Chapter 74 Imperial Conversation Part 1

--- 8th of April 1897 ---

--- 3rd Person POV ---

It took Dowager Empress Maria and Grand Duchess Elizabeth several days of explanation to convince Tsar Nicholas II and Grand Duke Sergei that joining the war between Butuan and Japan would bring more harm than good to Russia. Both listened attentively, leading to the Russian Empire declaring its neutrality and impartiality.

In the minds of Dowager Empress Maria and Grand Duchess Elizabeth, the future leadership of the far east and southeast Asia was at stake. With the Qing Empire having declared its neutrality much earlier than Russia and subsequently losing its standing, the victor between Japan and Butuan would undoubtedly shape the region's fate. Whether the outcome proved beneficial or detrimental, Russia must remain neutral at all costs. These sentiments were echoed in the words of Imperial Crown Prince Siagu as expressed in his letter.

"The world is undergoing rapid change, with nations rising onto the global stage one after another. In just a few years, the world as we know it today will be unrecognizable. Those who resist accepting change will inevitably be left behind, losing their influence completely," lamented Dowager Empress Maria of Russia, her sentiment met with a solemn nod from Grand Duchess Elizabeth herself.

With that acknowledgment, the two carried on with their day, hopeful that the future would bring prosperity during the reigns of Tsar Nicholas II, Tsar Feodorovna, and their families.

Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing conflict in Taiwan (Formosa), in the city of Ayutthaya, within the Kingdom of Siam, a princess adorned in traditional Siamese attire sat gracefully on a small pavilion, overlooking the Aisawan-Dhipaya-Asana Pavilion, accompanied by her courtiers.

The Siamese princess, who will be turning 9 this coming October 30th, can be seen peacefully sitting on an elegant small chair, gently holding a golden orchid necklace hanging around her neck. A gentle yet longing smile graces the child princess's face as she delves deeper into her thoughts, reminiscing about the moments she spent with her fiancé in his home country.

The princess in question is none other than Princess Abbhantripaja of Siam, one of the daughters of King Rama V from his 92 consorts. She is also the first betrothed foreign princess to the crown prince of the Butuan Empire. Her fair white skin and beautiful eyes have captured the heart of the young prince.

It has been months since Princess Abbhantripaja of Siam visited Butuan along with her uncle and older brother, yet her experience with Crown Prince Siagu Alexie of Butuan and his entire family remains vivid in her mind. Her bond with her fiancé's siblings has instilled in her a deep appreciation for family connections.

In recent months, Princess Abbhantripaja of Siam has been occupied with correspondence with Imperial Crown Prince Siagu Alexie of Butuan, exchanging letters and telegraphs regularly. They consistently update each other on their respective lives and share news about their nations. Of particular concern is the escalating issue Siam faces with French soldiers in its territories in Dai Viet and upper Champa.

Princess Abbhantripaja was taken aback when she realized that Imperial Prince Siagu was unlike any other man she knew. Contrary to her initial perception, he treated her with a level of care and attention that made her feel truly special.

Princess Abbhantripaja's latest insight into her betrothed concerned the ongoing conflict between Butuan and Japan. Several weeks ago, she endeavored to persuade her father, King Cholalongkorn, also known as King Rama V, to support Butuan in their struggle against the Japanese forces. However, her pleas fell on deaf ears. Instead of being heard, Princess Abbhantripaja was silenced by her father and instructed to remain within the confines of Bang Pa-In Royal Palace to contemplate her actions.

Simultaneously, a golden orchid necklace, a gift from her betrothed, arrived, completely dispelling the sadness Princess Abbhantripaja had felt after being punished by her father. Today, as just another ordinary day in her life, Princess Abbhantripaja decided to find solace by watching the tranquil lake.

Unbeknownst to Princess Abbhantripaja, a teenage prince of seventeen, dressed in traditional Siamese attire, stood outside the small pavilion, gazing at the seated princess. The prince subtly gestured to the courtiers within the pavilion to depart and wait outside with his own attendants. The courtiers promptly obeyed, fearing to offend the prince.

The teen prince is none other than the elder brother of Princess Abbhantripaja, the current crown prince of Siam, Crown Prince Vajiravudh. He decided to visit his half-sister after learning of his father's actions. Among his numerous siblings, Crown Prince Vajiravudh is notably closer to Princess Abbhantripaja, treating her as if she were his full-blooded sibling.

"Do you miss him?" Prince Vajiravudh suddenly inquired as he reached the left side of Princess Abbhantripaja. This startled Princess Abbhantripaja, prompting her to glance at the source of the inquiry, only to find her own brother, Crown Prince Vajiravudh, standing beside her.

