Vy looked so out of his element as he followed his cousins. Maybe he should have just retired to his rooms with an excuse of illness or something.
Keelan was dressed properly. He had his hair down and Siam was dressed to match. The two of them looked almost completely identical if it weren't for his face. "Vy, you coming?" Siam hollered at him. He was going to ditch the gathering as soon as he got the chance.
Keelan had elected to stay but he was considering following his brother to watch over him.
Vy just nodded. He dressed as plainly as he could so that he wouldn't stand out. All black and his hair pulled back and tied. He sighed. It was too late to turn back.
They walked into the room slowly, looking around before Siam pulled his hands behind his head. He stepped forward, sighing, "Same old boring stuff they do every time." He grumbled, "I'm going to eat." He walked off.
Keelan let him go, looking in the other direction towards the adults. "Well," he looked at Vy, "what should we do first?"
Vy wasn't really that hungry. "Talk to people so that there are witnesses to us being here and then leave." He didn't want to stay long.
He looked at him, nodding, "Can't argue with that." He sighed, "At least I can't get a thrashing in public," he sighed, mentioning his father. "Come on, let's get something to drink then go see Aunt Leigh and Uncle Li. I'm sure they're here." He started.
Maybe he would get to see her. He was mildly curious in his arranged marriage with their daughter though they were hardly related. He was hoping they brought her for once. He only got to see her a few times at the base during the Fire Festival and the only other time before that was when he visited her. She was smaller than him but cute and his interest was in her more so than her beautiful features though he wanted to touch her hair often. It was long.
Vy smiled knowing what was on his cousin's mind. His intended was very lovely and talented. He was glad that he had not needed to be betrothed. He knew he'd likely be paired with someone less than his match. He wanted someone intelligent, not just a pretty face, and he wanted to choose this person for himself. Keelan was lucky with his. They were a good match despite circumstances. "Drinks." He said, breaking Keelan from his daydream.
"Oh, right!" He straightened, stepping towards the tables. He felt the saliva building in his throat as scents of perfumes of all sorts wafted into his senses. He felt a little more frustrated a moment as he reached for a glass to look out at a shadow over him.
"Keelan," Mansa started, and he looked stricken by his words. "Master Zhao was unable to find you." His father. An old man but a good teacher. "This afternoon. Your father and I we're looking for you."
Shit. Keelan deflated, looking at him. "Y-yeah. I uh… forgot." He tried to play off.
Vy grabbed a drink and stepped back as Mansa called Keelan out. "He lost track of time helping me put away scrolls." He told them. Maybe if he could convince them he was still being useful then he wouldn't be in trouble.
"Your father checked the archive room. Your brother said you weren't there. So he lied?"
Keelan didn't look at Vy, " H-he didn't know I was there. I came in while he was taking a break." Terrible lie. He ran his tongue along his lips as he pressed them into a thin line.
Mansa shook his head. "I'll just have to fetch you on Tuesdays so you 'forget' less often."
Oh great! Now he had The River, the greatest guess in the country, coming to check on him. The man was a behemoth staring down from a towering six feet plus four inches. What hell did he bring on himself? "S-sure," he cracked a smile at him.
Vy winced internally. He'd tried to save him. He took a long drink then.
Mansa looked at Vy, his eyes sharp as if he was staring right through him. "You should not worry yourself with the service of the archive room. It's already assigned it's scholars. We don't need more hands in the room." Besides, it was always a mess of improperly organized scrolls.
"Of course, Mansa," he agreed before he watched him turn away to leave. He stared at him as he left. "Vy, you can have all the money I stashed under my bed if I don't live to see next week." He muttered. Surely the old man would be his death and if he wasn't, his father would.
Vy shook his head. It wasn't his fault the scrolls were unorganized. He felt the need to fix that. If Siam would quit just sticking things places…
Keelan drew his head back, moaning quietly. He wanted to leave. He knew the next thing he would be hearing is how the 'prince was finally almost of age' or how fast he had grown as they tried to pressure him to an idea they had. "Maybe we should just meet your father's concubine and then leave." Isn't that enough?
Vy sighed. "Alright." He took a drink and looked around to find his father. He stopped when he caught sight of her.
Qian stood next to Koto, her hands linked beneath the sleeves of her robe as she looked at the guests ahead blankly. She had felt uncomfortable with this party, even the idea of it but she was a good actor. Her expression hardly revealed her discomfort. She was glad she didn't have to talk though, she knew she didn't, Koto seemed to hate it and she didn't want to continue in to make her disappointment any more immense than it already was.
Koto looked at her. "Smile. This party is for you," he told her. He was kind of glad Bao Ma wasn't here. She was definitely less than pleased when he told her he'd take another concubine. That argument was still fresh in his mind. Somehow she felt that she was being replaced. Never. Qian though had caught his eye and he wanted her before anyone else could claim her. She was a nice reprieve from the whites and yellows.
She smiled pleasantly for him, looking up at him. "I am grateful you have thrown me this," she told him, biting back her opinion. She knew better than to speak out with the royals. "Thank you."
He smiled at her. How obedient. He liked that. He looked up to see his son and nephew walking over. "My son Vy and my nephew Prince Keelan." He introduced them quickly as they approached.
