章節 17: Babysitter
"Since when did this cute baby existed in the palace?" Kiva hovered around Alyssa to observe the baby.
"Just today." Sisa answered timidly.
"Just today?" Alyssa cradled the baby in her arms.
"Yes," Sisa laughed nervously.
Kiva jerked her head at Sisa--- Kiva's head twisted, almost reaching her back. "Are you saying that you did not see what happened at the stadium?"
"No, David and I had to pick her up from the orphanage." Sisa admitted. "So…did my nephew win the crown?"
"Duchess Sisa, you seriously don't know what happened?" Kiva raised her eyebrows.
Sisa blinked innocently.
"Okay…so here's what happened…" Kiva gave Sisa a summary of the events earlier today.
"I guess we won't be a family anytime soon, Princess." Sisa nodded in understanding. "But it's fine, I have a bundle that I need to take care of anyway."
"Did you not hear what I just said?" Kiva fumbled with her hair. "We have a new king, King Garret. This big, bulky…" Kiva attempted to mime King Greg's muscles.
"I heard you." Sisa nodded. "But having a new king is nothing new, it always happens." Sisa said matter-of-factly.
"I know but, King Greg was killed this time." Alyssa's lips sunken.
"Everything has a reason," Sisa informed them. "And King Greg's expiry had a reason too." Sisa added.
Alyssa never thought Duchess Sisa as a spiritual being, but it looked like she was.
Sisa gazed lovingly at her baby. "Look at her, she's an angel." Duchess Sisa was happy to see her baby calm and asleep--- even though the baby did not fall asleep in her arms.
"What in the---" Kiva reached the baby but Alyssa shielded Ysa with her hand, afraid that she might wake up. "you really have a talent in this." Kiva fumbled with her chin and studied Alyssa.
"Where should we put her?" Alyssa whispered.
Sisa pressed her lips together." To be honest, we do not have a crib for her…." Sisa confessed. "David and I were wondering if the Princess' crib was still kept…"
"I think it was well preserved." Alyssa beamed. "Let me look for it at the storehouse."
"Really?" Sisa clasped her hands together. "Thank you, Princess."
"Everything's settled then," Kiva's brows furrowed at Duchess Sisa. "But come to think of it…I did not see you at the mess patio."
"No, a shame that I can't join the celebrations," Sisa said. "David went straight there to eat… but we decided not to expose Ysa to the royal's yet. We think she needed time to adjust."
"Why don't you go?" Alyssa cradled the baby in her arms." I can take care of her for the day," Alyssa urged." It looks like she's warming up to me anyway."
"Yes, why don't you go and eat the money brain stew," Kiva gulped. "it's delicious."
"But.." Sisa hesitated, she doesn't want to be separated from her daughter, but Ysa seemed to like Alyssa more than her--- weather she admits it or not.
"Look," Alyssa walked to Sisa's side to show the baby's profile. "She's relaxed and sleeping. I think I can handle her."
"Okay, maybe…if you could just take care of her for the day…" Sisa nodded. "She would be able to smile for a change."
"Ysa will be fine, I can assure you that." Alyssa smiled.
"Yes, the baby's fine in our care." Kiva chimed in.
"No," Alyssa shook her head. "Why don't you go back in there and eat a second serving?"
"I'm fine. I'm already full." Kiva salivated at the thought of another bowl of the monkey brain stew.
"The baby hates you Kiva." Alyssa teased.
Sisa winced as if it was said to her.
"I mean! She might wake up if your around," Alyssa corrected. "You're too loud."
Kiva tapped on her toes as she considered what Alyssa said. "Well, I guess…" Kiva grabbed Sisa's arms." Let's go eat."
Sisa nodded in agreement.
"But are you okay now?" Kiva was concerned with her best friend's low spirit.
"Yes, I'm better now." Alyssa smiled reassuringly. "Just go, I'll be in my chamber.'
They parted their ways as Sisa and Kiva went back to the mess patio and Alyssa walked towards her room.
Alyssa rolled her eyes as she saw Ziloh perched on her door. "What?" Alyssa gritted her teeth. "Are you waiting for your payment now?"
Ziloh smirked. "You know me so well." Ziloh's eyes traveled into the wrap under Alyssa's embrace.
"Why are you carrying a baby?" Ziloh said in a loud voice.
"Shhhh, keep your voice down. It's hard to make Ysa fall asleep."
