She could already imagine the splendor, the many delicacies and the great wealth she would enjoy then. And to have the beautiful Prince Jai as well, was all that she dreamed of.
“I will become the Princess Consort. And when grandfather dies Crown Princess Consort. I will be a great Empress one day.”
It’s a refrain she’d repeated numerous times over the last weeks. Ever since she’d heard from her grandmother that the time for the selection would soon be at hand.
She put everything else from her mind and dwelt only on that day when she would be crowned Princess Consort. Then and only then will she be able to rid herself of this longing and the slight fear in her chest.
She shook off the worry one last time. It didn’t matter that the Prince did not seem to like her. She was sure that with her father and grandmother in her corner, there was nothing stopping her now.
And once she became his wife, he would have no choice but to take her to his bed. She already knew what could be done if he chose concubines for the harem. She had no intention of sharing his affections with anyone.
The servant swallowed and took a step back from the sinister look that crossed her young mistress’s face just then.
Even though the girl’s focus was no longer on her, she couldn’t help but be apprehensive. Her charge is so volatile that it doesn’t take much to send her flying into a rage at the slightest provocation.
The servant knew that there would be tough days ahead. The whispers in the palace was that the Princess Rowena would not be chosen as Princess Consort. That there was already another who was favored by the Emperor and his son the Crown Prince.
It had already caused quite a stir that she was even being considered and there were some who were not pleased with this breach in protocol. But the young miss has always had things her way and this was no different.
And no wonder, she was the Empress’s only legitimate granddaughter and had been, much like her father Prince Loren before her, spoiled rotten by the older woman.
As the servant watched the many differing emotions cross the young misses face, she couldn’t help but smile inside. She couldn’t wait for the day when the selection was made and the young girl finally got egg on her face.
Though she knew that the rage that was sure to follow may put her very life in danger, she couldn’t help but find a little pleasure in the horrid girl finally getting her comeuppance.
Prince Jai
The longest two weeks of my life are at an end. After all the hoopla the selection was now down to three. My Princess of course, and some other girl whose name I couldn’t remember, and Princess Rowena.
Now today I had talked mother into letting me come to her chambers to meet the three and though she’d insisted that I stay out of sight, just to be in the same room as beauty again after all this time was enough.
I hadn’t even been able to catch a glimpse of her since her return as the selected ones were shut away from sight. And believe me I’d tried until word got back to grandfather who scolded me until I hung my head in shame that day.
Of course the twinkle in his eye told me that he wasn’t really mad, and his words after assured me that he understood. But he’d cautioned me once more to be careful and so I had bided my time, until today.
“Your Highness, please remember yourself.” I reached back for eunuch Van’s hand making him cry out in protest.
“If you would keep up we’d get there faster.”
“Your Highness, Your Highness.” He complained the whole way while I laughed and kept up my pace. “Hurry, we have to get there early, she’ll be arriving any minute now.”
He grumbled something which I ignored but I could well imagine he was tired of hearing me go on and on about her many attributes. I’ve regaled him with the tale of our meeting at least twice a day since that blessed event and he’d grown so tired of hearing the story told time and again he’d begged me to spare him another retelling.
I ran into father on his way there and barely stopped in time to offer a bow. “Hello son, what brings you here?”
“Uh, I…” The smile he couldn’t quite contain alerted me to his teasing.
“Is she here?” I grabbed the sleeve of his robes in my excitement. This was not the Crown Prince but my father. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders the way he always does when we’re alone and not held to the strict rules of decorum.
“Not yet, your mother sent word that she will be here any second. After you son.”
“No, you first.”
“I’m afraid you’d run me over if I do.”
Eunuch Van found that particularly funny until I glared back at him playfully. Father and I walked in together but while he went to join mother behind the beaded curtain, I stayed back out of sight.
My heart was beating loud enough to be heard across the room and I had to close my eyes and breathe deeply as the guests were announced. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was her.
She looked just as I remembered. That same creamy skin, those amazing eyes and those lips, like heart shaped bows. Her hair was worn parted in the middle and flowed down her back, held together by the two tiny braids on either side of her temples.
She wore no adornments that I could see, and yet she outshone everyone else in the room. In all fairness, I barely spared the other two a glance.
I didn’t need to, my heart already knew who it wanted so there was no need. I almost missed her greeting to my parents, so fascinated was I with her appearance.
Her voice was the same as I recalled, lovely, soft, gentle. She bowed with her eyes downcast before kneeling before my parents who were separated from her and the others by the curtain of beads.
Father asked her how she liked the city so far and I strained to hear her answer. “It’s fine Your Highness if a bit hot. I find the country much more enjoyable.”
Huh? How had I forgotten her boldness?
“I take it to mean you’re not fond of the capital.”
“I wouldn’t dare say that Your Highness, it’s just a truthful observation. Have you spent any time in the country?”
