--- 3rd Person POV ---
--- 1st of August 1907 ---
"Your Imperial Highness?" Senior Eunuch Radhesh called, bringing Yuvraj Siagu back to his senses and the piece of paper in his hand.
"Clear my and my wife's schedule for this coming Thursday onwards," Yuvraj Siagu stated as he placed the letter on his table before continually reading the documents in his hands.
"Pardon me, Your Imperial Highness?" Senior Eunuch Radhesh voiced in shock, unable to comprehend his master's words.
"Rohan has invited my wife and me to visit Honolulu to attend his daughter's christening, which will be two weeks from now (15th of August)."
Senior Eunuch Radhesh hesitated for a moment before bowing respectfully. "Understood, Your Imperial Highness. I will make the necessary arrangements to clear your schedules and inform Her Highness of this invitation."
Yuvraj Siagu nodded but did not look up from the reports he was perusing. "Also, ensure that a qualified Aylashan priest is prepared for the journey. Rohan has specifically requested one for the christening."
"Yes, Your Imperial Highness," Radhesh replied, his tone now steady. "I will see to it immediately." He turned and left the room, leaving Yuvraj Siagu alone with his thoughts.
As Siagu returned his attention to the reports, his mind once again briefly wandered to the upcoming trip to Honolulu. Before it returned to the pressing matter at hand, producing an heir for the family. It had been two years, and he and his wife weren't able to bring forth a child, with his parents putting pressure on him to produce an heir.
But Yuvraj Siagu had no plans yet to have a child at that time, as his wife was still young and hadn't reached the age of 18 yet, which he found unacceptable to bear a child. Besides, this is the promise he had made to his wife before their wedding day. During his past years of visiting his wife's chamber at night, they weren't really doing anything except talking and sharing their activities from the entire day, an activity that they both enjoyed.
And after years of waiting, he believes that it is time to have a child and start his own family. Having a child in his early 20s is something that he is not used to, as people usually conceive at the age of mid-20s in his past life. But in his current lifetime, conceiving at the age of 16 or 17 for women is ideal, as producing as many children as possible is good for maintaining possible heirs.
With his thoughts wandering off and thinking of his soon-to-be family, Yuvraj Siagu decided to leave the confines of his papa's office and take a walk outside the compound. But before he could even leave the room, his courtiers, led by Senior Court Lady Mei Ying, inquired about his destination.
"I am going to have a walk in the Imperial City. I have been inside the office for almost 4 hours already, and a fresh breath of air would be ideal to relax my brain a bit." Yuvraj Siagu replied calmly as he continued his walk without even waiting for Senior Court Lady Mei Ying and the others to reply.
Unable to find a time to reply, Senior Court Lady Mei Ying, along with the others, hurriedly tailed behind Yuvraj Siagu, doing their duty in accompanying the Yuvraj.
"Your Imperial Highness," Senior Court Lady Mei Ying called as she walked two steps behind Yuvraj Siagu, "Her Imperial Majesty, Maharani Alice would like to remind you about your meeting with the Maharaja today."
"I know, and I remember this meeting," Yuvraj Siagu calmly replied as he treaded the bridge that connects the Inner Court of the compound and the Outer Court.
With intricate design and sophisticated craftsmanship of traditional Butuanon architecture, the bridge brought the idea of crossing to another realm as the details became more extravagant as you walked closer to the inner court. With lotus flowers and fish swimming on the water, a sense of calm embraces anyone.
Yuvraj Siagu paused briefly, resting his hand on the bridge's intricately carved wooden railings, his gaze fixed on the tranquil pond below. The sight of the graceful movements of the fish and the soft rustling of lotus leaves seemed to ease his mind, albeit momentarily.
Without further spending time watching the fish's swims, Yuvraj Siagu continued his walk and patiently watched the surroundings, maintained and taken care of by the gardeners and courtiers. The Palace of Minbury and Tessa were the buildings present within the outer court. The journey from the outer court to the entrance of the compound took 20 minutes, without obstruction from the people, as the entire Imperial City was currently being locked for public access.
