She was too startled to respond. Frozen between his arms for what seemed an eternity. He stared intently into her eyes, like he was trying to read her mind.
She could feel his hot breath on her cheeks.
Was this perhaps how princes behaved? He seemed to be smouldering with an intense emotion she couldn't name, but she thought it might be anger. Had she offended him somehow?
'Y..your highness," she called to him tentatively.
He suddenly pushed himself off her and stalked away a few steps, before stalking back towards her like a charging bull. She took tiny running steps backwards, trying to stay ahead of him.
He stopped abruptly and stood next to her, staring pensively across the pond.
Leaning against the rail, he turned back to look at her, seemingly calmer.
He raised his eyebrows, like he was waiting for her to answer him.
It was too forward. How should she respond to that question? Her hopes and dreams? She barely knew the real answer to the question, much less a sanitised version she could share with the second prince of the realm! And did he really care?
"I'm sure you're not interested in the hopes and dreams of a plain little fifteen-year-old girl, your highness. I won't bore you with them," she replied politely.
"I assure you it wouldn't bore me, and neither are you a 'plain little fifteen-year-old girl'."
That smouldering look again, eyebrows raised in a, 'and you know what I mean', expression.
She wished she could assure him that she absolutely didn't know what he meant.
"Oh…" she dropped her eyes shyly, pausing to gather her thoughts.
"Well … I've been trapped in this mansion my whole life. I so long to be free. Free of this veil, of my lessons, from my courtyard. I love archery and horse riding! The feel of the wind in my hair when I ride is one of my favourite things! I would give anything to ride a horse across the grasslands, to travel across the empire and see the sights I've read about. But I know that will never happen," she said, matter-of-factly. "Sometimes I wish I was a boy. I envy the life of my brothers."
He watched her curiously, distracted by her lips. They were a perfect cupid's bow and looked pillowy soft. He supressed a devilish desire to kiss her right now and be done with this dance.
"Your brothers will be military strategists," he said with amusement. "They'll almost certainly go to war. That's nothing to envy."
"I envy them their freedom. Their sense of purpose. They'll serve the empire and make a difference to the people," her eyes sparkled as she imagined this glittering life she could never lead.
"The grass is always greener on the other side Miss Mei," he said gently. "I imagine they also feel trapped by their duty, and the life that their birth dictates they must lead."
"Oh, sorry," she realised she'd been babbling on. "I've prattled on too much. And of course you're right. My brothers also lead a life that's life dictated to them. It's just that it's an external life, not an internal life…" she trailed off.
"Miss Mei," he said, bemused. "Most young women your age dream of marriage and children. Maybe a beautiful house and garden, jewellery, a good husband, growing old with somebody," he prompted. "Don't these things interest you at all?"
What should she say? she thought. Should she tell a white lie? Did he really care? She decided to tell him the truth.
He might as well understand the real person that she was, not some Confucian fantasy he clearly projected onto women. If he didn't want to be friends with her after that, it was for the best for both of them.
"Your highness," she took a deep breath before ploughing ahead, "… can I say … not really? Or would that be too impolite. I don't want to lie to you. Your highness, although I'm well-versed in the feminine arts, I am a very … plain … woman." She emphasised each word.
"For me to aspire to a good marriage would be a folly. I would need to find a very special man to love me as I am. And I do not hope to be an unloved wife, watching my husband favour his concubines. I hope I may stay with my family rather than be wed in an unhappy marriage and confined to the inner courtyards, serving my mother-in-law … And now I really have said too much," she sighed.
"You are the opposite in every way of a very plain woman, Miss Mei. Perhaps you aspire to be the loved concubine alongside a wife who's content with her status?"
She laughed at the idea that that could happen, or that she would wish for it.
"Your highness, I've never contemplated such a thing!"
"Miss Mei," he would have to try a more direct approach. "The palace concubine selections will happen next year. You are registered so you must attend. I can help you shape the outcome to what you hope for."
She tilted her head and smiled, knocking the wind out of him.
She walked off the bridge, seeking the shade of a nearby pine tree. He followed after her, admiring her figure from behind, while chastising himself for doing so.
She turned back to face him, looking beautiful in the dappled sunlight cast by the red pine.
"Your highness. There is no chance whatsoever that I'll be selected as a royal concubine. Thank you for your kind offer of help, but that's something I don't think I need anyone's help with, because it won't happen. I have things that keep me up at night, but the concubine selections are most definitely not one of them."
She wondered if he had missed seeing what was under her veil yesterday. Still, it was kind of him to think of helping her.
"You're a good and thoughtful friend to my brothers, looking out for their little sister," she added.
As she spoke, a large peacock which had been roosting in the pine tree, dropped down like a stone, soaring close to her ear.
"Help!" she screamed, twisting to avoid it and losing her footing. Her veil fluttered to the ground as she spun.
The prince was there in an instant, catching her in his arms, where he held her, staring into her eyes, his face inches from hers again. She stared back at him, her heart racing fit to burst. There was an intensity to his stare that she still couldn't read at all. Was he really furious at her?
"Young miss!" cried Manni.
"I..I'm okay Manni," she replied from the prince's arms.
The prince continued to hold her, seemingly without any intention of setting her to her feet and letting her go.
"Ummm … your highness?" she whispered.
He blinked, like he was waking up from a dream.
"Oh. Here we are Miss Mei." He settled her back on her feet.
"Meili!" called her mother from the bridge.
Oh for goodness sake, thought Meili. Her mother had to arrive in time to see that, did she? Now she would never hear the end of it.
Manni handed her the fallen veil, and she quickly put it back on.
"Mother," she said. "One of the peacocks startled me. It's nothing to worry about. The prince saved me from falling. Everything's fine."
"Hmmph," her mother sniffed. "Men and women do not touch. My apologies your highness," she bowed her head. "Meili can be quite clumsy."
"Not at all Madam Yu. In fact, she's a very graceful girl. I'm sorry if I was inappropriate just now. I felt it better to catch her than to let her fall."
"Quite right your highness. We thank you for saving her. Here's Mei Renlong to see you," she gestured at her eldest son, who was just now crossing the bridge.
Madam Yu had clearly asked First Brother to join them and end the visit with her daughter.
The prince bowed to mother and daughter, and they curtsied in return.
"Until next time Miss Mei," he said formally, as he left with First Brother.
The water is getting hotter, thought Madam Yu. First Bai Li. Now the second prince.
She and Tian Yun must find her youngest a good husband, as soon as possible!