There was a loud hush throughout the room and even I held my breath. No beauty, not here. It defies all reason to break etiquette at such a time.
My eyes flicked to the Empress who was wearing a rather pleased smile on her face at Mia’s mistake. I held my breath as I awaited my father’s response and released it as he continued his questioning.
It was obvious from their easy banter that he was enjoying the little back and forth and even mother chimed in a time or two. Neither seemed to notice or care that Mia had broken any number of rules by answering questions with some of her own.
The Empress wasn’t looking as pleased now as it was obvious to everyone in the room that my parents quite liked Mia.
And that is why she interrupted them halfway through to pose a question of her own. “Tell me Lady Mia, have you read much?” Oh no, just lie Princess.
It’s highly frowned upon for women from any class to read or do anything more than learn the running of a household. I had the feeling that the Empress knew beforehand that Mia was one of those rare girls who did indeed enjoy reading.
“Yes Your Majesty, I have.” I closed my eyes but they flew right open again as she went on to list all the books she has read which sounded pretty much like the ones my tutors have had me study.
I looked to father whose back was of course turned, hoping that he’d salvage the situation. Why did no one tell her that she was supposed to keep that fact hidden?
“Really Lady Mia? My son enjoys pretty much the same classics. It would give you two something to talk about. I think it’s rather remarkable that you’re so well read. Don’t you think so my Crown Princess?”
Father turned to mother who, from what I could see of her profile, was beaming. All was not lost then. But what was it with Mia, was she deliberately trying to sabotage herself?
The idea that that’s exactly what she was trying t
o do left me feeling desperate. And by the time the interview was over I’d made up my mind that I had to see her.
I stayed there throughout the whole ordeal as father moved on to question the other two candidates but only because I wanted to stare at Mia for as long as I could.
As soon as it was over I dragged eunuch Van from the room and out the door, headed back to my palace. “You have to bring her to me.”
“What? Are you mad? If anyone hears of this there would be quite a scandal…” He went on to list all the reasons that could not be done but I’d turned a deaf ear.
I wrote a hasty note and sent him on his way to the other side of the palace where the selected ones were being housed during their stay.
I have to see her, to tell her the truth about who I am so that she’d be more careful in her answers. It never entered my mind that she may have forgotten our brief encounter after all this time.
It didn’t matter anyway, I need to see her and tell her that she must become my Princess. I didn’t like the pleased look on either the Empress or Princess Rowena’s faces.
I don’t even know who the other contestant is, but I have no doubt that if my Princess is disqualified she wouldn’t stand a chance either. I’d rather slit my wrist than marry Princess Rowena.
MIA
That ought to take care of that. I was feeling rather pleased with myself after the day’s performance. Mother would die of embarrassment if she’d seen me, but I had to do it.
I have no interest in being stuck here behind these walls for the rest of my life. The truth is I have no interest in marriage to neither prince, nor commoner.
Though my father loves my mother and my brothers their wives, I’ve seen the way the women act with each other and I have no interest in fighting for my own husband’s affection.
I will not wile away my nights in bed crying myself to sleep while my husband shares the bed of another. As the future emperor of the nation, I’m sure this prince will have no shortage of women in his harem, sadly that was not the life for me.
I felt only a moment’s guilt that I will be letting down the family. But hadn’t father already been compensated for his years in exile? And hadn’t the family name been restored?
There was no need for me to feel any guilt at all. I will spend the rest of my life taking care of my parents. That will be my penance for defying them in this. It was a much better prospect than the other.
“Lady Mia, it is you.” I turned suddenly at the voice coming from behind me. I knew who he was as soon as I saw him and seeing him here brought back memories of that day.
I curtsied with a smile as he approached. “I have been asked to pass this on to you.” I accepted the colorful envelope and watched him hurry away again.
I looked down at the note questioningly. Who could possibly have something to say to me here? I know that my family was kept outside the walls while I was here, until the selection was over. And besides, this did not look like father’s writing paper.
I unfolded it and read the few words there, even more surprised now. “Meet me at the Orchid Palace. J.” Who is this J? I hadn’t met anyone here so was at quite a loss.
I reread the note again as I tried to figure it out. “J…J…” It was no use trying to figure it out. Maybe J was one of the other contestants? No, that was Princess Rowena and Lady Hyacinth.
The eunuch seemed trustworthy enough but do I dare trust him? I haven’t forgotten that the last time I was here I’d been drawn away by two strangers in one day.
It’s the truth that I came to no harm, and the eunuch had come to my rescue, sort of, the last time. Hmm! The Orchid Palace.
How did this person know that I knew where that was? I’d only seen it that one time with…him. But he wasn’t here. At least I hadn’t seen him since my return and I’m embarrassed to say I’d looked.
Not intentionally, and it’s not like I went out of my way or anything. But it’s a fact that as soon as I saw the palace gates, his was the first face I sought.