With courtiers being encountered and members of the Imperial Household Guards surveilling the entire area, securing the Imperial family's safety, Yuvraj Siagu and his entourage smoothly enter the streets of the Imperial City.
Unlike 9 years ago, when the Imperial City was inhabited by a few powerful noble families and government buildings. The Imperial city currently is far more different; under the Imperial Decree #89 s. of 1899, the entire Imperial City was put into the hands of the Ministry of Imperial Palace and its lower offices, bought with a total of ¥95 million.
And the first move the Ministry of Imperial Palace made was to make the entire city exclusive for the use of the Imperial family. Having all government buildings and noble families inhabiting within the walls of the Imperial City be evicted with adequate compensation.
Gardens and palaces that were to be used by the family's guests and relatives lined the streets of the city. With nature being the dominant decoration, bringing fresh air and a calming feeling that Yuvraj Siagu wanted to feel while walking on the streets of the city.
Surveying the surroundings, the museum of tombs of members of the House of Shaja caught Yuvraj Siagu's attention, and the towering statue of the Victory angel. Wanting to enter the museum, Yuvraj Siagu made his way without waiting for his courtiers, whom have been silently following him while covering him with an umbrella for protection from the sun.
Interest was visible on Yuvraj Siagu's face as he scanned the entire area, watching the patterns placed on each side of the building. With guards guarding the museum and the serene silence enveloping the space, the museum radiated a solemn reverence befitting its purpose. The intricate carvings and architectural details spoke of centuries of devotion to preserving the legacy of the House of Shaja. The museum's facade was adorned with motifs of celestial beings and symbols of resilience, a testament to the dynasty's enduring strength and connection to its people.
As Yuvraj Siagu approached the grand entrance, the guards stationed there bowed deeply, acknowledging his presence. Without hesitation, they opened the heavy, intricately carved doors, allowing him entry. The cool air inside provided a welcome respite from the sun, and the atmosphere was one of quiet introspection.
The interior of the museum was vast, with a layout designed to guide visitors through the history of the dynasty. With the deafening silence inside the museum and the countless number of urns housing ashes of his ancestors, Yuvraj Siagu could not help but ponder whether in the future he would be placed in this same building where his ancestors were housed.
Even the names of those who are buried in the museum were carved on the giant tablet near the entrance of the building. From the founder of the Rajahnate up to the recently deceased member of the family, all are housed inside the museum. Some important artifacts were also present in the museum, laid to rest near their owners.
Wanting to enjoy the moment, Yuvraj Siagu made a stroll inside the museum, reading each name written, and one particular name caught his attention. Rani Mahati II, a niece of Rajah Arhaan V and the daughter of Rani Mahati I, the first female monarch of the Rajahnate of Butuan.
Reading through the information written about Rani Mahati II, Yuvraj Siagu now understood why she was called the conqueror, as she managed to expand Butuan out from the confines of Mindanao despite the threat of Brunei. During her rule from 1430 to 1480, she was able to strengthen the Rajahnate while subsequently passing reforms in stabilizing the Rajahnate's economy.
Her rule was often called the years of peace and stability, as Rani Mahati II rarely engaged in battle during her reign, which Yuvraj Siagu finds confusing, as Butuan was already powerful during her reign. After thoroughly reading the history of Rani Mahati II, Yuvraj Siagu believes that if she were to rule Butuan today, it would be no time before Butuan would either be under British or French rule.
"Passiveness and peace have no place in this age," Yuvraj Siagu mutters as he stares at the urn bearing the ashes of Rani Mahati II, "Your policy and attitude might have been effective during your time, but this time, it won't even be enough in protecting the empire's interest."
Yuvraj Siagu then made his way towards the other side of the museum, a room that houses two golden urns of ashes. Rajah Shaja and Maharaja Charan I are two of the most important individuals in Butuan's history. One founded the dynasty and established the Rajahnate of Butuan, and the other is the kin slayer and the founder of the Butuan Empire. Their rule might have been tarnished with blood and death, but it is also their rule that the nation has prospered and become what it is today.
