--- Imperial Crown Prince Siagu's POV ---
--- Inside the Quarter of Empress Alice ---
"How are you feeling, Mama? Are you alright?" I asked as I looked at my mother, who was lying on her bed with my papa standing beside her, holding her hand.
"I am okay, son. You don't have to worry about me," Mama replied with a smile.
I was currently in her quarters, a few steps away from my papa and our respective rooms. Following the tradition of our ancestors, the quarters of the monarchs' spouses and concubines were separate from that of the monarch to avoid jealousy and rivalry among the women. Despite being a Christian nation, our family still followed this practice of separate quarters.
"Are you sick, Mama?" Mai-mai worriedly asked as she climbed onto our mother's bed from the end of the bed. Ain also followed Mai-mai's actions, which was such a cute sight to see.
"Hehehe… I am not sick, Mai-mai. I am just resting," Mother replied while giggling and caressing Mai-mai's and Ain's cheeks.
"Then why are you lying on your bed, Mama? It's still afternoon, and you're not supposed to be in bed yet," Ain innocently inquired.
"Hahahaha! Silly child," Papa laughingly responded to Ain's question. "Your mother is a bit tired and needs some rest, Little Ain's. No need to worry about her."
"But the doctor said that she should rest for the baby. Who's the baby, Papa? Is Mama a baby?" Mai-mai innocently asked, looking back and forth between our father and mother, and even Ain seemed confused.
Seeing their reactions, I, along with our parents, laughed in delight and amusement because of their innocence. The confusion and curiosity on their faces were a testament to how innocent they really were.
"Hahaha! No, Mai-mai, Mama is not the child. What the doctor means is that Mama needs to rest because she is pregnant, and it's good for the baby," I explained while placing Mai-mai on my lap.
A few minutes later, the Imperial Doctor, Doctor Rizal, entered the room with some nurses.
"Your Imperial Majesties and Your Imperial Highnesses, based on Her Majesty's condition, I suggest that you heed my advice from earlier and take some rest. Although you are still in the early stages of the pregnancy, we should consider your history with past pregnancies," Doctor Rizal stated while looking at my papa and mama.
"But she has been doing great for the past years, Doctor. Surely my wife's condition will not be quite similar to what she experienced during her past pregnancies," my papa said with concern.
"Love…" my mama muttered while holding my papa's hand, and me and my siblings sat on the other side of the bed.
"Her Imperial Majesty's condition has indeed been quite good for the past years, but we cannot be too relaxed regarding Her Imperial Majesty's condition. This is for Her Imperial Majesty's sake and the baby, Your Imperial Majesty," Doctor Rizal stated firmly.
The conversation continued as Doctor Rizal provided further information on what my father and mother needed to do to ensure my mother's well-being and prevent any stress or negative emotions that could potentially lead to complications during her pregnancy. At this point, my mother was only three weeks pregnant.
Doctor Rizal advised my father to offer emotional support to my mother during this critical time. He stressed the importance of maintaining a peaceful and optimistic atmosphere at home. Papa should listen to Mama's concerns and be attentive to her needs. This support would go a long way in reducing stress and ensuring her emotional well-being.
Additionally, he recommended that both of them engage in activities that promote relaxation and reduce stress. Taking leisurely walks together, reading uplifting literature, and enjoying soothing music were among the suggested activities. Doctor Rizal emphasized that laughter and moments of joy were invaluable during this period.
However, as Doctor Rizal continued his explanation, my siblings began to lose interest. They decided to explore our mother's room, searching for interesting items to capture their attention. Mama, no longer engaged in the medical discussion, eventually drifted off to sleep.
Inside the room, my siblings discovered various items that piqued their curiosity. They examined the photographs on the walls, inspected the trinkets on the shelves, and even peeked into drawers in search of hidden treasures. Their boundless youthful curiosity led them to take advantage of this opportunity to explore their surroundings.
Meanwhile, Mama, sensing a moment of tranquility and perhaps a touch of fatigue, chose to take a short break. She believed that a brief rest would be beneficial and help rejuvenate her energy. After all, even in the early stages, pregnancy could be quite tiring.
As the conversation between Papa and Doctor Rizal continued, Mama's peaceful slumber provided a brief respite from the complexities of the world, giving her a moment of serenity during this crucial phase in her life.
