Bless the great Wen LaoTin and her absurd need to firmly control the life of a sixteen-year-old as if he were a ten-year-old child!, FeiWan thought when one of Wen TenWan's servants, or was he a bodyguard? Well, never mind the details. When one of the people who had accompanied him that evening respectfully apologized for the interruption and reminded the young El'Gin that, following his noble mother's strict directives, it was past time to return to the Eternal Blossom Pavilion.
Looking more than a bit sorry for having to leave the party so soon, but at the same time obviously eager to return to his mother's side, Wen TenWan respectfully bid his farewells, making a point to remind FeiWan about their horse riding outing.
As if that would ever happen, FeiWan thought, nodding at his younger brother. Last time he had been utterly forced by the circumstances, since that bitch LaoTin had decided to openly flaunt her ability to easily control the lives of every El'Gin and El'Lin, going as far as placing them in a position where they practically had to serve her son.
FeiWan's forced demonstration of obedience had been that horse ridding session, that he had had no desire whatsoever to attend. But, then again, how could he openly refuse an Imperial Order? Yes, because LaoTin had even gone so far as to use the El'Dur's Imperial Seal, under the excuse that her son was lacking in riding technique, which could place his very important life in danger in the future. Well, whose fault was that? If she didn't insist on keeping him cooped inside the Eternal Blossom Pavilion most of the time, maybe TenWan wouldn't be lacking in so much basic knowledge. Still, no matter how idiotic, an Imperial Order was an Imperial Order, and so FeiWan had forced himself to swallow his outrage and complied.
Of course, what should have been a mere ridding session, to teach the young El'Gin a few horse riding tricks, quickly transformed into a public spectacle, when Wen LaoTin went as far as inviting a few members of the Court to bask in the privilege of watching her young son's horse riding improvements. She even had the servants prepare some snacks and refreshments for her guests, as if watching a sixteen-year-old brat ride a horse were some kind of big event. In the end, more than a teacher, FeiWan was forced to play the part of the young El'Gin's page, spending the entire afternoon attending to his every small need, fetching towels to wipe his sweat, refreshments to quench his thirst, helping him on and of the horse, going so far as allowing him to use his own knee as step leader, since the poor El'Gin couldn't mount a horse on his own.
So yeah, he was not going to willingly accompany Wen TenWan in another horse riding session, unless that bitch decided to send him another Imperial Order. He just hoped that the damn brat wouldn't decide to go begging his mother. He knew that TenWan didn't mean to put him on the spot like that. He was just too spoiled, the world automatically and naturally adjusting to his every need. He was completely oblivious of what was really going on around him, living in the illusion that the Imperial Family was actually a large happy family. Happy. The word alone sounded like incomprehensible noise to his ears.
Still, right now, he was deeply grateful for the fact that Wen TenWan was such an overly protected brat, he thought, watching him leave, followed by the long line of servants that had accompanied him that evening. Because once someone like him took his leave then others were sure to follow. Which meant that that damned party was finally over.
True enough, one by one, CalWan's noble guests bid their farewells and left, starting with GinWan and LinWan, who had obviously been making a huge effort to behave according to the situation, and were thus more than eager to leave. As was Wei DaiWei and her daughter, for more than obvious reasons. In the end, even NimRen gracious took her leave under the excuse of accompanying their cousin, Ren JinWan, to the gates.
Suddenly KimLay too, rose to her feet, and FeiWan couldn't help sighing in relief as he followed her example. Finally!, he breathed. Especially since he had been doing his best to remain sitting, behaving as expected from someone of his station, as he watched CalRimRan, now also on his feet, politely bow time and time again, bidding farewell to every guest that approached his table.
Now the only one beside him was CalWan, a wide smile on his face, an annoying hand on CalRimRan's arm. He was clearly trying to convince him of something, FeiWan knew just by watching his mellow body language. As if!!, he immediately decided, taking the opportunity that KimLay and LinDuo were taking the time to exchange a few last hour veiled insults.
Crossing the now partially empty room, FeiWan made sure he placed a smile on his lips, especially when CalWan's voice finally reached him.
"It's no bother at all. We have plenty of rooms. In fact, it will be my honor to house such an esteemed guest. Once the hall is clear, a few of the other scholars and I were thinking about indulging in a bit of stargazing. I have been told that the Demon Clan is rather proficient at reading the stars, and that your people can easily overshadow most of our Varsen. Won't the noble CalDai grace us with a few pointers?"
Stargazing my ass!, FeiWan growled in his thoughts, taking a fast peek at the scholars CalWan had mentioned, all of them visibly drunk.
Reinforcing his socially correct smile, he made a point to bluntly force CalWan to remove that hand from CalRimRan's arm, rudely placing himself between the two men, his back to CalWan as if he hadn't even seen him.
