The Name

“What is… your name?” queried Lili with a sweet smile.

Her question was met with a cold stare from the young man, his face hardening. "Why would I tell you?" he snapped.

Lili's brow furrowed in confusion, "If you won't tell me your name, then how should I address you?"

The young man let out a deep sigh of irritation. "This will be the last time we meet. So I don't see why it matters."

Lili was taken aback by his snobbishness, and couldn't help but pout. Suddenly, she threw a bag of fruits at him. To her surprise, he managed to catch it, albeit clumsily.

"Seriously, Lili? Did you intentionally throw this bag of fruits at me?" he said, his voice sharp with annoyance.

Lili chuckled, "Why don't you just be grateful that I'm giving you free fruits?"

The young man frowned, "What makes you think I need your gift?"

A hot blush crept across Lili's cheeks. She could sense hostility in the young man's stance. Desperately trying to ease the tension, she offered the bag of fruits again.

"Just take it. If you don't want it, throw it away. But please don't ruin the sincerity with which I'm offering it," she implored.

The young man hesitated, his eyes staring into space. Finally, he took the bag from Lili's hand but quickly returned it.

"I don't take gifts from strangers," he said frostily.

Lili's eyes widened in surprise as she tried to reason with him, "But I've already told you my name. Surely, I'm not a stranger now?"

The young man stiffened. "That doesn't make any difference. I'm not interested in your company," he retorted.

Undeterred by his hostile tone, Lili pushed forward. "By the way, are you also a villager here? This is the first time I've seen you."

The young man was silent for a moment before letting out a deep breath. "No. I'm not from this village," he said curtly.

Lili's eyes sparkled, "Oh! That's great. My father is having a birthday party next week. I hope I see you there!" she said, flashing him a captivating smile.

As Lili was bidding adieu to the Crown Prince, she heard some footsteps and voices in the distance. Worried that someone might see them together, she quickly scurried away. The Crown Prince watched her with annoyance and wonder.

"Is she that stupidly careless that she invited someone she doesn't even know?" he muttered to himself. "Or maybe, she really thinks that I'm dead hungry?" he pondered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Master Ken had been waiting outside the forest for over half an hour but had seen no sign of the Crown Prince. Growing more concerned with each passing minute, he finally decided to venture into the forest to search for the prince.

As he made his way through the dense trees, he saw a figure carrying a bag of fruits, his face partially obscured. Straining his eyes, he tried to make out the person's features but was unsuccessful. Undeterred, he continued his search.

"Hey, Master Ken! Where are you going?" came the Crown Prince's voice from behind.

Startled, Master Ken whirled around and saw the same figure, now carrying more fruit and gradually revealing his face.

"Your highness?" he exclaimed in surprise.

The Crown Prince looked at the right-hand man, his expression bored. "Come on, help me with these," he said, thrusting the bag of fruit at him.

Master Ken eagerly grabbed the bag, his curiosity piqued. "How did you get these fruits, your highness?" he queried.

The Crown Prince smirked. "Someone gave it to me," he replied cryptically, causing Master Ken to perk up in interest.

"Who?" he asked, eager for more information.

"Master Ken, why do you ask so many questions? Do you expect a Crown Prince to answer all his right hand's concerns?" the young man retorted with a frown.

Immediately understanding his mistake, Master Ken bowed his head. "I apologize, your highness. I just want to ensure your safety."

Despite his apology, the Crown Prince grumbled, "You don't have to worry about me. I didn't meet any dangerous humans; just an annoying one."

As they walked out of the forest, the Crown Prince suddenly remembered Lili's smiling face, and his heart warmed. "The girl I met earlier... I guess..." he trailed off, unsure of what to say.

Master Ken waited expectantly for the young man to finish his sentence.

"I guess she's from heaven," the Crown Prince finally concluded, leaving his right-hand man stunned.

"What do you mean, your highness?" Master Ken asked, bewildered.

"Never mind," the Crown Prince said casually, shrugging off the topic.

"You said she's from heaven. What is she really?" pressed Master Ken, unable to resist his curiosity.

Suddenly, the Crown Prince broke into laughter, his voice ringing out across the forest. "She's a monkey!" he exclaimed, still chuckling.

Master Ken looked at him in disbelief, shaking his head. "I don't understand you sometimes, your highness." Pausing to look up at the sky, he murmured, "Is there even a monkey in the sky?" With that, he eventually followed the Crown Prince out of the forest and back to the palace.

As Lili approached her group of friends, she noticed their startled expressions. She gave them a tentative smile before Avoi piped up with curiosity.

"Lili, who's the guy you were talking to earlier?"

"Did you see?" Lili asked, wondering whether her friends had been watching her interaction with the handsome stranger.

