Flower In The Palace

by Jordan Silver

  “Yes my lady. The Crown Prince petitioned the emperor to allow this. It is a great honor to be sure.” The head court lady replied.

  “No one has dwelt here in almost twenty years my lady. Not since the last Crown Princess, who’s now the Empress. But as you can see the palace has been kept up all these years.”

  The younger girl, who was not much older than I rushed out before receiving a scolding look from the elder after imparting that information. I hid my grin, as those two seem to always be at odds with each other.

  My eyes landed on the vase of flowers on the table in my sleep chamber. And my heart smiled when I saw the note tucked away amidst the many prettily wrapped gifts there. Walking over I placed my plant next to it and opened the note.

  It was a simple one-line sentence that touched me more than the ancient prose. “Welcome home, my princess. Your Jai.” I grinned like a fool until I realized the ladies were looking at me.

  I swallowed the smile and looked down at the floor, more nervous than shy. I’m sure I’d just broken some sort of rule and for some reason I’ve grown deathly afraid of messing up before the coronation and being sent back home.

  “We will leave you to get settled, please enjoy the refreshments the Crown Prince has had sent over.” They bowed out of the room leaving only one lady, the younger one behind.

  Who I knew would stand in a corner with her head bowed just in case I needed anything. It was one of the things I was going to have to work hard to get used to.

  I took my time opening each of the little gifts he’d sent, each one prettier than the last. The last came with a longer note, which simply said, that although there was much to learn in the coming weeks, he had no doubt that I would surpass everyone’s expectations.

  I’d barely taken a nibble of my favorite honey cake when it was time to leave again. “My lady, did you know that everything thus far has been done according to the Crown Prince’s wishes? No one has ever been treated thus before. Not until after the crowning ceremony anyway.”

  She whispered the words as if sharing state secrets, which in essence she was. “Really?” Her words made me more nervous. I knew nothing about this sort of thing, and my parents who did, hadn’t seemed to notice anything awry.

  It’s true they’d treated me differently once I returned home and the royal messenger had passed father the missive from the then Crown Princess.

  I’d threatened father in private that if he or mother bowed before me again that I wouldn’t step foot back in the palace.

  Mother of course had lectured me on the importance of this and I had no choice but to accept. Now I was being told that Jai had gone against protocol in almost everything.

  Like my place of dwelling, chosen before it was made official that I was the chosen Crown Princess. Now as I was ushered once again before the now Emperor and Empress for the last rites, I grew nervous at all this largess.

  My mind was numb as I sat with the other two ladies, princess Rowena and lady Beth, neither of which seemed very pleased to be there. I understood why when things got underway and it was obvious that the royal parentage were fawning over me.

  Not that they were in anyway rude to the other two, but it was blatantly obvious who they favored. The empress dowager did her best, but it was hard to hide her dissatisfaction.

  I breezed through the questions asked of me and was able to get through this last test because I kept my mind focused on Jai and not the proceedings.

  For me, it was more important that he had feelings for me, than the prospect of all the wealth and grandeur that was now at my fingertips.

  I only knew it was over when the Emperor himself once again came out from behind the beaded curtain to clasp my shoulders and place a fatherly kiss on my brow.

  The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. I didn’t get to see Jai, though each morning I received some little token, carried over by eunuch Van. And always some little note that lifted my spirits.

  I’d gone through the act of accepting the proposal only the day before and now the date of my investiture was set for another week and a half and not long after that my wedding day.

  From that day on everyone referred to me as Crown Princess, something else that took getting used to, and I shook like a leaf the day of my investiture when I saw the crowd of people standing in the procession.

  Princess Rowena and Lady Hyacinth were there as well and there was no mistaking the princess’s disdain when she was made to bow before me as the new Crown Princess.

  Her dislike bothered me somewhat but not enough to dampen my mood. I could well imagine how she felt and would probably have felt the same had I been in her shoes.

  I don’t imagine either of them would have a very easy life going forward, never being able to marry and have a family of their own. Since Jai had decided not to keep either as a concubine or consort. Something I greatly appreciated.

  I’d wanted to ask him about that the last time we met but saw no way of bringing it up. I was pleased that we were of the same mind there as I did not wish to spend my days worrying about my husband’s affections being stolen by another.

  The thought that he might share the same things with someone else, be the same way with someone else as he was with me, pained me in my heart and soul. But I could rest easy now knowing that he was all mine.

  I hadn’t seen Jai since my return and wondered if he was somewhere watching. The thought gave me solace and I was able to get through the tiring ceremony without falling flat on my face.

  Each day I was made to sit for hours while the court ladies taught me all there was to know about life in the palace and what was expected of me as the Crown Princess.

  I was happy to know that I was not expected to sit on my bum all day eating sweets and wiling the hours away. But that they were causes I could take up in my own right if I saw fit.

  Jai’s little tokens, letting me know he was thinking of me, went a long way to breaking up the monotony of the days and then it was the day that he was to officially come and take me away to his Palace.

