--- 3rd Person POV ---
--- 8th of September 1904 ---
As the conversation between the three of them continues and the night deepens with the city now being illuminated with streetlights and few building lights. The conversation between Yuvraj Siagu and his siblings once again changes its direction after the three of them finishes their topics about other menial things, especially regarding the upcoming announcement of the television.
Even the topic of the construction of the delayed palace gift for Yuvraj Siagu were touched by Maharajkumar Ainesh, whom expressed his jealousy over how lavish the palace is, located few kilometers away from the city and is standing on top of the mountain. Giving the palace the sense of security and a good area for imperial retreats due to its ideal location and surrounding forests.
Which Yuvraj Siagu only laugh at as he knew for a fact that a palace is currently being under renovated for his younger brother's gift upon him entering adulthood. And basing on what he knew of, after receiving the reports from the Ministry of Imperial Palace, Maharajkumar Ainesh's palace gift is located at the region of Sabah, near the seaside, an ideal location for beach relaxation.
But before their conversation ended, Yuvraj Siagu focuses his attention to Maharajkumar Ainesh with a serious expression, making Maharajkumar Ainesh be conscious.
"What? What is it that you're looking at, kuya?" Maharajkumar Ainesh inquired in curiosity.
"When are you planning on seeking a wife?" Yuvraj Siagu blurted out not filtering anything.
This made Maharajkumar Ainesh caught off-guard and stare blankly at his kuya with shock look on his face. He might be the 2nd in-line to the throne of Butuan after his older brother, but the prospect of marriage has been out of question for him as of the moment. For now, he still wanted to enjoy the life of being free from responsibilities and his Kuya Siagu knew about this.
But with the sudden words of his older brother, Maharajkumar Ainesh really was caught off-guard. Not sure as to why his kuya is suddenly bringing this up. Besides, he is still not really ready to settle and he thinks that he is still young to be tied to someone for eternity, if nothing happened.
Maharajkumari Mahati on the other hand giggles with amusement seeing her younger brother's reaction that almost came from paintings made by a child. For years, since staying in Hanseong, Maharajkumari Mahati have always questions her younger brother on when he would take a fiancé of his, only to constantly being shut down. Which irritated her as she only wanted her younger brother to choose early for his future also.
Maharajkumari Mahati have even already selected a possible wife for her younger brother. A local lady whom is known for her beauty and came from a prestigious family. And she believes that it won't just be beneficial for her younger brother but will also be beneficial for her entire family also. And she believes that her older brother, Yuvraj Siagu, have also been thinking the same thing as her.
Marriage is something that is a luxury for her and her entire family. It almost none in records of the imperial family that married someone following their heart, not the decision made by their parents or members of the family. Thus, it is normal for Maharajkumari Mahati to select a suitable spouse for her younger brother.
"I-I am still young for that one, Kuya. Haha" Maharajkumar Ainesh awkwardly answered with a laughter, "Don't joke with that one."
With a serious express, Yuvraj Siagu answered, "Who says I am joking?" he then sighs deeply, "You are not young anymore and the years pass like a fleeting leaf. Selecting a suitable partner for you is essential, specially that you are next in-line to the throne, if ever I died early or have no male child."
Maharajkumar Ainesh blinked, still processing his older brother's unexpected seriousness. The light-hearted atmosphere had taken a sudden heavy turn and the weight of Yuvraj Siagu's words settled on him like a cloak of responsibility he wasn't quite ready to wear.
"Kuya, you're talking as if you're not going to live a long and healthy life," Ainesh finally responded, trying to deflect the gravity of the situation. "And besides, you're already betrothed. You'll have plenty of sons, and they'll be the ones to carry on the legacy."
Yuvraj Siagu shook his head slightly, his expression remaining firm. "Ainesh, this isn't just about me or what I might accomplish. Our duty to the empire doesn't wait for us to be ready. It demands our attention, our commitment, and our foresight. You may feel young now, but the decisions we make today will shape the future of our people."
