V2 Chapter 24 - The Princess's Speech
Today is the day for the speech.
In other words, it's the day Madana dreads the most. Time is relentless. Life isn't like a story where you can rewind the moments you'd rather skip.
In the dressing room, Madana was surrounded by maids, all staring at her with sharp eyes and wide smiles. The maids of Suvarna House wore traditional attire reflecting their ethnic backgrounds.
While the Burmese girls donned hairpins and brooches, the Manchu girls wore elegant silk dresses. Maids from northern India were dressed in sarees.
"Young Princess looks stunning in the royal dress; she really resembles a ideal princess."
"The skin is as white as snowflakes. Is this real?"
As the maids fussed over her, it felt less like they were dressing her as a princess and more like they were preparing her for a showcase.
One of the Manchu girls rubbed her cheek against Madana's arm. Madana's skin flushed red under the attention, especially with the two braids cascading down her back.
The two Burmese girls tied Madana's hair into a ponytail. Fortunately, she had chosen a Pagan period dress, avoiding the complex hair knots typical of the Ava period.
After finishing her hair, the maids placed a golden crown on her head.
The Pagan style clothing was based on Indian traditions. As an upper-class woman, Madana wore a bodice and a waistcoat; the bodice was short, exposing her midriff. The waistline resembled a slit in the dress, revealing her thighs with each step. A large piece of cloth was draped around her, and she wore golden earings on both sides, though she was nervous about having her ears pierced.
In any case, Madana looked like an angel in her red Pagan princess dress with gold earrings. During the time of kings, she might even have been called Devi.
When Madana emerged, Boy Depa, another royal prince, was already leaning against the wall, waiting for her.
"Hey... it's been a while since you girls changed your clothes." He wore a long longyi cloth threaded with gold, topped with a long-sleeved dark blue silk shirt and a matching headpiece.
Seeing the boy, who always called her a fake woman, made Madana feel frustrated.
"So, have you accepted this elder sister as a true girl?" The boy's face flushed red, and he shouted angrily.
"A fake woman is just that—a fake. How can I make it real? And why is this dress so cute? Those big artificial meatballs—are you planning to feed the whole country with them?"
Madana felt her temper rise at the boy's taunts. She stepped closer, grabbed one of his hands, and gently brought it to her chest.
"If you don't believe me, try holding it. Is it fake if it's so warm?"
Madana's natural curves were slightly downward due to gravity, while the boy's youthful form stood straight. She knew his perception of "fakes" didn't align with reality. Of course, how could a child understand these things? Madana intentionally leaned closer, teasingly inviting him to touch.
"B... you... you..." The boy's face turned scarlet, tears began to flow, and he stormed off.
"I'll tell Grandpa on you, witch!"
Madana watched him leave, her smile triumphant like a victorious soldier.
The speech would take place at the People's Square in the city center. Madana needed to take a boat from the royal palace to the other side. When she boarded the royal boat, many people were already present. The king, noticing the boy's absence, asked Madana.
"Has my granddaughter arrived? I asked Dipa to call you. Didn't he come along with you?"
Madana smiled innocently. "he ran away after I teased him a bit."
"Hahaha... I think you and grandson don't get along. Have you two reached the next level?" The Duke laughed heartily, misinterpreting the situation.
After a while, the maids managed to bring the boy back to the boat. Despite his struggles, he couldn't escape.
"I can't ride in the same boat with that woman!"
"The duke said... my lord must attend the event himself."
Due to the commotion, the speech was delayed by about fifteen minutes. Finally, duke signaled to the boy, who calmed down enough to leave the boat.
Onboard, Madana's maid Amy leaned in and whispered, "Can I help that little brat accept the fact you are a girl?"
Madana raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" If there was a way to deal with the troublesome boy, she was all for it.
"I'll tell him about the red light. If he doesn't believe me, I'll show him video proof. If that doesn't work, I'll present physical evidence…"
"Amy," Madana interrupted, her voice strained, "When did this become about collecting evidence?"
Half an hour later, they arrived at the public square before Suvarna City Hall. Tens of thousands were gathered, waiting for her speech. Madana felt a wave of anxiety wash over her.
People's Square was spacious, featuring a large Suvarna War memorial stone in the center. The crowd, despite the calm weather, buzzed with anticipation.
As the duke's car entered the square, the master of ceremonies announced, "Everyone, respect the duke."
