The flash back to the last moment before her death brought a revelation, as if Bayin had peeled away a veil hiding the answer.
The sting from the evil spirit insect had brought about an anaphylactic reaction, in both her and Naing. She felt the dread return: the crushing tightness in her chest, breath turning shallow and urgent, throat swelling until swallowing was impossible. Then, the stark realisation that this was the end.
Naing had survived. She was certain of that. Someone had a vial of antidote and when it was forced down him, he complained the liquid stung his throat. She even heard the old woman say it was made of stinger plant. It reminded her of what Ungyi told her.
Once again, it was the stinger plant that had rescued the King, who was allergic to honey.
Could it be that simple? Could the stinger plant save Kyaw now?
He was lying limply among the vibrant yellow petals, his breathing shallow. The reaction to the insect attack had affected his entire body, and Bayin was unable to completely halt the spread with her cloth power.
She had prevented his throat from swelling, just enough to ensure he could still breathe, but something else was afflicting him.
What shall I do?
She was unable to think straight. She was overwhelmed, grappling with the trauma of remembering her own death, as well as trying to heal.
Her top priority was to save Kyaw, so she scrambled to focus.
Her throat went dry. Her hands trembled.
She took a steadying breath. Then another.
An idea came to her.
I need to find the stinger plant, she concluded.
But at the same time, she knew she could not leave Kyaw's side. She was using her power to help him breathe.
Glancing up, she saw Soe staring down at his friend, pale and silent.
"Do you know what the stinger plant looks like?" she asked him.
Soe nodded in response.
"Find it. Bring as many leaves as possible to me. Quickly!"
Soe immediately took action, running off and scanning the ground for the weed.
Bayin sought to infuse her cloth with the natural healing properties of the stinger plant, recalling the bandage Lord Ray had used on Zeya's wrist, its fabric laced with a mysterious restorative power. She could attempt to do the same. She was desperate to try anything.
Within minutes, Soe brought back a handful of stinger leaves carried in his sleeves, along with Denpa who was alarmed to see Kyaw lying on the ground.
Bayin immediately took the leaves and crushed them using her bare hands. She rubbed the leaf paste onto the cloth, repeatedly kneading and squashing the leaves to release its natural oils.
Her hands stung insanely, like a million pin pricks setting her skin on fire. With resolute perseverance, she wrapped the stinger-infused cloth over Kyaw's neck and chest.
Clearing her mind, she envisioned his body absorbing the stinger sap, its potency working cell by cell to calm the overreaction of his immune system.
Once she gained entry to his blood vessels, she followed the flow of blood, a living map leading to every organ. When she reached his heart, she gently urged his blood pressure higher, allowing freshly oxygenated blood to revitalise his vital organs.
This stabilised Kyaw enough for her to push further, searching for any remaining damage. She soothed the reaction in his lungs, then focused on the airways, checking for swelling in his throat.
When she could sense no further affliction, she formed an image of complete wholeness, trusting the body's own ability to heal while urging it onward, hastening the process a hundredfold. All the while, she anchored herself in belief, recalling her success in treating Maung and the General, clinging to the certainty that she could do it again.
When Bayin felt she had done all she could, she exhaled a long, weary sigh. She hoped Kyaw's body would take over once she released her cloth power over him. But Kyaw continued to lie still.
It had not worked! Had she missed something?
"No, no, no. I've failed you," she muttered to herself.
The exhaustion of using her spiritual power overcame her as she sank down onto her legs, dripping with despair. She felt the raw heartbreak for Kyaw's wife.
Grief overwhelmed her as she drew inwards, drowning in her own self-criticism. Why could she not save him? What had she not done? Had she been simply fooling herself?
She did not possess the kind of power to save lives. All she was good for was laundry. She was Spirit of Cloth, not a spirit of any significance.
Denpa and Soe knelt down on the other side of Kyaw, remaining silent. The forest seemed to stand still as if nature itself mourned the loss. A brief moment passed before birdsong resumed, wind whistled through leaves, and hurried footsteps were heard as Htoo and General Min arrived.
