It was the occasional splashes of water and the little "plops" of bubble that stir the gentle quietness of that morning. And perhaps the one thing that is out of rhythm was my heart. It has been erratic since the bath started. And no matter how hard I tried, I can't seem to remove that image of his manhood in my mind. The babaylans did not teach me how to react to this. In my entire life, I have never seen someone else's phallus and to be fair with his highness, he is exceptionally handling this well. I took a deep breath and focused myself on my tasks. If this goes on, how can I call myself to be worthy in serving the prince?

I was surprised when the prince interrupted my hands from scrubbing his arms.

“You’ve been scrubbing this arm for a while now, you might remove the ink.” He uttered referring to the marks inked on his arms signifying his successes in duels.

Upon realizing this, I panicked and bowed my head “Forgive me your grace, I was-“ I did not finish what I’m about to say because I heard him let out a soft laughter which echoed to the serene stone walls of his bath.

I looked at him and saw him smile. I realized that he was teasing me. He took my hands and pulled me closer, to look at them intently. I was trembling as he examined my calloused fingers. “You’ve been working hard.” He uttered.

“Yes, your grace. I was learning things to serve you better.” I answered while looking away.

“That’s good to hear. But you should have taken good care of yourself as well.” He ran his thumb on the scars of my hand. “How did you get a scar this big?”

It was not a huge scar. I think he was just exaggerating. It was not even comparable to the scars he has on in his arms and back. “It was an accident. I was hunting.”

“I see. From now on, you won’t hunt any longer. You’ll only use these hands on things that won’t hurt you.”

I nodded. “Yes, your grace.”

“I told you to be at ease when you’re with me. Why have you grown to be so shy?” He took one of his hands and used it to lift my chin. It was his obsidian eyes that greeted me. “Where was the playful and all smiling Noan that I know?”

I opened my mouth to answer but nothing came out so, I closed it again. He chuckled and “You’re so adorable. I’m glad, it was you.”

I didn’t know how I managed to get through that awkward bath. But i did manage to apply all necessary oils and scents and then clothed him. The citrus scent complements his natural musk and as I followed him back into the court, his well sculpted broad shoulders sends a strong message that the Kedatuan is in safe hands.

This was really the first time I had been able to look at the prince. When he left hundred moons ago, all I had was an image of him in my mind from stolen glances I did. Now, he is here, in front of me, all grown up.

Just as we arrived at the court, a horn was heard. Then a messenger from the ports rushed into the court. “Your grace, Datu Junsay and his court wishes to see you.

“Junsay?” The Datu exclaimed in excitement. “Let him in!”

If my memory serves me well, Datu Junsay is known in the neighboring Kedatuans to have the most number of children among the chieftains. And he is most well known for his beautiful daughters.

And for generations, Datu Junsay’s Kedatuan and ours have been in good terms. While he is known for a number of children, he was not doing well with his wealth. Our Kedatuan was blessed to be located in fertile soil and long beach line which made it to be a center of trade bringing fame and wealth.

And I can see where this visit is going.

...

A festive and colorful procession made its way at the doorstep of the court. The Timawas, most of them still swaying from drinking too much coconut wine during the Prince’s banquet, has now gathered around the foot of the Palace to take a gaze upon the visitors.

“Make way for Datu Junsay and his court!”

“Ah, my good friend.” Datu Sanday exclaimed as he opened his arms to receive his guests. “to what do I owe this honor?”

“Surely you jest, the honor is ours, Sanday.” Datu Junsay replied as he moved to give our chief his embrace and a pat in the back.

Following Datu Junsay’s wake were his lovely daughters draped in golden embellishments, moving in grace as they did their curtsies. One of these ladies caught my attention in particular. She stood out among her sisters, for there was no amount of embellishments that could hide her swooning gaze towards Zula.

Discreetly, I followed her gaze and took a glance on the Prince and to my surprise, my eyes met his. The chance to look away has long disappeared as soon as he let out a small smirk, which made his obsidian eyes sparkle under those long lashes.

It was only when Datu Sanday cleared his throat that I looked down and assumed my Oripun stance. “Zula, perhaps you could entertain our lovely ladies, here.”

“As you wish, father.” Zula answered and moved across the court to greet the Junsay daughters. As I watched his back as he walked gallantly towards the ladies, an uncomfortable feeling erupted from within me. And the mere thought of the Prince marrying one of these ladies made me feel nauseous.

I retreated from the court and hurried towards my chamber and took the salve I have concocted for nausea. I took a sniff and savored the temporary comfort it brought. I closed my eyes and took another sniff. But all I could see was Zula in his wedding habiliments and that uncomfortable nauseating feeling erupts once again.

I was well this morning, I might have eaten something bad. If I did, the Prince may also show the same signs, since I taste his meals before he does. What if someone tried to poison him? Even with an unsteady footing, I hurried back to the court. But when I arrived there, I saw Zula perfectly fine and he was chatting with that particular lady whom later I learned to be Princess Dagamiyan. The sight of the prince letting out a small laugh with the princess made me retched. If this continues, I might not be able to serve the prince. I might give him this sickness. While sweating profusely, I reached the confines of the babaylans.

“Aglalannawan!” I exclaimed. “I need your help. Someone might have tried to poison Zula!”

Horror. It was the first look the old babaylan gave me. She tried to calm me down and let me sit in the soft rug in front of her.

“When did you say this symptoms start?”

I looked at her. “When Datu Junsay arrived with his daughters.”

“Do you know that this may cost us our good relationship with Datu Junsay?” She warned me.

“I’m not accusing them. It was a good thing that I ingested the poison first, but what if this happens again?”

“It was good, the symptoms are not severe. Just a mere nausea.”

“Yes, I have been thinking of all poisons you have taught me that may cause this, but I could not think of anything. By the way, the symptoms only manifests when...”

Aglalannawan laughed. The other babaylans were taken aback of this rare moment when their revered teacher let out a good laugh.

“Noan, it was not a poison. It was your core.”

“My core?” I repeated clasping my chest. “What’s wrong with my core?” I asked.

The babaylan gave me a meaningful look. “Here, take this with you.” She handed me an oil she concocted herself. It was her priced Sampaguita oil she usually gave to noble married couples.

She gave me a meaningful look. I tried so hard to understand what that look meant, but to no avail.

Before I could rise from the soft rug of the babaylans’ hut, heavy footsteps were heard outside and in a short moment, Prince Zula’s face appeared at the doorway lifting the draperies searching the room.

The room went silent and assumed the forehead respect, even Aglalannawan. When his gaze landed on me, he swiftly crossed the distance between us and took my face in his palms.

“I heard you were sick.” He uttered.

When I could not find the words to answer, Aglalannawan cleared out her throat. “Noan is not sick, your grace. He is just going into some...changes.”

“Changes?” Zula repeated. “Hmm, it’s better than being sick.” He said as he stroked my hair and fixed my disheveled Pudong. “Let’s go back to the palace.” He motioned.

While I was still mesmerized with what happened, I could see Aglalannawan smiling in her corner. And I could not still decipher what that meaningful look meant.