As soon as I entered the dining hall, I saw four of my brothers. I lifted my skirt and tipped my foot before greeting. “Ohoy, my dear brothers.” [1. Ohoy = informal Cerulean greeting, equivalent to hi or hello.]

Prince Khalil, who’s father’s favorite son, frowned. Everyone knows how the mother-son pair hates my guts because I’m stealing Father from them. “Mayari dwerva, sister.” [2. Mayari dwerva = Cerulean phrase for good evening or good night depending on how a person uses it. Mayari means moon or night while Dwerva means good.]

I walked to my seat and waited patiently for the others to arrive though I soon got bored and quietly played with my utensils, moving it around and putting it back where it was originally placed.

“It seems that the rumors are true that Etiketa ng Dayang was lost through time.” [3. Etiketa ng Dayang = a book of etiquettes and virtues that women are required to learn.]

“Really? I wonder where the last person who used it put it?” I asked Brother Khalil innocently. He wants to mess with me? Bring it on! “Maybe that person got so frustrated that she hid it well as to not be forced to study it anymore. Maybe she realized that she’s not lady-like so she tore it apart before burning it thinking that with the book gone, she can start acting however she wants? What do you think brother?”

Without me seeing it, I’m pretty sure that his hands are already curled into fists under the table just by looking at his quivering lips. Brother Dario, Brother Clarion, and Brother Dion snickered. Everyone knows that although higher in rank than the other wives, Consort Alicia was the last woman that father married. Rumors has it that she’s so unruly and undignified that even the most patient Tutris Aiden gave up teaching her. [4. Tutris = a title given to royal teachers.]

“Vhar!”

The double doors opened and the consorts entered, with the youngest prince on his mother’s tails, ending our little argument. Then Father, together with Hara Licentia and her sons came in a few moments later.

We all stood up and waited for Father to sit on the head of the table; the queen on his left and Brother Lothario on his right. Besides the first prince is Brother Azraq, next to him is Brother Dario while the First Consort sits across from the second prince. Brother Clarion, Brother Dion, Brother Khalil, and Brother Cathan sit next to each other according to their age, with Brother Cathan facing me. On my right is Mother and the other consorts, Consort Ava sitting on the queen’s left side.

"Let’s start.” With father’s announcement, the attendants started to serve the food starting from the head to the foot of the table.

While waiting for my plate, Father started talking to each of us asking how we were.

“Nothing has changed, Father. I’m still busy with Duke Atalens’ concern, although we’re having progress, we can’t still solve the root cause of it.”

The eldest man nodded, “Don’t stress yourself over it, make sure not to burn your eyebrows regarding this matter.” [5. Burn your eyebrows is a Filipino idiom ‘Magsunog ng kilay’ which means to stay late and study hard.]

“Yes, Father.”

“How about you Azraq?”

“Same as always, Father. I’m also thinking of asking the temple if I could talk to the High Oracle regarding Duke Atalens’ son’s sickness.”

“What sickness, Dada?”

“Sickness is a state of being ill. When a person is sick, they’ll feel bad and sometimes their body would feel heavy.” Father defined sickness, misunderstanding my question of ‘what sickness’ into ‘what’s sickness’.

“But Dada, why is the Duke’s son sick?”

“Because he’s not feeling well? Didn’t Father explain it to you already?” Prince Khalil butt-in. I now refuse to call him brother. I’m a hundred percent sure that we won’t ever get along well in this lifetime.

“What I mean is why did he get sick? How? Who was he with before he got sick and where did he get sick?”

“Why do you need to know?”

“Because I wanna help, dimwit!” I irritatingly shouted at Prince Khalil.

“How could you help when you don’t even know what sickness means?!”

“Enough.” Father’s voice resonated. “Stop with this conversation, I want to eat quietly.”

Dinner went past silently and nothing happened after that. It was awkward, but no one dared to break the silence. When Father was about to walk past the door, I called him out. 

Dining Hall seating arrangement