Vy wanted to make this quick. He stepped up and bowed his head. "Father." he looked at her then and bowed his head.
Qian held her hand up to hide part of her face so he could only catch her eyes. "They're quite handsome boys," she commented.
Keelan looked uninterested but he smiled at her." Nice to meet you," he bowed his head lightly. He looked at Koto, "Congratulations," he added, trying to lay on the sugar thickly. He didn't want to give away his disposition but he was still learning that.
Koto smiled. Of course they were handsome. "Thank you," he told his nephew. "Qian, you may greet them."
Vy winced internally at his father. Did she really need his permission?
She felt like he was being condescending to her but she played along. She smiled at the two boys, turning to bow to them individually. "It is nice to meet you both," she told them.
Vy didn't know why it disappointed him that she obeyed him. So she was going to be a pretty bimbo that- He cut the thought off. "Nice to meet you." He bowed to his father again before turning to leave.
Qian watched him turn away and Keelan bowed to her again as she watched them go. She probably wouldn't see much of them, but she looked at Koto. "Is he your oldest?" She asked quietly. She had to get used to knowing everyone eventually.
"Yes. The only one from my wife," he answered her.
She watched him go and she had a mild interest to know more about him but she knew it was inappropriate. Her expression slipped a little before she remembered herself and the smile came back as she looked at him, "You have more?" She asked. Just how many children did he have? Was she going to be one of several hundred women? Stuffed into a room to just wait for him whenever. The thought was dreadful but a part of her wished she'd never see him even one night. He was far older than her and he had only chosen her for her looks.
Keelan followed after Vy, walking with him. "She seems reserved," he glanced back at her as they got far enough from earshot.
"Yeah," Vy agreed with him. She was obedient. She'd make a good concubine.
He couldn't help the feeling that there was more to her but Vy was more important. "You want to see what Siam has up his sleeve?" He asked. He didn't want to stay at a stuffy party anyways.
Vy nodded. "Let's grab him before he gets into trouble."
Naturally. Keelan slumped, thinking about it. "I'm sure he's up to his troubles again. Sometimes I wish we looked less alike."
Siam was leaning against the table, smiling at one of the noble girls. "You know, I am the younger brother of the future King." He smirked.
Rin Mao smiled, giggling at him. "I know this, Siam, but you would believe that I am unaware of this. Wouldn't you?" She couldn't help smiling at him. He was cute.
"No, but I just wanted to remind you that if you wanted-" he stepped closer to her, looking down at her. "You could visit more often. Maybe we could talk about-" She looked at him, her eyes widening and he felt like maybe this was his ticket. He took her hand discreetly, intertwining their fingers the way he knew the girls liked it.
"You know-" he breathed, acting indifferent as he tried to let his smile dim to appear shy.
Rin Mao laughed, pulling her hand away quietly. "Siam, you are too forward. My parents would be angry with me if they saw this. You know this well. Why do you tease me?"
Vy looked around to see Siam hitting on the girl. "He's incorrigible," Vy sighed.
"I think your ad and Baba's words are making his head swell." He agreed flatly. He stepped up, "Siam," he barked.
Siam looked up from her and he smiled smoothly, sliding away from her as she looked at him shocked, wanting the attention now that it was gone. He smirked, "I knew you'd come around." He grinned, stepping up to his brother and cousin. "You couldn't resist."
"Please- Don't remind me." Keelan's tongue clicked against the roof of his mouth as he looked away, annoyed. He could see his brother's face brighten as he knew it just fueled his ego.
Vy shook his head. "Were you wanting to leave or get some poor girl in trouble?"
"Let's go, we were just talking." He smiled, laughing. "I know dad would probably wring my neck if I made any decisions on my own." He laughed, "He's probably already ready to kick the shit out of me anyways when he finds out what I did."
"I don't want to know. Let's go before I change my mind." Keelan told Siam, knowing it was futile to get his brother to stay out of trouble.
Vy sighed. "I didn't hear that."
"Agreed." Keelan stepped out into the hall and they walked past the pillars as the party went on, the lights shining through as they passed through the shadow of the pillars till they were down to the doors and stepping outside. Keelan started first down the steps, his feet tapping the steps as he walked-almost ran down them, gaining speed till he jumped off the last three and barely caught himself on the street grounds.
Siam came rushing down after him, obviously more athletic, and jumped onto the siding that ran diagonal down the sides of the stairs. He slid down it on his slipper, ruining them already before coming to the ground to bounce off the dirt and making a hop and a leap towards the city. "Y-yeah!" He grinned, his teeth touching to reveal a large grin. "Night out!" He laughed, putting his hands behind his head to turn back to his brother and cousin.
Vy just walked down the steps. He wasn't going to test his clumsiness. He smiled at Siam and then looked up. The night was always much cooler. He was much more comfortable now.
Siam bounced down, hopping backwards as he led them down the street into the market. Most of the shops were closed, but there was a light at the end of the street where an alley was bright with lights and people were swarming in.
Keelan waited for Vy to catch up, nodding as he could hear the music playing, flutes whistling and other instruments.
