Royal Romance

2

xie yun wake up and decide to spend time with one of the young men he's met... but which one? and what is lurking inside the woods, perhaps dark magic?

after waking up in the morning, lin attends to him.

"your highness, how do you want be prepared today?" asked lin.

"i have no lessons today. no pressing matters..." said xie yun.

"maybe spending time with an eligible lord?" said lin.

"i could spend time with shi ying..." said xie yun.

"Lord shi ying seems charming and decent." said lin.

"he would make a fine husband and wonderful king. i am sure my father would adore him..." said xie yun.

"should i take an invitation to him?" asked lin.

"ummm... i will have to think about it. i mean there are other candidates..." said xie yun.

'like ji chong... he's equally handsome but more down to earth. but would my father approve? i wonder if ji chong would like to take a stroll?' thinks xie yun.

"i am going to take a stroll by myself. i'll be back before supper." said xie yun.

he enter the stables quietly searching to see if ji chong is around.

he see him across the room brushing a horse and singing a tune he hasn't heard in years...

xie yun decided to sing along.

ji chong stops and turns around but xie yun sing the last line.

~and where the wind blow, i go, but you, my love will find me there~ sings xie yun.

"hello lin..." said ji chong.

"i haven't heard that song in ages." said xie yun.

"perhaps, but your voice is like that of wood thrush." said ji chong.

"oh... well thank you." said xie yun.

"my mother taught me that song years ago." said ji chong.

"mine as well... i'd nearly forgotten about it." said xie yun.

"glad i could be the one to remind you... i haven't seen you around in a few days. must be your day off?" asked ji chong.

"of course you wouldn't see..." said xie yun.

'oh no, almost let it slip...' thinks xie yun.

"i have to help the prince with the ball. it would get busy since he will be married soon." said xie yun.

"to whom?" asked ji chong.

"once he picks a lord." said xie yun.

ji chong's expression changes a bit on hearing the word lord.

"then let him choose what he want. care to join me on a ride, little male servant?" asked ji chong.

"i would love to." said xie yun.

"hold these and i'll saddle up another horse for you." said ji chong.

xie yun grabs the reigns and gently pet the horse nose as ji chong saddle up another horse for him.

"all set for you!" said ji chong.

xie yun looked at the saddle horse and mount quickly on it.

"shall we go?" asked xie yun.

"yes. to the river. i was just there the other day and it is nicely shaded in the afternoon with many berry bushes around." said ji chong.

"wonderful." said xie yun.