The cure that I helped develop is now being distributed to all affected areas of the epidemic. Father directed his vassals to keep an eye on the disease for at least a month and to notify him if an outbreak happens again. He also directed that an infograph be distributed to aid in the control of the spread of chickenpox; well he didn't technically say infograph, but I know it's an infograph. Of course, he didn't dismiss them without issuing a decree stating that anyone who raises the prices of any of the ingredients used to make the medicine, as well as the price of the medicine itself, will be punished appropriately by the law.
Brother Azraq returned to the Royal City after that, and a banquet was held in honor of our achievement a month later. The late celebration is partly because of my insistence on not hosting a banquet until the situation calmed down so as to not displease the people. I also managed to persuade Brother Azraq to isolate himself for a week to make sure that he didn't contract the virus.
All is well until someone grows suspicious of my actions. I'd forgotten about my own vow to stay low because I'd been having so much fun recently because I got to spend so much time with Father and the others while also helping the country. Hara Licentia was suspicious of me from the moment I spoke up at the dinner that night, and when my methods proved to be effective, I believe she realized how dangerous I am to her son's ascension to the throne.
Brother Lothario may be a master of the sword, but he is never a thinker, which is where Brother Azraq comes in; he is Brother Lothario's brain. Brother Azraq compensates for his flaws, filling the void that Brother Lothario lacks as a king candidate. The two brothers balance each other out: strength and brains, and the queen isn't about to let me cram myself into her picture-perfect plan for her sons.
After being summoned to Magayon Palace for tea, I realized how stupid and reckless I am. She sized me up and for the first time in a long time, I'm in a no-win situation. I don't think I'll live long if I keep acting like this and following the genius trope. However, if I start acting stupid, I will still lose my young life to her. Acting stupid would be a stupid decision because it would only make her suspect me more and make her think I was hiding something, making her wary of me even more, and I couldn't afford that.
"I commend Saridayang for helping Lothario and Azraq handle the epidemic," she says as she sips her tea.
"Thank you, Hara," I say, not minding the fact that she emphasizes that I only assisted and did not come up with the idea. I don't care, I'm walking on eggshells here. "It's all because of my brothers that I was able to help, they were the ones who persuaded Father to listen to me that day. To be honest, all I did was recount to them what my maid had told me during story time. All credit goes to my brothers who personally supervised the handling of the epidemic."
I go on and on, oblivious that she's now in a foul mood. I didn't know what I said for her mood to turn sour, but I managed to somehow piss her off. Did I go too far? Did she think I was being sarcastic when I complimented her sons?
Oh, no. My life… my second life… I could see it nearing its end. Huhu.
"Jenna takes care of me diligently. She's nice and friendly. I like her a lot because she always plays with me from morning to night," I try to sound as innocent as possible. I'm a child. Please see me as a child and nothing more.
"Is that so? That's good to hear." We fell into silence, but what she told me next made me scream no at the top of my lungs.
"Now that we are on the topic, I think it is time for you to receive a proper education, Saridayang."
I can't help scrunch my face at the Queen, who seemed taken aback at first but now seems to enjoy watching me process what she said.
We are NOT on this topic. We were never on this topic. Why are we talking about this?
"Given that you did well on your first royal assignment despite not having received proper education, how much more could Saridayang accomplish if you received proper education?" I can see the sly grin hidden behind the wrinkle-free face of the Kingdom's Light.
Am I allowed to flip her off? Should I dare?
After the Queen invited me to tea, I returned to Mother's side residence. It was dreadful. She went on and on about how unfortunate it is that Etiketa ng Dayang is lost, so rather than waiting for it to reappear, she will gladly teach me everything I need to know. She even went so far as to say that she cannot allow someone of lower birth to teach a princess like me, who is also the kingdom's hope. I know, however, that everything she said was nonsense and that she was only trying to keep an eye on me. I was tempted to decline the Queen's generous offer, but there was no reason for me to do so. What reason can I tell her? Simply telling her that I hate the idea is not gonna cut it.
"Tell me what you know about our kingdom, Saridayang." She set the teacup back on the saucer and tapped it on the table, waiting for my answer.
"Uhm… we have a long history?" I said, unsure of my response and having no confidence from the sudden pop quiz.
"You don't have the confidence of a royal, Saridayang. You must speak with grace and aplomb at all times; a royal name never wavers. If the King says the sun brings darkness and the moon brings light, then the sun brings darkness and the moon brings light."
I nodded awkwardly as she examined my face. Having a clear understanding of what she said, I added, "The King's word is the law."
"Indeed. Why is that?"
"Because the King owns everything?" Or that the King is a mad tyrant so no one dares to question him.
