A Royal Arrangement: The General's Daughter (Short Novel)

2: Seventh

Seventh

Over the span of a month, Yuren's wardrobe and chambers transformed from a simple four-walled room into a grand space overflowing with clothes, jewels, and various other items. The royal family, as always, was extravagant. Though Yuren had not yet chosen a husband, it felt like she was being prepared with a dowry.

"My chamber has never felt so small before," she remarked.

Yu, her personal maid, chuckled. "Do you think the red dresses and jewels suit me more, Yu?" Yuren asked, trying on a red skirt that trailed to the floor-something she usually did not wear.

"Red always suits you, Miss," Yu replied, glancing at the skirt. Yuren agreed; the color red looked good against her skin and made her feel more confident.

"But don't you think I should wear paler colors?" Yuren asked.

"When did you start caring about others' opinions, Miss?" Yu inquired.

"You must be mistaken, Yu. I am perfect the way I am," she lied. The truth was she had begun observing the ladies in the capital more closely. They were delicate and graceful, like white swans in a lake. Their demeanor, walk, and speech were filled with gentleness, while she felt like a soldier who had come down from the mountains, unprepared to court a prince.

"If the miss say so," Yu said, smiling. A sigh escaped Yuren's lips hearing her maid's words. Yu was right; she didn't care what other people thought before.

That afternoon, Yuren chose to be alone and read inside the forest next to their estate instead of hunting and practicing her archery. All the events happening around her were suffocating, and this was her only way to breathe and escape them.

As night fell, Yuren noticed soldiers standing outside her estate. The guards did not react to her presence, yet their eyes were observant.

Her forehead creased. Where are our former guards? And why are there so many?

"Miss!" she heard the head servant call, rushing toward her.

"Quick, you need to change. You have visitors."

The head servant hurriedly took her to her chamber and helped her change.

"I will be back," the head servant said, leaving the room.

"Who are the visitors?" Yuren asked as some maids tied her skirt.

"Two men dressed in fancy clothes. It seems the general and your cousins know them," a servant replied.

Moments later, the head servant returned with an indescribable expression on her face.

"Someone needs to change the color of the young lady's dress!" the head servant exclaimed, eyeing the ginger colored skirt.

Who are these people, and why does she need to change from her usual clothes just to see them?

"No, I do not wish to change my dress," Yuren said firmly.

Although the dress she wore was simple, it was still a little extra compared to her daily attire, plus it was a long skirt. Her visitors must be important if she wore this just because they visited their estate.

The head servant looked at her, then instructed the maids to tie up half of her hair. Her face was also touched by light makeup, making her expression more refined.

...

At the dining table of Wu estate, the two princes, Quan and Shi, were in a joyous conversation with Wu Fang.

Shin was also in the room, peacefully listening to their conversation. They intended to visit their old friend Fang, who was always busy training and studying for the upcoming exam for scholars.