"Sigh... Alright, I understand now. Thank you, Doctor Rizal," Papa said while gently stroking my mama's hair. "Senior Eunuch Isagani, please escort the good doctor and his nurses out."
Senior Eunuch Isagani, along with Doctor Rizal and his nurses, exits the room after bidding their farewell.
Silence envelops the entire room as my mama continues her slumber, and my siblings stand in front of the mirror making faces. Meanwhile, my papa and I are seated on opposite sides of Mama's bed.
I gaze at my mother's peacefully sleeping face. After a moment, Papa speaks, "Siagu, please take your brother and sister out of Mama's quarters. She needs some rest, and your siblings' constant inquiries will only cause her more stress."
"Okay, Papa. Mai-mai and Ain, say your goodbyes to our parents. Mama needs some rest," I say, standing and leaning in to give Mama a kiss on her cheek.
Mai-mai and Ain bid their farewells, kissing both our parents, before leaving with me.
As we make our way through the palace hallways, with our courtiers following, Mai-mai suddenly asks, "Kuya Siagu, will Yeong and King Gojong be visiting us?"
I look down at my sister, whom I'm holding on my left hand, and ask, "Why? Do you miss Yeong already?"
"Yes, I miss him a lot, Kuya. I haven't seen him for quite some time," she replies, a bit grumpy.
I giggle at my sister's reaction. It's quite cute to look at, actually.
It has been a month since Mai-mai saw Yeong, and she has also stopped going to the Baltso Palace for her Korean culture and court studies. This decision was made by Papa and King Gojong to give them some time apart, as their closeness was becoming a concern.
My papa and King Gojong worry that their strong bond might hinder their ability to fulfill their royal duties without each other's constant presence. As Papa explained in a long lecture, we must learn to separate our affection for our partners from our responsibilities to the nation each of us represents.
Excessive affection toward our partners can hinder our ability to govern our nation effectively. This is why my father and King Gojong made a decision, a decision that is also supported by my mother and Yeong's mother.
Instead of Mai-mai heading to Baltso Palace to study Korean culture, politics, and language, the tutor, a eunuch, and a court lady come to our complex to teach her. Even the eunuch who is teaching Yeong Butuanon language is required to visit him at Baltso Palace daily.
"He will visit you here soon, Mai-mai. Papa has already told you, right? This is the only way to prevent you and Yeong from becoming too attached to each other. Besides, you can still communicate through letters, right?" I asked her.
"Mh-Mmm," she nodded. "But it's different to have him here and play with him. Papa is so unfair to decide that!" She protested by stomping her feet, which caught everyone's attention.
"Sigh... I've already told you, he will be able to visit you in the near future. No need to throw a fit like that, Mai-mai," I said to her.
"But I want to see him! I want to! I want to!" She insisted by stomping her feet on the floor, creating quite a disturbance, with Ain also not happy with her fit.
"You're too noisy, Ate Mai-mai! Kuyaaaa! Make Ate Mai-mai stop already!!" Ain said to me.
Their voices echoed through the entire hallway as they expressed their desires. Unable to bear it any longer, I gave in and confronted Mai-mai about her attitude.
"Hush now, Mai-Mai, or I will have no choice but to spank you! This also includes you, Ainesh Phillip," I said seriously, looking at the two of them.
Both of them stopped their tantrum upon hearing my serious tone, but tears were still visible in their eyes.
"Sigh... You both know that I don't like being serious in front of you two because you're my siblings, and we should get along. But the two of you have pushed my patience to the limit," I said calmly, kneeling to wipe the tears from their eyes and faces.
"Kuya Siagu is sorry for what I said, okay? I won't raise my voice again to the two of you," I continued.
Both of them nodded, tears still flowing from their eyes. They both apologized to each other and to me. Being soft with siblings is quite challenging. Being an older brother isn't easy, especially in this family.
Seeing that both of them had calmed down, I turned to Mai-mai and said, "I'll try to convince Papa to allow you to visit Yeong at Baltso Palace this Friday. Would that be okay with you, Mai-mai?" She responded with her cutest smile and a nod.
"Thank you, Kuya!" she exclaimed as she leaped towards me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. Ain also joined the hug, squeezing in on our left side. I could hear the courtiers behind us giggling at our adorable sibling moment, even though we were basically children. But who cared? Childhood memories with my siblings were precious and should be cherished.