Standing in the dimly lit room of the museum, Yuvraj Siagu's footsteps echoed faintly as he approached the golden urns of Rajah Shaja and Maharaja Charan I. The air was thick with reverence, a silent acknowledgment of the weight of history contained within the ornate vessels. Each urn was intricately designed, adorned with symbols that spoke of their rulers' respective legacies—the rise of a nation and its transformation into an empire.
He paused before Rajah Shaja's urn, his gaze contemplative. "You laid the foundations of this great dynasty, turning a fledgling settlement into a thriving Rajahnate. It was your vision and diplomacy that gave Butuan its first taste of unity. But," he added quietly, "your legacy, too, is one of survival amidst chaos—a reminder that peace often hides the seeds of conflict."
Shifting his attention to Maharaja Charan I's urn, his expression hardened slightly. "And you," he murmured, "the architect of an empire. The kin slayer, the conqueror, the one who knew that survival sometimes demands sacrifices too great for others to bear. Your actions stained this family's history, but they also ensured our dominance for centuries to come."
For a moment, Siagu stood silently between the two urns, his mind a storm of reflection. Their contrasting legacies were a vivid illustration of the choices a ruler must make: the balance between peace and power, morality and ambition. His ancestors had carved their paths through blood and diplomacy, each decision forging the destiny of Butuan.
He exhaled deeply, his voice low and resolute. "We live in a time when the weight of this empire's survival rests more heavily than ever before. The world has grown smaller, alliances more fragile, and enemies more cunning. The path forward cannot be one of peace alone, nor can it be one of blind aggression.
The great war is fast approaching, and the world will be once again in flames as countries battle for dominance. But this time, it will not be between Europeans… Butuan will not sit by and watch them carve this world to their liking."
Yuvraj Siagu paused for a moment as he placed incense sticks near the urns of Rajah Shaja and Maharaja Charan I. As the smoke embraced the urns of his two ancestors, a sudden, gentle wind blew and touched his face. "It's as if they're here with me," Yuvraj Siagu whispered, his voice softening.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, feeling the wind's tender caress as if it carried the wisdom and resolve of his forebears. The fragrant smoke of the incense swirled upward, merging with the light streaming through the window, casting ethereal patterns across the room.
And with that single incident, Yuvraj Siagu's hazy thoughts were now once again clear and unobstructed by worries. Despite his confidence in his weaponry, his guilt in bringing millions to their deaths constantly haunts him. Even in the recent war with the Qing and Russia, a total of 60 thousand Butuanon soldiers and civilians have perished, and Yuvraj Siagu took the blame for that one, carrying it even until today.
His hands are soaked in the blood of his people, a feeling that he never thought would be so surreal. "This must be what Churchill and the others felt at the end of the First World War." He mutters as he stares at his hands, imagining fresh blood dripping from them, causing him to laugh mockingly, "Hahaha. But sacrifices are necessary in achieving everything. Without their sacrifices, Butuan would not be here today."
Having stayed inside the museum for an hour already and remembering his remaining activities for the entire day, Yuvraj Siagu decided to leave the building after offering his final glance of respect and bowing to his ancestors and family.
Days passed like there was nothing as the lives of the people continued to roll, and without even noticing it, the day for Yuvraj Siagu and Yuvrani Khao to head to Honolulu finally came.
Having been on the ship for days and arriving in Honolulu in just 2 days, Yuvraj Siagu decided to spend some time with his wife on the ship's deck watching the waves of the ocean touch their ship.
"Are you okay, Alexie?" Yuvrani Khao inquired smilingly as she stared at her husband's face while being touched by ocean winds.
"Are you okay, Alexie?" Yuvrani Khao inquired softly, her voice almost lost to the rhythm of the waves as the ocean wind played with her hair.
Yuvraj Siagu turned his gaze toward her, momentarily taken aback by the concern etched on her face. Beneath the imperial titles and expectations, she was still his wife—someone who had quietly stood beside him through victories, defeats, and the long silences in between.
"I'm fine," he replied after a brief pause, offering her a faint smile. "Just thinking."
