Capítulo 4: Milk Bottle
Her consciousness faded, and she fell into a very deep sleep.
[She was sitting in the grass meadow again. "Nyx, I want us to get married," The same mysterious man whispered. His face was fully flushed, but this time she could see his ruby red eyes. They were shimmering in the sunlight.
"I—I don't know," she whispered, glancing down at the bunch of daffodils on her lap.
He held her hands with his coarser ones. "I don't understand, didn't you say that you were in love with me?" he said with a worried look in his eyes.
"Rebus, I like you, but I can't marry you yet," she whispered, picking a daffodil in her hand.
"Nyx, don't worry about others, please answer me with your heart." he held her chin and made her look up at him.
"Rebus, I....."]
A blinding light shone on her face and woke her up. She yawned and wiggled her leg around. "Oh, did I wake you up, little Eru?" Kaye whispered from the window.
"Aaaa, Aaaa," Ambai gurgled, kicking vigorously. 'Good morning mommy.'
She gave a blinding smile her way and walked closer. "Morning little Eru," she whispered, kissing her forehead. "Are you hungry, baby?"
Her mother Kaye slowly lifted her in her arms and placed the cloth nipple in her mouth. She bit into it immediately and started sucking vigorously. Something grainy moved around inside the cloth, letting a slow flow of warm milk into her mouth. The milk tasted slightly grainy, like…. Rice.
'It's actually rice. Did they pack it inside this cloth to slow down the milk flow?'
Last time due to hunger she was not able to notice this small detail, but now that she did, she was astonished. 'Oh ho, this is how people made bottle without plastic. It's ingenious,' Ambai thought with her eyes wide.
'Goat milk is much better than human milk,' she thought happily, sucking the milk with her eyes closed. Remembering the disgusting tasting milk almost made her gag. 'I never knew human milk would be that bad.'
At first, when her mother tried to feed her, Ambai did want to try the milk. Because she knew about the health benefits mother's milk has, but after having a first sip, she almost gagged by the slightly salty and slightly sweet taste. She vowed to never, ever drink that nauseating milk.
Something warm in her pants made her stop her movements. 'Oh shit.'
"What happened, baby? What's wrong?" she said holding her small fists. She scrunched her face suddenly and glanced down at her.
"Baby did you soil your pants again. I'll change it for you," Kaye said.
Ambai slowly lifted her legs and closed her eyes firmly. 'So embarrassing.'
A knock interrupted her actions. "Your highness," Yelli's muffled voice came from outside the room.
"Yes, come in,"
"Your highness, your highness, the king requests your presence," the maid bowed.
"Oh, Yelli, can you change his pants?"
"I will," she smiled. But as the queen walked out of the room, her bright smile faded away. The maid walked up to her and whispered, "Wait a moment little prince I will bring the change of clothes."
The maid Yelli walked towards the wardrobe and bought a small pair of pants. She did a quick job at changing her pants.
Yelli slightly caressed her hair. "Blond, just like your mother. It would have been better if your hair was red as your father," she whispered with a weird look on her face.
'What is this woman mumbling about? She is acting weird.' Ambai swatted her hands away.
"Your attitude is similar to your mother as well."
'She is acting very weird. It's better to distract her.' Ambai held her finger in her small fist and giggled.
"Now that's more likable." Yelli smiled widely. "Let's have a bath, shall we."
Ambai mentally prepared herself to be manhandled. Just the thought of people bathing gives her Goosebumps. 'But I will endure. I don't want to be a dirty baby.'
"Ohh the bath is ready; let's get you clean, shall we," Ms. Yelli said in a baby voice.
She started fussing, kicking her legs, and wiggling her clenched fists.
"Patience my little prince, let's get this clothes off," Ms. Yells said coddling me.
She was then gently immersed into warm water till her neck. Ms. Yell then started to scrub her dry scalp.
'Hot bath and a soothing massage, what more do I need. I change my mind. Being bathed is not as embarrassing as I thought.'
Her eyelids started drooping uncontrollably. She tried staying awake, but her body is too weak.
'I'm going to need as much sleep as possible to grow into a healthy man' she thought as sleep invaded her eyes.
#
Ambai was rattling a small toy in her hands as she glanced around the dark room. It was almost midnight, but she was hungry again.
"Little Eru," her mother whispered in a hoarse voice as she rolled out of her bed. After adjusting her slip dress, she leaned over the crib and lifted her in her arms.
Ambai noticed her tired face and bit her fingers. 'Where is my dad? He should be here helping my mom raise me.' She pouted. 'Irresponsible.'
Her mother held the little milk bottle next to her mouth and softly caresses her hair. "Baby, you are getting bigger by the day," she whispered, holding her small face in her palms. "You will be having your first month birthday day in two days. Are you exited?" she cooed.
"Ahhaa, Aaa," Ambai gurgled. 'Yes, you bet I am.'
"Do you want to go for a walk today as well?" she said, pinching her cheeks slightly.
