Once Upon a Story [ HIATUS ]

Dragon Heart (2)

The more I think of it, the more I'm like this was inspired by more than just the prompt👁️👁️

Word count: 2052
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Tianxin felt her nerves strike as the Emperor stepped through the gate. Two boys and a woman accompanied him. Her father was the first to step forward.

"Greetings, Your Imperial Highness," he bowed. "It is an honour to receive you in our home."

"General Huixin, your formalities are overbearing," the Emperor replied. Huixin rose from his bow, smirking.

"You'd have my head if I acted otherwise in court, Yi Wuying."

Tianxin didn't know how to react, looking at the two men interacting casually. She glanced at Jinshe, who was equally confused.

"Is this normal?" she whispered.

"I guess they're close friends?" he quietly replied. Tianxin caught names as the adults conversed. There was the Empress, Yi Ai and her two sons: the Crown Prince, Yi Jianhong and his younger brother, Yi Xuefeng. To no surprise, the Prince was close to Tianxin's eldest brothers, but his pride made it apparent that he and Yaolong argued more than anything.

"You two must be the new addition to the family."

The youngest siblings flinched, straightening immediately. Tianxin held her hands together under her wide sleeves while Jinshe had his plastered to his side.

"Yes, my son Jinshe and my daughter Tianxin," their father confirmed.

"My, your boy has grown, Huixin. When will he join his brothers in the commanding army?"

"He's still too young," Huixin explained. "He has years of experience ahead of him to gain, but I don't doubt he will excel as they do."

Tianxin noticed her brother's face light up. He was happy his father had complimented him. Jinshe knew it was customary to make a good impression, but he appreciated the comment regardless of his father's intention.

"Greetings to Your Imperial Highness. I am Chen Jinshe, the third son. It is an honour to meet you formally."

"Yes, you were barely an infant when we met," the Emperor chuckled. He turned his attention to the youngest, Tianxin and his expression filled with pride. A face her father often made when watching her train.

"I've heard about you, the second prodigy of the Chen family," he started. "Rumour has it you've surpassed even my greatest cultivators."

Tianxin formally bowed, "I am in no deserving of such merit. My father and Elder Brother are the sources of my prowess."

"Surely you don't mean to give them all the credit for your hard work."

"I am young, still a baby compared to them," Tianxin said. "I can only attribute my rapid growth to their centuries of experience. I do not discredit my work, but they deserve recognition for what I have accomplished."

To her surprise, the Emperor placed a hand on her head. "I see the love you have for your family; that is admirable of you, Tianxin."