’’Goodness, Your Highness. Are you listening at all?’’ Eunuch Leean, the trusted right arm and helper of The Second Prince sat with legs crossed beneath a garden pavilion of the second, and thus the largest courtyard of the palace walls, holding a study book of the ancient languages which now dropped open over the lap with loose desperate arms. Moon Kian had been strangely out of it lately. A man who usually kept a diligent attentive eye on things, doing so effortlessly and with the utmost grace, now seemed to focus on just one subject. These days he seemed to miss the small leaf landing on his shoulder. The Emperor’s counsellors greeting him with a deep bow while passing through the corridors. His food running cold and eyes staring into the abyss instead of his many most beloved literature.

  ’’She seems to be doing well now.’’ Kian leaned gently against the palm on his hand, elbow resting on the wooden railing. The downward branches of the light pink Weeping Cherry trees’ enveloped the pavilion, and a small stream flowed down the smoothened rocks creating a soothing sound enough to ease the stress from a long day. His favorite spot, now not just because of its beneficial mental health aspect, but because the elevated walkway on the side of the courtyard served as a daily route for certain someone.

  Eunuch Leean’s eyes moved only a little on the right, now noticing the woman with the long deep black hair, pale skin of a nightly moon fairy and white robes fit for a mourning widower. The golden ornament might’ve fooled others to think she had been somewhat accepted into the line of many women deemed good enough for the Dynasty, but its warm golden glow hid away yet another tender stab of ridicule. The Western Empire found silver to be the base material and shade of jewelry which brought good luck, harmony and glory to those high enough on the food chain to afford such luxury. Gold, however, was the material praised by The Eastern Empire and their nobility. Thus added another layer of reason why The Western society opted to steer away from its warmth. Yet there she walked wearing what had been given. Possibly not even knowing the golden hair ornament had been gifted solely to make everyone know she still was to be treated as an outsider. Like a ghost of the haunted abandoned shed by the forest of the town’s edge, which people told stories about when they wanted to scare drunkards at the tea tavern. Seeing the warm golden jewelry clash with everything regarding the concubine herself, like a sign above her head to let everyone know it was fine to make fun of her, made even Eunuch Leean feel bad.

  Yet what a tender gaze The Second Prince had. Finally, Eunuch Leean fully understood the significance of the usually sharp Second Prince’s changed condition. And he grew worried. This cannot be good— Eunuch Leean could almost feel the nervous sweaty hands forming. Whatever this was, it would make his job ten times harder. The trouble that would await for his poor, already busy daily schedule.

  ’’Oh. Well, I suppose? Doing well, that is.’’ Eunuch Leean couldn’t help but stutter a little.

  ’’And the physician?’’ Moon Kian tilted his head enough to follow the sight of the woman in the distance about to sadly once again disappear behind the tall pillars of the courtyards end, ’’And the deep cleaning of the negligible chamber?’’ His tone and slight uprising lip of disgust did not hide away the apprehension towards having to keep Suyi in a room as such, deemed not good enough for her by his standards.

  ’’The physician made another visit yesterday. I assume it interests Your Highness? In that case, I should inform you that The Third Prince’s concubine is recovering well.’’ Eunuch Leean made sure to emphasize the certain part to hopefully shake the man from the dangerous clouds, ’’The room has also been completely aired.’’

  ’’That is good to hear.’’ A somber smile with gentle eyelids lingered even after Moon Kian could no longer see her. Heavens above, you appear to have lost your Goddess here on earth— He thought with a sigh heavy enough to carry the unspoken words. Eunuch Leean wondered if Moon Kian was truly going mad, or at least about to fall sick thus contemplated calling the physician to do a checkup on him as well.

  ’’But is it okay for you to keep doing all this, Your Highness? What if The Emperor finds out?’’ Eunuch Leean asked cautiously. To him, The Second Prince might as well have been possessed by The Morass Witches, another morbid folktale told, although not many believed they ever existed.

  ’’What have I done so wrong exactly for him to mind? Besides, I’ve learned to maneuver around The Emperor. And i doubt you'd betray me either, dear Eunuch Leean.’’ Moon Kian showed his jawline and raised an eyebrow. Not asking, but demanding. Silently saying betray me now after all these years together and I’ll feet you to the bears of The Mount Grim Dragons Lair—which got its dramatic name from ancient battles written in worn out, yellowed scrolls now found in Moon Kian’s study room.