For the past few days they both had a small routine fixed. By morning Ambai would wake up, drink her milk and have her nappy changed. After having her afternoon milk, they usually play together with her toys and have a small nap. But Ambai's favourite activity was the evening stroll.
The first time she went out on a stroll, she was extremely surprised. Their surroundings were only made of trees. But these were not any normal trees, their trunks maximum four kilometres to one kilometre in breath, and they were so tall that the tree tops were hidden by the clouds.
Her mum called them world trees and the best part is that people live inside of them. All of their houses were carved inside these trees. Even the castle that she was staying was carved out of a tree.
"I heard it will be snowing today," Kaye mumbled, glancing out the window.
'Snow! I have never seen snow before,' her eyes widened. She spit the cloth nipple out of her mouth and gurgled.
The country she used to live, India had the climate hot, hotter and hottest. So she had never seen snow in her lifetime.
"Oh looks like my baby like the idea," Kaye cooed, holding her wiggling feet in her palms.
Ambai giggled, kicking her legs up high.
"And your father will be back by tomorrow. Are you excited to meet him?" Her mother kissed her little feet.
'Maybe.' she was unsure of her feelings for her father to be honest. She had been in this world for thirty days, but her father never visited her after her birth.
"I really miss your father. Days without him seem too long," Kaye whispered. She had a sad smile on her face as she gazed out the window. "He loves us so much and he is working hard to protect you, Little Eru."
'For me?' Ambai gave a confused look at her mother.
Her lips raised a little, and she pinched her cheeks. "Little Eru, because of your eyes, you might face a lot of dangers and your father he–he is doing everything for your safety," Kaye said.
'What about my eyes? I thought you said they were pretty,' her lips trembled.
"Eru But you don't have to worry. Mommy and daddy are here, and we will always protect you."
This statement made Ambai's heart beat erratically. 'They—love me so much.' Her eyes burned, but she could not tear. 'I love you too mommy,' She whispered in her heart.
Two days went by and soon the fateful first month birthday arrived. That morning her mother was not in her room, but the maid Yelli was opening the curtains. She noticed that she was awake, so she walked over the crib.
"Today is going to be an exciting day for you, little prince," she whispered in a weird tone. Gently she caressed her overgrown curly hair and said, "Exciting day indeed."
'This woman is seriously creeping me out,' Ambai scrunched up her face and pushed her offending hands away from her.
"Let's give our prince his bath," she whispered in the kind tone again.
After hours of bathing and grooming, Ambai was finally dressed up in a golden little shirt and pants. The maid Yelli fed her with a fresh bottle of milk and she suckled it with gusto.
The door creaked open and my mom walked in, followed by her maids. She softly held her to her bosom and held her little hand. Her father came in soon after and started tickling her feet.
Ambai giggled in joy.
"Today I bought you a special gift my little prince. I hope this will protect you from your prophecy," Kaye said.
One of the maids hurried in carrying a small ornate wooden bog with weird patterns. 'This must be my gift, I wonder what it would be,' her thoughts running wild speculating the possibilities.
The maid opened the box after some hesitation. Kaye lifts a small veil from the box. The veil was decorated with the same weird patterns same as the ornate box. But it looked almost ethereal.
'This gift does not seem so bad, but why does my family seem super worried,' she thought, biting into her fingers.
Her mother and some maids started tearing up. Ambai scrunched up her nose and gurgled at them.
'This does not seem bad. Why are you all crying?'
"My dear, remember you have to wear this veil from now on and never remove this at any cause. Wait until Father finds a good spell to camouflage your features," saying this Kaye started sobbing. Her father held her shoulders and pulled her into a hug.
With her trembling hands, one of the maids helped put the veil on Ambai's face. It covered her face till her neck. It was made of a delicate fabric that it did not congest her. The veil did not obstruct her view that much either.
'Wow, I really feel like I'm back at the time of pandemic wearing a mask. All I could remember were the weird mask tan lines.' She giggled. 'I still don't understand what this said prophecy is, but It felt like a taboo in this castle.'
"It's time for the welcoming ceremony. Let's not make guest wait," My dad said.
"Yes, let's not make them wait," she dried her tears. "Yelli, please bring the prince's golden socks. We need to comb golden locks as well," she requested the maids.
After an hour or of combing and styling, she felt like a Barbie doll.
"My lady, it's time for you to get dressed," said one of the maids, chiding my mom.
"Oh, yes," she said, hurrying over to the partition of the room.
"Your highness, you should as well. I have prepared your ceremonial clothing on your bed," Yelli said to Rukle.
"Hmm," he hummed and walked out of the room.
In about five minutes she got ready. She looked stunning in a golden off the shoulder dress. Her hair was tied up whimsically with small golden flowers inserted in her curls.
'She looks like a fairy.' With shimmering eyes, Ambai peered at her beautiful mom.
"Kaye, are you guys ready yet, the auspicious time is near," her father rushed in. He was wearing a majestic golden robe and a huge golden crown on his head.
