CHAPTER 16 (Princess Abbhantripaja)

~~ 14 October 1896 (Tuesday) ~~

~~ Princess Abbhantripaja POV ~~

After excusing myself from my family and avoiding a single interaction with the foreign diplomats and delegates. I slowly made my way towards the other pavilion located here at the Imperial Garden of Butuan. I needed some alone time for a moment and to explore the imperial garden of Butuan also.

As I take my walk on the pathway made of stone bricks, I was put into a moment to observe my surrounding. The towering giant trees that cover the entire wall of the garden, colourful and gorgeous flowers that are well maintained and from what I heard from my mother, those flowers are native only to this country, neatly maintained grass and landscape, and even the pond located at the centre of the garden looks magnificent.

Butterflies, birds, and fishes, these creatures add to the magnificence of the garden. After my short walk, I am now in front of a 3-story pagoda. Surrounded by trees of different species, provide shade and create a sense of privacy and seclusion, making this entire pavilion a great area for retreat within this garden.

The pagoda's three stories are adorned with delicate carvings and decorative elements. Exterior walls made of fine wood showcasing a rich and warm colour and a polished finish, upturned eaves and sweeping rooflines add a sense of grace and grandeur to the entire structure.

As I enter the lower level of the pagoda which serves as its solid foundation, blending seamlessly with the landscape. It has an open archway, allowing views of its entire surroundings from within. Its interior space is open and spacious, with an abundance of natural light filtering through windows, with ornamental plants that add to its enhancing visual appeal.

While the second and third levels are connected by a set of intricately carved stairs. As I continue to scan the entirety of the structure, a small black furry kitten came down from the second floor of the pavilion.

"Meow" the black cat voice as it stops right at the first step of the staircase.

"What a pretty little meaw you are." I said excitedly as I take a sit beside the black furry cat. Scratching and petting the cat to which I have discovered that the cat is a boy.

"Oh? You are a boy? I thought you are a girl." I giggle while continuing to pet the cat, and I think he likes it as a purring sound exits his mouth.

"Are you alone in this pavilion Mr cat? Do you want me to bring you outside?" I said towards him as if he is going to talk. "You must be lonely in here Mr cat. Wanna come with me?" I said while I lifted him up and place him on my lap while continuing to pet him on his head.

"Oh! I still don't know what to call you though. Do you even have a name Mr cat?" I said remembering that I still don't know whether this cat has a name or not. As if understanding what I mean, Mr cat turns his head towards me and started to lick my fingers while purring.

"Narak! (Cute!)" I squeaked in a high-pitched tone after witnessing what Mr cat did to my fingers. Calming and composing myself after my short burst out, I then look towards mr cat and continue to talk to him. "I don't see any indication that you have a name though. That must mean you are without an owner then, so what name should I give you then?" I asked Mr cat as if I am expecting him to answer.

"Blacky? Night? Dark? Red?" I said enumerating the basic names I can think of while looking directly at mr cat.

"His name is Mayani." A soft gentle voice with a Butuanon accent said in Thai, and at the same time, the black cat jumps out from my lap and run towards the origin of the voice. I then lifted my head to look at the owner of the voice, only to see a handsome young man kneeling to welcome the running Mr cat towards him while also wearing a military uniform in white and black.

Imperial Crown Prince Siagu of House Shaja. The heir to the Imperial throne of Butuan, one of the most powerful nations in the entire world. He is currently wearing the male counterpart of the sonmin in colour white and gold. Adorned with different accessories that add to his aura of authority and power.

Mr cat is purring and licking his fingers while he is lifting him up and taking a stand. What a handsome man he is.

"His name is 'Mayani' if ever you want to know" he repeated his words while carrying Mayani in his arms as if he is a newborn baby.

Recovering from my initial shock, I then hurriedly take my stand and greeted him much composed and calm. As I am about to curtsy on him, he then interrupted me saying

"No need to curtsy, Princess. I may be the heir to the throne but we are in a private location right now. Besides, no one is watching us here, only Mayani." A smiling prince appeared in front of me after I lifted my head after being stopped to make a curtsy. A smile also broke out on my face seeing his attitude toward the cat and reminding me about the curtsy protocol.

A moment of silence dominates the entire area as I am quite mesmerized to witness a handsome prince petting a black furry cat who keeps on purring loving his current situation.

"What brought you here, Your Imperial Highness?" I inquired breaking the silence that envelops us both.

"Please call me by my name, Princess, it is Siagu." He calmly said to me

"Sure thing, Siagu. In exchange, you can call me Khao instead of Princess." I joyfully said towards him. I mean, who wouldn't be happy calling each other by our name and omitting our titles? Adding to the fact that he is also handsome, even my picky sisters might fall for his smile.

"To answer your prior question, Khao. Hmm… Nothing in particular." He replied while acting to think a bit before looking at me and continuing "How about you, Princess? What brought you here?" A smiling yet domineering expression is displayed by Siagu.

I froze in shock and fright because of his expression. I mean who wouldn't be? Even adults might be scared of him, how much more for us kids? Siagu's expression can really terrify others.

"Uhm… ahh…" I said while stuttering "Uhm… Nothing also. I just wanted some time to be alone and explore the entire garden." I said while stuttering and slowly looking at the floor, he is really scary, to be honest. A man who can keep a smiling face while being domineering is someone who shouldn't be messed with.