Upon seeing her brother by her side, Princess Abbhantripaja nodded in agreement before offering him a seat, which he accepted. A smile graced the princess's face upon realizing it was her older brother. If it had been a servant who spoke suddenly, Princess Abbhantripaja, like any member of her family, would have promptly punished the servant for startling and speaking out of turn.

"It has been months since I last saw his face. I miss him," Princess Abbhantripaja stated while gently caressing the golden necklace adorning her neck, eliciting a satisfied smile from Crown Prince Vajiravudh.

In his youth, Crown Prince Vajiravudh understood the significance of the marriage between his younger sister, Princess Abbhantripaja, and his close friend, Imperial Crown Prince Siagu Alexie. Their union would forge a blood connection between his future kingdom and the Butuan Empire. Additionally, Crown Prince Vajiravudh himself is currently courting the cousin of his friend, Lady Kaahini Tuburan, the daughter of Imperial Princess Haimi of Clan Shaja.

Maintaining a strong relationship with their respective betrothed would not only bring prosperity to their families but also blessings to their nations. Moreover, throughout Southeast Asia, the Shaja Clan is renowned as the purest and oldest family in the region. Marrying into this esteemed lineage is a privilege that not everyone can aspire to achieve.

"I understand you miss him, little sister. And I'm confident in saying that he misses you too," Crown Prince Vajiravudh said with a smile as he reminisced about their time in Sooraj. His friend, Crown Prince Siagu, continuously asked about and looked after his little sister.

Princess Abbhantripaja might not be aware of it, but Crown Prince Vajiravudh observed how much his friend truly cared for his younger sister, always wanting to meet her needs and ensure her happiness.

One instance of this was when Princess Abbhantripaja expressed her desire to have a dog after seeing the one raised by the family of Shaja inside the Imperial City. However, Princess Abbhantripaja's mother, Royal Noble Consort Princess Sae Rojanadis, refused to buy her one, which left Princess Abbhantripaja upset. Crown Prince Vajiravudh sought to comfort her by promising to get her a puppy in Siam.

After learning that Princess Abbhantripaja had gifted him with three pups raised in the Imperial City, Crown Prince Siagu was shocked. This news came as a surprise to Crown Prince Vajiravudh, especially considering that, according to Lady Kaahini, these pups were among Crown Prince Siagu's favorites. They were the first litter of his dog, Mawari.

The act of gifting these three pups without hesitation led Crown Prince Vajiravudh to believe that his close friend, Crown Prince Siagu Alexie, would love his younger sister, Princess Abbhantripaja, unconditionally.

The pups are currently playing outside the pavilion. Since becoming Princess Abbhantripaja's companions, they have been constantly by her side. Even at her bedroom door, they stand guard, showing unwavering loyalty.

"Um... What about you, big brother? Did you miss Lady Kaahini too?" Princess Abbhantripaja quipped in a playful tone, nudging her older brother's side teasingly, causing Crown Prince Vajiravudh to chuckle, albeit blushing slightly from the tickling.

Princess Abbhantripaja was well aware of her older brother's fondness for Lady Kaahini Tuburan, observed through his persistent attention towards her, to the extent that Crown Prince Vajiravudh had even requested to extend his stay in Sooraj, only to be denied by their father. Witnessing these interactions, Princess Abbhantripaja delighted in teasing her older brother about his affections, a habit she continued even after their return to Bangkok.

As the teasing of Princess Abbhantripaja persisted, Crown Prince Vajiravudh retaliated by playfully tickling his sister, causing their laughter to grow louder and louder. After a few minutes, they both calmed down and resumed their conversation, though Crown Prince Vajiravudh still blushed as he suddenly thought about the letters Lady Kaahini had sent him.

"M-my dealings with Lady Kaahini are of no concern to you, dear sister," Crown Prince Vajiravudh stated with a grin, while affectionately ruffling Princess Abbhantripaja's hair, attempting to evade the question. This caused Princess Abbhantripaja to pout in dissatisfaction as she gazed at her brother.

In reality, Crown Prince Vajiravudh deeply yearns for Lady Kaahini. Since his return to Siam and resumption of his education in the royal palace as the future king, Crown Prince Vajiravudh has persistently requested his father, King Rama V, for permission to visit Sooraj and catch a glimpse of Lady Kaahini. However, his father consistently denies his requests.

Crown Prince Vajiravudh even attempted to persuade his mother, Queen Saovabha Phongsri, to intervene on his behalf with his father. Despite his mother's support and her discussions with his father, King Rama V only granted permission for him to visit Sooraj on the condition that he excels in his studies. This motivated Crown Prince Vajiravudh to apply himself diligently, with the promise of a visit to Sooraj as a reward. Unfortunately, this visit was postponed due to the outbreak of war between Butuan and Japan, leaving Crown Prince Vajiravudh and his sister, Princess Abbhantripaja, disappointed. He had planned to take his sister with him to Sooraj.