"Ysa?" Ziloh inquired.
"Can you just open the door?"
"Is that an invitation?" Ziloh opened the door for Alyssa as he followed behind.
Alyssa tucked the baby on her bed. ��I need to get my crib from the storehouse."
"What are you doing with a baby?"
"I'm her mother for the day." Alyssa sat at the round table.
"I think I found what your payment would be." Ziloh smirked.
Alyssa rolled her eyes. "What now?"
"I'll be her father for the day." Ziloh smirked.
"She won't like you." Alyssa said. "She only likes me."
"Nonsense," Ziloh sat beside Alyssa as he rested his chin on his hand and looked at her. "No female hates me, it's a fact."
"Well, Ysa might be the first. You don't know." Alyssa said thoughtlessly.
"I knew you don't hate me." Ziloh smirked. "You can throw up on my shirt all you want. You can say what you want. But your heart will tell me the truth."
"What---" Alyssa fidgeted. "That's not what I meant." Alyssa raised two fingers an inch from Ziloh's face. "Two, okay? Two. We are the exception to your rule." Alyssa quoted the last word in the air.
Alyssa's stomach suddenly churned.
Ziloh sighted. "You did not eat."
"You did not either." Alyssa noted Zilo's absence at the patio.
Ziloh stood up and grabbed a few crackers on Alyssa's basket. "Just eat." Ziloh sat down and opened them for Alyssa. "You'll eat by yourself or---"
Alyssa suddenly opened the pack and shoveled a cracker into her mouth. "Happy?" Alyssa mumbled.
"Satisfied." Ziloh smirked. "Why don't you have your appetite?"
"It was not that…" Alyssa placed the pack of crackers on the table. "it was King Greg." There was a lump on Alyssa's throat. "King Greg, expired…and the palace moved on like nothing happened."
"Alyssa," Ziloh turned her chair to face him. "Every kind has an ending, and you just happened to witness Greg's." Ziloh pulled Alyssa's chair closer to him. "The others know how to accept things that happens naturally…and you should too. Death is a gift as much as life is." Ziloh looked down at the floor. "Life is the beginning of misery, and sometimes…only death could end it."
"No. Death, the final kind of death, do not exist in this Kingdom." Alyssa shook her head in denial. "What you're trying to say is…even if cured…I will end like King Greg someday?" Alyssa said softly.
Ziloh touched Alyssa's cheeks. "We don't know."
"And here I thought all my problems would be gone once cured." Alyssa leaned back on her chair.
"No, actually. It might just begin." Ziloh pointed out.
"What do you mean?' Alyssa searched into his eyes.
"There are thinks you will know in time."
"Why not now?"
"You will never understand." Ziloh said smiled longingly.
Their moment was suddenly interrupted by a cry.
Alyssa's eyes widened. "Ysa's awake."
Ziloh was already at Alyssa's bed as she stood up from her chair.
Ziloh held the baby in his arms. Ysa was crying in his arms.
"Look, she does not like…" Alyssa suddenly stopped mid-sentence as Ysa went silent.
Ysa stopped crying as soon as she saw Ziloh's eyes.
"No female ever hates me." Ziloh smirked. "And no exception to the rule."
Ysa even chuckled in Ziloh's arms.
Ziloh smiled a boyish smile.
"Did she just laugh?" Alyssa could not believe what she just heared--- even she could not make Ysa smile.
"Yes, why?"
"Nothing." Alyssa could not admit that it was probably Ysa's first laugh ever since she was born.
Alyssa would have to report this monumental event to Sisa, but she would have to omit the part where Ziloh made Ysa laugh.
There was a sudden pungent smell in the air.
Alyssa smelled the air. "Did she just?"
"She pooped." Ziloh wrinkled his nose as he was about to place the baby in Alyssa's bed.
"Wait!" Alyssa hurriedly grabbed a towel from her closet and spread it in the table.
"Here, put her here." Ziloh slowly walked to the table.
Alyssa removed the cloth wrapped around the baby and revealed a splash of soupy brownish liquid
"We should clean her up." Alyssa went back to her closet to grab a face towel and went to the bathroom to soak it with water.
Alyssa went back with a wet towel on her hand. "Am I doing it right?" Alyssa took a huge breath and held it as she removed the stained cloth and set it aside.
