CHAPTER 17 (Her Royal Highness Consort Sae Rojanadis)

~~ 15 October 1896 ~~

~~ Emperor Siagu XV's POV ~~

The event yesterday was a success, the founding anniversary parade of the Imperial Army has made a huge impact on our country's citizens, and just this morning, a news article has been published detailing the grandeur and festivity of the entire parade.

Even the garden party yesterday was a success that the nobles, diplomats, and delegates, have all expressed their thanks for the invite. Although some delegates have expressed their disapproval, they only number a few. With these two-event happening yesterday, I, as an emperor, can say it was a success.

But tonight's event is the highlight of the founding anniversary celebration. Nobles, diplomats, delegates, wealthy businessmen, and intellects, are all invited to attend. This party is to formally close the two-day celebration of the empire's founding anniversary.

Why two days? This is my own decision to only celebrate the event in two days. The funds that will be used for a week's celebration can be allocated to other important matters, like housing shortages, roads, healthcare, education, and many more. These are much more important than a whole week of holiday.

Currently, I am in my office, located on the left wing of the main palace of the imperial complex. Standing in front of my desk waiting for some important individual. But as I contemplate, I started to scan the entire room to once again marvel at its beauty.

The room is designed following oriental architectural features with Butuanon distinction. The entrance of this room is an ornate double door adorned with intricate carvings of two bakunawa facing each other.

The walls of this room are adorned with silk tapestries featuring delicate artwork depicting mythical creatures and nature motifs. Elaborate wooden panels with ornate carvings line the lower sections of the walls, showcasing traditional patterns and motifs.

In the centre of this room, behind me, is an ebony desk, my desk, its surface polished to a glossy sheen. The desk is made out of red makano while calligraphy brushes and an exquisite porcelain vase holding fresh flowers are at the table alongside some books that I enjoy reading. Behind my desk is an intricately designed background of gold colour screen and redwoods, making the entire background pleasing and calming to look at.

The seating area on the other hand is arranged in a semi-circle, consisting of plush armchairs upholstered in luxurious fabrics embroidered with motifs inspired by nature. The chairs are positioned to face my desk, with a low table in the centre displaying a pot of fragrant tea and delicate porcelain cups.

The room is softly illuminated by the warm glow of traditional lanterns, casting a soft and inviting ambience. Natural light streams in through large windows adorned with green silk curtains featuring embroidered designs inspired by the leaves.

The room is filled with the scent of incense, with a small burner emitting fragrant wisps that curl gracefully in the air. The air of the room is infused with calmness and serenity, inviting respectful and thoughtful conversations. Which I needed in today's visitor.

While I continue to scan my eyes to the entirety of the room, a stern knock was made on the other side of the room.

"Her Royal Highness Consort of Siam, Sae Rojanadis, Your Imperial Majesty." The palace eunuch who is guarding my office door outside the room announces.

"Bzzzt." The sound came after I pressed the button, signally to them that I am now prepared to receive the guest.

The palace eunuch then opened the huge Nara door, gesturing to Her Royal Highness Consort Sae Rojanadis to enter the room and walk towards me who is standing at the centre of the room, just in front of a wide purple couch. She is currently wearing her nation's national clothing in gold while being adorned with silver and emerald earrings and necklaces.

The door then closes after HRHC Sae walks closer to my location and started the whole ordeal with a curtsy coming from her.

"Your Imperial Majesty." She said as she curtsies deeply. A smile appeared on my face as I nod after seeing her action. The Royal House of Siam was able to change a humble woman into a woman deserving the title of Royal Consort.

"Hello, Maam. I hope you enjoy your stay here at the imperial complex?" I ask after she has made her curtsy, as I wanted to open the conversation.

"Hehehe… I have enjoyed my stay here, Sir." She replied while giggling at me

"That is great!" I exclaimed and continue "Shall we take our seat?" I offered her, as I gesture to her to take a seat on the chair left side of the small table, I then take the opposite chair to her.

"Thank you, sir." She replied while smiling

"No need to sir me for today's setting. Let us be a bit more casual here." I said directly wanting this entire meeting to proceed smoothly and in haste. "White tea or biscuits?" trying to offer her anything available on the table in between us.

"M-hmm." She nods agreeing to what I have said and also informing me that she will take something if she wanted to.

"So? What do you think now about their engagement?" I inquired instantly wanting to know their own side of the engagement proposal.

"The same as what I had said to your wife last time. The Chakri Household with the approval of the parliament is happy to enter a marriage alliance with your nation, with whom we have shared a deep connection within both culture and military." She replied while smiling towards me before continuing

"My husband, King Rama V, is happy hearing the offer from your wife herself. Noting that this will finally bind our two houses into a marriage. Furthering our nations' relationship that was established during the reign of the previous dynasties. This is also the least he can do to show his gratitude to your family for being the first nation to recognize the legitimacy of his family's rule over the nation." As she unfolds her fan and slowly fanning herself.

"That is good to hear then." I happily said as I lean back towards my chair and continues "Connection between the two shall be encouraged through the use of telegraph or any other means of communication."

"Indeed, you are correct. Although my silly daughter has shown interest towards Imperial Crown Prince Siagu, but recent happening during the party yesterday made their first meeting a bit soar, if you remember." She said reminding me of what happened between the two yesterday. It appears to be that my son has gone a bit too much in teasing her, now she is kind of irritated at him after feeling humiliated, can't help it though.