Maharajkumari Mahati, who had been watching the exchange with quiet amusement, now spoke up, her tone gentle but supportive of their older brother's stance. "Ainesh, I understand that you want to enjoy your freedom, but Kuya is right. The time will come when you'll need to step up, and having a partner by your side will make that journey easier. Besides, it's not just about duty—it's about finding someone who can support you, just as Princess Abbhantripaja supports Kuya."
Maharajkumar Ainesh sighed, feeling the pressure from both his siblings. He knew they were right, but the idea of marriage, of settling down and taking on more responsibilities, felt like an overwhelming burden at this point in his life. He had always admired his older brother's sense of duty and his sister's determination, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to follow in their footsteps.
Besides, he still loves his freedom, unshackled by the words of union made in front of God and the priests. Freedom is what Maharajkumar Ainesh values the most, freedom that he rarely enjoys out from the confines of the imperial palace. And by bethrowing himself, he will once again be erecting walls that will hinder him and his freedom, which he wanted to avoid.
"I know you're both trying to look out for me," Ainesh admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, "but I'm just not sure I'm ready for all of this. I want to live a little more before I get tied down."
"And what? Spend your days with those whores at the bar?" Yuvraj Siagu angrily stated as he throws glares towards his younger brother.
Shock and fear registers all over Maharajkumar Ainesh's face after hearing his older brother's angry voice. He never thought that he would once again be seeing his older brother's outburst. And not to mention that he was discovered spending his time in secret with whores in the capital in secret.
Woman is what makes Maharajkumar Ainesh ecstatic and enjoy his freedom. Despite still being at the age of 16, he has already spent his first night with a woman at the age of 15, after purposely sneaking out to try his curiosity. He knew that it was inappropriate of him to do it as it is also might damage the name of his family. But since he was not discovered, he still continues to do so in incognito.
Maharajkumar Ainesh though that he has manages to keep everything in secret, which made him last for almost 2 years now. But it appears to be that he is mistaken as he was discovered by his older brother.
Maharajkumari Mahati felt shock the moment she heard her older brother's words, unable to accept the information. The younger brother, whom she thought to be gentle and freedom lover would just want to spend his freedom in bars with the whores. It would be a scandal, in her opinion, if the press knew about her younger brother's lustful escapades.
Anger suddenly surges on Maharajkumari Mahati's head as she slowly absorbed her brother's words. Glares of anger were thrown towards her younger brother, disgusted on the action he has decided to take. This also made her certain that she needed to rush her younger brother into being betrothed to prevent him further damaging the name of the imperial family and possible the reign of her papa and older brother.
"H-how did you know about this?" Maharajkumar Ainesh inquired in fear while heavy sweats started to gather on his forehead, contrasting the cold weather that the capital have been experiencing.
Yuvraj Siagu's anger burned brightly as he glared at his younger brother. "Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" he demanded; his voice filled with frustration and intimidation. "You might have hidden it from the others, but you can't hide things like this from me. I have eyes everywhere, Ainesh. Even papa cannot hide a thing from me, how much more you… a mere maharajkumar?"
Maharajkumar Ainesh stood frozen, his face pale with fear. The reality of being caught and confronted by his older brother sent a chill down his spine. He struggled to find words, his throat dry and his mind racing.
Maharajkumari Mahati, still reeling from the shock, felt her anger surge. "Ainesh," she said, her voice cold and stern, "how could you be so reckless? Do you not understand the consequences of your actions? The press, the people—they won't be as forgiving as we are."
Ainesh's eyes darted between his siblings, realizing the gravity of the situation. "I—I'm sorry," he stammered, his voice trembling. "I never meant for it to go this far. I just wanted to... feel free."
Without minding the solemnity of the night and the possibility catching attention, Yuvraj Siagu shouted in anger towards his younger brother. A rare instance that Yuvraj Siagu have rarely shown towards his siblings as he knew for a fact that he might hurt his sibling's feelings after bursting out in anger.