Alyssa did everything as Ziloh just stood there, covering his nose. "Clean it fast." He ordered.
"I'm on it." Alyssa dived into the baby's bum.
Alyssa have not expected this to happen when she volunteered to take care of the baby. Apparently, taking care of a baby should not be based on popularity alone.
Alyssa was making sure that she cleaned everything when a brownish liquid substance touched her hand. "Oh no, look." Alyssa turned around to show her stained finger to Ziloh.
But Ziloh was far away in a flash. He was standing beside her bed, with his nose still covered.
"You defeated Edward, but you can't handle things like this?" Alyssa walked towards Ziloh as she wiped her hand on the towel.
"Stop that." Ziloh warned.
"Or what?" A whoosh of air made Alyssa's hair fly on her right.
Ziloh was suddenly at the other corner of Alyssa's bed in an attempt to be as far from her as possible.
"I'll clean you up like a baby." Ziloh's voice was muffled.
Alyssa's brows lifted as she waved the towel. "You can't even come close to me."
'I'm warning you." Ziloh said sternly.
"Whatever." Alyssa began to walk again towards Ziloh as something suddenly pinned her on the wall.
Ziloh pinned Alyssa's arms on the wall for his safety. "I warned you."
"What? You can't take the smell of a baby's poo?" Alyssa laughed.
"Finish this fast or I'll strip down clean."
Alyssa tried to release his grasp on her arms. "Then let me go." Alyssa bit her lips to hide her smile.
"I'm serious."
"I'm serious too." Alyssa lied.
Ziloh looked into Alyssa's eyes." Don't lie to me."
"I'm not," Alyssa defended. "It's hard to control my laugh." Alyssa lied.
Ziloh slowly let go of Alyssa's hands. And as soon as she was free. Alyssa dared to wipe the towel in his face.
But she failed.
Ziloh grabbed Alyssa's ankles as he carried her upside-down.
"Okay, I'm sorry." Alyssa pleaded. "It's just fun to discover one of your weakness. Okay. Sorry!"
But Ziloh ignored her. Ziloh removed his hold on one of her ankles as he walked towards the bathroom filed the tub with water.
Ziloh then threw Alyssa on the tub, with her clothes on.
"Take a bath, you need one badly."
"The baby! She's not properly cleaned yet!" Alyssa shouted as Ziloh closed the door.
Alyssa stood up and peeked he head at the door---she was dripping wet. She saw Ziloh cleaning up the baby.
Alyssa relaxes as she returned to the tub and began to take a shower--- she was drenched anyway.
Alyssa was smiling from ear to ear.
Baby Ysa and Ziloh helped Alyssa to keep her mind away from King Greg.
***
Alyssa felt bad that they had to clean the baby on the table knowing that she had a changing table as a toddler.
The palace rarely threw out furniture out of old age. In this present time, there are no factories to mass produce goods. And many objects are considered rare for they cannot be produced anymore.
The palace has a storehouse specifically for that purpose, to preserve the things that are not used but would still provide value in the future.
The one-day family decided to visit the storehouse led by Princess Alyssa.
Ziloh was holding the now freshly cleaned baby. Ysa was wrapped in one of Alyssa's towel temporarily.
Ziloh would beam at Ysa and the infant would fit into giggles.
Alyssa shook her head, she can't believe that even a toddler cannot escape Ziloh's chams.
'Did I just think Ziloh was charming?' Alyssa shook her head to gear away from the thought.
The storehouse was like a maze, it was filled with different things stockpiled from each other---things like kitchen countertops or carpets were piled from each other.
Alyssa moved further beyond the storehouse. There was a shelf filled with music paraphernalia, things like old LPs, CDs, and cassettes were arranged in a row of shelves. Music that was awaiting to be heard, but their player had long been lost.
'Maybe I could play all of them someday.' One of Alyssa's ambition was to discover music again from the time before.
Music that would say how life used to be before the wall was built.
There were shelves of old books too--- books that did not pass Poppy's criteria to display on the library.
And finally, Alyssa arrived at the spot where the remnants of her childhood were preserved. There were story books, Lego toys, board games, and of course Mr. Bear--- Alyssa's first best friend was now filled with dust. But Mr. Bear was specifically placed in here to guard Alyssa's childhood and he was doing his job well.
If vendors from the flea market could see the abundance of goods in here--- and how rare they were—they would be excited to resell them.
