I’d thought for sure that love would come with time. That the beginnings of something great had been born the day we met.
But little did I know that all those months of missing her, longing to see her face again, that it was indeed love that had been awakened inside me.
“That day we met, I saw something in you. Something that hasn’t left me after all this time. I saw it again today but I have to ask you to be more careful in the future when dealing with the Empress. Unless…unless of course you truly have no interest in being my wife.”
“I didn’t know that it was you...” She bit off her speech hurriedly but I’d heard what I wanted in her words. Now she refused to look at me. I walked over, feeling more sure of myself now, and lifted her chin with my finger.
“And now?”
“Your Highness.” She looked down at the ground beneath her feet as her face flushed. I didn’t know my beauty could be shy.
I smiled down at her bent head and dropped my hand, moving away to give her space. “Can you at least give me a chance? There’re still three days left before the selection comes to an end. Let me prove to you that you are the right one to rule by my side.”
As perverse as it sounds, the fact that she didn’t seem to want it only made me more sure, made me want her even more. While every other young girl in the kingdom would die to take her place, she seemed rather nonchalant about it.
“And how do you plan to do that? I’m sure you know this, us meeting here like this, is against every protocol. If we’re found out you might come away unscathed, but my reputation would be ruined.”
“I won’t come to you like this again. I’ll send eunuch Van instead and if you have something to say to me you can pass it on through him as well.”
My heart was back to racing because she wasn’t denying me outright, but seemed to be giving it some thought. “Please say you’ll agree. I promise I will do nothing untoward. Just please give me a chance.”
She didn’t answer right away, but then with a slight nod of her head she relieved me from the angst that was steadily taking over my senses.
“Eunuch Van, take the princ…walk Lady Mia back to her quarters.” She curtsied and walked away to meet him, looking back only once before she was no longer in sight.
I stayed there a little longer, finally able to breathe for what felt like the first time in weeks. Now I have to go find father to do some damage control. I’m afraid my beauty had done too good a job earlier with her little sabotage job.
A smile broke out across my face as I made my way towards my father’s palace. I was even more enamored of her now than before. What an amazing girl.
She was like the perfect reflection of me. Like father had said earlier. A lot of the things she found interest in were also things that I too have found to my liking.
What would it be like to have a conversation with her? To debate as I’m sure she would, over the finer points of some of the classic teachings? She couldn’t be any more suitable if she’d been made for me.
I found father in his study reading and rushed right in. “There you are son. I expected you sooner. What can I do for you?” He put away the papers he’d been reading and I went and sat at his feet the way I have been since I was a child.
“Father, you have to keep the Empress from disqualifying Mia. I know she went a little overboard today but…”
“Is that what you’re worried about? I told you, your mother and I have the final say.”
“The Empress may have her opinions but she has no part in this selection.” I breathed a sigh of relief and sat back on my heels.
“And you, you didn’t find her too forward did you? She’s just a bit outspoken but…”
“Stop worrying son, I see why you like her. I like her too. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Dunal Morgana’s daughter.”
He had a whimsical smile on his face that put my mind at ease. And then his next words made me exceedingly happy. “Your mother and I have already made up our minds. We want her for a daughter in law.”
“Really? Thank you father, thank you.”
“Now you won’t have to send eunuch Van to organize any secret rendezvous?”
“How did you…”
He didn’t speak for two minutes and I thought I’d really stepped in it this time. “I told you in the beginning that this was not going to be easy.”
“You’re smart enough to know that after all the trouble the Empress and your uncle went to, to get Princess Rowena included in the selection, that they wouldn’t give in so easily.”
“I know those two very well, having dealt with their treachery before.” Again he broke off speaking and just watched me.
“I have someone watching the quarters where the young ladies are staying. That’s how I was able to stop Princess Rowena from following your Mia when she left to meet you.”
He quirked his brow and I knew it was his way of scolding me for my carelessness. “I’d already decided not to risk it again. From now until the official selection has been made, I’ll send her messages through eunuch Van but I won’t be meeting her alone again.”
“And what if someone hears about these secret messages?”
“I’ll be extra careful but you must allow me, I’ve already promised…”
“Okay, okay calm down. Since you’re too impatient to wait for your bride I will allow it, but I will send someone to take care of it. Your eunuch Van is too obvious, you won’t be fooling anyone.”
“Father, I’m worried about her here alone without her family.”
“Not to worry. Your mother has already sent her some desserts and a note of encouragement.”
“I’ll remember to thank mother later then.”
“You do that. Now can I get back to what I was doing before you barged in?”
“Yes, of course, sorry, I’ll leave now.”
I walked on air all the way back to my palace. In my mind I was already choosing my first gift to her. It would have to be something special. I had a feeling that she’d only scoff at jewelry or any other worldly possession though. So maybe something intellectual to entice my little scholar. I smiled as I walked into my chambers. I have just the thing.