"What's happened?" Htoo asked, then understanding the situation became solemn.
Shortly afterwards, Bayin felt a pair of hands seize her own. Someone smeared a crushed leaf into her palms; the sap was spread all over, calming the stinging sensation.
She gazed up and saw General Min.
His face was full of concern as he worked more of the crushed leaves into her hands, his fingertips gently stroking her reddened skin.
He remembered the antidote plant, she realised.
Bayin welled up with emotion, wishing to embrace him.
In that moment, Denpa called out, "He's got a pulse. He's recovering."
All eyes turned back to Kyaw.
"Kyaw, can ya hear me?" Soe asked with trepidation, leaning over the man.
Bayin spotted Kyaw's chest rising and falling gently. He was breathing again.
Did her herb-charged healing cloth actually worked?
There was a soft groan and a croaky voice said, "Why you staring at me, dummy. What happened?"
Seeing Kyaw completely back to normal, Bayin welcomed the wave of blissful relief that flooded her heart. The darkness lifted from her mind, and she was finally able to think clearly again.
"He's alive. It's a miracle," Soe announced, then to Kyaw he explained, "Old man, ya had us scared. Ya been saved by Spirit of Cloth and Bayin. Do ya remember ya were stung?"
"Stung by what? Was it a bee?"
"No, old man, remember we were attacked by, like, a million evil spirit insects. Ya got stung and couldn't breathe. Ya nearly died, no lie," Soe said as he cautiously removed the cloth Bayin had placed on Kyaw. "Bayin used this spiritual cloth. It wasn't working so he used stinger plant as well."
Kyaw's eyes widened then he sat up, with the aid of Soe.
"Stinger plant? No wonder I can feel a tingling all over my body like a thousand ants crawling on me. It's a bit creepy."
"Yer damn lucky to be alive," Soe declared, still in disbelief.
He turned to Bayin and asked, "How ya know what to do?"
Bayin shrugged.
Though her mind was clear, her body felt heavy, drained of all its strength, and she found she could hardly speak. Using so much of her power had left her hollow, emptied out. She needed a moment to recover.
"Bayin," General Min spoke up.
He took out a water skin from his bag and said, "Allow me to rinse your hands. They're a little covered in the broadleaf plant."
He poured water over her hands as she rubbed away the leaf paste.
"I returned as swiftly as I could," he said quietly. "I should never have left you. I believed you would be safer here… but I was wrong."
Bayin did not meet the General's eyes. He was openly showering her with attention, being somewhat direct, cradling her hands in his. This level of intimacy in front of the men made her a little uneasy as she had spent so many years repressing her true feelings for him.
He obviously knew who she was.
Should she own up and admit to it?
It was then she spotted something familiar. Her eyes were drawn to the beautifully embroidered sash, neatly folded in the General's open bag beside him.
It was the gift she had given him for his birthday.
***
The Crown Prince was turning nineteen. The celebrations were modest compared to the year before. However, there were hundreds of attendees for the evening's gathering at the Audience Hall.
As per usual, musicians weaved their melodies, creating an atmosphere of sophistication and elegance. Young ladies, dressed in their finest attire, greeted the Crown Prince, fluttering their long lashes in an alluring manner.
The lords, on the other hand, eager to prove their status and worth, jostled and vied for the Crown Prince's attention, their lavish gestures and eloquent praises filling the opulent hall.
The Crown Prince was dressed in a long, tailored jacket with intricate embroidery of gold ornate patterns flowing across the fabric, and a matching slim-fit trousers. Beneath the jacket, a crisp white shirt, buttoned high, mirrored the mandarin-collar of the jacket, adding an air of refined sophistication.
Gold and silver cuff bracelets graced his wrists, while a brooch on the lapel, encrusted with diamonds shaped into the royal crest, offered a subtle yet striking hint of sparkle.
His expression was neutral, yet there was a touch of boredom in his eyes that no one noticed, except for Sein. She knew that look, understood how wearisome such moments were for him, and found herself wishing she could ease the tedium.
