章 11: CHAPTER 11 (Return Part 3)

October 5, 1896 (Saturday)

It has been a few minutes since I and my siblings, along with the imperial courtiers, are standing just before the front door of the Imperial Castle. Today's supposed to be the day we will be going to the Temple of Sooraj for a service but here we are waiting for our father's arrival today, although we are all excited (Seeing how my mother is pacing back and forth in front of us while wearing her traditional attire of colour green and a bit of purple still being adorned with jewellery), but it has been 20 minutes already and my siblings are now complaining.

"Mama! I'm so tired of standing already. Can't do this anymore" Mai-mai said while pouting and stamping her feet. She is currently wearing her traditional attire in colour white and gold. Despite being a bit mature sometimes, she still shows her childish side most of the time.

"I can't feel my feet. My Mr and Mrs feet are now numb." Ain said while massaging his feet. While wearing his traditional attire for boys in coloured white and gold. What a cute child, he looks like a baby panda who is hurt.

A giggling sound exited my mouth seeing how cute both my siblings are while complaining. But I abruptly stopped after receiving a glare from my sister. What a mean girl. T^T

"Hayts… What a cute complaining child you both are. Come here you two." Mother said as she carries my sister while telling me to comfort my brother. I then lean closer to Ain and started to massage his little feet that is still inside his black shoes.

"Now, now, Ain… Dad will be here a few minutes now. So, just bear with it a bit more, okay?" I said softly before kissing his forehead and continuing to massage his feet.

"Mmmm… I'll try." He said cutely while pouting.

I can't! Why do I have a cute little sister and brother? I want to keep them in my wallet.

You might be wondering what happened in the past few days. Well, it has been indeed a few days since my meeting with Archbishop Adam and a lot of things happened since then.

Firstly, all priests who have voiced their support for total democracy has been removed from their position as temple priest. This made a huge headline in the entire empire, calling the move of Archbishop Adam a heresy and damaging the credibility of the temple. But this has been countered after the Ministry of Peace and Order, released a statement saying that those priests who are removed from their positions are spies sent by people who wanted to make the empire fall into instability.

The Ministry's statement changes everything. Now, the people are focused on criticizing those priests who are accused of being a spy. Although this scandal damages the Temple's image, it was still mitigated in no time. The vacant positions were then filled with new priests handpicked by Archbishop Adam himself.

Secondly, I have learned another language, making it a total of 5 languages I am good at speaking. Languages like Butuanon; Tagalog; English; Thai; & recently French. Also, I have already been receiving some heavy lessons in history and religion. Just yesterday, I learned that from the reign of Siagu III in 1564 during their war with Spain-Philippines, an epidemic spread on the entire Rajahnate. Causing a total of 9 rulers from Siagu III to Siagu IX to experience a much shorter reign.

A few more minutes of waiting without even noticing the time. A wooden carriage adorned with marvellous design and colour cold and brown while being pulled by 4 white Hmong horses enters the Imperial complex, manoeuvring against the giant fountain in front and gracefully stopping in front of us.

A servant wearing his duty attire opened the carriage's door and emerges a serious-looking handsome man in his late 30s, wearing a Butuanon traditional attire in colour purple and gold, embroidered with an intricate design of leaves. The current Emperor of the Empire, the head of the 3rd most powerful nation in the world in economy, and our loving father, Emperor Siagu XV of the Empire of Butuan.

"Welcome back, Your Imperial Majesty." I and my siblings along with all the present imperial courtiers said as we bow and curtsy to my father. A smile appears on his face as he watches me and my siblings bow and curtsy in front of him.

"Welcome home, My Love." My mother said as she kisses my father on his lips.

"Thank you, Love." Dad said in his manly voice.

'A loving couple indeed.' I thought while looking at my parents, but my siblings are making a face of disgust while watching both of my parents. Hahahaha what a cute reaction as always.

"Papa! Hahahaha" A giggling Mai-mai and Ain ran towards my father, not caring about protocols or rules.

"Ah! Hahaha! My little angels!" Dad said while laughing and lifting both of my siblings.

"How's my little bundle of joy?" My Dad said while looking back and forth with my siblings

"Hehehe. We are fine, Dad. Kuya and Mom are always there to accompany us." Ain said while giggling staring at my father's face while Mai-mai is busy touching my father's clothes.

"Good to hear that." Dad said happily and then directed his attention to me "How about you, Son? How are you?" he calmly stated while putting down my siblings. They then ran towards Mom and stand beside her.

"I am fine, Dad." I said and hugged him tightly "I miss you, Dad."

"Hahahaha. You child. I miss you also." He replied and hugged me back affectionately.

Yeah. I know. I am soft towards my father and mother. Well, can you blame me? They were the ones who raised me and taught me the necessary knowledge I needed to know firsthand. I am not that cold-hearted to not love and care for my parents in this world.

"Okay now, enough with that. Shall we go?" Mom said while clasping her hand together as she gestures for my father to enter the castle first. We both then separated and Dad enters the Castle first, we all then followed shortly.

Later that afternoon. I am now in the receiving room of my father. Sitting right beside my father and opposite is my mother. I was asked by my parents to join them in discussing something, for me also to learn something.

An elaborately decorated room located at the imperial palace of the Empire of Butuan, which used to be the throne room of the monarch now been converted into a private meeting room for the monarch, his/her partner, and the heir. The room is full of colourful orchids and miniature trees.

