Crown Prince Ching carried Princess Ye'er into his bed chamber. She was soaking and the water was dripping from her dress.
Princess Xiang was following closely, behind him.
"Why you are still here?"
He asked frowning.
"Why not?" She snap. "How are you going to change her? Don't tel me—"
"Why not— She's going to be my wife, what's wrong with it?"
"You.!"
She said blushing. such a pervert! she muttered under her breath.
"I prefer a dress for her, get lost!"
Prince Ching, walk outside and sank heavily on the chair. He could no longer argue with his sister, besides women in their family were scarier that their father. Moreover, she had a bad temper, provoking her will makes you regret later.
There's no formality between him and his closest siblings. Princess Xiang and Prince Yu were his closest, not to mention their elder sister. That one has the worst temperament of all, luckily she was already married.
Though, she was scary but the two of them were the closest of all. Thinking about her makes him felt the longing.
And now sooner or later Princess Xiang might be sent away. Thinking about it makes him felt like half of him will also be taken away.
Why is that? I should be happy. She's no longer around, No one will going to bother me anymore! But the thought of Xiang being not around anymore makes him sad.
"I'm done!"
She said still frowning.
"It's almost dawn, it's not good if someone sees me here!"
"Finally!"
He said while waving her out.
"Thank you!"
"Thats not for free—"
Princess Xiang smiled triumphantly.
"Remember you owe me one— big time!"
She said smiling, waving him goodbye.
He frowned.I should have known!
Prince Ching, realized that he just being compromised with out his knowledge.
He cross his legs while waiting for someone.
"Tàizǐ ge"
Eight prince suddenly burst the door open. He was still panting heavily as if he just come from a race.
"We did not caught—"
"It's because you chased a wrong cat!"
He said dryly.
"What do you mean?"
Prince Ching, glance into his bed where Princess Ye'er was laid asleep, Yu'er followed his brother's gazed.
"Sister in law?"
He gasp in surprised.
"How is that possible?"
Prince Ching laughed sardonically.
"How did you know it's her?"
Yu'er laughed discreetly.
"If its not her, who else could make you look so anxious?"
"This brat—"
Prince Ching voice slightly raised up to conceal his feelings. He didn't realized how anxious he was if Yu'er didn't spill it.
"We're having some serious business here. Besides, it was Xiang'er who told me about it."
"Xiang jie— How did they knew each other?"
"Long before we knew her! as of how? I don't have the details, If you want to know asked her?"
"No thanks!"
He said shaking his head. They all knew what kind of temper Xiang had.
"I just don't understand!"
He paused hesitantly.
"What is that?"
"How she knows kungfu?"
"It's not a surprised at all, she seems so weak because her brain doesn't work properly!"
He said sarcastically while smiling, remembering all those silly things she made.
What he really mean is that Princess Ye'er had some sort of amnesia, from her accident. That's why sometimes her reaction was slow.
"But that doesn't mean her body reflexes, forgets to response everytime she's in danger!"
"I wouldn't be surprised if Xiang jie, also knows kun—"
Yu'er muttered under his breath, thinking about it makes him shiver in fear. she's already too scary!
"Alright! you go back and tell our men to stay low. And from now on, put someone to keep an eye on her!"
He glanced toward his future wife.
"And also investigate what happened to her on the day she was found in the imperial library!"
Yu'er nodded. "How are we going to explain this to father, tomorrow?"
He lean his chin on his palm, while his finger was tapping in the table It's one of his mannerism that Prince Yu, find a bit stranged!
Prince Ching just like their royal mother and his older sister Xiang, twin of his older brother Zhang wei. Prince Yu, Princess Xiang and Prince Zhang wei, the three of them are siblings with their royal mother, the Empress. But for him it seem like Prince Ching is more closer to them that Prince Zhang.
Crown Prince, prince Ching is a son of royal concubine Wing. but what make it really strange is that he and Xiang had more mutual affection towards Prince Ching rather than Prince Zhang.
"Father, will be busy tomorrow. Just invite Duke Yan first thing in the morning, and—and!"
He paused uncertain.
"And?" Yu'ers eyebrow raised.
"And, invite Princess Ye's elder sister, just make sure they won't see each other. We have to settle this things, before someone else does.!"
Yu'er stood confused. "Why is that?"
"I don't want Ye'er to misunderstood—"
Yu'er laughed. "When did you mind someone else opinion?"
Prince Ching frowned and send a warning look. Yu'er stop teasing him, nodded his head and leaved.
Now that he was alone, knowing the fact that the apple of his eye is with him makes him feel uncomfortable. He remember the kiss they shared, he suddenly felt a sudden heat runs through his veins and into his face.
Her lips was so soft and she was so tender. She just made me a man, for Goodness sake!
He sighed in frustration.
Though this is not the first time their lips touched each other but earlier was different, it was passionate and he almost lost himself.
Thanks to his annoying sister, if she did not barge in earlier, only god knows where his stupidity would dragged him.
And now the dawn is breaking but sleep was far away from him. While the one lying in his bed comfortably slept, with no wories and restlessness.
Out of his mind, he decided to paint her. His hands move as if, it had a mind on its own. He wondered why he was so familiar with her, like he had already painted her for a thousands times.
"You're beautiful!"
Prince Ching heard his own voice again, he shook his head to cleared his mind. He stared at the painting with admiration in his face.
"Beautiful indeed! A face that I could paint even in my dreams "
"You're the apple of my eyes!"
He wrote it in the side of the painting. It will be visible only on a closer look.
He put the canvas carefully, in his study and covered it with silk. When he went outside the sky already touches the morning light and soon enough the sun kiss all the dreams goodbye.
Princess Ye'er woke up with the pleasant smell of food. Her nose won't made mistake about it. She slowly open her eyes, Morning! she though, and slowly get up still not aware of the place she's been.
"Princess, you're awake now!"
She smiled and nodded. There was something in Xin'ers expression that she did not noticed. After Xin'er finished her morning routine she went to the table for breakfast.
Xin'er stood in the side anxiously, while she eats like a hungry cub. She was not aware at all that something isn't right at all.
Ye'er was about to eat the last piece of egg when someone spoke. She almost choke in surprised.
She blinks many times.
"What are you doing here?"
She frowned. I've seen a someone I'm not supposed to, early in the morning? Oh noh! this is a bad omen! she thought.
"I should be the one asking you that question!" He said dryly. He was leaning on the wall, both of his hands crossed in his chest while watching her, amused.
She looked arround and found out she was not in her room. "What happened?"
"Good question!"
She suddenly look down, her jaw drops and her eyes widened in shock
when she realized that she's wearing a night gown.
Her bear skin is visible through the thin silk, she automatically covered herself.
"Don't bother. .theres nothing in there, you're no more than a child!"
"What. ?"