Eagerly, she joined her brother Thura and his wife, Ohn, to greet the Crown Prince, quietly wondering if she might coax a genuine smile from him.
"Your Highness," Thura began. "Happy nineteenth year. May you be blessed."
"Lord Thura, delighted to see you and your lovely wife," Zeya greeted, then with an uncontainable smile creeping over his face, he continued, "A pleasure to see you, Lady Sein."
He quickly schooled his delight and said in a neutral tone, "Enjoy the evening's festivities."
"Your Highness," Sein said and curtsied, her eyes sparkling as they met his.
Her heart leapt with joy sensing his obvious delight. For a brief moment, they were engrossed with each other before another lord spoke, diverting Zeya's attention away.
Their interactions did not pass entirely unnoticed.
Sein wove through the crowd, following Thura and Ohn, her steps light as she took in the electric atmosphere of the evening.
Tall, intricately carved teak pillars lined the room, their gold-leafed surfaces catching the warm glow of hanging lanterns that illuminated the high, arched ceiling.
The air was pulsing with the murmur of polite conversation, lords and ladies exchanging formalities with fluent mutual stroking.
Thura and Ohn stood engaged in a lively conversation with another couple, their faces animated beneath the soft light. Not wishing to interrupt, Sein drifted further into the Audience Hall, her eyes skimming over the gathered nobility, carefully avoiding the gaze of any lord she preferred not to encounter.
Shortly afterwards, Sein bumped into Lady Gawa and was forced to enquire after her.
Lady Gawa was dressed in the latest fashion, the much desired bodice with a plunging neckline to show off her décolletage. Several showy jewels were pinned in her hair and she wore an enormous emerald necklace to balance the hair glamour.
"Lady Sein, I do love that colour. It is the royal purple, is it not?" Lady Gawa greeted. "It suits you very well. You are positively glowing tonight. Which lord do you have your eyes on?"
She spoke the last sentence in a hushed voice.
Sein was taken aback. Was it too obvious she had made an effort for the Crown Prince? She was dressed in a top, intricately embroidered with shimmering embellishments, framed by sheer long-sleeves and a graceful form-hugging long skirt. Her slim waist was accentuated by a subtle belt, while a dramatic cape, draped from her shoulders and cascading to the floor in soft waves, completed the look.
Her gaze unconsciously moved to Zeya's direction.
Lady Gawa did not observe this, her eyes were scanning the room as she giggled.
"There are so many gorgeous lords to mingle with. And oh, there is the Crown Prince. Does he not look handsome as always? How divine, and look at the queue of ladies waiting to dance with him."
Her attention returned to Sein as she said, "Well now, Lady Sein, you have not said which lord you admire?"
"Really, there is no one," Sein replied weakly.
"Come, since you have introduced me to your brother, Lord Naing, I will introduce you to some of the dashing lords I have met. Surely one of them may tempt you."
"That will not be necessary," Sein asserted. "I am currently in pursuit of my brother, Thura. Excuse me, Lady Gawa. It was a pleasure to see you again."
With that, Sein quickly departed leaving Lady Gawa somewhat offended.
This was exactly why Sein disliked these types of social occasions. Not wishing to make any more small talk, or worst still, bump into a lord she had been introduced to, she retreated towards the exit.
Before she made it to the door, a distinguished looking lord, addressed her.
"You are Lord Hein's daughter, Lady Sein. Do I presume correctly?"
"Yes, My Lord," Sein bowed her head.
"I am Lord Ray," he said, returning a polite nod.
A smile spread across his handsome face and Sein noted the striking resemblance to the King. She knew exactly who he was. She had seen Lord Ray numerous times before from afar, but had never spoken directly with him.
He was elegantly dressed, displaying his status in a tasteful manner. Knowing Zeya's high regard for his uncle, she desperately wished for Lord Ray to have a good opinion of her.
"It is a pleasure to see you, Lord Ray," she said with a warm smile.
"Come now, Lady Sein, surely you are not leaving the celebrations just yet," Lord Ray said. "The evening has barely began."
He ushered her back into the centre of the hall.