In my past life, I hadn't experienced a normal childhood due to the immense pressure my parents and grandparents had placed on me. I wasn't even allowed to venture beyond the house courtyard without their approval and being followed by a number of guards, a ridiculously strict requirement.
Fortunately, despite my status, I was now allowed to go wherever I pleased, as long as I was accompanied by household guards and courtiers.
Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, I found myself riding in a carriage with Mai-mai. She sat across from me, while two courtiers, Radhesh Huang (my personal eunuch) and Aruna Bhattacharya (my sister's personal eunuch), accompanied us.
We were on our way to the Baltso Palace, having successfully convinced our father to allow Mai-mai to visit Yeong today, which was a Sunday. Our father had been initially skeptical but was swayed by our mother's persuasion. I was pleased for my sister, and my father agreed to let her visit Yeong on the condition that I accompanied her. It wasn't a bad idea since I also wanted to visit the Baltso Palace.
That's why my sister and I, along with our respective courtiers, were en route to the Baltso Palace. As we traveled, I took in the sights outside the carriage.
People in the Imperial City, within a 200-meter radius around the Imperial Complex, were wearing their choice of traditional attire, the sonmins. Carriages and kalesas were the predominant modes of transportation within the city, although a few had adopted horseless carriages to preserve our nation's traditions in the face of westernization.
The buildings in the imperial city are primarily owned by our family, while some are owned by rich nobles and powerful individuals. These structures, built in the Butuanon architectural style, grace the entire imperial city, giving it a distinct ancient ambiance. In contrast, the areas outside the imperial city are dominated by industrial buildings with Western features, creating a stark contrast to the architectural aesthetics within the city.
Upon passing through the steel gates of the imperial city, which are diligently guarded by several police officers tasked with maintaining order, one can't help but be struck by their historical significance. The original gates were constructed during the reign of Rajah Siagu II in 1550.
The current imperial city gates, eight in total, are a modern redesign inspired by the original Buddhist architectural design. The primary alteration is the addition of steel to enhance durability and strength.
The gates, with their towering height and imposing presence, are truly a sight to behold. The steel gate panels are intricately adorned with carvings depicting Buddhist deities, symbols, and patterns. These gates are flanked by two monumental stone pillars, each crowned with a golden statue of a lion.
These gates stand as a symbol of our nation's power and prestige, harking back to the empire's deep Buddhist heritage during the early era of the Rajahnate up to its golden age.
As we pass through these gates, a profound sense of awe and wonder engulfs us.
The imperial city is among the most secure areas in our entire nation, with police officers stationed at every entrance and road leading to it. Additionally, the imperial household guards are tasked with protecting the imperial complex and its surroundings from any potential threats.
The designation of the imperial city as one of the most protected areas in our nation was made during the reign of Emperor Charan II. While it was already well-guarded before this declaration, Emperor Charan II's orders further bolstered its security.
Emperor Charan II's decision was a response to a rise in assassinations targeting members of the imperial family during his reign. It is believed that as many as 200 members of the imperial household, including those from cadet branches, lost their lives during his rule.
This was a significant blow to the imperial family, especially following the massacre perpetrated by Emperor Charan I. Presently, House Shaja, along with its cadet branches, has a total population of no more than 25,030 individuals. This is a substantial decrease from the nearly 48,000 members prior to Emperor Charan I's massacre, which reduced the number to a mere 20,500 individuals. The population somewhat recovered before Emperor Charan II's reign, only to decline again to 20,300 individuals during his rule. Fortunately, our house's population is slowly recovering, though some were not as fortunate.
Prior to the reign of Emperor Charan I, House Shaja had a total of 956 cadet houses, all descended from the sons of the previous monarchs. However, during his reign, this number decreased to 400 cadet houses. During Emperor Charan II's rule, the cadet houses continued to diminish, leaving us with only 300 cadet houses.
But these 300 cadet houses are also facing challenges. Some are on the brink of extinction because they have been unable to produce male descendants. It may be sad to witness their decline due to the lack of male heirs, but this is a longstanding tradition within the empire, dating back to the clan era.
As a modern individual, I have no plans to change this practice. I hold a deep appreciation for tradition and culture and do not intend to impose my "modern mindset" on this world. Such 21st-century thinking would only erode the unique traditions that define our nation.