The city really was bustling. Vy caught up to Keelan and sighed. "Are we prepared for this?" he smiled. This might be a night of trouble indeed.
Keelan couldn't help the smile spreading across his face as he looked at him, "Oh you know Siam always finds the best stuff, always strange but somehow good."
Siam turned forward to walk down the market till he was at a stand, "Old man! I came back!" He grinned, tapping the pipe on the counter.
"Aiye! Aiye! That pipe is precious!" He came out, waving his hand, "Don't go banging it up just yet!" He smiled at him.
"Alright,��� Siam grinned, "What is it? The surprise?"
He nodded, parting the curtain back into his house behind the shop. "Come! Come!"
"Come on Keelan! Vy!" Siam grinned, "You're slow!" He shouted, stepping inside.
Vy shook his head and sighed as they caught up to Siam. "Alright!" he called to him.
Keelan laughed, looking at Vy before he walked in after them both.
The older gentleman led them back to his house to reveal the shop was a front to a lounge. Smoke filled the room as he pulled back the curtain and people were sitting in the chairs as freshly dressed girls came in, serving drinks and tobacco. "Isn't this nice?" He asked him.
Siam's eyes lit up seeing the woman. "Y-yeah!" He breathed, ready to go in. He didn't even have to ask before he slipped down onto one of the couches and sprawled out. "Oh my god, now this is the place! You think the Pantheon has this?" He asked Keelan.
"No," he told him, smiling softly as he came down to sit next to him. He noticed the table was for tiles and he smirked a bit, looking at it before to Vy. "Want to play me?" He asked him.
Vy should have known this would be the place. He felt a bit uncomfortable, but he looked at Keelan and saw the game. "Yes," he told him as he went over to sit down.
Keelan laughed, relaxing finally, "Of course Siam would find a smoke shop." He started to laugh, that real smile bleeding through as he set the board.
Siam rolled his eyes, "Hey! Old man! The tobacco!" He waved the pipe as a girl looked over, coming to him to lean over the back of the couch and take it from him.
Vy looked up hearing Siam and sighed. He drew his tiles then. "It's not so bad," he sighed trying to be positive. He'd get his game.
"No," he smiled as he leaned over the board. "At least it's quiet."
"For now," he said looking up at Siam. "You first."
"Pch!" He snorted, setting the first tile at him, "Don't act like you don't like it a bit. It'd be weird if it was quiet without him."
"Then something would really be wrong." Vy smiled and laid his tile.
He moved another piece, crossing his arms as he leaned back against the pillows and held his jaw. "Yeah, you're right. I'd think something wrong was happening." He admitted. "You know something bad happened when Siam's quiet."
"It's the truth," Siam grinned, blowing smoke from the pipe as he relaxed. He slumped in the chair, leaning his head back as one of the girls walked up and slid his hair back out of his face. He stared up at her and realized he could completely see her bust size from his angle. He felt his face flush a little as he realized how she was looking at him and his eyes squinted a little before closing as he let her play with his hair more.
Vy shook his head at Siam. "You think he'll ever settle down?" he asked as he played.
"No," he told him truthfully, moving a piece from the center. "Too rowdy," he told him, "besides… He's hardly empathetic enough. It'd have to be arranged." He looked up at him, "Wouldn't you agree?"
"You think he'd follow through even if it was arranged?"
"You know… I don't know." He looked at Siam, "He seems in his own world, uninterested by this stuff."
Siam was gone, completely under his tobacco high and enjoying the girl's hands over his temples.
"I'd be surprised if he even had a child of his own any day. It seems so unlike him."
"I heard that," he told them, but he sounded relaxed and unphased.
Keelan shrugged at him, "I only speak the truth." He told his brother, continuing to play Vy.
"Maybe a child would calm him down." Not that it should be tested. He played again.
"I have some serious doubts on the validity of that." He told him when Siam leaned up to look at them both.
"Why would I even want that?" He asked Vy. "I enjoy women but I don't want to force them to have kids. I'm not looking to build a home life yet."
Keelan paused, this was his first time hearing that. "What would you prefer?"
Siam looked away slowly, "I wouldn't want to draw anyone into palace life. It's a lot to ask for."
He contemplated his brother's words slowly. "What about those who already live out this life? How is it much different?"
He looked at him, " She hardly would know me. I'm not going to marry someone randomly. It's…" he sighed, leaving his head back. "Disgusting." All he could think of was their mother and that expression she had. Why had she looked so conflicted? She wouldn't even speak about it.
Keelan took his move and looked at Vy, "Isn't it just a chain?" He asked them. "It's not like you won't have to do it either, Vy."
He hadn't intended it that way. Siam seemed to have his life well figured out. "I… haven't really thought about it."
He shrugged, "The sun is setting," he told him, tapping the table. "Aren't you worried they'll decide if you don't?"
"I haven't worried about it. If they do then what choice do I have?" He asked and played his role.
"A choice." He snorted, making a joke but also being serious at the same time. He looked at him finally, "Captured." He told him finally, smirking, wondering if he'd get his King out of it. He crossed his arms and leaned back. "Why do you think they pick them so young like that? That girl… she almost seemed closer to our age." He thought back.