"Although we are family, I have not had the pleasure of seeing you since you were a little girl," he continued. "How is that even possible?"
Sein smiled sheepishly. In her mind, she thought of the countless times she avoided family social gatherings that involved any royal family members. However, she did appreciate Lord Ray referring to her as family.
"Well, I must say, you have grown up rather wonderfully since I last saw you. You have your mother's eyes and your father's smile, a most fortunate combination. I imagine you are greatly admired. And tell me, Lady Sein, are you married?"
Sein was startled by such a direct question. Caught unprepared, she swallowed hard before steadying herself and regaining her composure.
"No, My Lord."
"That I find astonishing," Lord Ray said with genuine warmth. "A fine lady ought to have a fine lord by her side. If I had a son, I would undoubtedly make myself known to your parents."
Then he laughed mischievously.
"Surely, there must be someone here who has managed to capture your heart, even just a little?"
Sein was speechless and simply smiled. Had Lord Ray noticed her attention straying to the Crown Prince?
Lord Ray studied Sein before continuing, "I am well acquainted with every eligible lord in this room, and I would be delighted to make an introduction to any one of your choosing. Now, I am acutely aware that I am speaking my mind, and it is not my intention to make a lady blush. But I must say, with utmost sincerity, that any lord would be exceedingly fortunate to make your acquaintance."
Sein was mortified that indeed her cheeks were crimson. She offered a small smile.
"My Lord is too kind and generous with his words."
"Nonsense. I am merely speaking the truth. I should think no lord in his right mind would wish to refuse you… unless, of course, he is already most inconveniently betrothed."
Sein's eyes widened, but she quickly repressed her panic.
Before she could properly think through his words, he added, "Come, at the very least, allow my daughters the pleasure of your company."
Sein met Lord Ray's daughters who were much older than her. The eldest, Lady Aye, was almost twenty-three, with large beautiful eyes. She spoke eloquently about the various events concerning the capital, and traditions of Arkar Kingdom. She was married to a lord from Thura's cohort and had two young sons.
The younger daughter, Lady Yusa, almost an identical twin to her sister, except for darker hair, was equally knowledgeable. She was more concerned with trade from other kingdoms.
"Diamonds are already a rarity, now utterly impossible to obtain. The only jewels readily available are emeralds and rubies," Lady Yusa commented. "What is happening with the supplies of diamonds?"
"It has come to my attention that there are significant issues with access to the mines in the Northern Kingdom," Lord Ray responded. "This, of course, is causing the value of diamonds to soar. Anyone fortunate enough to already possess the finest diamonds is truly in an enviable position."
Sein immediately thought of the pendant Zeya gave her which she wore hidden under her blouse. Her hand rested on it unconsciously.
"I, for one, would dearly like a diamond brooch to match my earrings but alas I will settle for perhaps a sapphire which is less common," Lady Aye said. Then she turned to Sein and commented, "You are very subtle in your style. You do not wear much jewellery."
"No, I suppose I do not," Sein admitted. "I often forget to wear any."
"I must say, I wholeheartedly approve of your impeccable style, Lady Sein," Lord Ray remarked. "A subtle display of wealth is so much more refined than the gaudy extravagance that seems to be in vogue these days."
"What are you saying, Papa?" Lady Yusa said, aghast. "You have never mentioned this to me. I follow the latest fashion trends. Are you saying all this jewellery I am wearing is vulgar?"
She absently stroked the large ruby stone pinned to her blouse.
"It is a delicate balance, no doubt, Yuyu," Lord Ray responded. "A touch too much, and one veers into the realm of vulgarity. But you, my dear, have struck the perfect harmony. Absolutely exquisite."
When the topic moved onto the birthday celebrations, Lord Ray spoke up.
"I must say, seeing the Crown Prince tonight, I'm reminded of just how proud I am of the man he has become. It is not every day you witness someone stepping so gracefully into the role they were born to play, and yet, here my nephew is, doing so with confidence and humility that is truly admirable. And this evening's celebrations is testament to just how deeply my nephew is admired and cherished by all."