"We saw it, Lili," Mahara confirmed. "You were talking to a handsome guy earlier. Do you know him?"

"I don't know him," she replied honestly, but her friends looked at each other skeptically.

"I don't think you don't know him," Avoi said, and Lili sighed in frustration.

"Believe me, I don't know him. He didn't even tell me his name."

"Oh, so you asked his name?" Mahara teased playfully.

"Are you interested in him?" Avoi chimed in with a grin.

"Why aren't you answering?" Mahara pressed, smirking.

Lili decided to ignore their teasing and continued walking, with her friends trailing behind her. Eventually, they arrived at their hangout spot - a quaint hut perched atop a tree.

As they settled in, they began discussing Minister Roque's upcoming birthday celebration and potential gifts they could give him. Avoi sighed in frustration.

"I don't know what to give the Minister."

Thone chimed in lazily, "I'll just eat."

Mahara immediately punched him in response. "Ouch! Why did you do that?"

"Don't you know anything aside from eating?" Mahara scolded.

"You're right! All I know is to sleep and eat. I don't know anything in life! Just eating!" Thone exclaimed dramatically, causing the group to laugh.

Mahara rolled her eyes at his antics before turning serious. "You're not a kid anymore. When will you grow up? Other people our age are already married. But you? You can't even live on your own!"

Thone sighed heavily, "Look who's talking. You may have a great job that gives you enough money to sustain your needs. But you don't have a boyfriend!"

Avoi suddenly burst into laughter, her infectious giggles filling the air. "Right! What's the use of all that money if you don't even feel love. Am I right, Lili?”

Lili felt a knot form in her stomach as the topic of love made her feel uneasy. "Huh?... Love?"

“Yeah, love. Don’t you know it?” Avoi teased playfully.

Lili remained silent.

"I bet you know what love is, considering you feel it most of the time." Cris suddenly appeared by the door, causing Lili to jump in surprise.

“When did you get here, Cris?” Lili asked, feeling a little defensive.

“Just now. My mother told me to join you guys, so I came. Anyway, going back to the topic,” Cris said as she sat beside them. “Can you tell us what love is, Lili? I’m sure you could explain it better, thinking that you experienced it.”

Avoi attempted to intervene, "Cris, that's not-"

“Don’t stop me, Avoi,” Cris interjected. She turned her attention to Lili, her expression serious. "I want to know what love is to you, Lili. Not what you've read in books or dictionaries."

Lili bit her lip nervously. "Love... I don’t know. It’s something that I don't exactly know."

“Are you kidding me?” Cris looked frustrated. “I’m not talking about love you’ve read in papers. I want to know what you think about it."

Lili remained silent.

Cris let out an exasperated sigh. "This is what I hate about you, Lili. You always have an opinion on everything else, but when it comes to serious questions, you choose to be silent."

Lili let out a heavy sigh. She was nervous, but she knew that she had to say something. "Do you still love him?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Everyone was caught off guard by her question, especially Cris. “W-What?”

Lili gazed at Cris directly. “So you still do."

Cris glared at her. "Why are you changing the topic?"

“I'm just trying to be direct," Lili explained, hoping to diffuse the tension.

The sisters locked eyes, and the air between them grew more tense with each passing moment. Their friends could sense the tension, and they exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to intervene.

“What if I say yes?” Cris finally asked, her voice heavy with emotion.

Lili felt her stomach drop. She hadn't expected Cris to admit it. "Will you take him away from me again?" Cris added, her voice laced with sadness. Lili looked at her with concern before quickly looking away, trying to hide her own emotions.

“But, it’s okay. He’s never mine in the first place,” Cris said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lili's heart ached at the sound of Cris's words. She knew that she had hurt her sister deeply, and she wasn't sure if she could ever make it right.

Without giving Lili a chance to say anything, Cris left the hangout place. Mahara, Thone, and Avoi tried to convince her to stay, but she didn’t listen.

As Cris left, an awkward silence filled the air. No one knew how to break it, especially as Lili remained silent and lost in thought.

“It’s so hot, right?” Avoi awkwardly began, attempting to change the subject. Mahara and Thone exchanged a quick glance before joining in.

“Yeah... It's really hot.” Mahara said, letting out an awkward laugh.

“Since it is hot… Then, how about we cook something hot?” Avoi suggested, grinning from ear to ear.

Mahara punched Avoi playfully, "Are you crazy? It’s already hot, so why would we cook something hot too?"

“That’s not my point!” Avoi made a face.

Their attempts at conversation were interrupted by Lili's voice. “I’m sorry if I can’t join you guys. I want to rest.” She climbed down from the tree and left, but Thone quickly followed her.

