Captive Heart

chapter 1

"For the King of Yan to grace Our halls so soon after ascension is high courtesy indeed."

In the palace sat a king dressed in radiant gold on an elevated throne. Before him stood his ministers, heads bowed like stalks of wheat as their ears strained to hear every word.

"We have heard of your father's passing and offer Our condolences. Nevertheless, Yan is blessed to see calm restored to its people after the scourge of his reign."

The three princes standing at the base of the throne all exchanged knowing looks before glancing at the figure half crouched in the middle of the hall. The so-called King of Yan wasn't much older than themselves. Yet in the same week he became king, he cast off all status to be a hostage at the Yue court for the next three years to guarantee the peace of his nation.

"This humble one is also gratified for my people, but dare not wear such titles for myself." The voice that spoke was low and melodious as its owner kowtowed. Long ripples of rich black hair pooled past the shoulders of his white robes—well tailored, but too plain for a king—to frame the fair forehead pressed to the ground. And that was no wonder, for he would be serving as little better than a slave in Yue.

"From this moment on, Huangfu Rongjin is merely a provisional ward of Your Majesty, to do with as Your Majesty pleases."

Nobility without arrogance. Humility without subservience.

An admirable attitude under the circumstances, and Huangfu Rongjin played it to perfection without making it seem like an act. Pleased, the king stroked his graying beard and nodded.

"We are touched by your sincerity," he intoned. "As matters of state occupy Our time, We would leave you in the care of Our royal sons. Princes, who amongst you shall accept the task of showing this slave his place?"

A tricky question. Although Huangfu Rongjin (皇甫榕勁) ranked worse than a commoner in their country, he was still a former king. Taking him in could be seen as an act of merciful kindness—or intentional humiliation. It would depend on how their king wanted the man treated, but his vague attitude kept the court guessing.

Praising the man one minute, demeaning his status the next...

The three princes exchanged looks again. Already, the crown prince had decided to distance himself from the matter—he was next in line to the throne, and if the king found it beneath him to entertain such a "guest," he should follow in his father's footsteps. The second and third princes were more hesitant. Such an important hostage would only give face to their palaces and perhaps gain the king's attention. After all, the position of crown prince wasn't set in stone, so if they could earn some merit from the task...

The second prince was a subtle, scheming sadist already plotting ways to torment the ex-king in secret while presenting an image of conscientious care. In this way, he could appeal to his father no matter how the king felt towards Huangfu Rongjin.

The third prince was more straightforward and had led the frontlines on the battlefield. He planned to simply toss Huangfu Rongjin into the army camp and let him atone for the lives he took during the war.

Before either of them could speak up however, another voice entered the fray.

"I'll take him."

Like a breeze on stagnant waters, it caused ripples through the court. At once, all eyes turned toward the source and saw a figure stepping over the threshold of the door.

"Fourth prince?" The king's voice softened.

The title seemed like a farce in light of the arrival's appearance. Although he was dressed in rich brocade robes, they hung off one shoulder and were messily tied at the waist. His hair was similarly rumpled, done up in a half-bun like a crow's nest and stabbed firmly in place by a shiny gold hairpin. The only respite from the gaudy getup was his face: innocent and fresh, his cheeks faintly flushed as amber irises gleaned from a pair of bright, doe-like eyes.