“Saridayang, remember Muda Ashburnham of Aryela Kingdom who attended your banquet a week ago? He’s here today to properly introduce himself.” Nanny Fida told me, as if talking to a grown woman who understands what she’s talking about. The kingdom’s language is pure gibberish and didn’t have proper structure, for sure. I was a kid when I created this world in my imagination so it was expected.

Prince Ashburnham stepped forward and greeted me, Cerulean way. “Greetings Dayang-dayang Iris, I am the twelfth son of King Kong Fergus of Aryela Kingdom, Prince Ashburnham. May the benison of Kismet be upon you.”

“He came here to play with you today, isn’t that great? You now have a playmate!” Nanny added excitedly.

He didn’t say any more and only smiled at me. Sitting on my high chair, I observed him closely, not even bothering to blink. His shiny black hair is neatly pushed back, not even a strand of hair is askew. His red eyes that are also looking straight back at me are not big yet not small, just the normal size but lacks life. ‘Ah, right, he was thrown away by his father not long ago.’

I unconsciously reached out my hand to him, which he reluctantly held. ‘Ashburnham is a very long name, it would be hard for me to pronounce… and his name isn’t that appealing… I should call him Ash from now on.’

Out of nowhere, gasps were from everyone present which made me jump slightly and hold onto his hand tighter. I saw his pupil dilate and felt his hand shake a little. Confused, I tilted my head silently asking what’s wrong but he didn’t seem to get what I was trying to convey so I turned to Nanny instead. However, Nanny Fida had her hands on her mouth, stunned and was also not of help.

One of the attendants, Jenna, tremblingly said, “Ca-call His Majesty and the Royal Consort… Saridayang… Dayang said her first word!”

‘What?! What now? H-how?’ I ransacked my brain and tried to recall what I said because honestly, I didn’t even know that I said a word out loud. All this time, I’ve been talking only to myself and I never once let what I was thinking slip my mouth.  ‘What did I say? I don’t know what I said!’ I looked back at Ash to look for an answer but it was no use as he was still stupefied.

The door to my room was suddenly flung open by a strong gust of wind. In walked my father whose royal garb was unkempt and hair bouncing off his head as he ran towards me at great speed. Doing so, he pushed Ash to the side, which the latter didn’t mind… or didn’t dare mind. Father snatched the hand that was holding Ash’s and kneeled in front of me. Smiling like a fool, he asked, “Say it. Come on, say it, baby. Say Dada. Come on, don’t be shy. Or you can say Mama too if you want… but I would be more delighted if your first word is Dada. But anything is fine… really… I won’t get jealous… or mad… I swear, baby. So just repeat whatever word you said earlier so that I could also hear it, okay?” He rambled on.

“H-hwan.” Nanny Fida tried to catch his attention but to no avail.

Not long after, Mother came trotting in and kneeled beside Father. She also held my other hand and patiently told me to repeat whatever word I said moments ago. However, I really had no idea what word I accidentally blurted out since I wasn’t even planning to talk until I was old enough. I was planning to pull an Einstein here, people!

“Your Majesties… the thing is, Saridayang didn’t say any of those words…” Nanny threaded carefully.

“Oh, really? What is her first word then?” Mother turned her attention to Nanny, her genuine soft smile still plastered on her lips.

“Saridayang’s first word was… was…” The woman in uniform looked around, putting both hands together in an attempt to stop the trembling. Mother’s smile started to fade and Father knitted his eyebrows, both indications that the two were getting impatient however, beads of sweat only formed on Nanny’s forehead.

“Tell me what my daughter said.” Father demanded using his king’s voice. He and Mother stood up still holding both my hands.

All attendants automatically looked away and stepped back, Nanny on the other hand couldn't back away since she was personally addressed by the king. All she could do was look away and stare at the floor as she bit her lips. “It’s… it’s Ash, Your Majesties.”

‘Ah, oh. That explained the whole situation.’

“Huh? Ash? Why is it ash? Is the room not clean enough that she mistook dust particles as ash?” Father confusingly asked but Nanny shook her head no.