“Are you okay?” He asked, trying to break the silence between them. Lili didn't respond, and Thone continued. "The tension earlier between you and Cris was just so great.”

Lili stopped walking, and turned to face Thone. “From all those four years that I've been gone, have Cris and Marco been able to talk?”

Thone scratched his neck and eventually shook his head. "No."

“Why?” Lili asked, her voice filled with concern.

“I don't know. We've only seen Marco once, and at that time, Cris intentionally didn't look at him. It was like she was avoiding him," Thone explained. "So, I wonder why she answered you yes earlier."

“That was just a what-if," Lili said quickly.

“It's not just a what-if. She really admitted it," Thone pushed.

Lili knew it was true. “Where is Marco now?”

Thone paused for a moment, thinking. “I heard he works at the Palace as the Head General of War. He’s a great warrior, you know.”

Upon hearing this, Lili suddenly ran away, leaving Thone behind.

“Wait! Where are you going?!” Thone called out after her.

“I’ll talk to my father,” Lili replied, her determination evident in her voice.

As Lili arrived at her home, the servants greeted her warmly, and she responded with a gentle smile. She made her way through the grand halls of the estate, the marble floors cool against her bare feet.

As she strode closer to the living room, the faint murmur of voices reached her ears. Lili recognized her father's voice, and her curiosity was piqued. She paused outside the room and eavesdropped on the conversation.

“The palace needs a new Royal Physician,” Minister Natividad stated firmly.

Minister Roque's brow furrowed. “Not the palace, but the Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Minister Roque.” Minister Natividad nodded gravely. “His highness is ill, but he always drives out almost all the doctors that come to treat him, even Doctor Gallo, the best physician in Almario.”

“So, what are your plans, Minister Natividad?” Minister Roque asked.

“I'm thinking of having your daughter in the Palace,” Minister Natividad replied confidently.

Lili couldn't believe what she was hearing. She stepped into the room, interrupting the conversation. “Excuse me, Father. What's going on?"

Minister Roque's face lit up at the sight of his daughter, but then quickly turned serious again. “Lili, this is Minister Natividad. He’s proposing that you become the Crown Prince’s new physician.”

Lili felt her heart race at the idea. “Me? But I'm just a humble doctor.”

“Yes, you are. And that's precisely why the crown prince needs you. But I can't let you go to the Palace alone and lonely,” Minister Roque stated, his gaze softening.

“I know you care for your daughter, Minister Roque,” Minister Natividad spoke up, “but don't you think it's the same as when she studied abroad? She was also alone and lonely there. But if she stays in the Palace, you can still see her.”

Minister Roque closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. “I need to ask for the crown prince's permission. I won't send my daughter if he doesn't agree. I don't want her to be kicked out like the others."

Minister Natividad shook his head, “He won't agree if we tell him right away.”

“Then, what do you propose we do?” Minister Roque asked, worry etched on his face.

“Send Lili right away. His highness will know about it once he faces her,” Minister Natividad suggested with a shrug.

Lili's mind reeled as she tried to process what was happening. Lili tiptoed quietly back to her room, lost in thought. Being away from her family for four years had not been easy, and the thought of being separated from them again weighed heavily on her heart. She couldn't ignore the opportunity to work at the Palace and serve as the Crown Prince's physician, but at what cost to her personal life?

As she lay in bed, her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Lili?” Her father's voice was soft, hesitant.

Lili hesitated for a moment before opening the door. “I know about the proposal, Father. I heard your conversation.”

Minister Roque sat on her bed, and Lili sat beside him. “What do you think?” he asked.

Lili smiled softly. “My priority is my patients, of course, but I'm also your daughter. I'll do it for you, Father.”

Minister Roque's eyes filled with tears, and he pulled her into a tight embrace. “I'm proud of you, Lili.”

As the days passed, Lili tried to accustom herself to the idea of working at the Palace. The thought of earning a significant amount of money was appealing, but the prospect of leaving her family once again was daunting.

One morning, Lili's younger sister Cris stormed into her room, determined to wake her up. “Lili, wake up!”

Lili groaned and pulled the blanket over her head. “Cris, let me sleep. It's still early.”

Cris raised an eyebrow. “Early? It's already noon.”

Lili sat up abruptly, startled. “What? Why didn't you wake me up earlier?”

“Father's been waiting for you outside,” Cris said impatiently before leaving the room.

As Lili got ready, she couldn't help but think about her father's looming birthday. “But it's your birthday tomorrow, Father. Can't I go to the Palace after that?”

Cris huffed in annoyance. “How can you complain when you're lucky enough to even enter the Palace?”

Lili sat down to prepare breakfast, lost in thought. “What's in the Palace for me? The village is more beautiful than the Palace, though.”

