--- 4th of June 1897 ---
--- 3rd Person POV ---
--- Imperial Compound's garden ---
"The Island of Borneo holds a significant importance in my dreams of achieving control of the entire region. Without the approval from the government in the Netherlands, it would be impossible for us to establish a settlement or even an outpost without engaging into a battle." Maharaja Siagu XV stated seriously while standing on the banks of the pond.
Deep in thoughts on the message he received from the envoys being sent to the government in Dutch East Indies. Since last year's founding anniversary, Maharaja Siagu XV have shown interest and greed on wanting to expand his territory towards the island of Borneo. The allure of trading post and the resources present on the island alone gives Maharaja Siagu XV an energy to further push his dreams of expansion.
But with the recent development against the Japanese and the forces of King Sonjong, Maharaja Siagu XV have decided to step back a bit and focus more on the war. A war which Maharaja Siagu XV found necessary in bringing the old kingdoms under its fold. But with the war still ranging for almost 3 months already, funds were poured heavily on the cause of war.
Not to mention that with the arrival of those earoplanes, the budget of the military has been significantly been raised to the roof. Giving the opposition a reason to criticizes the government for allocating huge lump of money to the military but have given little fundings for the uplifting the people from poverty.
"The parliament would not be pleased if they will be able to hear you utter those words." Maharani Alice replied while shaking her head in worry while standing beside her husband, facing the pond full of solace.
"Let them be. Those chambers have been consistently failing the empire for the past years. With the house of Lords full of people wanting to gain back their lost power, after the war with the British and the French.
And the House of Commons, whom have been as barbaric as those people on the mountains. Unsophisticated and greedy for power, especially the opposition whom have consistently been attacking our family for the past months. It was as if, the people have failed to elect individuals on the commoners chamber." Maharaja Siagu XV replied in displeasure.
"But that child Aguinaldo have been performing quite well since the establishment of the Parliament. The child could finally rival the achievements of the first prime minister.
With his devotion to the monarchy and the nation, it would be possible for you to push some reforms favoring the people and the monarchy." Maharani Alice replied while staring at the dancing fishes on the pond.
The night has just entered on its infancy state as firefly started to gather on the entire garden of the compound. With court ladies carrying lamps to give light to the maharaja and maharani, couple of stationary lanterns have also provided elegant lights for the couple to see at night.
With the peacefulness of the night and the gentle splashes of waters made by the fishes on the pond, Maharaja Siagu XV and Maharani Alice decided to observed the entire pond, wanting to have a time with each other. Behind the maharaja and maharani are their courtiers, faithfully and silently standing a meter away from the couple to give some privacy.
With Maharani Alice's pregnancy on its 3rd month already, a small bulge on the maharani's stomach started to form. A simple walk at night and a conversation with her husband have been a routine that Maharani Alice enjoys once in a while, as her pregnancy and Doctor Rizal won't permit her on doing it continuously.
"The war with the Japanese has been consistently been draining our empire with our fundings. Although our nation's coffers can still last for the next 2-3 years, if the current flow of money continues. But you must remember my dear husband that after the war, you still needed to face another challenge in rehabilitating and gaining control not just the island of Taiwan… or those Japanese called it Formosa. But you and the government will be spending quite a handful of resources in uplifting and repatriating people in Xuwen and Leizhou county next year." Maharani Alice continues solemnly.
The issue with the acquisition of the counties of Xuwen and Leizhou was then brought back once again to the attention of Maharaja Siagu himself. For the past months, the topic regarding the integration of Xuwen and Leizhou have been developing slowly after the border between the Xuwen county was opened for the residence of the island of Hainan, allowing people from Hainan to visits the people in Xuwen and goods to be transported.
But with the opening of the border between the county of Xuwen and the Region of Hainan, troubles arise along with its opening. An influx of immigrants from the counties of Xuwen and Leizhou started to migrate towards Hainan via boat and sailing vessels. Causing chaos in the ports of Xuwen and the receiving ports in Haikou. With total 5 thousand individuals entering Hainan, wanting to settle for their new life.
This alone causes chaos for the authority in Hainan. As riots and demands for stability were made by the locals against the immigrants. Although there are a small number of Hainanese whom have decided to move to Xuwen and Leizhou, but their numbers are few. The two weeks were a chaotic scene for soldiers and Imperial Police whom were maintaining order in the entire island.