With mocking face, Yuvraj Siagu inquired, "Free from what?! Your duties?! Of being an Imperial Prince?!" he pointed at Maharajkumar Ainesh with force and irritation while Maharajkumari Mahati made herself a barrier that separates the two brothers, "Let me tell you this! There are people who wanted to be in your place the moment they were born into this world! You are blessed already yet you are too greedy and weak to accept reality and simple responsibility!"
But because of how irritated and unsatisfied he is with his younger brother's words, Yuvraj Siagu could not help it but unleash his anger towards his younger brother. The selfishness that he felt after his younger brother expresses his wanting distorted the once calm mind of his, causing him to throw words towards his younger brother.
He also would want to have some freedom that he once dreamed of even his past life, yet Yuvraj Siagu realizes that once he gets his own freedom, consequences that will not just damage his own life but will also affect his own family prevented him in doing so. Freedom is not something he could enjoy, and he accepted that in the harshest way possible.
He is not a normal individual, he has some responsibility to hold, same as his siblings, and abandoning this responsibility just to pursue selfish freedom is unforgivable and selfish, which Yuvraj Siagu hated the most.
Maharajkumari Mahati, whom is standing between her two siblings started to soothe her older brother, whom she knew have been burdened with heavy responsibilities. She knew her older brother very well and he would not shout in anger towards them if he is not really disappointed or angry. And if she didn't place herself in-between her two brothers, their youngest, Maharajkumar Ainesh, would have been bleeding after being punched.
The fear of disturbing others in the middle of the night did not really concern her at the moment as courtiers were already stationed outside the room to guard. And besides, the Suryavarman Palace is far from the Palace of Sella, so their parents won't be in here nor their aunts and uncles.
But despite them far from their parents and relatives, even from their guest, Maharajkumari Mahati decided that tonight's conversation must come to an end with not settling the topic of their younger brother's search for a partner. Days are still available and basing on the reaction of their younger brother, whom is shaking in fear while staring at their older brother, he already learned his lesson and have zero possibility of still continuing his lustful escapades.
Maharajkumari Mahati, her gaze steady, placed a calming hand on Yuvraj Siagu's arm. "Please, brother," she said softly but firmly, "let's take a moment to cool down. We need to approach this with a clear mind."
Yuvraj Siagu, breathing heavily, nodded curtly but remained visibly tense. His anger, while partially spent, was still evident in the tight set of his jaw and the sharpness of his gaze. He knew his outburst was a reflection of his own internal struggles—his yearning for freedom tempered by the unyielding reality of his responsibilities. His frustration with Ainesh's behavior had ignited a fire in him, revealing the deep-seated anger he felt about the burdens they all carried.
Maharajkumari Mahati turned her attention back to Ainesh, whose fear was palpable. "Ainesh, you need to understand the gravity of what you've done. It's not just about you wanting to be free; it's about how your actions impact everyone in this family. We all have duties, and we all have to make sacrifices. Your freedom isn't a right you can take for granted. It's a privilege that comes with responsibility."
Ainesh, still trembling, nodded vigorously. "I understand," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm sorry for being so selfish. I didn't think about how my actions would affect everyone."
Maharajkumari Mahati sighed deeply, her anger now giving way to a more compassionate concern. "We need to address this situation carefully," she said. "Let us end this conversation for now. The night is deep and both you needed to stop this already."
The tension in the room began to ease as Maharajkumari Mahati's calm, steady presence brought a momentary reprieve from the heated exchange. She looked at Yuvraj Siagu with a mix of empathy and resolve, aware that while her brother's anger was justified, their younger sibling's fear and remorse needed to be handled delicately.
Yuvraj Siagu took a deep breath, his anger slowly dissipating as he realized the wisdom in Maharajkumari Mahati's approach. He nodded, though his expression remained stern. "Very well," he agreed, though his voice was still taut. "We'll discuss this further in the morning when we're all in a clearer state of mind."