But this storehouse was not just filled with old things, they were filled with eighteen years of the Kingdom's history.
Alyssa shook her head and tried not to be derailed from her mission, her plan was to give to baby Ysa things a toddler would need. The first one was Alyssa's white crib.
"ZIloh?" Alyssa asked. "Can you carry this alone?" Alyssa pointer at the crib.
"Of course," Ziloh said smugly.
Alyssa nodded and began to fill the crib with other things--- a baby tub, a few story books, a few toys, and a baby walker.
"I don't think she would need those things that soon." Ziloh observed.
"We don't know, kids grow up fast." Alyssa said. "What you can't carry this? Should I call for somebody else?" Alyssa dared.
"No need for that I can carry that." Ziloh handed the baby to Alyssa. "Here, take her."
Alyssa hugged the baby into embrace.
Ziloh dusted off his hand as he attempted to carry the pile into his hands. He succeeded at his first try.
"Are you okay?" Alyssa smirked.
"Fine," Ziloh grunted. "just move."
Alyssa made Ziloh walked up the stairs carrying the bundle as attendants and guards looked their way.
They whispered to each other how Ziloh was unusually strong.
But Alyssa was just having fun teasing Ziloh as she ordered ZIloh to carry it into her room.
When they reached Alyssa's room, they saw a restless Sisa pacing back and forth the hallway. Kiva was beside her, trying to calm her down.
"Sisa," Alyssa waved. "Kiva"
Kiva waved back as she scurried to her best friend. "Where have you been?" Kiva asked through her gritted teeth. "She's having a meltdown."
"We were just at the storehouse fishing some things," Alyssa said innocently. "I thought baby Ysa needed them."
Duchess Sisa walked worriedly on them as she took her baby from Alyssa's embrace. "Where have you been?" She asked accusingly.
"At the storehouse, I thought baby Ysa might need some of my things."
"Oh," Sisa's face relaxed. "Yes," Sisa smiled. "You are really giving them to Ysa. You're gracious Princess." Sisa slightly bowed.
"Oh, no no." Alyssa waved her hand. "Not really, I did not do anything really." Alyssa blushed from the compliment. She was rarely complemented by other royals.
"Excuse me," Ziloh grunted behind them." Do you mind gracious Princess? Where should I put this?" Ziloh heaved.
"Oh, of course," Alyssa forgot. "Put it right…." Alyssa pointed randomly near her door. "…there."
Ziloh walked past them as he released the crib with a thud.
"Princess!" Sisa said almost to tears--- which she did not have. "Look!" Sisa showed the baby's profile.
Alyssa looked at the baby carefully, thinking if she did something wrong.
Sisa beamed at Alyssa. "She's not crying anymore!" Sisa felt touched.
'A day with the princess definitely helped.' Duchess Sisa thought.
Alyssa's eyes widened she realized it too. "You're right!"
"Me! Me!" Kiva raised her hand. "Can I try?"
"Sure." Sisa beamed.
But the baby cried as soon as Kiva took her." Noooooo. "Kiva pouted. "She hates meeeeee."
"Thank you, Princess." Sisa beamed. "May I dare and ask that if ever I needed someone to take care of Ysa, can I ask you?"
Alyssa smiled. "Of course." Alyssa suddenly turned serious. "But no proposals anymore. Okay?"
"Understood." Sisa said she lifted her baby in the air.
Ysa giggled.
Sisa cannot believe what she was hearing. "She laughed!"
"Actually, she was laughing earlier today." Alyssa admitted.
"Oh, really what made her laugh." Sisa lifted Ysa in the air one more time.
"Me." Ziloh chided in.
Alyssa glared at Ziloh. Sisa was not supposed to know that.
"Oh, thank you Ziloh. Ysa must have liked you and Alyssa."
Baby Ysa yawned.
"I think I better go and put Ysa to sleep." Sisa informed.
"Yes," Alyssa agreed. "Oh, please use those at your leisure. Just clean them thoroughly before using it." Alyssa pointed at the filled crib.
"Oh, yes. I'll ask someone to retrieve it later."
"Oh, there's no need for that." Alyssa waved her hand. "ZIloh, take the crib to the Arosa's." Alyssa ordered.
Ziloh's brows furrowed but he silently obliged and lifted the crib again.
Kiva snickered behind.
It was Alyssa's payback from dropping her on the bathtub.
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