'Now I regrated separating from my mother. Silly me! The Imperial Crown Prince might be my soon-to-be fiancé but that doesn't mean that he will be good to me directly.'

As I am contemplating my actions, a resounding laughter echoes through the entire pavilion. I instantly lifted my head only to see a laughing Prince carrying a furry black cat.

"Hahahaha! Sorry, sorry. I was just kidding, no need to be nervous here." He said while continuing to laugh.

~~ Siagu's POV ~~

"Uhm… Nothing also. I just wanted some time to be alone and explore the entire garden." She said stuttering while slowly looking at the floor. She must have been really intimidated after what I have said. Can't help it though. Teasing her looks fun to do, that is why I inquired her while being domineering.

As I continue to pet Mayani while staring at her. I can feel that she is really intimidated causing her to continue staring at the floor. And without me noticing I am already laughing to my heart's content.

"Hahahaha! Sorry, sorry. I was just kidding, no need to be nervous here." I said while continuing to laugh. Especially after seeing her face in shock after hearing what I have said.

"Hahahaha! You really look so silly with your shocked face, Khao."

"Bully!" She suddenly said while fuming in anger while looking at me. A confused expression then plastered to my face not understanding what she meant.

"Huh? What do you mean?" I said trying to know what she meant. Like, I was teasing her.

"Bully! You are such a bully for doing that to me!" She said as she rushes out of the pagoda while fuming, headed towards the pavilion where the garden party is still ongoing.

"Meow" A meowing sound from Mayani brought me back to reality after dazing out from the event that just occurred. Still oblivious to what really happened, it is just a small teasing though and she wasn't even hurt physically.

While I was contemplating what just happened, I then slowly take my sit on the staircase while petting Mayani. Still thinking about what just happened.

"What just happened, Mayani?" I said as I lifted Mayani to reach the level of my face

"Meow" Mayani voiced while staring at me

"Did I just do something wrong?" I voiced again hoping to be enlightened.

"Yes, you did." A female voice replied and as searched for its owner; I saw Ate Kaahini standing at the entrance of the pagoda while flapping her blue-coloured nipa fan to produce some air.

"What do you mean, Ate?" I inquired. I am not good at this part of human emotion. I might be good in politics, religion, language, or others, but understanding deep human emotions? Nope.

"She is upset with you, Siagu." She said as she made her way towards the staircase where I am currently sitting.

"I just saw her walking fast back to the main pavilion and she looks really upset. What did you do to her?" She inquired seriously while staring at me

"I just tease her into answering my question by intimidating her a bit. Right, Mayani?" I nonchalantly said while playing with the cat

*Pak!*

"Hey! What was that for?" I said after being hit by the Nipa fan from Ate Kaahini.

"You idiot! You know too well that people will get intimidated by you with that part of your personality." She said irritatingly and continues to land hits from her fan.

"Hey! Stop it, Ate. It now hurts." I said, trying to cover myself with my hands.

"You deserve that. Sometimes, I really wonder how you can act mature and intimidating, yet you are sometimes dumb with feeling other people's emotions. Hayst!" She said while still fuming in irritation and slowly composing herself. Good thing we are alone in this pagoda, no one will be able to see what just happened.

"You should ask for forgiveness, Siagu, and learn how to read other people's emotions and feelings sometimes. I know you are already having that class with Aunt Alice, but you need to pay more attention to that class. As a future head of this empire, reading the mood of each individual is your great weapon in politics. Understand?" She seriously blurted out as I nod telling her that I understand.

She then slowly made her way out of the pagoda after giving me an earful of reminders.

"And you should go back to the venue, you have been gone for quite some time already. Image, dignity, and honour, never forget these three words as these embody you and in extension, the imperial household."

"Compose yourself and be mindful sometimes, you are a prince, not a commoner, you should have known better. You might be the heir, Siagu, but I am your older cousin and I will reprimand you if you made a mistake, the same as what I promised to you last year." She said before finally leaving and heading back to the main pavilion.

A few seconds after my cousin left and gave me a handful of words. I then made my way back to the pavilion, now realizing my mistake and understating what my cousin means. As I arrive at the venue, people are now facing the main pavilion while my father was about to finish his speech in front of others.

"Thank you so much everyone for coming here and joining us in celebrating the 908th founding anniversary of our nation. To my loyal nobles and ministers, thank you for making this event a success. To my family who have helped me a lot, thank you. Now, shall we make a toss for today's celebration? For the empire." My dad said as he lifted his cup of wine followed by the people in the venue and shouted "For the Empire!" before drinking the wine in one gulp. Clapping sounds and laughter from all attendees and palace workers revibrated the entire venue.

"Where have you been? What took you so long?" Mother inquired after noticing me at his side. But before I answered her, I first take a look at my surrounding wanting to find Princess Khao, and there she is staring at me, beside her mother who is clapping after my father's speech.

"She must be still fuming at me." I unknowingly whispered which caught my mother's attention who is busy wiping the mouth of my brother and sister.

"Who is still fuming?" She inquired wanting to know who I meant.

"Nothing, Mom." I said while shaking my head denying what she just heard "I was at the pagoda visiting Mayani" I said trying to divert her attention back to our original conversation.

~~~~~

Hi everyone!

Thank you for the support and sorry for this cringy part.