Her sister raised an eyebrow. “Have you been to the Palace before?”

An uncomfortable silence filled the room before Lili finally replied, “No, I haven't been there yet.”

Cris sighed deeply. “You will get to see him more once you enter the Palace. Good luck!”

Lili sat in silence, unable to find the words to comfort her sister. The prospect of working in the Palace was daunting, and all she could think of was the distance it would create between her and her family.

After eating breakfast, Lili walked back to her room, still feeling uneasy about leaving her family and friends behind. As she rummaged through her closet, she heard a faint knock on her window.

When she opened it, she saw her friends Mahara, Thone, and Avoid standing outside. Their faces were downcast and solemn.

“What are you guys doing here?” Lili asked, slightly confused.

“Cris told us about your new job at the Palace,” Mahara said, her voice tinged with sadness.

“We're going to miss you,” Thone added softly.

Lili smiled sadly, “I'll still be in the same country. And once I'm given the chance to leave the Palace, I'll come visit you guys.”

The group smiled, though their expressions still appeared pained.

“Just be careful,” Avoid said with a serious expression. “The Royal Palace has strict policies that make it difficult for outsiders to visit. You'll be cut off from us for a while.”

Mahara smirked, “And be careful of the Crown Prince. You don't want to fall in love with him.”

Lili blushed and shook her head, “I'm going there as a physician, not someone looking for love.”

Thone, who had stayed silent throughout the conversation, spoke up hesitantly. “I heard the Prince... is easy to fall asleep around.”

Mahara and Avoid stared at him, baffled.

“What kind of advice is that, Thone?” Mahara asked, rolling her eyes.

Despite the awkward attempts at advice, Lili appreciated that her friends had come to see her off. She knew that they would miss her as much as she would miss them.

Lili smiled at her friends, “Take care, too, guys. I'll see you when I can.”

As her friends walked away, Lili couldn't help but feel a bit better knowing that they were thinking of her. But the thought of being separated from them still weighed heavily on her mind.

A sudden disruption in their conversation made Lili jump, realizing that Minister Roque was calling out to her. She quickly dismissed her friends and got herself dressed before saying her goodbyes to her mother and Cris.

Meanwhile, the Prince was still asleep until noon. He was roused by his servants, who provided him with food and got him dressed for the day. As he lounged in his quarters reading a book, he noticed his right bodyguard, Master Ken, and Eunuch Dom enter the room.

“Your Highness, you have a new doctor,” Eunuch Dom announced.

The Prince groaned, “Do they really think I’m that bad? How can they hire a new doctor so easily?”

Eunuch Dom tried to reassure him, “They're just worried about you, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince sighed, “It's not that I'm the one who's sick anyways.” Then he turned to Eunuch Dom. “Isn't Doctor Gallo the best physician in the whole of Almario? And I already kicked him out. So who will take his place? I bet he's lower in rank than him.”

Eunuch Dom hesitated, “I heard she's a newbie.”

The Prince's eyebrows raised, “A newbie… seriously?” As the realization hit him, he asked in shock, “Wait...did you say 'she'? Is she a woman?”

Eunch Dom and Master Ken nodded.

The Crown Prince laughed in disbelief, “What do they take me for? How could they hire a newbie woman doctor to treat a royal member? This is crazy!” He closed his eyes to calm himself, “Tell me, from whom did that old Minister of Health ask for help again?”

Eunuch Dom and Master Ken exchanged glances before turning back to the Crown Prince. “From Minister Roque.”

The Prince was stunned, “What? Seriously?”

Eunuch Dom confirmed it, “Yes, your highness.”

He rubbed his face in frustration, “Then who is this doctor that he sent?”

Master Ken escorted the Prince out of his chambers to meet Minister Roque and his rumored newbie doctor daughter. They entered a room with a long rectangular table, the Prince sitting at the top and center while Master Ken stood behind him.

Though he was not thrilled to discover that his new doctor was a newbie woman, he knew he had to calm himself before welcoming her personally. After all, Minister Roque was the only minister he trusted, as an old friend of his father, the King.

Minutes later, there came a knock on the door. Master Ken rushed to open it and let Minister Roque in, who greeted him and made their introductions.

But the Crown Prince didn't even acknowledge Minister Roque's presence as his attention was drawn to the woman who followed him. He couldn't believe his eyes when he recognized her as the mysterious woman from the forest he met not too long ago.

“She is my daughter, Your Highness. Your new doctor.”

Lili, who had been looking down, slowly lifted her head to take a peek at the Crown Prince. Their eyes met and time seemed to stop for them both.

They were both stunned, their minds racing with disbelief at the momentous coincidence. The connection between them was palpable and overwhelming, and the Crown Prince couldn't help but feel an intense attraction towards her.