As Ulfstead debated whether it was too late to turn around or not, the women and children sat elegantly in their seats. Even the youngest looking princess sat with a straight spine. Ulfstead wondered what vigorous training these noble ladies had to go through.
"The Prince is such a good looking child. He really grasped the essences of you and His Majesty." The woman nearest to his mother stated.
"Yes, yes. Not only this, but the Prince is very intelligent. I heard that he had already spoken his first words. His Majesty was so thrilled that he brought him to the royal study to show his ministers."
"That was old news. I heard that His Highness is learning new words so quickly, he will be able to speak in full sentences soon." Another flattered.
Concubine Leena loftily watched on as the women praised her son. Her demeanor was that of a male peacock's. Which woman in the Harem didn't possess a little vanity? When she was first taken by His Majesty, how many of these people opposed it? How many laughed at and mocked her for not knowing the heights of the sky as a toad eating swan meat? Now, with the First Prince on her lap, all they could do is sing praises. The concubine felt that this was the greatest day in her life.
"It seems the ladies here haven't heard this then," a woman who sat opposite Concubine Leena said. Rather than needing to battle for the chance to say something like the others, heads turned to hers as if on command. Aloofly, she took a sip of her chalice before continuing. "The Prince not only speaks, but has started teething. He was even given the Dragon Pendant to chew on."
Ulfstead barely managed to keep an ignorant expression. When all heads turned to hers like programmed robots, he really believed this woman was finally going to change the subject to something more interesting. Disappointingly, it was only about his 'great achievements' from just this morning.
Actually, the story starts a few days prior. The afternoon was spent quite lazily. With summer in full swing, Ulfstead had mostly stayed indoors where it was only a few degrees cooler. The ancients didn't have many ways of combating the heat and cold, so staying indoors while being fanned by a few maids was how Ulfstead typically found himself in recent days. As he dozed, his nanny picked him up from his cot and gave him to his wet nurse to feed.
Ulfstead had long gotten used to the embarrassment of needing to drink from a teat. It wasn't as if this wasn't normal human behavior and it wasn't as if he had any other options. He was a baby. It was either this or die. Of course, he much rather live. Still, it really sucked when he dreamed of the food channel in his past life and remembered his breakfast, lunch, and dinner was breast milk.
As a previously poor and ill college student with no rich, distant aunt or uncles to aid his burdens with a generous trust fund, he always dreamed of eating a nice filet mignon steak with all the sides. Or a delicious-looking Chinese steamed fish stuffed with shallots and ginger sauce… Or even just plain old fried chicken, a whole bucket. The crispier the better…
Now, Ulfstead was in a world where spices were limited, meat was barely cooked, and salt and sugar was a luxury. Even his father, the King, was overly delighted with a tribute of pomegranates and dried dates.
In summary, Ulfstead was dozing off while feeding and dreaming about all the delicious foods he may never have a chance of eating in this life. Now, if the story stopped here, then it would be a typical Tuesday, but it did not because halfway through his feeding, a scream resounded in the room.
Immediately, everyone was on alert. Quickly, nanny Antonia snatched away the prince, protecting him in her arms. The two guards, who usually were motionless at the door. suddenly unsheathed their swords and marched toward them. Even a small maidservant who was just fanning the Prince pulled out a sharp dagger from who knows where. The room went quiet as all blades pointed to the wet nurse who was crying at this point. The woman did her best to cover her chest under the eyes of the men, but she also was so nervous that she couldn't get the words out to explain.
Soon, the doors to the outside were pushed open and the King followed by half a dozen armed guards strode in. Seeing the scene, the King coolly demanded, "What is going on?"
Hearing His Majesty, the weeping wet nurse dropped to the floor. "S-servant apologizes, Your Majesty."
"This King did not ask for an apology but an explanation."
The wet nurse took a shaky breath and finally did just that. "The Prince bit me… Your Majesty."
At this, the room turned their eyes to the confused first prince who also heard the explanation. He didn't blame her for not being able to speak earlier. Even he was discombobulated from being abruptly woken up and seeing the young maid who would usually kindly smile at him holding his nurse at 'blade' point. That girl was only eleven or twelve? Why does she have a dagger?
Unfortunately, the King was a bastard and scoffed. "You mean to tell this King that a bite from a babe with no teeth had caused you to scream bloody murder?"
The wet nurse lowered her head in shame, but then turned to only face the women and Prince to expose her breast. The areola was puffy and swollen which was normal for the wet nurse, what was different however was the small bruising surrounding the nipple.
The nanny then relayed to the King, "There is indeed an injury, Your Majesty. I believe it is about time for the Prince to start teething."
The Prince felt awful about the pain and embarrassment he brought to the wet nurse. Unknowingly he let another word slip out, "Hus." Hurts.
Hearing his good son speaking again, the King's disgust dissipated. Lewdly, the bastard father stepped forward to investigate the nipple. "Indeed, it seems the Prince did 'hurt' you. If you must, go to the medical hall for some soothing ointment." Flicking the tit, the King laughed as he strode back out.
Ulfstead wanted to punch his father.