Ying Yue wakes up to the sound of maids entering her bedroom. No matter how many times she's seen this scene she just can't get used to it. It had been two weeks already since Ying Yue had seen the dragon emperor. With his busy schedule, Ying Yue knew it was only going to get harder. Slowly moving off her bed, Ying Yue is gestured to head to the royal baths. Usually she gets to sleep in as Jianyu lets her, but for some reason she was forced to get up early today.
"Is there a reason why I have to get ready so early today, ladies?"
"The emperor has requested your presence today, your highness."
"Ah, please just call me Ying Yue, I am not married to the dragon emperor yet."
"I'm afraid we can't do that. It'll be disrespectful as the emperor has already recognized you as his empress."
Jianyu had assigned two personal maids to Ying Yue. A pair of twin sisters named Li An and Shen An. Although not identical they still had similar features. They had the typical golden hair and jade eyes, but for some reason they had tanned skin, and darker features.
After walking for ten minutes, Ying Yue and her maids finally made it to the royal baths. Gently disrobing herself, Ying Yue hands her clothing to the maids before jumping into the bath. The royal bath was even better than the one she took at the temple. Made of gold completely on the inside, with a small dragon water fountain at the end of the bath. Ying Yue felt it couldn't get any better than this. Rose petal filled the top of the bath and with warm water filling the bath water, it only made it harder to leave every time. After sitting in the bath for twenty minutes the maids gestured to Ying Yue that it was time to leave.
"It's time to leave your highness, staying any longer will make your skin prune."
"Ah I know, I know...every time."
Ying Yue walks out of the bath and covers herself in a clean robe. Walking back to her residence the maids helped her get ready to meet the dragon emperor. Dressed in a golden outfit, with red embroidery, red lips, and golden hairpins; Ying Yue was beautiful. Seeing herself so dolled up, truly made her feel different from her past self. Staring at herself in the mirror made her realize she was missing out on so much as a girl. Slowly turning around to face her maids, Ying Yue breaks into a smile.
"Well ladies, how do I look?"
"Beautiful, your highness. The emperor was not wrong in picking you."
"Oh, stop it Li An you're both very kind to me even when I'm just a human."
"You're the future empress, hold your head high and don't bow to anyone. It won't be long before more battles arrive. You must be ready to stand your ground then."
"Battles? What do you mean Shen An? Like war?"
"No, your highness these are battles include the palace and court ladies. You will understand when the time comes."
Unsure of what the sisters meant, Ying Yue brushed it off and heads out to where the dragon emperor was waiting for her. Following the maid's instructions, Ying Yue walks to the royal garden with her two maids behind her. It was nothing like the royal palace back in her world. Roses filled the garden, lilies grew from the water and a beautiful golden gate connected the two gardens. From a distance Ying Yue could see Jianyu and the generals inside a gold pavilion. Slowly walking across the bridge, Jianyu notices Ying Yue and ushers everyone to leave them alone. The generals and Ying Yue's maid left after bidding the dragon emperor farewell.
"You look beautiful my empress."
"Ahhh, don't call me that. We are not there yet."
"Ha Ha, you are the only one that openly rejects my advances. Why is that Ying Yue?"
"I... I just believe these things takes time. I will admit I do like you but love and like are different."
"We will get there, be patient my love."
Breaking into a smile, Jianyu walks over to Ying Yue who was standing two feet away from the pavilion, Jianyu then offers Ying Yue his right hand. Unsure of what Jianyu wanted, Ying Yue places her left hand onto his hand. Just then, Jianyu pulls Ying Yue into an embrace. Holding her at her waist and staring into her jade colored eyes. Without much thought Ying Yue used her hands to cover her mouth. Fearing he might forcibly kiss her again. Seeing Ying Yue tried so hard, Jianyu couldn't help but laugh.
"Ha Ha, Ying Yue. There's no one else that will amuse me as much as you my love."
