Wangxian Prompt/Self-fill Dump

Bride of the Twin Jades Pt 4

Lady Jiang was a soft, delicate beauty as the rumors had depicted. She was demure as was expected of not only her secondary gender, but as a Princess as well. She talked softly and moved with a gentle grace that reminded them of a crane gliding elegantly through the air. However, neither of the Twins felt anything more than a mutual friendship with her and she admitted the same when they were finally away from Madam Yu's hovering.

"I am sorry about mother... She is determined to see me married to either one of you and will be greatly upset if neither of you select me as your bride to be. However, I can tell you do not see me in a romantic light, nor I you." She says softly as they walk around the edge of a lotus filled lake. "She went to such extremes to ensure that I had the highest chance of catching your eye, going as far as to order every of age Omega to be shipped off to the next town for at least a week and even ordered the guards to arrest a very good friend of mine." Jiang Yanli sighs, looking worried for her people and this friend of hers. "I have been prepared all my life to marry a Jin, and now suddenly she wants me to marry into the Royal palace."

"If we do not find a suitable bride by the time we return to the capital, Madam Yu just might get her wish... out of the candidates thus far, Lady Jiang is a gem amongst swine." Lan Huan says as he pauses to watch some birds dart at the water to catch small fish or bugs. "However, we will not force you to be our bride if that is not your desire."

"I thank you, my lord... But please, forgive my ignorance, you said 'We' as in the royal 'we' or...?"

"We seek only one mate." Lan Zhan tells her, speaking up for the first time and she blushes softly at his deep, magnificent voice.

She wonders if many others felt bereft upon hearing him or found it a pity he does not speak often? Shaking her head mentally, she smiles softly at them.

"I would not know how to handle a husband, never mind two, but if I am indeed selected, I will gladly learn you." She bows but gasps seeing a bunny sitting between them. A bright red ribbon tied on its ear with a red leather color that held a simple white stone lotus charm on it. "Shouyue! What are you doing here?"

The twins startled, Lan Huan clasping his hand to his sword when she said its name, but blinks when she carefully stoops and picks up the black bunny that they just now noticed.

"Shouyue?" Lan Huan asks, watching his twin close his fists to fight the urge to reach out and pet the bunny.

They've never seen one of this color before. The wind shifts and suddenly that scent from much earlier hits them and they both breathe it in greedily. Jiang Yanli notices their action and smiles a soft secret smile. However, she is quick to shake it off and turn her attention to the bunny, who is lightly digging at her for attention. She sees a scroll attached to the collar and quickly removes it, being gentle as she then sets the bunny down, who is content to curl up on her feet as she opens it. She reads the letter and looks sharply around.

"We should head back... It is not safe here..." She whispers and the two Alphas become alert.

"How do you know?"

"My friend sent this message and they are never wrong when it comes to me..." She says seriously as she picks up the bunny once more and begins guiding them back the way they came. "Best to have your swords at the ready, Young Masters..."

They do not argue, though they are wary of trusting the message from a stranger. The Princess walks briskly, but managing to look elegant and poised still. She holds the bunny, Shouyue, close as she moves. They are coming around the last bend that will bring them back to Lotus Pier when a large group of bandits ambush them. JIang Yanli steps back, a small frown pinching her lips as she counts about 50 men. She snorts softly, Yunmeng was famous for having strong and swift disciples, so large numbers were normally best, but this much seemed over compensating like a'Xian has said in his letter. She stooped to set Shouyue down, the black bunny shaking itself and then giving a bark. The Bandits blink down at it and laugh.