"Easy to manipulate. Make them into fine puppets." He sighed. He moved a piece and it freed his king, but left Keelan with only one move. Vy would checkmate next turn.
He stopped, looking at the board and furrowed a brow. "Surely she's just been well taught," he started, "you don't honestly think they're that shallow, do you? She's a girl. What makes you think she wants to be with an older man?" Even if it was his uncle. He'd heard stories from Baba before talking about some of the concubine girls crying and one even killed herself. The thought wasn't pleasant. If she had attempted to convince him to be more compassionate towards the women he met, it sure worked.
"I cannot speak for her reasoning," he sighed. She seemed just fine.
"Of course not," Keelan started, looking away. "Not that you'd want to either." He sighed, "I just figured it might be nice that she gets to talk with someone in the palace other than sitting in a room to herself. Don't you speak with Bao Ma?"
Vy made a face. "No," he shook his head. He wouldn't speak badly about her, but she was such a loud and cruel woman. She cared for no one but herself. He tried to just stay clear of her as best he could.
He went silent after that, looking back at the board as he tried to maneuver his way out of the spot he was in, seeing Vy's impending attack. "Maybe she's different." He sniffed, sighing. "Besides, you'll have to get to know her at some point lest your siblings turn on you." A terrible thought but him and Siam had their siblings corralled well."
"She might be," he sighed. Did it matter though?
"Up to you," he shrugged. "You'll probably have to watch over all of them when she passes away anyways." He nodded to Siam.
"Don't look at me. I don't babysit. Besides, Ruhi does great keeping them all in line. I haven't heard little Nea squawk about anything in weeks."
Keelan sighed, touching his head to shake it carefully. "Siam," he sighed.
Vy sighed. He really didn't want to bother with his siblings, but he felt that without the right guidance they would end up as cruel as Bao Ma. "Maybe when everything settles down it'll be easier to tell how she'll be."
"Certainly," he sighed, "better less fighting than more." He told him. He nodded for him to take his move. "I dislike it when they try to conspire the younger ones against us. It's in poor taste to hold those types of resentments."
"Very," Vy agreed. He knew his father wouldn't allow it though. It looked bad on the family.
"Doesn't stop the fighting though," Siam sighed, staring up at the ceiling as he mellowed out more. "You know how those officials get. They're chomping at the bit to get control over the palace."
"Mansa won't let them." He told him, "He's sworn to our father and if they conspire something nasty you know it's treason."
"Treason is hardly the concern." He looked at him, "Have you not seen the puppet walk father takes for them sometimes, twisting himself over for them. It's hardly much more than anything than a cake walk for Uncle who just takes on concubines."
Keelan snarled a little at that, reminded of the wife shoved at his father every time there was talk of birth and possible death of a wife. "I'd sooner like to rip their titles from under them."
"Easily said." He shrugged, "Though… Wouldn't it be nice to free them all?"
"Don't talk about that," he shook his head, "it's a terrible idea."
"Free all of the women from their households," he snorted, holding his hands out. "Let the businesses flourish, loosen the regulations and taxes. Let them be free."
"There's no order to that Siam. People will trample on others. Besides, it took long enough to gather under one roof. Could you imagine the Mambas interacting with us if we hadn't pushed them down to size? They would have killed everything."
"It's hardly unfitting. They say we're too friendly. The foxes already killed mom after their little spat."
He stood up then, getting irritated with him and he grabbed Siam, shaking him. "Are you seriously starting something right now?"
Siam looked up at him. He pushed his hand off, straightening up and he looked at Keelan. "Come now, you get to take the pretty spot at the top and you're complaining how you can't do anything. That's complete nonsense Keelan." He smirked at him as he straightened up, feeling a little fluffed. "You act like it's as easy as picking the hen's nest. Keelan, you're so blind at times that it's annoying. It's not like they-"
He hit him in the face and Siam blinked, looking back at the floor before he touched his cheek and he smirked. "This is why I'm better at fighting." He turned, shoving him to the ground and they started to tussle.
"You always act so rowdy!" Keelan gasped, shoving his brother's head up as he pushed his palm hard against the side of his cheek to push him off.
"Because I'm better at fighting than you. You're all talk!" He laughed, feeling the edge. He liked to prove Keelan wasn't better than him like this when they got heated.
Vy sighed and watched them for a second before he stood up. He walked over and pulled them apart. "Enough. This is not the place." He looked at both of them. He had no problem with them fighting it out, but not in public where they could destroy a place that was not theirs.
Keelan brushed himself off quickly, glaring at Siam. "Why do you act like such a brute?"
Siam pushed against Vy's hand holding him back, "because you act like you know it all Keelan. It's ridiculous hearing you."
"Maybe if you read the rules and studied like you were supposed to it wouldn't be such a big deal when I talk about this kind of thing."
He growled, pushing against Vy harder but Keelan shrugged, walking away. Siam backed off, looking at Vy. "I don't know why you defend him." He shot.
Keelan rolled his eyes, of course, always the dramatics. "What more must you start, brother?" He lifted the curtain to the doorway and looked back at them. He curled a lip before turning to walk out.