I am currently seating on a customised chair coated in colour gold and red, resting right next to my father's chair. His chair is much grander and bigger compared to all the chairs or even the sofa that is here inside the room. A serious air circulates the entire room a huge contrast to this morning's atmosphere.

"So? How did the negotiation go?" Mom said while looking at Dad intensely. She must be really curious about what happened during Dad's visit to the Joseon Kingdom.

"It was a success. The Kingdom of Joseon is willing to conduct trade with our empire in firearms, textiles, basic commodities, and other resources." Dad said solemnly before he continues, "But the talks about an alliance are quite hard."

"What do you mean?" Mom said while a bit confused after hearing the two contrasting results on Dad's visit to Joseon. Knowing instantly what my father's words really mean, I then speak after keeping silent for the whole time.

"They want to bind it with marriage?" I said confidently while Mom looks at Dad, wanting to confirm with him if what I have said is true.

Father then made a big sigh and said "Yes. An alliance through marriage is what the King proposes along with his ministers." I nod understanding as this is also a duty of being part of an imperial or royal family. Mom just leans on her chair a bit before standing and walking near the window to see the full view of the courtyard and the fences that separate the complex from the outside roads.

"Those backwards individuals of Joseon. A Kingdom who can't even maintain their sovereignty." Mom said seriously as she turns her attention towards Dad while clenching her fists and gritting her teeth.

"Calm down, Alice. This is not how an empress must act." Dad said as he stares back at Mom.

"How can I calm down, My dear husband? I won't mind if it was the other way around, but them demanding a marriage alliance? A cripple nation that recently gained its independence? I can't." Mom said mockingly as she walks her way towards the sofa opposite my dad's chair.

"Yes, you are right. This might be a bit humiliating for our family. But you needed to think for the bigger picture." Dad said as he continues to stare at my mom while also glancing a look at me, telling me to listen carefully.

"By marrying into the House Yi of the Joseon Dynasty, our connection and influence towards their family and country will be enough for us to make them be our guard against the Japanese Empire." Dad said as he pauses before continuing "As a kingdom still entering the industrialization era, we can ripe greater benefits by trade."

A moment of silence engulfs the entire room as Mom ponders my father's words. I would also be pondering if I were my mother. Being torn between duty and family isn't really that easy.

"Who? Who is she marrying?" Mom said calmly. Looks like she already accepted this course of faith for one of my siblings, and it looks like she already understands that it is my sister.

"The seventh son of the current king of Joseon, Prince Yeong, born on the 20th of October 1889." Dad said while remembering the face of the young prince whom he has encountered while staying in that kingdom.

I can feel it, my hands are getting cold and sweat started to form on my forehead. Not because I am seeing a ghost but I am shocked to hear the prince's name, remembering that the prince should not have been born yet. Back in my previous world, Prince Yeong (Yi Un) or later known as Crown Prince Yeong, should have been born on the 20th of October 1897, not on the 20th of October 1889.

'Am I wrong to assume that only the existence of our Empire and France being a monarchy is the only outlier in this world? Did something happen that causes those individuals who should not be alive yet to be born early?'

To absorb in thinking about Prince Yeong's early existence. I didn't notice that my father has been calling me for the last few minutes.

"…Son? Son?" Dad said while shaking me softly. Hearing his call, I then return to reality and lifted my head just to see my father's concerned face while my mother is right behind him, standing.

"What happened, Son? Are you okay?" Mom said worriedly while now standing next to me.

"Nothing really. I was just wondering what kind of a person Prince Yeong is." I said while shaking my head telling them that I am fine.

Fine my ass! I was in total shock a while ago! But I am okay now, I have already recovered. Despite really knowing that I am in an alternate world, I still sometimes feel shocked by some events unfolding in front of me. Especially this one, Prince Yeong or Crown Prince Uimin.

"Are you sure you are okay, Son?" Dad said still worried about my sudden reaction a while ago.

"Mmm" I replied while nodding "Is the engagement final already?" I inquired as I composes myself while wanting to change the conversation. I needed to know more about this new info!

"No. The engagement isn't final yet. The Temple has already approved the betrothal but the parliament will still be deliberating about this proposal." Dad said as he composes himself and return to his seat.

"That is why I have invited them to attend this year's founding anniversary of our Empire." He continued while smiling widely "Much like what your fiancé will be doing also, Son." I nod agreeing with his statement.

"It settles then… I hate to give my consent, but this is our role as the Imperial family." Mom said while sighing before she continues "And besides, the earlier the two of them meet their future partner the earlier they can understand each other." Mom said warmly while smiling at me sweetly.

Yeah… for the better advancement of our nation and the continuation of the family tradition.

----------------------------------

Note 1: I have finally decided on what would be the name of the traditional clothing of the Empire of Butuan. It will be called Sonmin which means 'Sun clothing'.

Note 2: Titles have been changed, everyone.

Prince/Princess is now Imperial Prince/Princess. Your Highness is now Your Imperial Highness.

Other titles have also been changed or added, especially with Duke Sharvil of House Shaja. A new title has been added to him, he is also now the Marquess of Carmen, although his heir Prince Sharvil will be using the title of Marquess of Carmen since he is expected to inherit the title.