Maharajkumari Mahati turned her full attention to Ainesh, her gaze softening. "You need to get some rest, Ainesh. This isn't a punishment—it's a chance for you to reflect and understand what's at stake."
Ainesh nodded, his face pale but resolute. "I'll think about everything. I promise."
With the tension defused, Maharajkumari Mahati gently guided Ainesh towards the door, giving Yuvraj Siagu a final reassuring glance before they exited.
But before Maharajkumar Ainesh fully left the room, he turns his face towards his Kuya Siagu and said, "I never really want to be a maharajkumar, Kuya Siagu."
The night air outside was cold, a sharp contrast to the heated emotions that had just unfolded within the room. Once alone, Yuvraj Siagu sank into a nearby chair, rubbing his temples as he tried to calm his racing thoughts. Maharajkumari Mahati returned to his side, her expression a blend of exhaustion and determination.
"I know this isn't easy," she said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But we have to find a way to guide Ainesh without pushing him too far. Especially now that he is starting to resent himself being a maharajkumar."
Yuvraj Siagu nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I know… This thinking of him shall not be permitted to persist."
Maharajkumari Mahati gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "We'll work through this. We have to. We're a family, and we have to support each other, even when it's difficult."
The two siblings sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of the evening's events settling over them. Not long after, the two of them also departed the room and proceeded to take their rest on their respective quarters, allowing the night to continue without any complications.
The night was dark and frigid, the chill biting through the uniforms of the 15,000 fully trained soldiers of the Korean Empire as they crossed the border from the Qing Dynasty into the Liaodong Peninsula. Each soldier was equipped with modern weaponry, meticulously manufactured in the factories of Butuan, designed to give them an edge in the war that was now engulfing the region.
Under the cover of darkness, the Korean forces moved with precision, their every step a calculated advance toward their first objective: the Liaodong Peninsula, currently held by the Imperial Russian Army with support from a small contingent of Qing Dynasty soldiers. And as per agreed between Emperor Gojong and Emperor Meiji, Korea will be sending its reinforcement in Liaodong Peninsula to hasten the siege.
The mountainous terrain and biting cold seemed almost insurmountable, but the soldiers pressed on, driven by the orders of their colonels and the weight of their nation's expectations. As dawn approached on the 9th of September, 1904, the Korean soldiers, having rested only briefly, prepared for the assault. The air was thick with anticipation as the order was given to launch the attack.
The tranquillity of the early morning was shattered by the roar of gunfire and the thunderous boom of artillery. The Imperial Korean Army surged forward, capturing small villages in their path with a relentless efficiency in the Yalu River Crossing Points.
The Imperial Russian Army stationed in Yalu River Crossing Points, taken completely by surprise, scrambled to organize a defense. The suddenness of the Korean Empire's entry into the war had caught them off guard, and the soldiers found themselves under heavy fire from the Korean artillery. The sound of explosions echoed through the plains, and the once-quiet villages became battlegrounds, their streets and homes filled with the chaos of war.
The Korean soldiers advanced steadily, their modern weapons giving them a significant advantage as they pushed deeper into Russian-controlled territory. The first hours of the battle were marked by intense skirmishes, with the Russians attempting to regroup and mount a counterattack. But the Koreans, well-trained and well-armed, maintained their momentum, driving the Russians back and securing their foothold in Fenting Province.
And by the time the battle came to an end after hours of intense battle. Korean forces successfully occupy of the Yalu River Crossing Points and its surrounding villages, resulting on a humiliating defeat of the Russian forces in the area. Russian leaders that oversee the Fenting area became aware to this the following day and have sent message towards Tsar Nicholas II, informing on the sudden assault made the Koreans. Along with this message is also the declaration of war made by Emperor Gojong against the Russian Empire and the Qing Dynasty, further causing an uproar in the entire world.