Vy kept Siam back despite his pushing. He looked at Siam and then to Keelan as he left. He sighed and lowered his arm. "I do not defend him," he said calmly. "This is not your establishment, Siam." He nodded to the old man. "He was kind enough to show you this and have you here as a guest." He tried to get him to see the issue here. If Siam wanted to continue this argument then he could do it on his own ground.
Siam rolled his eyes, stepping back from him and he ran his hand through his hair, pushing it back. "Whatever." He grumbled under his breath. "Let's go find Keelan before he gets hurt." Reminding himself to cool it.
Keelan stalked off down the market pretty far before he stopped, realizing he was lost. He blinked, looking up and he looked from the stalls and then back behind him. That's right… He didn't come out to town often. Great.
Vy sighed. "Yeah," he turned to leave then. He knew Siam would calm down and that he didn't actually mean Keelan harm. They were brothers and they were close. Nothing really got between them.
Siam tucked his pipe in his robes, stepping to the doorway to push the curtain. "Thanks old man!" He called, hearing a holler back from the distant room before he stepped out. It was really late now, dark even and the market was dying down but it didn't mean that enough shops had closed. "Where do you think he wandered off to?" Siam started, looking around.
Vy stepped out and looked down the alley. "Split up?" he asked
"No," Siam sighed, "that's dangerous." He looked back down one way and then another. "We'll start this way. When we get to the end there's an alley we can use to loop back around from the other side and see if we can find him. Hopefully he didn't leave the market."
Vy nodded. Good thing Siam knew his way around. He'd follow his lead.
He walked down the street with him and they passed by a few stalls, when he found Keelan standing in the middle of the street, dumbfounded and confused. "Keelan," he called his brother. When he saw him look up he walked over to him and grabbed his shoulder, "Hey," he breathed, "come on. Let's go home."
Keelan looked at him but he shifted, moving away from Siam to look at Vy. "Yeah," he was still pissed.
Vy shook his head at them and started off back home. These two… Honestly, what would he do without them?
Keelan followed Siam as the two lagged behind, exchanging worried but upset glances. It'd be a few days for Keelan to cool off unlike Siam as they descended the streets in silence. The walk home was awkward when their feet finally reached the steps back up to the palace. Keelan was the first to start but Siam cut him off. "Take care, Vy." He nodded to his brother before going off to bed.
Keelan sighed, looking down, "Yeah." He ran his hand over his shoulder, "Night Vy." He didn't look at him before walking down the stone path to the main hall for his room.
Vy watched them. He smiled weakly. "Goodnight." With a sigh he turned to go back home.
Qian was sitting outside of her room with the sliding door open. She was in the small building a lower level down from the main palace with the garden in front of her room. It had a large pond with a bridge that led out to a gazebo with a tiny red roof. She leaned against the doorway with her legs out beneath her as she held her hands in her lap, staring up at the moon.
Could the night be any more lonely? At least Koto had left her alone to settle in for the night. She had hoped he wouldn't come to bother her. The idea of being sold to an older man for her looks made her sick but what was worse was how he looked at her. She felt like a complete object.
Her gaze fell and she drew her fingers up to her lips to touch them, the red smearing across her fingertips as she looked at it and rubbed her thumb over her fingers, rubbing it in till her fingers turned pink.
Vy walked by and spotted her. He was honestly surprised to see her alone. He'd figured his father would- He didn't want to think about it honestly. He wasn't going to be rude and ignore her as he walked by though. "Goodnight, Lady Qian." He bowed his head to her.
She looked up, noticing him and she remembered him from earlier. Koto's eldest son… "Good- night." She blinked, shifting to sit up. She tried to recall his name but it escaped her, though she was curious what had him out so late. "Ky?" She asked, not sure, "I apologize though we met. I can't recall your name." The party had been long with introductions and wore her out.
He stopped when she spoke. "Vy," he corrected her gently. "It's fine." He looked at her. "Did you need something?"
She smiled a bit more when he corrected her, thankful he wasn't condescending. "Tonight?" She shook her head, "I know I'll need to familiarize myself with this place better. It's larger than what I was expecting and a lot more-" lonely, "intricate than I believed it to be. It'll take me time to adjust."
"It is different then most places," he agreed with her. "If you need help with anything, just let me know." He was trying to be cordial with her. There was no sense in judging her too harshly when they'd only just met.
Qian took his words in, thoughtful. "Well," she looked at him, then adjusted herself before shifting her legs beneath her as she pushed her hands down on the floor before standing up. She tried to place her words carefully since he was being so warm, "is there more gardens like this one?" She asked him, looking out at the pond. She wanted to visit these places more tomorrow if possible. At least it'd be a start as she familiarized herself. Places she could go to clear her mind.
Did she mean for him to show her now? "Yes, we have several gardens on the grounds."
She looked out at the gardens a moment longer before looking back at him. "You don't have to show me now if you don't want to. I know I stopped you while you were heading to bed," she told him, "tomorrow would be fine if you have a little bit of time instead."
He really wouldn't have time tomorrow. He smiled at her. "I could show one or two. Tonight if you'd like."
