The longer he stayed in this world, the more Ulfstead thought how his old memories were bleak gray and held little color in comparison to the present. In his past life, autumn was mute, carrying very few descriptive words. It was different from this world where you could smell it in the air and feel the change with every turn taken.
It's as if he had been watching the world with a dog's vision and a fish's smell. Now everything was vibrant and new.
In a tower that peaked beyond the walls, Ulfstead saw an array of orange and red hues painting the natural landscape. His Majesty pointed into the distance and said that even past the hills and valleys was their land. His Majesty said that when the Prince was old enough, he would take him to see those places. They would ride together in the forests, walk the river's path, and see the oceans that were said to be the most brilliant blue.
One day…
Ulfstead prayed His Majesty could keep his promise.
~
The summer heat seemed to last till the very tail of the tenth month. The ungodly men's tunics were finally returned to the longer version. And the only birds the Prince saw were the one migrating southward in the sky.
Many servants chatted about the autumn harvests, how they missed their hometowns, and the various happenings of the palace. Of course, the last part was not usually said in front of the Prince. The baby was too smart for the servants' own good. Who didn't know that children's minds were sponges when it came to speech? And who didn't know that this particular child had a tongue made of gold? Which idiot wished to die in front of His Majesty for tainting the heir had been diligently cultivating?
Certainly not them.
Ulfstead still soothed his aching gums with the pendant his father gave him. Given everyone's reactions to the polished stone, he guessed it was probably some type of treasure. Unfortunately, Ulfstead had long settled into to the life of a rich man's son. None of this was his anyway. He might as well enjoy more and worry less.
What was the point of all this 'wealth' when it held no practical value other than looking pretty?
Well... Okay that was a blatant lie. Who doesn't like money? It's just that Ulfstead who was just shy of a year old, could see the truth of the saying, 'not all that glitters is gold'.
With that being said…
It seemed that his mother concubine hadn't gotten the memo. Having visited several times over the past few months, Ulfstead found his mother's palace wasn't getting any better. In fact, it seemed to have worsened. Replacing the other decor, even more garish pieces filled the halls barely giving the beholders any place to rest their eyes.
The son could only sigh as he was carried to the garden where he knew he'd meet his mother and a table filled with his father's wives. Luckily, he didn't usually need to sit with them for long. His mother didn't keep him captive once a quota of his time was met. Instead, she let him 'run' off and play with some of his sisters.
Unlike the first few princesses he met, Ulfstead had gotten to spend time with some who were 'less favored'. One of whom was the fifth princess, Princess Ekaterina, who was only 8 years old this year. The girl was as quiet as a mouse because she was the daughter of a famously unfavored concubine, but Ulfstead liked her because she was a studious girl, often bringing books to the gathering. The last time he came to his mother's palace, the fifth princess offered to read her book to him while the other princesses played. Even if his teacher was an 8 year old kid, Ulfstead was delighted to finally get rid of his illiterate status.
Another princess whom Ulfstead often played with was sixth princess, Jovana. This sister was lively and amusing whenever she was in their small group but turned cowardly, hiding behind Ekatarina in front of the concubines. She even hid in face of her mother. Born with a wine stain birthmark expanding from her left cheek to her neck, she was long considered the ugliest sister. Thus, the king and her mother disliked her existence.
There were other princesses too, such as the tenth who had turned mute because of a palace fire or the eleventh princess who was still sucking her thumb.
With so many poor siblings, Ulfstead wished he could smack these cheap parents around, especially his father. It made him question why he was so special? What was so great about him? The Prince was just a baby who couldn't even wipe his own butt yet, but because he was male, he was treated only second best to the King. Clenching his chubby little fist, Ulfstead promised to take care of these sisters in the future.
Ulfstead had been patiently waiting for a perfect time to leave the table, hinting his restlessness to his mother with a squirm of his butt. Today, however, it seemed that an escape was not in the cards because before he even made an appearance, there was a tense atmosphere blanketing the table.
~
Earlier, with a thin smile, Concubine Leena took the Prince from the nanny and sat back down in displeasure. Her movements weren't even an imitation of grace. And, her uncouth behavior made the aristocratic women scoff in their hearts. Without a proper salute, the women perfunctorily greeted the young Prince and continued on with their conversation.
Ulfstead was unsure what had changed in the Harem. His father didn't return to the Palace as usual last night, supposedly spending time with one of his wives. He didn't think much of it but seeing how the women were acting, he suspected that something substantial had occurred.
Listening in for a while, it didn't seem as if the women were willing to reveal what was affecting the mood. So, Ulfstead cued his mother, and yet all he received in response was a pinch on the thigh.
Ulfstead was surprised by the pinch. He didn't know why his mother needed him here, however he didn't see the need to act out. So, he behaved himself and boringly watched the garden scenery.
After another hour chatting much about nothing, Ulfstead really couldn't stand it, becoming fidgety. Before visiting, Ulfstead had his normal meal of milk and mashed foods. His stomach had been a little fussy since he started transitioning into solid foods. So, not wanting to embarrass the concubine with a poop explosion, he tried the signal again.
The result was the same. Ulfstead couldn't let things continue this way. Instead, he just tried getting down by himself. But as he struggled, he felt the most painful squeeze on his sides. The Prince, who had thin skin and sensitive flesh yelped before doing the most regrettable act he will ever remember doing. He pooped on his mother.
The baby wished to cry in shame. Who knew his mother's pinch could hurt so much?
With the watery poop leaking from his diaper, Concubine Leena had jumped up from her seat, almost dropping the baby. With quick hands, Nanny Antonia snatched the son from her grasp, disregarding the smell of excrement.
For a moment, the scene went mad. His mother had rushed back to change, the wives were ushered out, and Nanny Antonia angrily returned the Prince to the Main Palace. Ulfstead wanted to feel sorry for his mom, but her pinches really hurt him. If he was a real baby, how horrible would this have been? He did try his best to warn her without explicitly stating he had to poop.
Ulfstead spent the rest of the day being cared for by his nanny. Her doting care seemed to be even more meticulous than usual. After such a horrifying experience, the Prince didn't want to recall anything that happened that day, so he appreciated the gentleness.
However, when His Majesty returned in the afternoon, the nanny actually did the unspeakable. She actually filed a small report in front of him. Ulfstead pretended not to understand, but through his nan's explanation, he finally found out why the women were so weird today.
Concubine Sasha, a daughter of a eastern viscount who entered the palace through last year's selection, was actually five months pregnant. His Majesty had been delighted, visiting the eastern woman's palace last night. According to the imperial doctors, the fetus was a noble son. It's unsure of how the news spread, but because of this, the women of the harem seemed to have become confused.
His nan then lifted the Prince's nighty to show his chubby stomach. He didn't see it earlier, but there seemed to be two small red marks on his waist. The nanny didn't waste time to blame his concubine mother.
The King silently listened to the nanny's complaints but said nothing. Instead, he only patted his son's head and strode back out the chambers.
The next day, the pregnant concubine was demoted to a common wife, no longer bearing the title of concubine. Simultaneously, Concubine Leena was revoked from her visitation rights to the prince.
Since then, Ulfstead had not seen his nominal mother.