The thought of prolonging his wait just to see Lady Kaahini is crushing Crown Prince Vajiravudh's heart. He is aware that his father and mother will eventually arrange a marriage for him with one or two of his half-sisters, as his uncles and parents have informed him. The revelation shocked him to say the least, and it took him weeks to recover, with his parents and other relatives patiently explaining the situation to him.

Crown Prince Vajiravudh has been excelling in his studies, engaging in conversations with his father, King Rama V, his mother, Queen Saovabha Phongsri, and other ministers. Suggestions have emerged for Crown Prince Vajiravudh to study abroad next year, aiming to further broaden his horizons in both culture and military matters. The majority of ministers advocate for him to study in Butuan, while some propose England, despite potential prejudices and animosities.

Both nations are considered by King Rama V and his ministers, as they have significantly contributed to the economy of Siam, placing it among the top 25 in global economic rankings. However, despite this, Siamese ministers prefer Butuan due to its closer proximity. Nevertheless, the discussion has been momentarily suspended.

"Lady Kaahini would be delighted to see you once again, my dear older brother," Princess Abbhantripaja remarked, observing her brother's reaction.

"And Siagu would undoubtedly rejoice at the sight of you again, dear sister," Crown Prince Vajiravudh countered, his smile brightening the exchange.

"I've heard that Father has finally entertained your request and may be considering sending you to Butuan for further studies," Princess Abbhantripaja mentioned, her gaze drifting across the tranquil surface of the lake.

"Mh-mm… Mother has indeed managed to persuade Father to allow me to visit Sooraj. However, the decision regarding my studies in Butuan has yet to be finalized. Court gossip hints at a higher likelihood of my studying in Butuan, but if that comes to pass, I might not journey to Sooraj. Instead, Champa, a region within Butuan, could be the destination," the Crown Prince explained, his tone reflecting the uncertainty of his future path.

"Champa?" Princess Abbhantripaja queried, her expression tinged with confusion. "Are there any reputable institutions in the Champa region of Butuan?"

"I'm not entirely certain, but I've heard that there are several schools in the area. However, most of them seem to focus on training military officers," replied Crown Prince Vajiravudh.

"Military schools? It seems Father had ambitions for you to pursue a military career, dear brother," Princess Abbhantripaja remarked calmly, as she gently cradled one of her pups in her lap.

"Hahaha, perhaps he did. Although I must admit, I've always harbored a desire to serve as a soldier myself, given the opportunity, little sister. Protecting our nation from adversaries, safeguarding our people and our family—that's something I've always felt drawn to," Crown Prince Vajiravudh declared proudly, envisioning himself clad in the uniform of Siam, leading his troops into battle.

"But the royal guards and army are there to handle that for us," Princess Abbhantripaja stated, prompting a smile from Crown Prince Vajiravudh at her sister's innocence. He couldn't resist pinching her cheek affectionately in response.

"Sometimes, we also need to learn how to protect those people and things important to us," he added.

This caused Princess Abbhantripaja to pause for a moment, gently petting her pup while the other two lay quietly at her feet. After a brief reflection, she looked up at her brother with a cute smile and declared proudly, "When I grow up, older brother, I will also protect you and our family."

The two siblings continued their conversation while mesmerized by the beauty of the lake at Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. Their discussion lasted until the courtiers of Crown Prince Vajiravudh reminded him of his studies, to which the crown prince acquiesced.

Now once again alone, Princess Abbhantripaja smiled with satisfaction after conversing with her older brother. While still petting her pup and caressing her necklace, Princess Abbhantripaja smiled and stated, "You three must have missed your previous owner as well."

Meanwhile, in the Butuan Empire, Imperial Crown Prince Siagu and his entire family were enjoying their daily snacks in the garden of the Imperial Complex. Since the start of the war, it had been rare for the entire family to have their daily picnic in the garden. They were only able to do so now after Imperial Princess Mahati and Imperial Prince Ainesh threw a tantrum about not being able to have a picnic with their father.

Concerned about further upsetting his children, Emperor Siagu XV cleared his schedule for the day to spend time with them. He even invited his younger brother's family and older sister's family, both of whom responded positively, except for Marquess Alexander, who was away with his army for the war.

Laughter echoed throughout the entire garden as Imperial Princess Mahati, Imperial Prince Ainesh, Imperial Crown Prince Siagu, Lord Daksh of Siargao, Lady Kaahini of Siargao, Princess Marie of Cebu, Prince Sharvil of Cebu, and Prince Yash of Cebu played tag with each other on the garden grounds, while courtiers watched with smiles and enjoyment.

For the courtiers assigned to each member of the Imperial Clan, serving and seeing their masters and mistresses happy and enjoying the day were already enough to satisfy them.