She nodded, feeling a bit of excitement thrill her. Finally something she wanted. She slipped on a pair of white slippers, stepping out of her room to close it behind her as she adjusted her kimono. "I would like to take you up on that offer," she told him, liking his nature a lot better than Koto's. She wondered how he ended up this way when the man clearly wasn't as-
She cut herself off and her smile faded a little, "If tonight is what you have. Would you lead the way?" She asked softly.
Vy nodded. She seemed different also. Not just some puppet that follows orders. He turned to start walking to the Southernmost part of the grounds. They could then make their way back. "What interests you in the gardens?" Was it just because they were pretty?
Qian followed him, somewhat behind at first as she looked over the pond as they crossed next to it. "A place for me to sort of relax alone." She offered, "I'm unfamiliar with this sort of living but the gardens are the closest to nature. My village was near the border of a tropical rainforest. It's somewhat relaxing to be a part of that when I was feeling particularly-" overwhelmed, perplexed… hiding. "Different, I guess you could say."
He looked down understanding completely. He found the archive pavilion to be his escape. He looked at her, slowing his stride to walk alongside her. "I imagine it is cooler in your village."
"It's more humid," she mentioned, thinking about it. "I wouldn't say it's cooler unless you went deep into the forest, where the oasis is. Sometimes we'd go when the jaguars weren't there."
"That still sounds better than the desert." Moisture. He was not meant for dry heat.
"It can be but it can make you itch when the mosquitos start to bite," she looked at Vy, smiling a bit more. " Have you ever traveled?" She asked.
"Not very far," he confessed.
"Really?" She asked, "Does anyone here travel often?" She looked around at the night sky, "I travelled a lot with my grandmother when I was younger. We visited the small villages around us while she passed around medicine. She owned the most camels in our village so people relied on her and my brother to transport goods. Mostly medicine." She looked at Vy, "You should travel more."
He smiled a little. "I might sometime." His father wanted him out of trouble and the only way he saw fit to do that was have him quietly studying the archives. He stopped when they got to the far garden. It was the most colorful and had a small brook running through it that led to a pond at the center.
Qian looked over at the garden as they entered into the area just past the small archway. Her eyes drew over it slowly as she walked to the edge of the brook to look into it. She could see little fish swimming around in yellow and white variations. As she studied them, she noticed the small fauna in the water and she knelt down slowly to reach out to touch the top of the water lily to feel the petals.
"I've never seen anything like these gardens before," she told Vy quietly. She smiled a bit to herself, liking the conversation. She had only wished Koto had better interests in talking over just utilizing the opportunity to compliment her looks. Her expression fell and she let the lily float back away as her fingers grazed the top of the water and she flicked it off her fingertips.
He smiled seeing her appreciation for them. They really were something. A jewel in the desert. He saw her smile fade and he felt the need to ask. "What's wrong?"
She looked at the water and drew her hands in her lip as she drew her knees closer to her chest. "Just a thought," she told him, forcing a smile to look back up at him. There was no way she could complain about her problems to the son of the man she was pledged to.
Vy nodded. She didn't think she could talk to him, and she shouldn't have to. He let her have her thoughts. "Do you like the garden?' he asked, changing the subject. He turned though to look at tall tiger lillies with their bright orange color.
She tried to keep her smile but it looked more sad when she noticed him change the subject. She knew she had given up her opportunity but her grandmother had warned her many times over she shouldn't cry out. The palace was full of all sorts and manners of creatures. It only took one slip of weakness and they'd do her in and then she'd be seeing her last sunrise over a rumor about- "It's lovely," she breathed, her hands shaking a moment as she crushed them between her stomach and lap. She stilled her hands a moment to quiet her fears. "It only reminds me of how much I love the real thing itself. It's merely just a piece of it." She told Vy, not looking at him as her eyes concentrated on the water below as she stared at her reflection.
He tried not to notice her uncertainty about her new environment. He frowned. Why was he wanting her to be comfortable? She was his father's- He sighed. "You can come here anytime. Not many spend much time here." Maybe this could be her safe place if she needed it.
What? She looked up at him, "Is that so?" She breathed, a more genuine but surprised expression blossoming over her face. "Do you come here often, yourself?" Is that why he knew?
He looked at her. He was taken back a little by her beauty. "I- used to. I spend more time reading and organizing the archives now," he confessed.
"Archives?" She asked, still kneeling in front of the water. "Is that what you do? Study the laws and previous hearings?" She knew a little bit of the things they did at the capital.
"Yes, as well as histories." He appreciated it. It was usually a quiet place that not many people wanted to go to.
"History?" She asked, looking at him. "Have you read about the history of the palace? I know there were many stories in my village of how it came to be, but stories are rarely written where I'm from."
"Yes," he nodded. "I've read almost all of the scrolls."
She looked back down at the water, "Did they say about the history of this garden?" She asked softly, pulling her hand from her lap to brush her hair back behind her ear.
"This garden," he reached out to touch a tiger lily. "King Dazeem was so impressed by the dragon cities that he wanted a place to resemble their colorful oasis."
"King Dazeem?" She looked at the tiger lily he brushed his fingers over and she relaxed a little, more curious. "Do the dragons really exist?" She asked softly, her focus changing. "Did he see them? I heard they were ancient yet it is believed that they are a myth."