Narrator
Lady Mia returned to her appointed rooms full of questions and more than a little confused. Why had the Prince been sneaking out of the palace that day? She couldn’t quite remember what reason if any he’d given.
She walked around her room in a daydream like state, wondering at the strange feelings that arose at seeing him again. She hadn’t expected to ever see him again and now here he was. The Prince of all things.
Her mind turned to the others that were vying for his hand. The whole selection took on new meaning now that she knew the Prince in question was her beautiful stranger.
He was still as beautiful as she remembered, even more so. That lock of hair that fell across his forehead just begged for her fingers to brush it back into place.
And those eyes, he had eyes the green of he mountains back home. She was honest enough to admit now with their second meeting, that she liked him.
Before, when he was no more than a stranger she’d had no hopes of ever meeting again, she’d not allowed herself to dwell too much on their fleeting meeting that day.
But now, now things were a little bit different. Now she knew who he was. And where before she hadn’t been thrilled at the idea of life in the palace. After seeing him again, the prospect was no longer as repellent.
And then she remembered the others who had also been selected and felt a sense of jealousy for the first time in her life. It was not a feeling that sat well, but try as she might there was no shaking it.
Never one to care much about appearances, she now wondered if either of the other two were prettier. Then she remembered his words and her face heated up.
He’d already chosen her. Obviously if he’d been in that room today he must’ve seen the others as well. And still he wanted her for his princ
ess. Had she really made that great an impression upon their first meeting? It was a pleasant thought indeed.
While Mia walked around her room thinking about what she should do about this new situation, and Prince Jai took extra care packaging and repackaging his gift, Princess Rowena sat alone in her room biting her lip to shreds.
She’d been all set to follow that Mia person after seeing her accept the note from the eunuch, but the Crown Prince had sent someone to fetch her at that very moment.
She’d been torn between following the girl and going to her uncle. But of course she had no choice. Then she thought it was a good sign that he was calling her for an audience and she need not worry about the nobody.
She’d been rather put out this morning when he’d spent so much time talking to Lady Mia, but then grandmother had shown the girl up for what she was. How vulgar that she’d read all those books.
How utterly unfeminine. She’d felt even better once her serving lady had reminded her that her uncle need not ask her those same questions since they were family and he would know those things about her already.
She overlooked the fact that her uncle in fact knew very little about her. That they never had a close relationship and until now, they’d hardly ever spent any time in the same room together.
She arrived at his palace where he was waiting and his smile was very reassuring. Their conversation had been a bit short but she was still pleased that he’d sent for her.
She wanted to go see grandmother, but the ladies in waiting had insisted that she wait since the Empress was otherwise involved.
Now she was back in her rooms with nothing but her thoughts to keep her company. What was in that note, and where had Lady Mia gone off too after receiving it?
She couldn’t shake the feeling that the prince was somehow involved. Once again she remembered the look on his face the day of the banquet when he’d looked at Lady Mia. There had been no mistaking the look of male interest. And now she was here, part of the final selection.
She felt a pain in her chest and lower as tears gathered in her eyes. He’d never looked at her like that. Not once in all the time she’d known him has he ever shown any interest.
She left her room in a huff, determined to get some answers once and for all. If Lady Mia or anyone else got in the way of her dreams, she’d just ask her father to take care of them.
Now that she’d come this far, was now so close to getting everything she’d ever wanted, she was not about to let it slip through her fingers. She would stop at nothing to achieve her dreams and fulfill her destiny. To rule on the throne of this great kingdom. Next to the Prince who’d stolen her heart.
That’s why she needed to go see grandmother. Even though the Empress had shown up the other girl earlier, and though the Crown Prince had summoned her, she hadn’t missed the fact that he and his wife seemed to favor Lady Mia.
She felt the same anger she’d felt earlier as she’d been made to sit there quietly while they fawned all over the girl. Who was she to gain that much interest from the heir to the throne? The man was that was to be her father in law?
It had been all she could do to sit there and endure it without giving in to her nature and letting her displeasure be known. She bitten her inner lip raw in her effort to remain still.
It was not the time or place to show her anger. But as she saw there listening, watching, she’d made a silent vow to one day exact vengeance for the humiliation she’d felt. Being summoned later to an audience with the Crown Prince hadn’t changed that by much.
She came to a stop at Lady Mia’s door, listening before she knocked. She didn’t wait for the okay to enter, just threw the door open and walked in.
There servants who stood around outside the door dared not object for they knew her temperament only too well. The fact that she hadn’t even acknowledged their presence spoke volumes and they couldn’t help thinking to themselves that there was a vast difference between the two young girls.