  I endured the finery I’d been made to wear these past days though they chafed somewhat and were rather hindering. But I’d made up my mind to do whatever it took to be with him.

  I’d never felt like a little girl before, not since I learned to wield a sword, but being here away from my family, without his and his parents’ care I would’ve been lost.

  That was another thing I had not expected. That the Emperor and Empress would take such an interest. It was a sign of their love for their son I guess, that they went to these lengths.

  “Crown Princess, the Crown Prince is on his way here, you must hurry.” I was standing before the mirror taking one last look at myself. Around my neck was the necklace Jai had given me months ago.

  I wore the matching tiara and ring he’d sent over only this morning, and the new gown bestowed upon me by his mother that looked too fine to wear.

  There was no talking them out of fixing my hair in the way of the royal women and I guess I had no choice but to get used to that as well. It did like beautiful with the ruby and diamond tiara.

  Butterflies took flight in my stomach. There was no longer any lingering fear, only excitement. I heard the commotion outside and knew that the time had arrived, that he was here to get me. To take me back to his palace for our wedding ceremony.

  I came out on the steps of the palace and there he was, his guardsmen and the rest of his retinue in their splendid dress and he, dressed in his princely robes, looking more the Prince than I’d ever seen before.

  The smile on his face when he saw me made all my angst and worries drift away like smoke as I was led down the steps to meet him. And though there was a palanquin waiting to take me to his royal residence, he sat me in his beside him. Another step away from custom.

  “I missed you Princess.” Those were his first words to me in months, and he could not have chosen better. And when he took my hand in his, and brought it to his lips, I fe
lt it in my heart.

  Crown Prince Jai

  “I tried talking father into letting me visit you these last few days since your return, but he refused. He said it would be all the better when I did get to see you, and he was right. Only I didn’t exactly obey his command.”

  “What do you mean?” She turned to look at me and the nervousness I’d first seen in her eyes on the steps was fading away.

  Although I’d accepted father’s reasoning that we’d already broken with protocol in many ways where my Princess was concerned. And that all eyes were now on us and so I must be circumspect in my actions, there was one thing I had to do.

  “Do you remember the day we met?” She nodded and looked down at our joined hands. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that.”

  “I was going to look for my brother.”

  “Your brother?”

  “Yes! My father has a son not of my mother. He was born before I was, but his mother was a concubine. She died giving birth to him and now because of men’s greed and twisted ideologies he’s all alone in the world.”

  “I do not understand. Why doesn’t he live here with you if he’s your father’s son?”

  “It’s a long story, but as the future Crown Prince I can have no close association with someone who might be a contender for the throne.”

  She seemed to be giving my words some thought. “Does your brother want the throne?”

  “No, he’s always known it wasn’t his and when we’re together I sense no malice, but…”

  “And you love your brother?”

  “Very much yes.”

  “Then we’ll find a way to have him here with you.” I almost kissed her, if I didn’t think it would scare her half to death.

  I myself have never kissed anyone and as brave as my beauty is, I’m sure being that forward now would make her uneasy. So instead I squeezed her hand and drew her closer to my side. “I’m working on it.”

  “Anyway, although father forbade me to come to you, and it’s not the easiest thing for Prince Javan to enter the palace, I sent for him. I wanted him to see you.”

  Though I didn’t want him getting too close. He’s my brother who I trust without a doubt, but I wanted no man near her but me. I’d even had a talk with father about his penchant for kissing my beauty on the forehead, but he’d just laughed at me.

  “That day you were sitting in the garden playing with the puppy I sent you, we watched you from afar.” I’d been puffed up like a peacock that day with my brother at my side as we watched her in secret.

  She’d been so playful, so kind to the animal. “By the way did you need to name the pet after your husband?” I’d overheard her call the miniature poodle Prince of all things.

  “But I don’t call you Prince remember?” Cheeky and cute. “This is true. I guess the dog has usurped my position and I am but the lowly Jai.”

  “No, you’re my Jai. Nothing lowly about that.”

  And my heart took flight and soared. Prince Javan had proclaimed her a beauty and stated the fact that we were perfect for each other, since she too, once she was through frolicking with her new pet, had sat with her nose stuck in one of the books I’d sent her.

  I’d talked his ear off about her many attributes until he’d joined eunuch Van in the eye-rolling contest. “Your relationship with your brother sounds like mine and Des’.”

  “Who’s Des?” I felt the first stirring of jealousy.

  “My brother.” I tried to remember if father had mentioned anyone by that name in her family tree but came up empty.

  “I didn’t know you had a brother by that name.”

  “Oh he’s not my real brother, but he might as well be. We’ve always been together, since I was very little.”

  She went on to tell me about her relationship with this Des and I did my best to hide my jealousy, something I’m not very familiar with. It was a new and not very pleasant feeling for me. One that I will have to deal with as she seemed rather fond of this person.

