Fuming in rage, Ji could barely hold himself back at the thought of Shou being held hostage. He screamed at that mysterious man once again.
"Bring Shou out here now! How dare you kidnap her! Do you know who you are messing with, huh? What did you do to her that she didn't fry you into a crisp already?"
The rest of the group just stared in shock for a moment at the proud and elegant crowned prince Ao Ji as if he just grew four heads. They had never seen him lose his composure, let alone show any acknowledgment that he even knew Shou prior to their first meeting… What did this mean?
Coming back to their senses from this new revelation, even as the seething dragon was still spitting rage and fire at this point. They returned their focus on the strange blood red eyed man in front of them. This man had not only not said anything as of yet, but he also made no move forward or back. Just stood there with a calm smile on his face while regarding his new guests. It was almost as if he was waiting for them all.
Seeing this reaction, it was Kirin who made a move first. "Ji, shut up for a moment and let's find out what is going on before accusing the man. Can't you see that he has yet to make a move? Where have your royal manners gone these last few days? *sigh*" She turned her attention after calming the dragon down from his ire, to the blood red eyed man in front of her. Walking forward to get a little closer so she wouldn't have to yell at the man, she kneeled gracefully and altered her tone of address to him.
"Pardon our intrusion, but we are searching for our friend and we had found that you had taken her here. It was quite rude to just snatch her from us but if you could allow us to know your reasons? We don't mean any harm unless you attempt to hurt our friends or keep us from seeing her."
Kirin remained kneeling but held his gaze the entire time, it was to show respect but show also that she would not be trampled upon either. The man regarded her for a moment before signalling his butler Yun. "This young lady is the only one allowed to enter, she has a pure heart and holds no hidden intentions. The others must wait outside; they are impure, including the crowned prince Ao Ji." His lips curled up even further and held out his hand to receive Kirin. "A lady should never kneel please stand Lady Kirin."
In shock that this man knew who each of them were, she stared at him in a daze for a moment until his hand touched hers. He led her to stand but said nothing as to how he knew them all and promptly led her inside. She looked back once to signal that it was ok and left with him inside the huge palace.
"Who are you really? You know my name and seem to know about me but I do not know who you are. You have me at an unfair advantage… mr…?"
"Xiezhi.. Lord Xiezhi is my name Lady Kirin. Or more accurately I should address you as Your Highness Kirin." His gaze had softened at that title, the knowing eyes of the man pierced her soul and she was left in yet another daze, wondering why he would call her that… she was just an orphan not royalty. Before she could respond he held her hand and led her up the staircase towards the locked room which Shou was placed in.
Deep into her own thoughts Kirin attempted to process everything that has happened, her visions, what she has heard and seen, still she could not place how he gathered she was royalty. 'Oh well I suppose that will turn up sooner rather than later, might as well be sure Shou is safe first.' With that thought in mind Kirin snapped herself out of her thoughts and moved along with Lord Xiezhi. He was kind and gentle, very much unlike the way he was when they first saw him. "Lord Xiezhi, why were you so peirce when you first took Shou? If you knew her you could have spoken to us at the time."
He shook his head at her and put on a self deprecating smile on his face with a look of despair. "In truth, I thought you were the kidnappers at first, also… I knew she wouldn't remember me, not since the incident many years ago."
Before she could even respond they arrived at the door, he unlocked it from the outside which earned him an inquiring glare from Kirin with a raised eyebrow. He slightly chuckled at that and opened the door for her. A flying body launched itself into Kirin's arm knocking her down while she was at it and the berating chatter of how she was late and it took her long enough to find her assaulted Kirin's ears for about five minutes.
Once Shou calmed down they all walked out to the living area and sat down to have a talk. Kirin's questioning gaze was very apparent. After noting that Shou seemed fine and unhurt she then wanted to know exactly what was going on in this man's mind.
"Yun, bring tea for the ladies and have the staff leave the common area."
"Yes Master." Yun bowed and left immediately to carry out his orders.
*Sigh* With a pitiful look on his face he turned to face Shou, "My name is Lord Xiezhi, I have known you since the day you were born Shou." He took out the old photo he had of her from when she was a child, gazing at it with longing in his eyes he gently stroked the picture then with a heavy sigh handed to her. "That was taken the last day that I saw you, the… the day before the incident…" Tears began to pool in his eyes, making those blood red eyes shimmer and shake. The threat of them spilling was overwhelming him.