"They exist, but not like they used to." He let his hand fall. "Their numbers dwindled from wars with humans."
"I see," she breathed, "I heard that they once lived far to the East of the palace if you can find the oasis in the middle of the desert." She looked at the tiger lily, "If the place exists, I honestly would love to meet a dragon in person."
Vy smiled at that. "It would be something." If this place paled in comparison to the real thing��� He'd want to see the place as well.
She sighed, smiling more as she looked up at the night sky. "It's nice, thinking about traveling. It's so free," she breathed, her mind wandering a little. "I could only imagine the things I'd see. The places I could learn about… I was hoping I'd get to travel further, build my grandmother's business and then-" She stopped, remembering herself before looking back down at the pond. "I mean… I had, before your father visited. He had a better offer," she tried to cover herself as she blushed a little, nervous to reveal herself.
Vy looked at her then. "A better offer?" he asked before he could stop himself. It was none of his business.
"My village elders…" She sighed, tears coming to her eyes a little. "There wasn't enough food in the village and the oasis was drying up. They offered all they had." She hugged her arms around herself, holding her stomach as it twisted. "We weren't very large…" She breathed, "And they had nothing else."
So they offered her? Vy frowned and looked down. "I- see." That was not what he expected at all. He honestly thought she was some vain woman in search for money and security amongst the royals.
"Don't," she breathed, her eyes shadowed by her bangs. "Don't… pity me." She felt a little more upset at the idea that she even sounded helpless. "I went willingly," she breathed. After the guilt tripped her into going or being blamed for the death of her village and anyone else… She swallowed hard, sighing. "I did what I needed to."
"I don't- That's not-" He stopped. "I apologise for not understanding the situation. I judged you poorly before knowing," he frowned.
Judged her poorly? She- Somehow she figured that they all did in this place. One way or another. "Don't go repeating that," she breathed, looking down. "I don't want to be seen as collateral. It- It's not like much of it matters," she was lying but, "what's done now is done." She stood up, turning to look at Vy and she caught his expression finally. He was so-
She looked down, "Was there not a second garden?" She asked him, trying to change the subject. Her fingers smoothed over the fabric she had caught between her fingers nervously. Would he tell the rest? Would she be labeled a casualty now? What would he think of her? Would there be rumors... Probably…
He looked at her. "I won't say anything. It is not my business to tell." He looked through the garden then. "I can take you to one more if you'd like."
She nodded, feeling a bit more tired and concerned if maybe she spoke too much. His words echoed in her mind. "Yes," she breathed, looking at her shoes. "One more would be nice."
"Alright," he told her as he moved to walk through the garden more to the exit.
Qian straightened, following him out through the garden. "I uh-" she felt her nerves rise a little. "I don't hate your father." She tried to clarify, trying to clean her image with him. She didn't want him giving the impression to others she did. She didn't want trouble.
Vy sighed. "You don't have to explain yourself to me."
She blushed a little, "I just don't want you to get the wrong idea. I'm not trying to make your family look bad is all," she breathed, opening up a little.
"I understand. I also know my father. He can be very selfish and cruel." He looked at her. "I understand the position you are in though and I'm telling you you don't have to justify your feelings about him or the situation."
She was a little more shocked hearing it come from his mouth. At least there was something agreeable to that extent. "Thank you," she told him quietly, "it's nice…" She felt a few chills pass over her, "I didn't think-" she chewed at her lip a moment before she shook her head. "I didn't think anyone else would understand it that way."
He watched her. Now that he understood her situation a bit better this was easier. "I can only imagine how you're feeling. I don't want to make it any harder on you."
"Thanks," she breathed, looking away. "I-I never did ask," she looked at him. "You seem so much older than what I heard about the rest of his children. H-How old are you?"
His age? Why? "I'm nineteen," he told her.
"Nineteen…" Not much far off from her. Maybe by a year. She looked up at him. They were the same age. Would she just have children and die… Another concubine, confined to a room. Would she even be here long enough to enjoy this place? She drew in a shallow breath, "I guess you aren't far from succeeding him then," she breathed. She looked at the palace walls, "I hear there's a city being built to the Northwest of here. A large port…" She looked out over the vast dunes of the desert. "Maybe the kingdom really is expanding… Maybe I won't get to see much of these gardens." She trailed off in thought.
He shrugged. "I guess eventually I will, yes." He looked at her and saw her looking at the palace. "I'm sure you will still be able to."
She looked at him, "What makes you so certain that I wouldn't leave with Koto to the large city they're erecting at the new port?" She asked. Would they just move there till Vy was old enough to take over and he fulfilled his father's stipulations before being crowned the next- Would she be able to be free after that? Could she escape this place at the port? Her mind wandered and she filtered back to reality
"It's only natural they would expand, giving your father domain over the next largest area to secure it." She furrowed a brow.
"I don't think my father will leave so soon and if so he wouldn't take his concubines to a place he wasn't sure was completely secure." He wouldn't put it past his father to keep Qian here to rub it in his uncle's face that he'd gotten someone as beautiful as her. He looked at her and then down.