A few minutes after leaving the Imperial city, we finally reached the heart of the capital. It was a stark contrast to the imperial city. Here, there were towering buildings, various modes of transportation, both old and new, bicycles, street vendors selling fruits, vegetables, and much more. The city center was teeming with life.
People from different walks of life were strolling along the sidewalks, some dressed in traditional sonmin, while others wore Western clothing. The city had become a melting pot of various foreign nationalities and ethnicities, including British, Chinese, Spanish, Dutch, French, and Americans, to name a few.
Among these foreign nationals, there were also locals of the empire walking the streets. They wore a mix of traditional sonmin and foreign clothing. The majority of them were ethnically Butuanons, while others were Hainanese, Cham (people from the Champa Region), Sabahans (people from the Sabah Region), and those with mixed foreign heritage.
They all coexisted, going about their respective businesses. Some engaged in conversations with one another on the sidewalks, while others, in the minority, viewed the Westerners with wariness and hostility. It's not easy to eradicate hatred from the hearts of individuals, and some understandably harbored such feelings.
"There are so many people here in the city center, big brother," Mai-mai suddenly said, gently tapping my thigh and drawing my attention.
"Mh-mmm," I nodded in agreement. "There are indeed many more people in this part of the city compared to the imperial city."
"Hehehe. Big brother, look!" she excitedly exclaimed after glancing out of the chariot. "Those men look quite funny riding that horseless carriage," she added with a smile.
"Hahaha, they certainly do. But isn't it exciting to see them riding that horseless carriage? Would you like to try it sometime?" I replied with a smile.
"Really, big brother?!" Mai-mai replied enthusiastically to my question.
"Your Imperial Highness," Radhesh muttered with great concern, his worry mirrored by Senior Eunuch Aruna Bhattacharya.
"Sigh... you two always seem to have news that could dampen our spirits," I said in a dissatisfied tone. I turned to my sister, who looked quite dejected, and gently caressed her cheeks in an attempt to uplift her spirits.
"I'm sorry, little Mai-mai, but it seems we won't be able to do that right now. Maybe next time we can ride those horseless carriages. Would that be okay with you?" I said with a reassuring smile.
"Do you promise, big brother?" she innocently inquired.
"Mh-mmm... I promise. We will ride that horseless carriage," I replied, which brought a smile of satisfaction to her face.
It's a good thing she's easy to coax. Having a younger sister can be quite convenient.
"I apologize, Your Imperial Highness. But according to the emperor's rules, all major members of the imperial household are forbidden from riding those vehicles. The emperor is primarily concerned about safety," Senior Eunuch Aruna stated.
Papa's reluctance toward these types of vehicles is based on the fact that this technology is relatively new to this era.
Senior Eunuch Aruna Bhattacharya's words made me examine him more closely, scrutinizing his appearance. He is currently the Senior Eunuch assigned to my little sister, similar to how Radhesh is assigned to me, Awang Lingkung to Little Ainesh, Isagani del Cruz to my father, and Bhagavan Das to my mother.
Senior Eunuch Aruna Bhattacharya is 25 years old and is a native of Butuanon, born and raised here in the imperial complex. His mother was a court lady assigned to the kitchen, while his father was a eunuch assigned to the garden within the imperial complex. His parents were among the first group of individuals spared from the practice of castration.
He stands at a height of 5'8, a bit buff, with a strikingly handsome face. He is one of the few senior eunuchs who have managed to capture the attention of common people. His appearance alone makes him a desirable match for the common folk, not to mention his connection to our family as loyal courtiers of the palace.
Senior Eunuch Aruna Bhattacharya, much like Radhesh and the other senior eunuchs assigned to each member of our family, is a master of martial arts and proficient with firearms. He is also well-versed in English, French, Arabic, and Chinese, and he is currently studying Hangul as part of his duties as my sister's personal attendant.
Senior Eunuch Aruna Bhattacharya's unwavering dedication to serving my sister and our family is beyond question. He once heroically saved my sister from drowning in the pond of the imperial garden. His training in martial arts and firearm usage is aimed at protecting my sister from any potential threats.
Just like Radhesh, Senior Eunuch Aruna Bhattacharya is currently dressed in a simple-looking brown sonmin, adorned with a few silver intricate patterns of flowers and curves.