Already word of Lady Mia’s grace and kindness had started spreading among the court ladies and eunuchs of the palace. They too had a vested interest in the one who would be chosen, as they were well aware of her status both now and in the future.
There were even some who were placing bets, which wasn’t going too well since most favored Lady Mia. But still there were those who feared the Empress and had seen her handy work before.
They were sure that she would pull out all the stops to get her favored granddaughter on the throne. And so Lady Mia or anyone else didn’t stand a chance.
Lady Mia looked up from the window seat she was sitting on, rereading the note over and over again as if new words would magically appear.
She’d spent the last half hour going over and over in her head. What decision should she make? Her family wanted her to be chosen, and it would be a great boon for their clan. But was it what was right for her?
It was true that of all the suitors who’d come across her path that none had moved her quite like he did. Even that first day when she wasn’t too sure of him. Hadn’t she gone to bed that night thinking about him?
She been sitting there torn between the new sense of excitement she felt since their earlier meeting, and a slight unease at the thought of what life would be like behind the palace walls.
Now she stood to her feet and curtsied before the princess. “Princess Rowena, what brings you here?” Just then there was another call at the door, only this time whoever it was waited for the court lady that had been appointed to her to announce them.
MIA
“Come in!” Three court ladies came in bearing trays. “Lady Mia, we’re here to bring you this offering from the Crown Princess Consort.” The plates were laden with all manner of sweets, which just happens to be my weakness.
I watched in awe as they set up the table. I’d never seen that many sweets at once. “All of that’s for me?” They curtsied and smiled as they gave their answer.
“The Crown Princess Consort knows that you’re away from your family and wanted to make you feel welcomed. Please enjoy my lady. Princess.” They made one last curtsy before taking their leave.
I looked over the sweets more touched by the gesture than the assortment itself. I turned to my guest and once again caught the look of distaste on her face before she could smooth it out into her semblance of a smile.
“Would you like to sit and have some with me?” I smiled as I indicated the table.
“No thanks, I’m sure my aunt has already sent the same to my room as well.”
She said it in such a way that it was hard to miss her displeasure. Her eyes were trained not on the beautiful assortment of delicacies, but instead on the folded note in my hand.
I looked down at the almost forgotten note and instead of hiding it, which would be pointless at this point, waited for her to mention it.
“What was it that you wanted again Princess Rowena?” I’ve never been slow and with father, Des, and my brothers constantly drilling things into my head, I’ve gained a heavy distrust of people.
That’s why my easy acceptance of Prince Jai is so confusing. The princess on the other hand, since the day she dug her nails into my arm, has been sending mix messages that I have yet to discern.
Here now, I decided to trust my instincts and tread carefully with this one. I worked things out quickly in my head. Things that I’d not given much thought to even an hour ago.
When I came here as one of the final three, my lack of interest had kept me more or less immune to the goings on around me.
I knew the other two had been doing their best, while I, as the prince had pointed out, had been actively working to sabotage myself. It hadn’t mattered to me then, but now…
“I just wanted to see how you were doing.” Her smile did not reach her eyes. She’s not a very good liar, but my instincts again warned me that my usual forthright manner would not do well here.
It was obvious that her interest was in the note. Then I remembered
that I had seen her in the garden earlier when eunuch Van had brought me the note. Had she followed me?
“As you can see, I’m very well thank you.” I waited for her to mention the note and it wasn’t long in coming.
“What’s that?” She finally pointed to the note.
“Oh this.” I turned the note over in my hand. “It’s a note from my brother.” I walked over to put the note away and she followed.
“Can I see it?”
“Whatever for?” I laughed as I put it away. “Why would you want to read a private missive from my brother to me?”
She was caught of guard by my response and it was obvious that was not accustomed to being denied.
I pretended genuine interest in her answer and my befuddled attitude seemed to remind her of the incongruity of the situation.
She took a step back and bit into her lip, which already looked raw. Her eyes moved as if she were thinking really hard. She’s not very good at hiding her inner feelings and I almost felt sorry for her.
I understood it now. Why that day she’d asked if I’d met him. Why she’d stared at me the way she had. Maybe she’d felt threatened by another young girl being that close.
And now, here we are, both in a competition of sorts to see who would become his future bride. From his approach to me, there was no doubt that he’d already made his choice. And that’s why I almost felt bad for the girl.
“Why would the head eunuch of the prince be bringing messages from your brother?” Very good question.
“Because we’re here on behalf of the prince and I guess he assumed that was the right thing to do. It’s no big deal.”
“We’re not allowed to leave the palace and our family isn’t allowed in. I’m sure one or more of my brothers are even now prowling outside the walls worried about me. I’m not quite used to the city and being away from my family has been harder than I expected.”
Flower In The Palace Page 9