"Yes, I remember that. The princess doesn't have to worry about that. His mother had already reprimanded him after his own cousin told us what happened." I said while flashing an awkward smile

"You have my thanks for that." she said while nodding and serving herself and me a coffee "It will not be a good thing for them to hate each other. The alliance by marriage won't work." She continues

"Yes, his mother and I knew that. My son is a good child. He might be silly and dense about other people's feelings sometimes, but he isn't always like that. He is a brilliant child and has a great talent for leading. His children with Princess Khao will be an extraordinary one." I proudly said to her. Why shouldn't I be proud? My son has excelled so much for the past 10 years, I saw him grow from a robot-like individual to a mature, domineering, yet loving older brother.

"You don't have to worry, Sir. Our short interaction yesterday during the parade and the garden party has made us see who the Imperial Crown Prince really is. Yes, he has flaws but his good characteristic overshadows his flaws." She said agreeing to what I have said.

My son has indeed a lot of flaws but who in this world doesn't have one? Besides, those flaws of his aren't that big of a deal. His contributions overshadow his flaws, especially his contribution to the military about those aeroplanes. Those things are already enough for him to have the strong support of the military. Even high-ranking officials of the military and the cabinet who knew about my son's involvement in the establishment of the Imperial Air Force have already shown their approval of his ascension.

"So, I think we both consent to their union soon, am I right?" I said while smiling at her, she then smiled back at me while nodding

"Indeed. Their union will not just do good for our nations but also for our respective families. The Bakunawa and the Garuda shall finally then be connected." She said while nodding as she fans herself.

"Yes." I noddingly said. "Anyhow, I heard that your husband is having a headache with the recent development between your country and the French-Indochina?" I said trying to continue our conversation. It is still quite early to end the talk with her, to be honest.

"Indeed. Those French generals occupying the lands that were once ours are really giving us a headache. Unlike those British who are keen on maintaining peace with us." She said while a sour expression appeared on her face.

"Hahaha! Can't blame you for that. Even our borders with them have been increasingly tense, especially last year, if you remembered, when a small border standoff happened between our nations against the French." I said smilingly while eating some rice cakes.

"And just recently, an uprising in the Region of Sabah erupted killing thousands of individuals, later it was discovered that the uprising was sponsored by the British and the French autocrats." I continue

"Yes, I remembered that standoff last year. Even the uprising in the Region of Sabah reaches my husband's ears. He even thought that you will start a war against the British and the French, but good thing you didn't." She said while grinning as she slowly picks her coffee and consumes it.

"We are indeed close to declaring war that time, even the people on the street wanted to wage war against the British and the French. Good thing it was pacified by some other issues."

"I heard that one! Looks like the Qing has been eyeing once again to reclaim the Hainan Island from your country's control." She staringly said at me while grinning

"Yes. They are building military forces on the opposing side of the strait. They are even banning residents on the Island to enter their country accusing them of being a spy sent by us to settle in their country and start a rebellion. Even though they are just people wanting to visit their relatives who are in their country." I said noddingly as I try to recall the reports about the recent developments in Hainan Province.

Those people really thought that were going to send some spies to their nation. A nation that despite being an economic giant has little to no improvements being done to improve the living standard of its people. Ethnic Han isn't even keen on returning to Qing anymore, the only reason for their monthly or yearly visits to the country is because of their relatives who refuse to leave the country.

Instead of them fearing us sending some spies, it should be us who should be worried and the Kingdom of Siam. Every year, an influx of a total of 5,000 – 10,000 ethnic Han flooded our respective harbours. These numbers alone can bring us huge discomfort.

Even the nobles who are residing in the Hainan Region, who are ethnic Han, have voiced their own concerns about the number of immigrants from the Qing Empire. Citing that this will destabilize the entire region if the number of immigrants will not be controlled, although this was solved after the parliament passes the law that limits the number of immigrants allowed to enter the Empire.

And just recently the Qing Empire is prohibiting the locals of Hainan Island to visit their relatives on the mainland and even go as far as to accuse the Hainanese of being a spy. Once again, the nobles voiced their anger at the parliament building, calling this act of the Qing Dynasty a violation of their basic human rights.

Which further deteriorates our fragile relationship with the Qing Empire.

"Looks like our region will cease its peaceful days once again." She said lamentingly as she fixes herself "Our nation, despite its connection with the Qing Empire will still stand by your side if ever war broke out, these were the words of my husband."

"Thank you for that assurance. Tell King Rama V that I am grateful and our nation is also here ready to fight alongside your country whenever war broke out." I said as I take my stand and assisted her. I then pressed the small button on the table and shortly after my personal attending eunuch, Isagani del Cruz, enters the room.

"May I help you, Your Imperial Majesty?" He said after bowing his head while standing a few meters away from me and HRHC Sae, who is now standing beside me.

"Yes. Kindly escort Her Royal Highness Consort Sae back to her chamber, Isagani." I said as I gestured to HRHC Sae to follow Isagani who is now at the door waiting for her.

"It is nice talking to you, Your Imperial Majesty. Your words will reach my husband's ears when I get back to my country. Excuse me then." She said as I nod and saw her make her way towards the door.

As the door closes, I am once again left alone inside the room. I make my way towards my chair behind my personal table and open a newspaper from the Lobester Tribune, the newspaper agency under my son's control.

The Lobester Tribune, the news agency that controls more than 60% of the news outlet in the entire empire, as of the moment. They are under the leadership of Mr Allen Faher, a monarchist autocrat who is now working under my son's command. Their reach as a news agency is so vast that they have become an integral part of our citizens' daily lives.

News regarding yesterday's parade is the highlight of today's newspaper issue. It even has a picture of me giving a speech. The article talks about how the parade gives hope and pride to the people about the future of the Empire. My speech was even highlighted as an ushering speech for our nation to be more united in accepting progress in our life. I lean back as I ponder on the words written in the article.

"Progress huh…"

~~~~~

Author's note: HRHC means Her Royal Highness Consort.