Instead of kissing her on the lips, Jianyu placed a kiss on Ying Yue's forehead. Catching her off guard Ying Yue couldn't help, but blush and stare at the dragon emperor. Realizing he was staring at her, Ying Yue quickly averts her gaze to Jianyu's chest. Jianyu was a tall man, he was more than two heads taller than Ying Yue. Breaking into a chuckle Jianyu finally let's go of Ying Yue's waist. Taking her by her hand, Jianyu walks back inside the pavilion with Ying Yue. Seating Ying Yue across from him. Jianyu takes a deep breath and stares at the clueless Ying Yue.
"You're probably wondering why I wanted to see you so early today."
"Just a bit I guess, it has been two weeks since I last saw you after all."
"Ah, so you were counting the days? Were you waiting for me my love?"
Realizing what she was saying Ying Yue blushed from her own words. Stuttering to reply to Jianyu she remained silent. Twiddling her thumbs under the table, Ying Yue forced herself to look back at Jianyu.
"Jianyu, I'm sure you didn't call me here to make fun of me, what's really on your mind?"
With a serious look on his face now, the dragon emperor was no longer smiling, even his tone of voice changed. After a moment of silence, Jianyu finally spoke out to answer Ying Yue.
"I've been thinking, that I'd like for you to know my side of the story. About what happened five hundred years ago."
"Why the sudden urge to tell me? Did something happen?"
"No, nothing's happening. As someone who's going to become my empress, I feel it's only right for you to know everything. Will you listen to my story?"
Alright.... I'll listen."
"Sigh....five hundred years ago, I fell in love with a human woman. She was one of the sacrifices and the daughter of that human emperor who betrayed my father. My little brother was only twelve years old when he was killed. I tried stopping my father but couldn't. In the end he died hating the humans and my mother died five years after he passed away. Around that same time, the current priest had a vision. In her vision the humans were suffering from the punishment of the heavens and so they decided to sacrifice their daughters to us. Thinking that maybe this will help appease the anger of the deceased dragon emperor."
"So, is that when you met the human princess?"
"Yes, I was young and a fool."
Even though it was a story, and about her ancestor. Ying Yue couldn't help, but be a bit bothered by him talking about his past love. Clenching her fist and hiding it under the table, Ying Yue turns her focus back to Jianyu.
"What else happened?"
"Well, we ended up going to mount Bao-Yu as the priest instructed. Once we got there, we discovered the ten girls inside the cave. The first one I met was princess Biyu. She was a beautiful woman. Her dark long hair would flow effortless in the wind. She was thin, with pale skins and plump lips. She had large eyes and was well endowed as well."
The moment Ying Yue heard Jianyu mention princess Biyu being well endowed she couldn't help, but step on his right foot that was nearby. Frowning at what Jianyu was telling her, Ying Yue slams her hand on the table and calls out Jianyu. In the distance Jianyu yelps out in pain.
"Ah! You didn't have to step on my foot so hard Ying Yue!"
"Are you here to tell me about what the princess looked like, or what happened five hundred years ago?"
"Alright, I'll stop. Needless to say, I was mesmerized right away. Remembering my past self makes me feel ashamed. During that time, I had no idea that my childhood friend and most trusted general had also fallen in love with Biyu at first sight. His name was Ah Meng, his father was the prime minister of the dragon kingdom. Lucky for him Biyu also fell in love at first sight with him, but I was in the way. Ah Meng knew I also loved Biyu, so they had to find a way to get rid of me. Ah Meng made me believe that Biyu also loved me with his lies. Biyu used my love for her, and tricked me into releasing the other human girls. She also tricked me into sealing the curse my father had placed on the humans."
"Sealing the curse? How did you seal the curse Jianyu?"
Placing his fingers to his lips, Jianyu ushers for Ying Yue to remain silent and listen to the rest of his story. Ying Yue silently nods her head and shuts her mouth. Nothing but birds chirping nearby could be heard.
"After sending the human girl's home, Biyu stayed behind. I spent three months with her, and throughout all that time she was convincing me to remove the curse my father had place. Saying that she would agree to marry me if I did. So, the day before our wedding I performed a ceremony with the head priest. I prayed to the heavens and asked them to forgive the humans for their past mistake. With our soon to be union as proof that humans and the dragon clan can still live together in peace. In that moment I heard a voice answering my prayer. It whispered to me."