  I held onto her hand tighter and reminded myself that she was here with me now. That no one else will ever, could ever have her. Just the thought made my head tight and ready to explode. This jealousy is a most dark emotion.

  We reached my palace where our wedding ceremony will be held. We were both nervous as we were helped down and I bemoaned the fact that I had not taken the time to reassure her before now.

  The next few hours will be grueling as we go through the many customs and rituals, and though in my mind the day was about her finally belonging to me in every way, so that no one can take her from me ever again, I imagined she was scared to death.

  Her very freedom was now at an end. She would no longer be allowed beyond the palace walls unless accompanied by me and my life was so encumbered as is, that she was sure to feel stifled.

  Why hadn’t I thought of these things before now? Maybe because I was selfishly focused only on what I myself was gaining. I made up my mind to make sure she didn’t feel a minute’s loneliness.

  The ceremony dragged on as expected and afterward as is tradition the men and women were kept pretty much apart, until finally it was time for our wedding supper.

  We were attended of course by the court ladies and eunuch Van who oversaw everything, until we were left alone while the attendants stood beyond the door.

  “Don’t be nervous Princess.” I had no way of knowing what she had been taught as pertaining to relations between a man and woman. As to that, I had my own ideas.

  Though it was customary for some to take their wives as young as she, in my eyes she was still a girl, and though I was two years older, I saw no rush to get her into the marriage bed.

  Maybe this was due to my extensive reading of other cultures and their customs. Or just my own desire to get to know her and she me, as friends and confidants before taking the next step.

  Although I was sure of my feelings for her, I was never one to be led by my baser instincts. It was something I’d learned and perfected ever since I attained maturity at that awkward stage when a boy becomes a man.

  Lust have ruled and destroyed many a nation, my own in the past as well. I wanted more for her, for us. When they speak of us in years to come, when our names are added to the annals, I want it to be known, that ours was a true and great love.

  And though I already imagine the many sons and daughters she would give me, I wanted her to know, that for me she was much more than that. A receptacle to bear my seed to carry on the family line.

  So I steered the conversation to lighter things to ease her sudden nervousness and it wasn’t long before she was relaxed once again.

  As expected she had lots of questions about life in the palace, and day-to-day things that would keep her occupied and as she said, not get her into trouble.

  “I promise to rescue you from the court ladies so that all your days are not spent indoors learning of ways to please me.” I see she was another one who was fond of eye rolling.

  Neither of us had much interest in our meal I saw so I stood to my feet and reached for her hand. “Come with me.” She took my hand and I helped her up, keeping her hand in mine.

  Eunuch Van almost had a heart attack when we left the room so soon after being left to our meal. “You are to stay ten feed behind us, one step closer and I’ll have your head.”

  “Your Highness, where are you going? And where are you dragging the Crown Princess this late in the evening?” He, along with the rest of our retinue fell into step behind us as I exited my palace under the coming moonlight and headed for the Orchid Palace.

  “Tomorrow I will take you to the imperial gardens. You and Prince can frolic to your heart’s content.” We walked in silence with her hand in mine, past the palace to the wall where we first met.

  I stopped just about the place where she’d been standing when I first saw her from atop the ladder, and looked up at the sky. There was so much to be thankful for. I realized in that moment, that from that day until this, she�
�s the only thing that had been on my mind.

  That from our first meeting on, my sole purpose has been on her and getting her here, and now here she was. Mine, only mine; now and forever. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

  “I think I knew that day, from the first moment I saw you, that you would be mine.” I pulled her arm through mine bringing her closer to my side. She too looked up at the moon before turning her gaze on me.

  “I thought you were a thief.”

  “As it turns out, you were the real thief that day.” She looked up at me questioningly and I brushed a wisp of hair back from her face. “You stole my heart.”

  May she ever have that look on her face, that innocent pleasure that made even her eyes light up. I grinned when she looked back to make sure no one had heard me.

  “It’s okay if they hear. They won’t repeat a word unless they want to lose their heads.”

  “Jai, don’t say such things.”

  “Do you know how much trouble you would be in if anyone else hears you call me that?”

  “Don’t tense up. I told you before that I like it, but you must remember when in the presence of others to address me as Crown Prince or Your Highness.”

  She turned up her nose making me laugh. But as much as I liked her show of pique, I knew there were some who would seek to make trouble for her, using even the smallest things to bring disharmony.

  I hadn’t thought of the Empress dowager in quite some time, but my father’s words were never far from my mind. It wasn’t like her to give up so easily after all the trouble she’d gone to, to have my cousin included in the selection.

  I didn’t want to think about her now though, neither did I want to give my Princess anything to worry about her first night as my wife. So I kept my thoughts to myself. It will be my job to keep her safe and I mean to do it no matter what.

  The Seer

  GISELLE

  I watched them through the windows of my mind, so innocent, so young. My heart bled for them. Though I’d bought them some time, two months was not very long in the grand scheme of things.