I’d thought of him much over the last few months. For whatever reason he’d stayed with me, even following me home. And sometimes at night I saw him in my dreams.
Since there was no chance of us ever meeting again, and since I had no idea who he was, I’ve just learned to put it out of my mind. Besides, I still have no idea what he was up to that day.
I want to say from our short interaction that he seemed like a decent sort. But how much can you really tell about a person on such short acquaintance?
I sensed someone watching me and turned in time to see Princess Rowena leaving the garden where I’d been sitting deep in thought before the eunuch’s interruption.
She was certainly no less strange this time around than the last. And I wondered at the significance of the question she’d asked me when we met. Seeing as she was now one of the contenders for this Prince Jai’s hand.
Whatever! I’ve not had too much dealings with her this time as she seems completely focused on winning. Other than the first night here when we were forced to greet each other, I haven’t seen much of her or the other girl.
Looking down at the note in my hand, I had to make up my mind whether or not to go. It was obvious I was meant to go alone even though it wasn’t expressly said. But was there any danger?
Prince Jai
“What happened, did you see her, did you give it to her, what did she say?” I pounced as soon as eunuch Van entered the palace. “And what took you so long?”
“Yes I saw her, yes I gave it to her, and she said nothing. I didn’t dare stick around after giving her the note less someone saw us. It wouldn’t take much guesswork to figure out that I was there on your behalf and we wouldn’t want that now would we?”
He mumbled something unintelligible under his breath which I ignored as I went back to pacing. “Fine, I’ll make my way there now if she comes she comes if not…”
“No she’d better come or I’ll go after her myself.”
“You…cannot…do that…Your Highness. Please come to your senses. You’re acting like a man possessed.”
I was already halfway out the door with him on my heels. I ran part of the way, only stopping when the palace came into view. I stopped to catch my breath and say a quick prayer that she had actually shown up.
Now that I was here, looking back, maybe I’d been a bit rash in sending eunuch Van after her like that. What had I been thinking? What if someone else caught wind?
It was too late now. Besides, it’s not like we were meeting alone. My steps slowed to a crawl the closer I got to the palace and I realized I was afraid. Afraid that she wouldn’t be there.
My knees went weak when I saw her standing with her back turned. She heard my footsteps and turned, surprise lighting her eyes at the sight of me.
“You…”
“Yes, it’s me, don’t be afraid.” I don’t know why I said that but it seemed appropriate given the circumstances.
I approached her slowly, my eyes eating her up with every step. “Do you know who I am?”
She squinted at me with a confused look on her face.
“Of course, we met here once before when you were trying to escape over the wall.” She relaxed once she noticed eunuch Van standing off to the side out of the way.
“May I ask why you’ve brought me here?”
“I have something to tell you. Don’t be upset with me. That day I hadn’t meant to deceive you, I just…”
Oh for the love of heaven Jai, find your tongue. It was suddenly heavy and tied in knots. “What I mean to say is, I’m the one you’re here for…the one whose hand you’re competing for.”
“Actually I’m not competing for anyone. But the others are…competing…” Her mouth fell open and she took a step back. “Are you saying that you’re the Prince?”
“Yes, I am.” It was obvious that she didn’t believe me.
“I’m here to ask why you’re sabotaging your selection.” That stumped her and she went from l
ooking smug to confused.
“What do you mean?”
“Today, when the Empress asked about reading. Why did you answer her so truthfully? You must know that it’s severely frowned upon for a lady to be overly intelligent. Yet you went into great detail about all the books you’ve read.”
“How do you know that?”
“I was there of course. Hidden away out of sight.” I never took my eyes from her face the whole time we stood there.
I was capturing every aspect of her face for later, to add to the memories that already lived in my mind, in my heart. She’s so beautiful. Even more beautiful than I remembered.
“How is that possible?”
“I told you, I’m Prince Jai. It’s me that you’re here for. But from that performance earlier I get the feeling you’re not every interested.” The blush that covered her cheeks gave her away.
“Mind if I ask why?” It was all I could do to remain calm. Here I’d been close to pining after her all these months and she was willing to throw it all away as if it was nothing. As if our meeting meant nothing.
I quickly reminded myself that she had no idea until this moment who I was. That maybe now that she did it would make a difference. “Nothing to say?”
“I don’t know what to say, I…” She bit her lip and looked away.
“Walk with me!” I held out my hand, which she looked at and ignored before nodding her head in agreement.
We walked in silence next to each other for the first few minutes, stopping once we reached the garden between the wall and the palace.
“I want you…to be my princess.” There I’d said it.
She stopped and looked at me wordlessly, studying me. “Why?” How had I forgotten her forwardness again?
Even before the Empress and the Crown Prince she’d shown this same fire. It’s one of the things I love most about her. That absence of guile.
Love…where had the word come from? It’s true that I felt the attraction from the start. True that I can’t imagine anyone else by my side. But love was such a strong word.
Flower In The Palace Page 8