"At least that's reassuring," maybe he'd only trophy her and she wouldn't worry about him coming to spend a night. She winced, looking down. "The other mistress, Bao Ma," she blinked, "I believe she already hates me." She let her hands drop. "I have not met her yet but the servants tell me she requests a lot and that I would have to listen to her should orders arise." She looked at Vy, "Is she also… A concubine as well? Is Koto really without a wife?" She was scared.
She had tried to hide it but she feared her youth and naivety would be her downfall. That Bao Ma would torment her later if she would not see her now, that jealousy had already arisen and she'd have to handle everything coming her way. She was no palace girl of any sort. She was a quiet and witty village girl who had been taught the transactions of business.
He sighed heavily at the mention of Bao ma. "She is a vicious woman. I advise you to stay out of her sight. She doesn't like you because she is a jealous woman who thinks she's losing my father's favor. He only ever married once. My mother died while having my siblings." he explained.
"I think I have started to piece that together myself," she ran her hand over her shoulder.
"I've found it easier to handle the palace lifestyle if you are mostly invisible," he told her. He'd had to do it plenty to escape Bao Ma's fits.
"Tell me your secrets," she breathed a laugh. "Other people need escapes too." Her eyes settled on the moon. It was so bright, the way it hung over the sky in its entirety.
He smiled. "The archives. No one really likes going there and there's always something to be done there." He watched her look up at the moon. It cast a silver glow around her.
"I hardly imagine the archives would be a place for me. Women aren't allowed to read," she smirked, looking at him. A twinkle in her eye, hiding the little bit of knowledge she had. She could read. She could write, a little, but not much, but it was more than most other women her age. Especially for those not of the palace.
He looked at her and let out a small laugh. "But you can."
"Don't say something so ridiculous," she smirked. "I'm just a village girl."
"Right," he laughed. She's not just beautiful, she's intelligent. Not that it mattered. She was taken.
"Besides," she smiled a little more as she looked around the garden. "What use would a man have for my wits anyways?" A sore jest at her insecurities but she thought it was suiting for the moment.
That tugged at him. "If he were smart, he'd have many." Why not have an intelligent partner? It would be far more interesting.
"Many intelligent partners?" She covered her mouth as her eyes pinched, nearly closed to stare at him. "Would they not conspire together or even possibly apart if they were all of wit?"
"Many uses for your wit. And there would be need for only one." He smiled a little at her interpretation of his comment.
"What are you insinuating, Vy, son of Koto?" She joked, starting to really enjoy the company of him.
He looked at her and thought maybe he was blushing. Why did he feel caught?
"That having an intelligent partner would be more favorable."
She saw him blush and she felt her smile spread, "Isn't my looks enough?" She asked coyly, turning in her nightgown then back to him. " This is what the palace desired of it's women. Am I not what they asked for?" She stepped over to the small bridge, crossing it to stare down into the water, seeing her reflection.
He watched her twirl and felt his cheeks heat a little more. "It- well that is why my father picked you," he sighed. Looks were definitely nice, but not necessary. Not to him anyway.
"Of course it is," she mused, looking down into the water. "Everyone can't resist the impulse, as if the gods themselves willed them towards me." She looked at Vy, "I fear my predicament is a matter of whether others can see past the glamour and see me for myself." She blushed a little, thinking about their talks and she actually enjoyed it more than she ever had. No one had indulged her in conversation like this except her brother and grandmother.
A nice touch compared to the small life she was used to living. She sighed softly, looking back out to the new garden and her eyes focused on the small trees and the water. She wondered if she was able to get away with a sort of swim one day in one of them just like the oasis. Her face heated a little at the thought of being caught but somehow… If it was just Vy- She looked at him, starry-eyed, "What's with that look?" She asked him, laughing a little.
Vy sighed. "You're not what I expected," he looked away then to the water.
"Did you think I was some pretentious woman here to steal your father and pester you with my rants?" She asked, laughing. "I'm not so petty, but you seem more aware of it now."
He shook his head. It sounded so lame when she put it that way. "No I thought you would be some puppet that was only here to look pretty." He looked at the moon in the water. "I was afraid you might be like Bao Ma." He sighed and looked at her. "I am aware that is not the case."
"I suppose my acting is well enough then," she told him, "surely I thought maybe I was doing a terrible job." She laughed softly, "I suppose I can keep my airs about me knowing that now." She smirked, looking at Vy. "I convinced you, how could I not convince the rest?"
He smirked and looked back at the water. For her sake she… She was doing a good job, which reminded him that he should be taking her back. "We should head back."
Qian leaned against the bridge railing a bit more, staring into the depths of the water. "Sure," she breathed, feeling a little more relaxed now that she got to speak with someone else. It was better than just waiting in her room all night, for the- She didn't want to think about it.
She pushed the thought away, looking back up to Vy. "Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I appreciate it."
He looked at her and smiled bowing his head. "Of course. I'm here if you need to talk."
She smiled a little more, "You're not so bad, you know," she looked away as she walked back up beside him and she put her hands together as she started to walk a little ahead of him back towards her room. "Maybe we can talk again here." She gestured to the garden. "Or you can show me more of the palace."
He smiled and followed after her. "I can do that, if you'd like."