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

15: Storm within

The storm within

The morning after Yuren was in the courtyard, wielding a sword stick and dressed in a fighting garb, when one of the maids informed her of the prince's arrival. She merely nodded and continued her training.

Though her strength had returned, there remained a slight ache between her legs, a lingering reminder of what he had done. She gritted her teeth, her movements sharp and focused, until she sensed a presence at her side.

"Quite the attire, princess. Will you join me for the noon meal?" came the prince's voice, a teasing lilt to his words. She spun, realizing he had drawn closer without her noticing, and stepped back.

"No. I am not hungry," she replied curtly, turning away from him.

He said nothing, yet did not leave her side.

"Why are you still here? Do you not have matters to attend to?" she demanded, her irritation growing.

"You are the matter I wish to attend to" he replied smoothly.

She blushed, her composure faltering. Since they've shared a bed together, this prince has undoubtedly become really clingy and would not stick his nose to everything that she does.

"No more!" she snapped, pointing her sword stick at him.

The prince merely smiled, his gaze unflinching.

"I wish to visit my parents before the New year she said, her tone firm.

"You may. Now will you join me?" he answered with and stepped closer to her and inhaling her scent from her neck.

"Stop that! You're insufferable!" she huffed.

"Stop what?"

"..."

"I wish to take my meal alone. I do not wish to see your face," she muttered before turning away from him.

"As you wish," he responded, unbothered.

With that, she left him standing there.

...

That Afternoon.

As the prince rode off to the borders, leaving the estate shrouded in quiet, Yuren found solace in the stillness. She wandered the halls aimlessly, her thoughts still preoccupied with the earlier conversation between her and the prince.

But it wasn't long before a whisperes caught her ear. Pausing just behind a pillar, she heard the familiar voice of the head maid, speaking in hushed tones with Rong Hua. Curiosity overpowered Yuren when she heard the fourth prince name.

"...it's true. She was brought here for a momentary stability" the head maid whispered.

"The Fourth Prince needs her support if he's to gain favor, but it's not love that binds him. You, Lady Rong Hua, are the one who holds his heart."

Yuren's breath caught in her throat. Every word was a dagger, piercing deeper than the last.

"But what about their relationship?" Rong Hua's voice was light, almost indifferent.

"They don't share a bed often," the head maid continued.

"That's why there hasn't been a child. He can get rid of her easily if it pleases him. She's a means to an end, nothing more."

A cold wave swept over Yuren, her hands trembling at her sides.

'A means to an end...' She had always suspected that her position was precarious, but hearing it confirmed like this, from the mouths of those within her own home, was unbearable.