. Her silent expression shouted for help.

"I can’t say enough... how sorry I am for this, Señora. This is an oversight. I should have sent some people to assist and guard you from the very beginning—especially with your husband away," I said.

She gently shook her head. "This is not your fault, Heneral. And I appreciate... Sargento Tolentino being here."

I nodded, glancing at the officer standing behind us.

I was surprised by her reaction. My impression of her had always been that of a smug socialite—someone I would’ve imagined losing her mind over something like this and demanding we hang the offender at once.

But maybe I should stop making assumptions.

Maybe it would be the lighthearted Señor Alcantara who would give the more fitting reaction. I wouldn’t even know how to greet him when he returned from Iloilo—or whether he’d still keep to his commitment. If it were Isabela... God knows what I might do.

"And where is the señorita?" I asked, scanning the room and letting my eyes settle on the corridor leading to the bedrooms.

"She is in her room... she is refusing to come out," she replied.

"That’s to be expected. I can only imagine what she’s going through. I hope you..." I lowered my voice, "I hope you’re making sure she wouldn’t do anything... to herself."

"I think she’ll be... she’ll be fine, Heneral," she answered.

It would be too much to ask to talk to her this soon. I just wanted to check how they were holding up—and it would seem they were doing better than I had expected.

"I will make sure that the accused is detained urgently, and that justice is served," I assured her, putting my cap back on as I stood.

She looked as if she were about to say something, but instead simply smiled.

---

Don Contreras had fled his residence in the town proper and retreated to his large farmhouse in the barrio of Balagasan, where it was suspected he was harboring his grandson.

The reason was simple: to seek the protection of the workers on his large sugarcane farm. And it was a wise decision.

The band of farmers—many of whom had worked for his family for generations—remained loyal and erected barricades around the farmhouse. They numbered nearly thirty and armed themselves with bolo knives, farm tools, and bamboo stakes.

When I arrived, it was already dark. The two opposing camps were made obvious by the glow of their torches.

Colonel Abad had brought the entire platoon of trained recruits I had left him, save for the five assigned to Severino Madrigal at the port. He had them spread out around the house, forming a loose encirclement. The soldiers eyed the noisy workers with unease, their fingers tense on the triggers.

The Colonel himself had made camp in a nearby shed used for nipa thatching. The Boac River was nearby, along with the thick growths of nipa on its banks. With him was the cadet, Mario Nepomucena, who was the first one who noticed me and called the attention of the Colonel.

Abad smiled broadly when he saw my approach, bringing another dozen soldiers as reinforcements.

"How’s it going?" I asked as soon as my boots touched the ground.

"It’s as bad as you look," he muttered. "I was allowed inside to talk to Don Contreras this morning, but after that... he refused to speak again."

I handed the reins of the horse to Dimalanta, "What did he say to you?"

"What you’d expect. That his grandson is innocent, falsely accused..." Abad said with a shrug.

"And which grandson was it?"

"Oscar Prospero—son of his daughter, Imelda."

I knew the young man. He was a known ladies’ man, though he had always seemed tame. He’d even politely nod whenever we crossed paths. But appearances could be deceiving.

He was also Fidel’s youngest grandson, so it was no surprise that he wouldn’t be handed over willingly.

"And what does the town think?" I asked.

"Oscar isn’t exactly the most beloved. I think most believe the accusation—and they’re outraged that his grandfather is shielding him," Colonel Abad said.

"But if we push ourselves in, and gunshots erupt, and bodies start falling... I’m not entirely sure we can keep the people on our side," he added.

I nodded. These workers had families and friends. Their deaths would lead to chaos.

"Then we’ll take this slow. Make sure no food or water gets in. Let’s starve them out."