Mother staggered, getting right away what I meant by Ash. Pale-faced, she repeatedly kept saying that I would get married to that prince. “She’s too young… my Iris is too young to be married to that person. He’s too old…”

Still confused, Father asked his dazed wife why she suddenly thought about the Aryelian delegates from last week but stopped himself mid sentence. His eyes grew bigger and his lips trembled. My intelligent yet somehow slow father finally realized the reason behind my first word. He put my hand gently back on my high chair before he turned his attention to Prince Ash. Without uttering a word, he asserted his dominance as his deadly aura spread inside the room, everyone instantly felt uncomfortable with the sudden weight in the air. “You. What kind of demonic act did you do to enchant my daughter?”

“N-nothing, Your Majesty. I only introduced myself to the princess and took her hand when she reached it out then she said the word ‘Ash’ out of nowhere.” He stammered quickly, forgetting to call Father Hwan.

Father pointed at him angrily. “So, you’re saying that you didn’t bewitch my daughter? Isn’t it your father’s plan to marry you to her so that you can strengthen the bond between both countries? Playmate? Hah! Only a fool would believe your petty excuses! So much for showing face, you go back to your country that’s full of corruption and dirty people!”

“My King!” Mother shouted.

Father ticked his head once, not saying anymore but still looking at Ash with contempt.

“Don’t worry, Royal Consort Luna. I won’t take what His Majesty said to heart-”

 “What I said is the truth.” Father cut.

“My King.” Mother elbowed him.

“What? That young man was sent here not to play with our daughter but to be a spy. I bet he was instructed to get close to her and know her every move so that they can use it on their advantage. Huh! I bet he was told to make our princess dependent on him so that he can control my Iris like a puppet!”

“King Adrian please quench your anger. My father sent me here with pure intentions and I would never do things that you accused me of. If you must, you can send someone on my side to report to you-”

“See this sly-tongue! He deliberately turned it to me, now I’m in the wrong and he’s the victim!” His overwhelming aura surged again and this time, my young body couldn’t take it anymore.

I squirmed but it only made me more uncomfortable. My lips wiggled for a moment before I burst out crying, catching everyone’s attention. “Waaaaaah!”

“Astahi! My daughter!” Mother scooped me up and cradled me. Father immediately withdrew his aura and tried to soothe me too but Mother didn’t let him. “Don’t. You were too caught up with her first word that you let your aura let loose which scared her.” [1. Astahi = Cerulean equivalent to the phrase 'oh, my god' and the like.]

“I-I’m sorry. I… I was just…”

“Out. Out and cool your head. Come back here if you’re already done brooding.”

“B-but-”

“Now.” 

Helpless, his shoulders slumped. He wanted to argue more but Mother no longer paid him attention and was busy calming me. He looked back at Ash and gestured to follow him outside.

“Stop. Don’t take him with you, you’re only going to bully the child after you leave.” Mother intervened.

“Why does he get to stay while I am forced to leave my daughter’s residence?”

“Because he’s not the one who made Iris cry.”

“But he was the one who made me release my aura which made Iris cry so it’s technically his fault.”

Mother got tired answering her childish husband, she rolled her eyes and stared at him dead. Reluctantly, Father walked out the door but lingered around for a moment. Seeing that no one was paying him attention, he gloomily exited the room.

I calmed down after a while and Mother settled me back down on my high chair. Father was nowhere in sight and hasn't come back yet, maybe he was caught by Sir Arman and was forced to go back to his office.

“Are you okay? Please don’t take what that old man said to heart, he was just overreacting since he dearly loved Iris.” Mother calmly talked to Ash, putting her hand on the latter’s shoulder.

Ash shook his head and smiled. “I know that His Majesty was only taken aback and didn’t really mean what he said but please do know that I won’t do anything to harm the princess. I’m only here to take care of her and be her friend.”

“I know.” Mother clasped her both hands in front of her. “How’s your stay in the castle? Are your needs being provided without problems?” She asked, changing the topic.

“Everyone here is accommodating and is taking care of me well. I’m having a great stay. Thank you for asking, Royal Consort.”

Silence followed suit, both smiling awkwardly at each other.

“Mama.”

“Oh, my Iris called me. She just said ‘Mama’. Did you hear it?”

“Yes, Royal Consort. The princess called you and she sounded so cute.” Nanny squealed.

I giggled. ‘So much for pulling an Einstein.’