Khao raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You always say that when you're burdened by something."
He let out a short chuckle. "Have I become that predictable?"
"To me? Yes," she answered without hesitation, resting her elbows on the railing beside him. "To the empire? No."
For a moment, neither spoke. The sun was beginning its descent, painting the horizon in hues of gold and crimson. The ship cut steadily through the waters, carrying not just the imperial couple but the weight of expectations, alliances, and unspoken decisions.
"You were thinking about the future again," Khao finally said, not as a question but a statement.
Siagu nodded slowly. "Honolulu is only a visit on paper. But everywhere we go, people watch us—not as a couple, but as symbols. Allies judge us. Rivals measure us. And my parents…" He exhaled. "They wait."
Khao's fingers tightened slightly around the railing. "About an heir."
The couple stood in comfortable silence for a while, the rhythmic sound of waves filling the space between them. The ship rocked gently, the ocean breeze playing with their hair and clothes. Below them, crew members bustled about, their voices occasionally breaking through the quiet.
"Alexie," Yuvrani Khao broke the silence, her tone more serious now. "Have you ever thought of regretting marrying me because of not being able to bear a child earlier for you?"
Siagu, startled by his wife's sudden inquiry, hastily shook his head in denial, not wanting to give any negative implication with his reaction. He placed his teacup down gently, his gaze softening as he looked at Yuvrani Khao. "Khao," he said firmly but tenderly, "never once have I regretted marrying you. The idea has never crossed my mind, not for a moment, and surely not in the near future."
Khao's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she studied her husband's expression. "But Alexie," she continued, her voice wavering, "I know you have made a promise before our union on not letting me have a child during the first four years of our marriage because of my age, which I accepted because it is what you wanted. And since I was still not ready at that time.
But the whispers of the court, the expectations of the people, and even our own family—they weigh heavily on me. I cannot help but feel that I have failed you, failed us. Being a mother is something that I have always wanted, even before meeting you."
A tear falls from Yuvrani Khao's eyes as she takes a pause and tries to compose herself before continuing; yet her emotion betrays her, causing a river of tears to gush out from her eyes. Concerned with his wife's sudden outburst, Yuvraj Siagu hastily hugged his wife and started to comfort her.
"Do not burden yourself with such thoughts, my love," he said gently, "You are my partner, my strength, and the woman who has and will be standing by me through every challenge. That is what matters to me."
Khao blinked back her tears, her lips trembling as she tried to smile. "But the legacy, Alexie. The future of the empire—"
"Will be continued by our descendants," Yuvraj Siagu confidently interjected as he gently kissed his wife's forehead, "Both of us are still young and have plenty of time to think on this matter. Besides, you have just turned 18, and I am just waiting for the right moment this year to take our first night together."
Khao nodded slowly, her grip tightening around his hand. "You always know what to say to ease my heart," she whispered.
The two then kissed passionately with each other, both as if longing for the warmth that each of them had provided to the other. And before both of them knew what happened, Yuvraj Siagu and Yuvrani Khao were both now inside their bedroom, kissing while in the embrace of each other.
That night, Yuvraj Siagu and Yuvrani Khao spent their night together, under the light of the crescent moon, their bodies united into one. Joined by love and longing for each other's warmth, Yuvraj Siagu and Yuvrani Khao finally consummated their union, sharing the same bed. The soft glow of the crescent moon bathed the room in a silvery light, casting shadows that seemed to dance with the rhythm of their hearts.
Time flew, and on August 12, 1907, Yuvraj Siagu and Yuvrani Khao arrived in Honolulu, greeted warmly by Maharajkumar Sharvil and his entourage. Behind him is Rohan, the father of the child. The scene was one of grandeur and cultural fusion, with Hawaiian courtiers, ministers, and attendants of the Jade Compound present to honour their esteemed guests at the harbour.
"Welcome to Honolulu, my dearest nephew and nephew-in-law," Maharajkumar Sharvil greeted them with a broad smile, extending his hands to hug Yuvraj Siagu and Yuvrani Khao.