This prompted the governor of Haikou to temporarily closed the border once more for the duration of 2 weeks before finally opening it and allowing people to pass in order. But with the opening of the border came with the strict regulation of banning and catching people smuggling opium and drugs that are considered illegal in Butuan.
With the issue in Hainan solved and the creation of investigation forces to assess the situation in Xuwen and Leizhou. It was not that long before the government of Butuan and Maharaja Siagu XV have fully grasp the situation in these two counties. With 70% of the population of both counties living below poverty, which shocks Maharaja Siagu XV and Prime Minister Aguinaldo's cabinet. This prompted Prime Minister Aguinaldo to proposed to the maharaja the allocation of budgets in preparation of the integration of the two counties, which Maharaja Siagu XV allowed.
Maharaja Siagu smiles in confidence, "the wind of wars has been blowing in great force behind our back since the start of the war. With the coming of those earoplanes and the recent assault that the air force has made towards the ports of the Japanese Empire."
"Those flying metallic vehicles… who would have thought that we humans would be able to conquer the sky in a much greater height that those zeppelins cannot even offer." Maharani Alice replied in full of amusement and awe as she tries to remember the moment those earoplanes passes to her and son's sight.
It was a frightening moment for Maharani Alice as she witnesses those things that are not familiar to her. Despite already knowing about the making of those earoplanes, the sheer knowledge of those things cannot weight the freight one can feel the moment they hear those earoplanes fly amid their presence. It was a good thing that the courtiers are present at that time, allowing Maharani Alice to relax.
But what rightens Maharani Alice the most is the newly improved zeppelins. With enormous body size and the armament of its kind, gives of and aura of malice and terror. With the presence of those zeppelins alone can bring terror to people who see it. Especially that those zeppelins were painted in black, giving more a sense of death envoy.
"I fear that those weapons will not just bring victory to our nation but will also bring misfortune." Maharani Alice continued in full worry while looking at the moon's reflection on water.
Maharaja Siagu XV took a deep sigh before replying, "I am fully aware on the consequence and pressure our nation might face after this war… with the advent of those earoplanes being present, countries from the west will surely find their ways having their hands on the information we have about those things. We might even see our nation being treated differently by those western countries, especially the United States."
As much as Maharaja SIagu XV wanted to ensure dominance and be on top of the world countries. His dream will be futile when foreign nations will isolate his own country. For Maharaja Siagu XV understood the importance of having connection with other nations, specially when it comes to trade and exploration.
A nation that is estrange by majority of the world countries is a nation heading to its timely doom. Maharaja Siagu XV understood that no nation in this day and age can survive without the trade coming in and out of the country. As what he has always says to his heir and son, 'weaponry is not the always answer on national foreign issues… a skillful diplomacy is what runs the world.'
But it would be idiotic for Maharaja Siagu XV to deny the importance of developing his nation's own military might. Thus, Maharaja Siagu XV have been urging the military, from the army to the navy until the newly established air force, to invest more on weapon development to counter the possibility of other countries retaliate by force.
"It appears to be that the notes made by your son have been very helpful in not just astronomically advances our nation's military might but have also helped our engineers in further understanding some information about those machineries. Not to mention that even our bright minds on the field of science have benefited a little on those notes." Maharani Alice voiced as she presented her knowledge to her husband.
With pride and content, Maharaja Siagu XV nodded and replied, "It has indeed helped our nation in expediting our struggle in reaching advancement in military technologies. Not to mention that those notes have given us a huge advantage compared to the other nation."
Which is true as the moment other countries started to develop their earoplanes by copying or doing a bit better version of what Butuan have today. Maharaja Siagu XV is confident that the moment other countries have succeeded, they will be 4-5 steps ahead compared to them. This will not just let Butuan be the leading military power in the world but Maharaja Siagu XV and his cabinets are confident that no one will be ahead of their nation in the next 20 years or so.
"I heard that you have conversed with the members of the Imperial Clan Council and the previous Queen of Hawai'i and his envoys." Maharani Alice stated calmly, wanting to change to topic.