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  ’’You do not have to worry about me ever doing so, I wouldn’t dare.’’ Eunuch Leean answered with haste, ’’I only worry for you, Your Highness. One does not control the target of their affection— but it is highly frowned upon. One could say scandalous affections towards a concubine, joined with Your Highness’s own brother.’’

  ’’I see.’’ Moon Kian looked up towards the gently swaying petal curtains of the cherry blossomed tree, ’’So I’ve been found out. Although it comes with no surprise. Knowing how sharp you are, Eunuch Leean.’’ His smile was faint and laced with saddened acceptance, ’’You do not have to worry. I know. My only wish is to stay here, a distance away. As long as it does not grow any further than already is. This is all I ask for.’’

  ’’Your Highness..’’ Eunuch Leean felt a sudden sting of guilt for bringing up the uncomfortable conversation.

  ’’No outsider will ever find out. To them, it is only natural for the older brother to look after his younger and those associated with him, is it not? I shall not cross any lines unnecessary.’’ Moon Kian brought his arms beneath the wide sleeves of his dark silky gown, embellished with the distinctive Western Imperial silver embroidery.

  ’’Still, are you going to be happy with just that, Your Highness?’’ Eunuch Leean asked quietly. Perhaps stepping over a fine line yet again, but his honesty was greatly appreciated hence why The Second Prince never asked to have another Eunuch accompanying him. Honesty in the world of a never-ending masquerade was rare luxury, which a Royal could appreciate if their ego allowed it.

  ’’True, what a pathetic poem my life has become.’’ He smiled gently. Knowing his desires would never see the light of the day, ’’I shall take them with me until laid beneath the ground.’’

  ’’Who knows? Perhaps it is only affection which can be felt from afar? But once you’d possess it, it wouldn’t live up to expectations.’’ Eunuch Leean tried to sound lighthearted with his speculations and a bouncy shrug of a shoulder. Returning back to his book of a chapter about a forgotten language of the ocean sailors. Fascinating how those who practically lived on a boat through the rough seas would create a whole chapter worth of words unused on any dry land.

  ’’Hmh, you think so?’’ Moon Kian chuckled with a gentle purr,

  ’’Oh well— this is enough for me.’’

  Although he doubted Fair Suyi from The Eastern Empire could ever disappoint him in any way shape or form possible.

  On one particular day, Suyi felt her calf muscles growing numb from sitting on top of them all day, back properly straight and shoulders back as always. But this very afternoon, Suyi felt her eyebrows pushing down the heavy eyelids about to fall asleep. The thought of being able to feel that relaxed, enough to drift in the land of gentle dreams while the sun was still high up, made Suyi almost want to chuckle from how ridiculously amusing—in the most sarcastic way possible—it felt. In the huge palace where she had absolutely no room for mistakes, there were only two rooms that allowed her to lower down the shoulders even for an inch.

  Moon Dae did not mind her falling asleep, her head heavy and slowly going resting against the table. A perfect time for a nap.

  Only that very same day, when she allowed herself to be as shameless, happened to be the only day when someone other than a maid would enter the secluded lair of The Third Prince. The guest announced himself before the sliding doors opened, and walked alone towards the table where Moon Dae focused as he always did—not greeting the man who’d entered nor stopping the flow of the ink brush for him either.

  The long robes of the man hanged from the shoulders elegantly, trailing behind on the polished, shiny wooden floors now less occupied by the paintings. A clear path still for the concubine to walk comfortably.

  The man stopped beside the sleeping Suyi. From the opened sliding doors opposite from her entered the bright afternoon sun that shed a perfect ray of light against her black hair, making it shine like the most prized black obsidian. Resilient, like the sharp point of an arrow. It suited her well.

  A dark long string of hair from above touched Suyi’s cheek, like the fluffy fur of an abandoned deaf cat that used to visit her at night on the alleyways of The Eastern Empire. The sensation reminded her of how the cat’s tail felt brushing against her cheek, thus not in her right mind—not there completely at all—Suyi made a critical mistake.

  ’’Yes yes, i can hear you.’’ Suyi whispered with a calm breath of air. In her dreaming imagination being there in the alleyway, almost able to hear the loud meowing. Thinking the cat made his most effort to try and be heard, not knowing he’d been heard well and clear at all times.

  And she could sense the cat from her dream retreating away.

  Disappearing entirely.

  ─?~???~?─