As the declaration itself solidifies the involvement of the Qing Dynasty in supporting the Russians against the Japanese, which the Qing continuously denied in fear of Butuan Empire's involvement. But unexpectedly, after days of the declaration of war by the Korean Empire against the Qing Dynasty, Butuan remains neutral and have instead warn that any attack on its merchant, passenger ships or military ships that are surveying the area will be seen as an act of aggression and will surely be declared as enemy of Butuan.
Which the countries involved in the war understood and take note of, as no one wanted to repeat what the Japanese have done few years ago. Thus, days after the Korean Empire joins the war and gained its foothold in the battle, the Qing Dynasty and Russian Empire jointly retaliated, pushing the Korean and Japanese forces for a few days before once again the Koreans and Japanese countered and reconquered the lands that was conquered by them.
This causes a huge blow towards the pride of the Russian Empire and the Qing Dynasty, further crumbling their legitimacy on their respective domain. The nobles of the Russian Empire, after receiving the news about the defeat their soldiers sustained against the newly organize Korean army demanded the Tsar to sends more troops in Manchuria to support the remaining forces in the area.
Which Empress Dowager Elizabeth and her meagre allies objected fiercely, noting that it will further enrage not just the Koreans and the Japanese but also the Butuanons. Even Grand Duke Sergei opposes the idea of sending more troops to the far east. But Tsar Nicholas II instead sends additional troops in the far east, completely ignoring his mother and uncle's opposition.
Empress Dowager Cixi on the other hand, gripping on her remaining power in the crumbling Dynasty summons her trusted people in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the seat of power of the Qing Dynasty. Enrage by the rise of Korea into a powerful nation, Empress Dowager Cixi decided to take action.
Calmly seated on the Dragon Throne, completely covering her anger, Empress Dowager Cixi take glances at the people gathered around the dragon throne. Xu Huiyan; the current Minister of War, Yuan Shikai; Viceroy of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, Prince Chun, General Dong Fuxiang, Wu Ting-fang, and Prince Zaiyi, all silently waiting for Empress Dowager Cixi to start speaking.
After years of serving the Imperial Court of the Qing Dynasty, they were all aware that it was not the emperor whom have been controlling the Dynasty itself but instead it is the old lady who is seated on the dragon throne. With Empress Dowager Cixi's words, the dynasty will surely heed her command.
All of them are aware that with the defeat that the Dynasty have incurred against the Koreans and the Japanese, it is bringing unpleasant memory towards Empress Dowager Cixi. They can still remember how the Qing Dynasty was humiliated after it lost the forbidden palace against the foreign invaders, desecrating the palaces and temples, looting and even raping their courtiers and the emperor's woman, which horrified them all.
And because of that humiliating defeat that the dynasty has incurred, its influence and legitimacy has been declining in an alarming rate as rebels started to once again appear in the entire dynasty, specifically, at the Xuwen and Leizhou County. The two counties that have consistently been a thorn to the Dynasty's throat as the rebel faction continues to gain a strong support in Xuwen and Leizhou.
Although these counties don't pose much of a threat to the dynasty, but the continuous support of the locals on these rebels in Xuwen and Leizhou is what really threatening the dynasty. Not to mention that the possibility of the rebellion spread all throughout the Kwangtung Province is not just a mere speculation.
Empress Dowager Cixi's voice echoed through the chamber, each word carrying the weight of the empire's recent losses. The officials gathered around the Dragon Throne exchanged uneasy glances, fully aware of the severity of the situation.
"Korea… Japan…" she began, her tone icy and resolute. "In just a span of three months, we have already lost nearly twenty-thousands of our soldiers—men trained under the guidance of Butuanon soldiers, men we believed to be the finest of our forces. Not to mention that the Korean Army has killed almost ten-thousands soldiers of ours for the past days."
She paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in. The silence that followed was suffocating, the air thick with the unspoken acknowledgment of their failure.
"And what? All of our efforts and persistence, what we got in return is a loss in manpower and the loss of lands..." Empress Dowager Cixi blurted, "whom should I blame this for then? With days pass, the influence that I once held in this dynasty slowly crumbles. Not because of me, but because of how incompetent people can be!"