A Lazy Day of Celebration

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. It's a boy!"

The chambers erupted in great delight as Doctor Fenwick gave the news. More than a month had passed since Concubine Chasmi was verified with a pregnancy pulse. Since then, the Capital had burst with life with Duke Oldry at the helm of the boat.

The man was nearing his golden years, yet still active in the political arena. However, being as ancient as he was, he had long been sending his children and grandchildren to any social events.

Many were surprised to see the old minister once again attending soirées and toasting fine wine like there was no tomorrow. Or, more accurately, he was toasting fine wine as if there were many tomorrows - many tomorrows for his old Duke's mansion!

Concubine Chasmi heard the three letter word come from the Doctor's lips and felt her heart skip a beat. A radiant blush bloomed on her cheeks and the umber doe-eyes looked to His Majesty for affirmation. She was considered to be one of his oldest concubines, marrying the King before his union to the Queen.

She was just a girl, no more than thirteen or fourteen when she put on the red wedding dress and was whisked away to the land of iniquitous affairs and nobility. Nothing in the backyard of the Duke's mansion could ever compare to the secrets buried within these walls.

Now she was in her thirties and more than doubled in age since the day she married. Yet, somehow, she still looked as vibrant as that girl that entered the palace all those years ago.

Her family used to insist that she fought for the King's love when the Queen was established, but Chasmi was no fool. 

The Harem was an arena, each woman given the choice of being a warrior or a spectator, both options having its benefits and disadvantages.

Everyone expected her to be the number one opponent to the Queen. But Chasmi saw no need to fight. The queen fell on her own and Chasmi watched as rising star after rising star burn out before her eyes.

Delicate hands wrapped on to her flat abdomen, she truly felt happy. Wasn't this child her congratulatory gift for being such a good person?

The King had to admit that Chasmi fit his tastes exceptionally well. She never tried to please him. Most of their interactions were subdued and the King mostly treated his previous visits to her palace as a monthly check in rather than an appointment with one of his many wives.

This indifference used to go both ways, but now he appreciates the homely and conservative relationship.

As His Highness grew older, he no longer looked for a bombshell of a woman, but someone more simplistic, peaceful but also radiated a youthful and positive energy.

However, he was no longer interested in virginal girls that knew nothing of how to please a man.

Maybe in a way this was human growth? 

With a small caress on the young woman's cheek, the King gave his seal of approval. The room was relieved to think that he, too, looked forward to the birth of the new prince.

No one saw that under his sleeves, the King's fingers habitually rubbed the obsidian pendant.

~~~

The Imperial Garden was in full bloom. Little bees busily buzzed about, collecting pollen from the hearts of flowers. The fragrance of lisianthus​, astrantia, astilbe, and viburnum floated through the air refreshing the senses and bringing forth an aroma similar to sweet grapes in Ulfstead's memories. 

The late-spring day was picturesque, making him wish he had a camera to snapshot a photo to forever have as a keepsake. Lackadaisically, the boys strolled together upon the paved path. No need to haste. Today was a day of pardon as it was the founding of the country.

After winning the battle of Helbe, the First Emperor established the first city known as the Incarnae, later called the Capital of Besirique. 

On this national holiday, a Festival of Glory was held in every city, unilaterally taking over the kingdom with its colorful flags and bay wreaths. 

To partake in the national pride, the boys wore a golden crown in the shape of the interlocking laurel branches and leaves. The luminescence shined brightly upon their silver hair like the halos of God's angels.

Since his naming day, Ulfstead hadn't been given the chance to attend any social events. The same was for Lyfette. Although, it didn't seem as if either boy minded. Where Lyfette was still too young to understand the vastness of the world, Ulfstead was currently content in the comfortable little bubble imposed onto him.

Actually, he dreaded the day when the bubble would pop. In any world, adulting is difficult.

He much rather spend his time like this, blissfully ambling through a manicured garth of nature.

Reaching the center of the garden, the familiar voices of children were heard. Ulfstead's eyes glowed brighter while Lyfette's matching irises darkened in displeasure.

'Tsk. This was their first day off in so long. Now it was going to be ruined.'

With their schedules no longer permitting things such as leisure, Ulfstead hadn't had time to make appointments with his sisters. 

Sitting at the small round table were the fifth, sixth, tenth, and eleventh princesses. 

"Ah! Brother! Cousin!" The first to spot the boys was the eleventh princess who was currently six years of age.

"Suzette!" Hearing the child's rude address, fifth Princess Ekaterina, the eldest of the group, lightly scolded.

Elegantly, she rose from her seat and led the curtsy. "Greetings to the First Prince. Greetings to the Second Prince."

Dutifully, the others followed, even the pouting Suzette. These were her little brothers, she didn't see the need to act all stuffy again. It wasn't as if there were any nannies around to scold them.

Ulfstead had to secretly sigh as he waved his hand. He, too, had to agree with his 'older youngest' sister. Formalities sucked. "Please get up." 

As the princesses did so, Suzette picked up her dress and ran over excitedly. Grabbing hold of his and Lyfette's hands, she dragged them to the table where servants conveniently added two more chairs. No one seemed to mind that the youngest boy's face wrinkled from her touch.

"We haven't seen the two of you for more than a month, not since before your nanny was kicked out by the King."

"Suzette!" Ekaterina scolded again.

The little girl's nose scrunched. "What? I'm not wrong."

The older princess had to sigh. Their eleventh sister was only a year and a half older than the eldest prince, but she was much more careless.

Ulfstead patted his fifth sister's hand. "It's okay. What are all of you doing over here? Isn't there an event for the women of the Harem being held in the Rose Garden right now?"

The one to answer was the sixth princess, Jovana, her voice not hiding a hint of her disgust. "There's most certainly an event... It's all faction politics." 

Ulfstead glanced over to the maids nearby who lowered their heads and astutely made themselves scarce. Now the only ones nearby were his guards and siblings. 

"Concubine Chasmi is supposed to be in confinement, but the Queen held the first banquet in more than a year. She even invited people from the outside, including the wives and daughters of Duke Oldry. All of us left before anything started. Don't worry, no one was going to miss us," she explained sarcastically. 

Ulfstead also didn't care much about whatever games were about to be played. He just hoped that Lady Chasmi would be smart and not do anything to risk his new 'brother'. His hands were optimistically betting on this next Prince being the one to save him from a life on the throne.

"Oh, and our eldest and second sisters returned yesterday... The eldest sister's tail was just as high was when she left to get married, but the second sister... I don't think she's doing so well," Jovana chattered.

She always had a nose for scandals and gossip, but the way she explained without any eloquent bullshit was refreshing and nothing like his father's wives.

If she were to live in the modern age, she probably would be a great journalist or a private eye. "I heard that her husband was unwilling to marry her since the start; he was supposed to be one of the rising figures in the new generation... But the second sister insisted, so her husband and husband's family could only agree... It seems that there's a lot of resentment."

That last part was said a little too enthusiastically, but her bit of elation was understandable... Which of them hadn't been bullied by the second princess in the past?

On the other hand, hearing this, Ulfstead's eyes unconsciously roamed over to the fifth sister. Ekaterina was 13 this year, the typical age of when girl's were either preparing for marriage or engagement.

Eyes of deep azure met those of pale blue. Ekaterina didn't know what her brother was thinking, but she could somewhat guess. Very gently, she patted the back of his hand. Covering her mouth, she whispered, "Don't worry about me. I'm a learned woman remember? There's still a lot of time."

Her smile was reassuring, but Ulfstead highly doubted it.

A lot of time... It seems that's what they used to have. 

What have I been doing?