"If that is what you wish for, my son. Then so be it."
"When I opened my eyes, the ceremony was over. The head priest assured me that the curse had been sealed. Did you know that royals of the dragon clan can create curses just from what we say, Ying Yue?"
"Curses? They aren't a well-known topic where I come from."
"Heh, I'm not surprised. The following day after the ceremony was my wedding day with Biyu. We celebrated all day into the night. When it came to the wedding night, Biyu drugged me when my guard was down. Thinking back, I was a fool to believe that someone I loved wouldn't harm me. After drugging me she casted an ancient sealing spell she learned from Ah Meng. Feeling betrayed as I laid in bed unable to move. I could only watch as Ah Meng came and took Biyu in front of me. With my last ounce of strength, I cursed Biyu and Ah Meng. I cursed Biyu to never have a son and for all their descendants to be born weak or die stillborn. Do you want to know what Ah Meng came to whisper to me before they left me to die?"
"I'm sorry your majesty. With love blinding my eyes, I can no longer serve you and be a friend. Someday one of my descendants will be strong enough and she will be your way out of the darkness."
After hearing what Jianyu said, everything finally started making sense to Ying Yue. It explained why no son had ever been born into her mother's side of the family. It explains why everyone died young or was always sickly, but for some odd reason she was born perfectly healthy.
"Then...are you saying I was the one destined to release you? This was predestined centuries ago, that's what you're telling me?"
"I'm afraid so Ying Yue. For years I was a wandering soul only. I went into the human world and called out to so many of your ancestors, yet no one could hear me. As I was about to give up, I met you."
"Me? I don't remember meeting you until I was at least thirteen though."
"You were young, just about four years old. I called out to you in your dreams and you answered me. Do you want to know what your first word was?"
"My mommy said not to speak to strangers."
Ying Yue was now blushing from hearing Jianyu mention her past. Seeing Jianyu laugh while remembering their first encounter made Ying Yue embarrassed. Using her hands, she leans over onto the table and covers her face.
"I was four years old, of course that's all I could say."
"You don't know how much those words saved me. From then on, I would visit you in your dreams and spoke to you through your dreams. Sadly, as you got older it became harder and harder for you to hear me. I was weakening and slowly dying, because of the curse."
"I'm sorry, everything that has happened to you was because of something my ancestors did. I know my apology won't take back the time and people you loved, but it's all I have to offer."
Jianyu looks to the distance, after taking a deep breath he turns his gaze back to Ying Yue. Without any hesitation, he takes hold of Ying Yue's right hand and holds it in between his.
"It's alright now, it's been five hundred years. Sure, I hated them as they left me to die, but I also had great people that took care of me. I was able to connect my mind with the priest to inform her of what was happening to me. She quickly stormed into the room and sealed my body away so that I may someday return to it. You see, I wasn't exactly dead, and my soul could only wander about, it was like I was unable to enter my body. So, I inhabited the golden tree, waiting for the right person to come along. I waited and waited, and then you came along Ying Yue. You saved me from the darkness."
Still holding onto Ying Yue's right hand, he gives her a squeeze. Ying Yue unable to hold back her tears anymore finally cries. Thinking about how happy she was to be alive to save this man.
"My life has changed, because of you too. So, thank you Jianyu."
"No, thank you Ying Yue. I'm happy that it was you who broke my curse."
Staying silent, Jianyu and Ying Yue could only stare at each other in silence. Realizing that Jianyu was still holding onto her hands, Ying Yue quickly clears her throat and breaks free.
"Ahem, your majesty. I believe we've spent enough time outside. Would you like to dine at my residence today for a late lunch?"
"Ha Ha, yes my empress."
Jianyu stands up and sticks out his left arm to Ying Yue. Although Ying Yue was reluctant, she couldn't help, but link her arm with Jianyu. Jianyu would walk at the pace of Ying Yue as to not tire her out, slowly they made their way back to the empress residence.