"Indeed, Papa," Lady Aye said. "What a splendid gathering we have this evening! Zeya's birthday party seems to bring out the very best in everyone, do you not think? The air is practically buzzing tonight. And we have Zeya's forthcoming wedding to look forward to. It is only seven months away. What a joyous occasion that promises to be!"
"It is six and a half months away. I should know this as mine follows the month after," Lady Yusa said.
Turning to Sein, she explained, "My fiancé and I have had to delay our exchanging of vows so not to clash with the Crown Prince's."
"Not to worry, sister, your special day will come soon enough," Lady Aye comforted.
"We are indeed blessed that my nephew will soon be marrying Princess Nanda. This union shall bind our two kingdoms together, ensuring not only the continuation of peace but also the flourishing of prosperity for generations to come," Lord Ray declared.
His posture was relaxed yet attentive, leaning slightly towards Sein as he continued, "As fortune would have it, my nephew has seen a portrait of the princess, and she is astonishingly beautiful. He is utterly love-struck and eagerly counting the days until their joyous ceremony. Ah, by this time next year, he'll be marking his twentieth alongside his beloved wife, no doubt raising a glass, basking in the love they share, and savouring the promise of memories yet to be made."
His daughters voiced their agreement. Sein remained silent, listening with interest.
"Come to think of it," Lady Aye said. "Our cousin seems to have profoundly changed for the better recently. He is much more jovial and amiable."
"Like Papa said, he is obviously love-struck," Lady Yusa giggled. "Who would have thought Zeya could fall head over heels in love."
"Now now, Yuyu," Lord Ray reprimanded her. "Your cousin is quite capable of falling in love. He may seem reserved, but that is merely his demeanour in court. You know him to be exceedingly warm, generous, and charming."
Then turning to Sein, he asked, "Have you had the pleasure of being acquainted with the Crown Prince?"
Sein was momentarily lost for words before she quickly replied, "Yes, My Lord."
She felt extremely uneasy hearing the talk about Zeya being in love. In fact, she felt as though her stomach was twisted in knots, and seized the moment of silence to excuse herself from the group.
As Sein navigated through the crowds, dizzy with her spiralling thoughts, she spotted Lady Gawa dancing with Zeya. They made a good-looking couple, their steps perfectly in sync, flowing effortlessly across the floor. She turned away, not wishing to watch anymore as she exited the Audience Hall.
Sein moved with purpose through the formal garden, her sweeping cape gliding over leaf-strewn paths, embracing the garden's debris as if it were part of the embellishments.
Her mind was replaying what Lord Ray had said.
She was astounded by the revelation of Zeya's feelings towards Princess Nanda. They had never spoken about his fiancée again since their conversation in the Archives.
Could his feelings have changed so dramatically since then?
She felt somewhat torn into a million pieces.
The next two days, Sein kept to her quarters not wishing to see anyone, nursing her wound. She was devastated by the realisation that she had been deluding herself.
She had convinced herself that Zeya was growing fond of her, but now, after speaking with Lord Ray, it was painfully clear she was mistaken.
On the third day, when her mother became concerned and spoke of calling for the palace medic, Sein miraculously recovered and dressed for the day. She immediately instructed Kan to make a strong brew using camomile she had picked, and spent the morning preparing herself to face Zeya before venturing outside.
As anticipated, Zeya arrived soon after she had settled down in the high-backed chair at the Archives. Her attention was focused on the map spread before her, her fingers tracing over the borders of distant regions and intricate trade routes.
After the conversation with Lord Ray's daughters about the reduction in resources coming from the neighbouring kingdoms, she wished to learn more. She was not aware that the scarcity of precious metals and gems was pushing up the prices of jewellery and other luxury items, causing a ripple of discontent among the nobility.
"What has caught your attention, Sein?" Zeya asked, sliding into a chair next to her.
"It occurred to me I've never seen a map of our kingdom," Sein explained, without looking up. "I have no idea of our geography."
"I see," Zeya commented.
Sein braced herself to meet his eyes, determined to conceal her heartbreak.
