My two eldest brothers and I are currently browsing the library for royal records and other medical books. They're both sitting in front of me, leafing through the well-preserved stack of papers. I'm writing everything I can think of about chickenpox and other seasonal diseases from my previous life. My handwriting is sloppy, but that's okay. Ash will rewrite them later anyways.
"For the time being, we'll rely on the properties of chamomile tea while we search for a more reliable chickenpox cure," Brother Lothario says.
"It's a good thing you spoke up that day, because otherwise we would have had no choice but to lock up the Earl. Also, the alchemists are astonished by your idea and are now concocting more potent medicines," Brother Azraq informs me.
"I appreciate it, brothers. But all I did was share a bedtime story. You're the ones who did the most work," I say, flashing both sets of teeth at them, and they smile in response. "Jenna also wants me to tell you how grateful she is for the reward you've given her. Father had only intended to thank Jenna in writing, but you persuaded him to also give her a gift, so she tells me to tell you that she owes you a debt of gratitude," I tell Brother Lothario.
I used Jenna's name as an alibi because she's close to me and talks a lot; there's a good chance she doesn't remember most of what she says, which is why I chose her when they asked who told me the Karsadana story. She was shocked when she learned that what she "told" me was a cure, and she burst into tears, snot and all, as she hugged me.
I'd say the three of us have grown closer during this assignment. I used to think they'd be hostile to me because of how I handled the situation at the time, but thankfully there's no ill will between us. We are all just trying to help the people, and no one seems to mind if others stole their thunder. Everything we do is for the benefit of the people of the country. Despite their pride and dislike for working with their other siblings, the two are rational when it comes to the country's well-being.
"Anyway, I'll soon travel outside the capital to assist with the epidemic, while Brother Lothario will handle everything here. Alchemists will arrive in the palace, and I'd like you to assist in the development of the cure."
"But why are you going outside the capital? Can't others proxy for you? You're only eleven."
"We need someone who is knowledgeable about the disease to prevent unnecessary things from happening. And I can't go because I'm more valuable than Azraq," Brother Lothario jokes as he notices my worried expression as I look at Brother Azraq.
"Nonsense. I am more popular than you in all fields. You and I stand in the square. I do nothing — people will cheer for me, give me flowers, and blow kisses my way. You flirt with passersby and they'll only tuck their hair behind their ears."
I watch as the two stare at each other without saying anything, sparks bursting from their eyes and their faces devoid of expression. They're simply staring at one another. A moment later, they synchronously fix the papers they were reading earlier and return to the subject at hand without saying anything, as if nothing had happened. The two brothers have this something that they only understand. I also return to my previous task. We're so focused on our work that we forget to eat or drink, but thankfully, Nanny and Ash deliver food to the Royal Library.
"Ash!" I rise from my seat and extend my arms, inviting him to hug me.
Ash reaches out and takes me in his arms while Nanny sets the food. She excused herself after that while Ash remained. Still on his arms, he places my favorite red velvet cake on my side of the table. "You've been working hard-ah. Don't stress yourself, Saridayang."
"I won't. I promise!" I exclaim loudly, giggling. He cuts a piece of the cake and feeds it to me. He puts the fork back on the plate and uses his fingers to wipe the icing from my lips.
"Have you eaten?"
"Di," he answers.
"What food did you eat?"
"Steak."
My brothers almost simultaneously clear their throats. "It appears you've forgotten to greet us, Prince Twelve," the eldest says.
"Danamuda Lothario, Danamuda Azraq." Ash looks at them, his face turning into stone cold as he greets them unemotionally. [2]
Despite the fact that they were the ones who reminded him of his manners, the two only nodded and did not bother to greet him back. But Ash didn't seem to mind; he's too busy entertaining me as he combs my hair with his fingers to care. Brother Lothario picks up my cake, stabs it with the fork; licks the fork while looking at the Aryelan prince. I see him roll his tongue over the metal in an attempt to provoke Ash. How? I had absolutely no idea. What is wrong with this person?
"He's a prince, a guest! You can't treat a royal guest that way. Ash is not my servant… and you can't treat a servant that way, too."
"I did nothing wrong, Iris. I just told him to greet us because he knew we were here, yet did not even look in our direction. And I only took this cake because I could clearly see how much effort was put into making it. I just want to have a taste. Tasty, by the way." Brother's Lothario's tone is full of malice.
"Of course, the chef made the cake specifically tailored to Iris' taste buds," Ash informs my brothers.
"Saridayang," Brother Azraq corrects him.
"I apologize," Ash says. "Saridayang." The smirk on his face is visible as the two other guys' lips twitch. [3]
Both my brothers stand up and point at him. "Vhar!" It's obvious that they want to punch him, but since I'm in Ash's arms, all they can do is fire words and insults at him.
"Stop it! Both of you apologize to Ash. You and Ash are the same age and you act differently," I tell Brother Lothario. "And you —" I point at Second Brother, "You're younger than him. Ash is my friend, don't bully him, or else I'll tell Dana on you."
"As if Father will take his side."
"Brother Lothario!"
"Fine. I, Danamuda Lothario, apologize for my behavior. And as an act of atonement, I will personally report this incident to Dan El Haluman, Hwan Adrian and I vow not to omit or add anything so rest assured." He sarcastically said.
"No need for that, Danamuda," Ash says, now addressing brother using his proper title.
Sparks. I could see sparks. I thought sparks only happened when people in love looked each other in the eyes, but none of the three are in love with each other. And I also had no idea that sparks could go three ways. Whenever I read tensions in comics, sparks only appear when there are two people involved. As soon as I figured out why the three jerks acted the way they did, I called Mariana in my head and said, "Mariana, we need to talk."
—
[1] Author's Note: Tse or tsk is an expression that shows an irritation or annoyance. Tsk sound is produced by clicking one's tongue, while tse is pronounced like the che in cherry
[2] Danamuda = the title given to the ruling monarch's son, which can be considered as His/Your Royal Highness, but is not the literal translation of the HRH title.
[3] Author's Note: The word saridayang can also be used as a term of endearment for a young girl and Ash used the word as an endearment and not as Iris' title.