"Rukle honey, take Eru, I'll bring some anklets for him. He needs to look stunning." My mom said, handing me over to him.
Rukle held his fussing wife by her shoulder, "Darling, he looks stunning and so do you. He is dressed well enough to impress everyone, and everyone is going to love him."
He tucked a small strand of hair behind her ears. "My love everything is going to be okay. The head priest has enchanted the veil, it will protect his life. I'll be your strength," he said.
This seems to convince her worrying mother. "Then what are we waiting for, let's get going then."
Ambai's father led them to what looked like a balcony. "His Majesty the King, her Majesty the Queen, and his Majesty the Prince," a Paige boy near the archway announces their entrance.
As they entered the viewing station, the crowd started cheering. Ambai was shocked by such a view. Oceans of people gathered in front of the castle to witness her full moon festival.
Her father raised his arm to silence the enthusiastic crowd and started his speech. "People of my Kingdom, I the king of Miriafa, present to you my subjects, The Royal Prince Erudite."
The crowd cheered with even more energy shouting and chanting, "Long live Prince Erudite, Long live the King, and Long live the Queen."
"Let the celebrations begin," announced the king raising his goblet. Several professional dancers in revealing clothing danced in the middle of the clearing.
Ambai lifted her head up multiple times, but her head was too heavy for her neck to hold steady.
Her father noticed this and raised her above his head.
'Wow, thanks dad,' she giggled wiggling his hands. She turned her head to find her mother peering at them with a dazzling smile on her face.
"The kingdom of Lafta presents this fire show, I hope your highnesses enjoy the display," an announcer said.
Fire dancers arrived with a huge cauldron, and mystically danced around it. Magically a huge fire started burning in the cauldron, spitting out fire dragons and phoenixes.
Ambai was watching with rapt attention. 'This show really reminded me so much of a show called "Wings of fire" I once witnessed in Singapore.'
A black bat like figure flew out of the fire.
'This light show is even better than the other once, look at the technology development. That bat almost seems real.'
Suddenly two more bat like creatures appeared from the flame; Ambai was mentally clapping and cheering.
'Wow, what a spectacular performance.'
The armored guards moved into protective positions. "Demon has intruded the parade, squads protect the royals," A man in golden armor said.
Crowd began to scream and run around like headless chicken. Rukle pulled her mother closer.
"All squadrons below, move civilians to the strong hold," the golden armour knight ordered.
One of the bat creatures chuckled and said, "King Rukle, your people have enjoyed the treasures of this land for too long, from now we three demons will rule your nation."
The knights wielded their weapons and started attacking the bats with their magic.
"You ants, we are the chosen gods, stop resisting." one of the bats growled at the brave knights.
"Kaye, take the baby and go the stronghold," her father handed her over to her mother.
"Be safe, my dear, come soon," Kaye said with tears in her eyes.
The armoured knights started to move them to the other direction of the chaos. "You will never rule this land. This land of light shall never suffer defeat under you filthy demons" Ambai heard her father shouting at the demon. She gazed at her majestic father wielding his flaming sword from over her mother's shoulders.
'God, I—I hope my father can return safe and alive. I can give anything in exchange, please, please,' She prayed with tears flowing down her eyes.
The guards were leading them towards the western stronghold that safeguards the women and children. They turned right into a small alleyway between two huge trees.
"This is not the way to the stronghold. Why are we going through here?" Kaye exclaimed.
"This is a shortcut to the stronghold, my majesty," one of the guards replied.
'I felt a bad premonition in my heart.' Ambai bit her fingers.
The guards surrounded the entry and exit pathway leading to the stronghold and said, "Majesty, it is wise to give us the prince. We will protect him from the demons."
Her mother caught on too. She started shouting and calling for help.
"No, no, my queen, we don't want to hurt you. We said we only want the prince." one of the guards sneered at her.
Her mother looked around at the huge trees next to them.
"My husband, he—he will not let you go for this treason," she threatened.
"Your husband will be dead by nightfall. Why waste time talking? Now give us the prince he is very vital for our kingdom." the evil guard said.
Huge roar was heard at this moment. The intensity of the sound almost tore her delicate ear drums.
Kaye muffled her ears. Trembling, she glanced towards their left.
One of the bat demons was sitting on a huge tree branch. "Little ants, I will squish you all. Not the little one, though..... He smells tantalizing." It said sniffing the air.
"Now queen, will you hand over the baby or shall I rip you apart and take the baby from your arms," It said, flapping its bony wings.
"Demon we had a deal. The baby is ours and the kingdom is yours. Why are you trying to go back on it?" one of the lead assailants said.
"You have no right to make the deal with us the first place. Tsk, Tsk, Pitiful human. Now get out of my way," the demon flew towards them.
'Maybe this is the prophecy, maybe I am meant to die a tragic death again in the hands of these demons,' Ambai thought, gripping her mother's dress firmly.
The demon plucked her from her mother's arms with its sharp talons. "Nooooooooooo Nooooo, my baby."
Ambai could hear her mother's distant wails, but she was already airborne.
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