"I haven't been able to find you the last couple of days," he went on, "I was beginning to worry something might have happened."
It did not surprised Sein, Zeya had noticed her absence.
"I've been occupied at home," she replied nonchalantly.
She sensed Zeya seemed a little tense as he propped up a chin with his hand, gazing at her with smiling eyes. She took a moment, searching his expression, and wondered if those eyes concealed his true affections for Princess Nanda.
Get a grip, he can never be more than a friend to you, she reprimanded herself.
"What have you been doing?" Zeya asked. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything is totally fine."
"Do you have any news?"
Sein thought this was an odd question, but she responded, "No, there's nothing new to tell you."
"You managed to slip away from the party before I even had a chance to find you," Zeya commented in a playful tone.
He leaned back in the chair, his posture was relaxed, yet there was still a hint of restlessness.
"I'm beginning to wonder whether you're just not fond of dancing or you simply have no wish to dance with me?" Zeya began, pausing to gauge her reaction then added, "Even though I've promised not to complain if you crushed my toes. Perhaps you're worried you'll enjoy it far too much?"
"Oh, you know how it is," Sein replied, trying to sound jovial. "I'm never good with following court etiquette. There were far too many ladies queuing for your hand. And even if I'd miraculously fought my way to the front, I'd never have dared torture your poor toes. Not even for the pleasure of dancing with you."
For the past month, Sein had trawled through many ideas, searching for the perfect birthday present, something that would genuinely amuse Zeya. Coming up empty, she eventually settled on something. The gift, wrapped in a silk cloth, was resting on her lap. She now placed it on the table in front of him.
"For me?" Zeya asked, a smile spreading across his face.
"I didn't want to give this to you at the celebrations, as it hardly seems fitting for a royal birthday. It's something I made myself, and thought it might be useful in some small way."
Sein beckoned to him and he unravelled the ribbon and pulled apart the wrapping.
Inside was a neatly folded black sash, beautifully embroidered with the colours of Arkar Kingdom. It was the kind of sash Zeya wore during his martial training.
"You made this?" Zeya asked, surprised. "I'm truly impressed. How is it that you're remarkably talented in so many areas?"
"Don't tease me. It's just a bit of embroidery. I've had plenty of practice," Sein said, trying to mask her irritation.
She clenched her jaw, inwardly cursing herself for the warmth spreading in her chest at his compliment, stirring feelings she was determined to ignore.
"I meant what I said," Zeya insisted, his eyes narrowed a fraction as he sensed her frustration.
Sein watched him examine the sash. He noticed it was cleverly designed to be reversible. On the other side, a pattern of infinite twisting knots was embroidered in gold and silver thread. He stared at it, blinking once, momentarily lost for words.
"I do like this design," he said, fingers tracing the silk threads, following the curves of the interwoven loops.
Sein's cheeks grew suddenly warm. Her pulse raced as a startled thought flashed through her mind.
Did he know what the embroidery symbolised?
She found a scroll in the Archives on the culture and traditions of the Northern Kingdom. It was their symbol for eternal love. She hoped he might understand the meaning one day, but not today.
Before Zeya could ask any questions about the design, Sein said quickly, "You don't have to wear it of course. Honestly, it's not everyone's cup of tea. The embroidery might be a bit… much, I suppose. I know you wear a simple black one for your training. It's just that I haven't been able to think of anything that would amuse you. Really you don't have to wear it at all or keep it, in fact."
"Certainly I'll wear it," Zeya assured her, smiling tenderly.
His hand instinctively reached out towards hers, lingering in mid-air as he hesitated, then pulled back, reconsidering his action.
"Since you made it," he quickly spoke up. "It'll be something I'll always treasure."
Sein could not help but wonder, Really? Will you still wear and treasure this sash once you're married?
To quickly negate any awkward silence building up, Sein changed the subject.
"I met your uncle at the party. He was extremely charming, of course. And he introduced me to your lovely cousins."
"You met my family?" Zeya feigned astonishment. "I'm pleased to hear it."