Maharaja Siagu XV take a glance to this wife before guiding her for a continual walk, "Hmmm… The council and the previous queen of Hawai'i have both presented their concerns regarding the future union between the current queen of Hawai'i and that child Rohan Harish."
"Oh? And what is it that concerns them the most? Isn't the two been vocal with their relationships after both of their parents have conversed with each other?" Maharani Alice confusedly inquired.
"It was the council members concern regarding the adoption of the Sharada name as the new dynastic name of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, replacing the current royal house of Kalākaua. But the previous queen of Hawai'i argues that since that child is not the heir to the house of Sharada, he should instead adopt the name of Kalākaua or his children. This is based on the agreement made by the child's father and his older brother with the parents of Queen Kaʻiulani." Maharaja Siagu XV commented calmly while holding the hand of his wife while also carrying the lantern on his other hand.
Displeasure and confusion arise on the mind of Maharani Alice as she further ponders the words of her husband. In her head, she is angered by the notion of a member of the Imperial House of Shaja will be adopting a lesser prominent royal name that have not even existed for more than a hundred years. For her, it would be a displeasing and humiliating act of doing so. For not just Rohan Harish be dragging the name of his house but also the house of Shaja, not to mention that he is a man and not a woman.
Despite being the Maharani and the mother of the empire but as a woman, she was not allowed to interfere nor attend any meetings that involves any governmental affairs, as per tradition and costume. Despite her wanting to do so.
But despite not being able to attend these said meetings, Maharani Alice is still aware of things through her husband and the courtiers' words. Allowing her to be update and well-informed on the happening of the palace and the nation. And for Maharani Alice, things like these are of great importance in maintaining the dignity and grandeur of the family.
Maharani Alice's gaze was steady as she asked, "And what has the meeting decided? I assume those venerable individuals have strongly voiced their opinions and decided against having the child adopt the name of the Queen of Hawai'i?"
Maharaja Siagu XV chuckled awkwardly, his amusement tinged with disbelief. "That would have been the ideal outcome," he replied, "but unexpectedly, those ancient bag of bones chose to support the words of the former Queen Liliʻuokalani. It was as though the meeting was merely a formality, with me as the monarch being the final rubber stamp on their decision."
"Preposterous!" Maharani Alice exclaimed, halting in her tracks and turning her attention sharply toward her husband. Her frustration was palpable as she continued, "Have those people lost their minds? A member of the family adopting a lesser-known name just to keep the monarchy of Hawai'i under its current designation? Have they forgotten the ancient cultural tradition of our nation, which values males over females?"
Her gaze grew more intense as she addressed him, "And what have you done in response? Those members of the Imperial Clan Council have been growing increasingly bold over the years, behaving as though they are above the maharaja and the government. They have forgotten the true purpose of their duty."
Maharaja Siagu XV took a long pause before responding. "I let them have what they want," he said finally.
Maharani Alice's eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on her husband. "You did what? You've gone so far as to let those ancient relics trample over you and your home, the very institution you, as Maharaja, are supposed to represent?"
"Let them trample on me? Hahaha!" Maharaja Siagu XV laughed heartily. "Those ancient bones, who have contributed almost nothing to the empire's advancement, presume they can tread on me without fear of repercussions? Hahaha! Now that they're in power, they've grown corrupt, believing they can do whatever they please.
I have a plan for the entire house," he continued, his tone shifting to one of resolve. "These individuals have always clung to the name of the imperial house, bringing disgrace and controversy that the media and the government have struggled to cover up with other stories, just to prevent them from tarnishing the family's name."
"You… are you really planning on doing that?" Maharani Alice commented in a bit shock.
Maharani Alice have known her husband for years already and one thing that her husband is known for in secret is that he is a man of vengeful spirit. For her husband, everything should be paid in accordance to the damage. And with how the Imperial Clan Council have performed during the meeting, basing on her husband's report, Maharani Alice could calculate that an ominous event will be unfolding to the Imperial House of Shaja in months or years to come.
Maharaja Siagu XV on the other hand is diving deep to his thoughts on how he will slowly abolish the Imperial Clan Council. He knew for a fact that abolishing the Imperial Clan Council is not as easy as it says, as the moment the Imperial Clan Council is abolish, the balance of power between the government and the Imperial Clans will be destroyed. Ensuring that none of the two gains power over the other is what Maharaja Siagu XV is thinking on doing.