While the children play, Emperor Siagu XV, Empress Alice, Dowager Duchess Jayanti of Pangasinan, Imperial Princess Haimi of Siargao, Imperial Prince Sharvil of Cebu, and Duchess Maria of Sulu are present. Also in attendance are the abangaanays of Empress Alice, Duchess Advika Jiānwén of Haikou, Baroness Anika Elizabeth of Maligaya, and Viscountess Fatima Catherine Avelino of Tudela, seated behind the empress herself.

They are currently gathered in the largest pavilion of the imperial garden, enjoying tea served by the palace courtiers. The nine of them form a circle, each seated on a cushion with a small traditional table in front, where courtiers place their tea and food.

Calmness and peace permeate the area, as it has been quite some time since the adults of the main branch of the imperial clan of Shaja have taken an afternoon of relaxation. Their tranquility is further enhanced by the music played by five musical courtiers outside the pavilion, producing traditional melodies using a bamboo zither called a kolitong. Meanwhile, their courtiers stand to the side, bowing slightly to show respect.

"So, has the king of Joseon finally departed Sooraj two days ago and sailed back to his ailing nation?" inquired Imperial Princess Haimi, breaking the prevailing silence in the pavilion.

Imperial Princess Haimi and her children arrived in Sooraj just yesterday after vacationing at the summer mansion in Bohol and in Intramuros. Consequently, she remains unaware of the current developments in the capital.

This statement caused the entire family to pause momentarily before her younger brother, Imperial Prince Sharvil of Cebu, responded.

"Yes, it was part of the plan for him to consolidate power more easily. He was accompanied by his son, Prince Uihwa, and a handful of Joseon guards to ensure his protection."

"However, he will not be permitted to land in Joseon unless the soldiers of Butuan are able to secure the area for his safety," Emperor Siagu XV added in agreement.

"You've invested significantly in this king and his struggling nation. Are you certain it won't be perceived as a sign of weakness and exploited by that individual? Based on the reports and images, Joseon appears to be a nation in dire straits, with its monarch seemingly unable to assert control over its nobles and ministers," Dowager Duchess Jayanti expressed with dissatisfaction, a stark departure from her demeanor when conversing with King Gojong's family at Baltso Palace.

Dowager Duchess Jayanti never truly held a favorable opinion of King Gojong's family, much like her daughter, Empress Alice, who regarded the Joseon king's family with similar disdain. She was among the few who opposed her granddaughter's marriage to the crown prince of Joseon. To her, Koreans were perceived as lower-class individuals, not due to their culture, but because of their economic status and antiquated government structure.

Since Butuan's advancement and improvement in economic, social, and legislative domains, the majority of nobles and common people began to perceive other Asian countries as economically and governmentally inferior, thereby categorizing them as lower-class Asians.

Consequently, individuals from these economically inferior nations were relegated to second-class status, with even harsher treatment reserved for those from Asian countries under foreign control, who were consistently regarded as third-class citizens.

Thus, Dowager Duchess Jayanti's sentiments toward King Gojong, his family, and his people were not unfamiliar. This viewpoint was shared not only by the courtiers of the Imperial Family but also by the wider populace. They believed that their mistress, Imperial Princess Mahati, deserved a superior prince from a more prosperous nation. Even among the empire's nobility, a prince from a struggling country was deemed a lesser choice compared to their own ranks.

"The efforts and sacrifices my family has made for King Gojong and his entire family will be repaid with a relationship that will last a lifetime. The friendship between our nations will be strengthened.

Having witnessed his kingdom firsthand, I cannot claim it to be significantly better than the images you've seen, Mother. However, I firmly believe that with opportunities for reforms and improvements, that struggling kingdom will swiftly elevate its economy. With proper reforms, they might even rival Siam in due course."

Emperor Siagu XV responded confidently, seeking to reassure his mother-in-law, who harbored negative sentiments towards his friend and soon-to-be in-laws.

"It certainly should. The sacrifices and investments made by the empire for them have been immense. Not to mention, one of the causes of this war stems from him and his family," Dowager Duchess Jayanti remarked solemnly before indulging in a bite of her Leche Flan.

(a/n: Leshe Plan or Leche Flan is basically the same. The reason why in this novel it is called Leshe Plan is because in Butuanon alphabet is written as le-s/-he p/-l-n/ le-s-he P-la-n but [P] in plan is pronounced as 'F').

"Speaking of war... It appears that the battle on the island of Taiwan has been quite successful. According to reports from our soldiers, our military has managed to secure control over almost 70% of the territory previously held by the Japanese, excluding areas controlled by the native inhabitants," remarked Imperial Prince Sharvil with a smile.

He then gestured to the courtiers, indicating for them to bring some additional snacks for both himself and the children who were still playing outside.