"CalDai, we'll be taking our leave soon. Would you like to take your time bidding farewell?" FeiWan suggested, hoping CalRimRan would take this opportunity to move and go thank LinDuo for her hospitality. With some luck, that would also cut short the two women's bickering. But CalRimRan simply nodded, his gaze fixed on the table in front of him, and just stood there.
"Brother. Aren't you being a bit impolite?" CalWan asked, taking a step to one side, a feral smile on his face. "I was just inviting the distinguished CalDai to a pleasant session of stargazing. It is my birthday, after all. Can there be a more auspicious night to read one's fortune in the stars?"
Replying CalWan's smile with one of his own, FeiWan nodded.
"Brother is absolutely right. On my way out, I'll be sure to call upon the Imperial Varsen to accompany you on this auspicious night. After all, as I'm sure brother understands, it's hardly proper to request such service from an Imperial guest."
"Service?" CalWan replied with a shocked expression on his face. "I am merely inviting the esteemed CalDai to spend a night amongst friends. I do believe I've earned the honor of being counted amongst the CalDai's friends. Am I right?" he asked, turning to CalRimRan, placing another annoying hand on his arm, making FeiWan grit his teeth in simmering anger. He really wanted to punch CalWan's face right about now!
He was so wrapped in his own angry thoughts that only when CalWan spoke again did he realize that something wasn't quite right.
"Esteemed CalDai, are you not feeling well?"
It was as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over his head.
Turning to look at him, FeiWan could immediately tell. In fact, how he had failed to see it earlier was the right question.
His jaw clenched, his shoulders unusually stiff, CalRimRan was clearly doing his best just to stand there.
FeiWan wanted to curse.
"I shall order that a room be prepared for you this instant!" CalWan quickly decided, leaving an angry scowl on FeiWan's forehead. As if he would ever allow that!
"No need! I will personally escort our esteemed guest back to his quarters," he declared between clenched teeth.
"Nonsense! Since it would seem that our esteemed CalDai isn't feeling too well, we're more than willing to offer him a place to rest for the night. We'll escort him back to his quarters first thing in the morning," CalWan countered, his smile finally fading as he openly faced FeiWan.
"We have escorted our esteemed guest all the way here. So it's only proper that we should escort him back!" FeiWan retorted, his patience clearly running thin.
Placing a renewed smile on his face, CalWan turned to CalRimRan once more.
"Ah, who would have thought that my younger brother was such a stickler for so many annoying rules. I say, let's just ignore him. How about I show you to our inner chambers?" he went on, actually daring to pull CalRimRan by his arm and, to FeiWan's chagrin, CalRimRan actually took a few stumbling steps in his direction, looking very much as if he were willing to follow him.
As if FeiWan would ever allow that! He couldn't care less if CalRimRan was willing to spend the night at CalWan's Pavilion of a Thousand Wonders or not! That simply wasn't going to happen!, he decided, rudely slapping CalWan's hand away, the sound of it echoing around them like a shout.
Since they had stopped pulling him, CalRimRan swayed a bit on his feet before he finally regained his balance, his gaze still downcast, even though he was now clenching his fists.
"Didn't you hear me? I said that I was going to take him back. And I am going to take him back!" FeiWan practically growled and CalWan's polite smile cracked again, his green eyes glowing dangerously.
"Is brother, by any chance, trying to openly challenge me?"
"You take it as you will. But I will not repeat myself again."
For a moment they just stood there, staring at each other, the air heavy with palpable animosity. He would burn that entire fucking Pavilion to the ground!, FeiWan decided, his back already burning from anticipation. Just let him try and stop him!
"FeiWan-her? Come and bid farewell to your Imperial Mother," KimLay's cold voice demanded, successfully breaking through what was clearly an escalating conflict-
Still frowning, FeiWan straightened his back, glancing sideways at CalRimRan who hadn't moved an inch.
"You heard her. Let's go!" he simply stated, unceremoniously grabbing his wrist and towing him away. Of course, he knew that not only CalWan, but many other gazes were surreptitiously watching his every move. And he was more than certain that, what he was doing right now, would inevitably come back to bite him. But at that moment he couldn't care less! There was no way he was going to allow CalRimRan to spend the night in that place! Not in his present condition!, he grunted, feeling how cold he had become, the footsteps following him uncharacteristically uncertain and heavy.
The first one to openly show her disapproval was, as expected, none other than his own mother. Not to mention the furious glare he received from LinDou as he bowed politely and bid her a good night. Well, he could easily deal with all that! The important thing right now was getting CalRimRan back to the safety of the White Pavilion, and try to restore his energy levels as soon as possible.
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Author's Note: I'm dead tired and practically falling asleep on my keyboard. 😪 Don't know how Christmas is at your homes, but in mine, I'm responsible for cooking many delicious dishes for my family. Which means I've been stuck in a kitchen since yesterday morning. I'm beat. My feet hurt. I'm definitely in need of a very deserved sleep.😴
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