While the Maharaja Siagu XV and Maharani Alice remains in silence while they continue their walk on the garden of the Imperial Compound. Their respective courtiers are following the two quietly and orderly, not wanting to disturb their respective master. Lanterns hanging on trees on a random spot along with the gentle breeze of winds and crickets of incest added more to the beauty of the scenario. This gives the courtiers a sense of ease and calmness.
But as they continue their walk and conversation, Maharani Alice suddenly feels a bit cold despite weaking her sonmin. With concern on his face due to his wife's sensitive pregnancy, her husband, Maharaja Siagu XV offered them both to head back inside the palace and head to their chambers to rest. Which Maharani Alice graciously accepted and made their way to their chambers.
As the couple with their entourage enters the halls of the palace of Sella, Maharani Alice decided to take a pause at a grand painting of the house Shaja, with Rajkumar Sharvil of Cebu and his family, and Rajkumari Haimi of Siargao and her family. The main branch of the Imperial House of Shaja, the foundation of the Empire of Butuan. A symbol of stability, power, culture, unity, and opulence.
With Maharani Alice's paused, Maharaja Siagu XV decided to accompany his wife.
"Time flies by so fast… It was just as if yesterday that I carry on my belly our youngest child. Now, I am once again carrying our child, another addition to the family." Maharani Alice affectionately stated while caressing her belly with a sweet smile as she stares on the giant painting.
"Hmm… these hallways will once again be filled with child's whining and laughters." Maharaja Siagu XV replied while running his eyes to the entire hallway.
Maharani Alice follows her husband's focus, only to see the large hallways of the Palace of Sella which resembles a mixture of Western palaces and Butuanon architectural designs.
Since the construction of the palaces, renovations and alterations were made by the monarchs of Butuan by incorporating western architectural features. One major change was the addition of rooms on the palace of Sella, which were only used before as the throne room of the Rajas and the Maharaja. Although the palaces appear to have no influence of western architecture on the outside, but inside, almost 50% of the interior resembles western architecture.
"Have you talked with Commissioner Alejandro Bagani regarding the funding of the renovation and reconstructions of the entire three palaces of the compound?" Maharani Alice inquired as she remembers her husband's plan on having the palaces of Sella, Tessa, and Minbury, be renovated completely by having half of the buildings be made out of complete concrete to ensure long lasting survival of the buildings and the residence.
"I have. Documents were already been process to ensure the smooth construction of the buildings. And while these constructions were undergoing, we are to be moved at the mansion inside the Imperial City." Maharaja Siagu XV calmly commented as he guided his wife to continue their walk heading to their respective chamber.
"For how long?" Maharani Alice further inquired.
"It would be a total of 4-5 years before the renovation and reconstruction of the palaces were done. Not to mention that the gift, to be given to our son, just few kilometers outside the city is already under construction." Maharaja Siagu XV commented.
Which brought Maharani Alice to remember the ongoing construction of a palace to be gifted to his son, Yuvraj Siagu Alexie the moment he turns 18 and be married to his fiancé, Princess Abbhantripaja of Siam. Currently, as what she remembers, the palace is already under construction and is expected to last a few years. The palace itself follows western architecture of grand and elegance.
Despite being frugal on most cases, Maharani Alice and Maharaja Siagu XV have decided to fund the construction of such palace to celebrate the union between Siam and Butuan. While the expenses made for the palaces of Sella, Tessa, and Minbury, were funded by the Imperial Estate Agency as its overdue obligation after Maharaja Siagu XIV refuses to have the palaces be touched during his reign.
As two of them continues their walk, it took them 3 minutes before they reach their respective quarter. As per tradition, monarchs of Butuan have only shared rooms during procreation. Adjacent on the opposite wing of the Sella Palace is the chamber of Maharaja Siagu XV himself.
With silence once again envelop the entire hallways of Sella Palace as its occupants lay on their respective beds for rest. Tranquility and peace embrace the entire hallways as courtiers assigned to guard members of the Imperial Family take their respective stations. Imperial Household Guards were also doing their sacred duty of securing the family and the entire area.