"You amuse me," she said. "Let us say you are correct; why is that?"
"Because the King exudes confidence and poise?"
Her lips rose for a second before she proceeded. "Perhaps." She took a sip of tea again before proceeding. "When our forefathers received a portion of the Blessed Land, they were nothing more than traders trading goods with other people. When our forefathers became wealthy, they thanked the gods by donating tithes to temples. They used their extra money to form a large trading group. This gave them an advantage in the trade and commerce industry, and they became the richest country on the continent as a result."
I recount the events to Jenna who is brushing my hair as Nanny fixes me a drink.
"I didn't know we're just traders. These people are so hypocritical that they mock merchants. Don't they realize their forefathers were merchants as well?"
"Saridayang," Nanny reprimands me.
"But how is the overall experience, Saridayang?" Jenna asks.
"Urghh! Didn't you hear what I just told you guys? It's tiring! Clean your ears off, Jenna."
Our eyes meet in the mirror and she gives me a smile as she continuously brushes my hair straight. I wasn't aware of her lips twitching or her hands coming to a halt as I sneered at her. However, I catch a glimpse of Nanny in the mirror. Nanny has that look a mother gets when she's about to snap at her child. Jenna picks up on it and changes the subject.
"It's because you aren't accustomed to proper etiquette yet, Saridayang. Don't worry; when you turn eight, you'll take proper lessons under Tutris Agnes. I heard she's a wonderful teacher."
"My back is killing me, Jenna." My vanity chair doesn't have a backrest.
"Would you like me to massage you while you lie down in your bed?"
She leads me to my bed, where I lie down on my chest for a back massage. "You can't lay on your front, Saridayang."
She instructs me to lie down on my back, which I do, and she begins massaging my shoulders and hands.
"It's my back that hurts, Jenna."
"You're not allowed to lie down like that. What if your bosoms don't develop properly in the future?"
"I'm four," I remind her.
"Even so."
"Whatever. But I don't think I need to wait for four more years to learn proper etiquette."
"What do you mean, Saridayang?" Nanny asks as she tucks me in properly and strokes my head to lull me to sleep.
"Apparently, Hara Licentia wants to teach me herself, and we will start next week. Just imagine what would happen then, I'd probably blackout on the first day."
"Oh, my poor saridayang," Jenna says, expressing sympathy.
"Really, poor me!"
"Hush, Jenna!" Nanny is displeased with Jenna's reaction and chastises her, prompting the latter to apologize while her mouth pouts.
"Don't feel bad about anything, Saridayang. You'll have to learn it eventually, and what better way to learn than from the Queen herself? Since she's our Queen, she's the most knowledgeable about royal etiquette," Nanny assures me. "And you," she says, pausing to look at Jenna. "Mind your words."
"But that's my concern, Nanny. I'm learning from the Queen."
"Saridayang. You need to be thankful for what the Queen is offer—"
"Psh! Stop, Nanny. I don't need your nagging; I just got back from a hellish place."
"Dayang! You can't say that about the Queen!" Nanny finally snaps and appears outraged.
I laugh a little, looking up at Nanny's piercing brown eyes. "I said nothing about the Queen. Her place, sure. But her? No. I'm not that stupid. I know myself that Father has many children, but he only has one queen. He can make more children, but he can't replace Hara. I know he'll side with her."
Our attention is drawn to the door by a knock. Jenna looks at me and I give her a nod. She gets up and walks over to the door, and opens it. "It's Danamuda Lothario, Saridayang," Jenna announces.
I spring out of my bed, waving Brother inside. "Come in, come in!" I say.
Brother scoops me up and pinches my cheeks. "Azraq is needed somewhere else." He reads my mind again.
"Shtaph, bwada~" He lets go of my cheek, and I rub it while giving him a playful glare. "I hate it when you do that."
"Couldn't help myself, my younger sister is just so cute. Like a chipmunk." he says as he pinches my cheek again, then casts his gaze around the room.
Knowing exactly what he's looking for, I say, "Ash isn't here, he's doing some training or whatever."
"Why would I be looking for that brat?"
"You do realize you're the same age, right? If you aren't looking for him, are you looking for Jenna, then?"
"Sarida~yang," I hear Jenna's squeaky voice in the background.
Brother turns to face Jenna, his ears flushed, I yelp as I almost slip out of his arms when he locks eyes with her and his grip loosens. "Ow! Sorry!" He apologizes immediately as he adjusts me in his embrace. "I-I— uh… hi…" He stammers as he tries to come up with the right word to strike up a conversation with Jenna.
I grin as a thought pops into my head.