‘This king, who’s on the top of the pyramid, is a fool for his daughter. He’s a simp! A simp, I tell you all!' He declared that he’ll take a break from royal duties for a week to spend time with me. He argued that he already missed my first word so it was only reasonable for him to witness my first walk. No one was able to stop him, even Brother Lothario whom he passed his duties to wasn’t able to reason with our simp father. He also banned Ash from visiting me until I walked my first steps.
But being with the king all the time wasn’t my concern. It was the Great Elder. He knew.
After his magic returned to his staff, he announced: “I’ve predicted it to be between the three to five days from now, Royal Consort.” When asked if he could be more specific, he shook his head. “Sadly, I could not, Hwan. Although I am an expert in Augur, somehow I couldn't predict exactly what I was looking for in Dayang-dayang's future. May the king forgive this old man’s incompetence.”
“Oh, please don’t worry, Great Elder. It is understandable. Saridayang's case is a little unpredictable, she’s only said her first word today which is a bit late compared to the other princes so I understand why you couldn't truly predict it.” Mother reassured him.
His eyes widened. “Today?”
“Yes. Although her first word isn’t me nor the King, I am still grateful that she’s able to speak now.”
He whipped his head in my direction and stared at me intently. “Clearly…”
Afraid that he’ll spill the beans, I giggled loudly to divert everyone’s attention from his suspicion. I looked at the old man while everyone was talking about how adorable I am. I pointed my finger at him and raised it upward, in a hush position, before giggling more. He was taken aback but didn’t say more.
“What were you saying earlier, Great Elder?” Asked Mother, who now had me in her arms.
“Nothing, Your Royal Consort. I was just baffled. Anyways, it is good that the Dayang could speak now and would be able to walk not long after. However, due to my incapability to determine the exact time and day of Dayang-dayang's milestones, I wouldn’t dare to look more into her future so as to not strain her further.”
“I understand, thank you for your help.”
“Don’t be, Hwan. It is my duty to answer all your demands.”
Father played with me the whole day on the predicted day but to his dismay, I wasn’t able to walk without aid let alone stand for more than ten seconds. At least he witnessed me stand up for the ‘first time’. Little did everyone know, I already stood up by myself long before I started talking. I could even balance myself and was able to stand up for more than twenty seconds.
The next day, nothing much happened. We were playing but something urgent came up so he was forced to attend the meeting. At first, he was reluctant to leave at first but Hara Licentia fetched him herself, telling him how important the matter was so to appease my father, I called him Dada for the first time. I called him Dada again when he asked me to repeat what I just said. And said it again for I don’t know how many more times before the Hara lost her temper and scolded him. I didn’t try to walk that day because I wanted my father to witness it since he’s been anticipating it so much.
On the last day of the predicted day, Nanny put me in the blue dress that I was shown wearing the day I first walked but no one seemed to notice it, however. As it is the last day, Father spent more time with me, playing with blocks until the sun went down. I was so tired at the end of the day but Father seemed to not be bothered at all even though Mother already told him that I am way past my bedtime. Helpless, Mother went back to her residence. Exasperated, I threw a tantrum. I kicked the blocks and flailed my arms. Father was taken aback. He told me to rest first so that we could continue later on and he went outside for a bit and that’s when Ash, who just came back from his ‘vacation’ came in. He saw me crying so he sat beside me and comforted me.
After I calmed down, I started building the blocks that I grew to hate. I promised myself that I would no longer play with those cut-up tiny woods and I would throw it out when I got a chance. When the tower was almost complete, we realized that the roof was missing. Ash tried to look for it, lifting my plushies and stuffed toys to look for the missing piece underneath. I saw the wooden block I kicked earlier. Still sobbing, I crawled past Ash, and without realizing it, I stood up to pick the block. Happy that I found it, I shouted Ash’s name and showed the block to him.
He turned to face me, “Di, Dayang?” He asked, still on his knees. As soon as he was me, however, his hand trembled and his bottoms slumped on his heels.
Confused by his action, I titled my head. “Found it!” I happily stretched my hand more and showed him the block. “What’s wong?” I asked, omitting the ‘R’ on the word wrong since it’s hard for me to say the word properly.
“Iris?” I heard Father’s voice, I turned to the door. I saw his wide eyes staring at me.
“Dada! Bock!” I showed him the block on my hand, still oblivious.
“You… walked?”
This time, it is me whose eyes grew big.
“Shit.” I cursed. I just walked without realizing it.
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