The crowd sat down on the bare floor, their eyes fixed on the duke.
After the royal family took the stage, the duke addressed the people.
"Stay as usual."
"May the great duke live for more than a hundred years!" They all rose in unison. The duke began his speech.
"Everyone, I understand your confusion regarding the succession I announced earlier. But this will no longer be an issue."
The crowd fell silent, their attention entirely on the king. People from all walks of life were present—some well-dressed, others in tattered clothing. Regardless of their status, they stood together, listening intently.
Ambassadors and journalists recorded the moment as the duke continued.
"I am sixty-five years old, five years past the retirement age for this country's employees. Many of my comrades have passed due to age. During my reign, Suvarna faced its most tumultuous history. I endured the longest war in our nation's history for forty years, and even ten years post-war, I see some of you still striving to rebuild your lives."
The duke's gaze landed on families in ragged clothes, tears welling in their eyes.
"During the war, we received no foreign aid. We survived through our own strength. I have led this country since I was an adult, but now I have reached the twilight of my years. It is time for the next generation. I will hand over the responsibility to those who can protect this nation for the next years. My time is over, and now it is the turn of Suvarna's eldest princess to lead."
The crowd reacted with mixed emotions. Some were sad, others in disbelief, and a few unable to stand.
Madana, still backstage, swallowed hard as she observed the crowd. The last thing she wanted was for the people of Suvarna to turn against her. Clenching her fists, she steeled herself.
Fralita reassured her, "Don't worry. Giving a speech isn't that hard. Did the royal secretary give you a written speech? Just recite it."
"What if I forget...?" Although Madana usually had a photographic memory, standing before thousands made her anxious.
"Then just speak from your heart."
Before Fralita could continue, Sophia interjected. Madana took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and stepped onto the stage.
When the master of ceremonies called her name, she fixed her gaze on the crowd and recited the speech as if she were studying.
"I am Suvarna's eldest princess, Madana. I came here from the United States... and... and..." As she glanced at the crowd, her mind blanked.
"I must speak honestly, right?" Madana smiled, revealing her teeth, then chuckled nervously. Frowning at the crowd, she spoke.
"I know some of you dislike me. I used to be a boy, and I still don't know if I prefer girls or boys. I didn't choose this life; it wasn't a price I paid for something I desired. Frankly, I never wanted to be a princess."
The crowd's eyes widened as the white-haired girl spoke boldly. Even the duke stared, mouth agape. Madana inhaled deeply and continued.
"I know you may not accept me. Before I came here, I had only heard of Suvarna. I tried some foods, and I liked it, but I didn't love this country. You might doubt that someone who just arrived could lead you. Yes, I don't know how to govern. If you let me lead, I might turn this country upside down."
Laughter rippled through the crowd at her candidness. A gentleman in the front row clapped, and soon, others joined in, though the applause waned as Madana pressed on.
"Do you know who recommended me as my successor? Those who live in isolation, unaware of the world? They chose me as if there was no other option."
The clapping stopped abruptly, the crowd's mood shifting.
"Hey... can't you see there's another prince here? He's been in this country since childhood. He breathes the same air, drinks the same water as you. Just the other day, I learned the name of this country's capital! But this boy is already protecting Suvarna as a superhero—like a new Kiloman. Why choose me, with my low bloodline? Are you not afraid I'll sell this country to China?"
Madana paused for breath. The crowd's mood seemed to lighten. Common people cheered, some even shouting their agreement.
"What the princess says is true!"
"The Cabinet lacks vision!"
The boy's face turned crimson as he realized his sister was campaigning for him. Madana raised her hand for silence.
"Listen: there are millions living in Suvarna. Your fate is intertwined with this country's. When did few dozens bureaucrats get the right to decide? I'm furious just thinking about it! I'm not campaigning for my brother. ministers are trying to prevent the right person from sitting on the throne. If Suvarna were a province, it wouldn't matter, but as a nation, shouldn't you choose your ruler?"
The crowd nodded in agreement. Even some liberal-leaning citizens began to reconsider their views. Reformists in the audience, including the Minister of Education and his team, looked impressed.
"This is a great move."
Finally, Madana spoke into the microphone again. "I challenge my brother, Dipa, to a fair competition. I will propose to the cabinet to allow for a royal election.
Let's make Suvarna great again!"
As Madana concluded her speech, the crowd erupted in cheers, their voices filling the square.