Concubine's Greed (Revising)

Thirteen

I could feel a frosty breeze lingering in my room. I didn't want to wake up as I covered myself with the golden sheets that were spread across my bed. I turned away from where the cold air was creeping in from. I heard light shuffling, before a heavy weight sat on the bed.

"Time to get up future wife of mine."
A soft and familiar voice whispered softly.

My eyes shot open to see Orochi sitting on my bedside, looking down at me with a small grin on his face. I sat up quickly, all of my tiredness drained.

"Orochi, where have you been?"
I asked excitedly, as I glanced to the window.
"Again, the door?"
I asked with a giggle.

"I escaped from the main palace again, it's too suffocating there. So I came to see an old friend."
He replied with a content smile.

It was early morning, the sky was dark and the sun had not risen yet, the sound of morning insects buzzed loudly. I took the chance to get a good look at Orochi, he had grown taller his hair was longer and had a certain curl to it.

"Anyway there is a small rumour circling the palace as of late."
His smile began to shrink and his eyes began to pierce right through me.

"The rumors revolve around general Choi, and you."
He was no longer smiling and had the face of a full grown man. I felt myself go pale and began to stiffen up, though I had done nothing wrong, being put on the spot was too much pressure. He paused and continued.

"Many in the main palace see you as good friends, and wonder if there's more."
His stare continued to see right through me. I sighed and relaxed a little, before putting a small smile on my face.

"Nothing is going on, I am his Majesty's concubine, nothing more."
I responded politely and calmly, and bowed my head a little, uncomfortable since I was still in bed. Orochi stared for a moment longer with uncertain eyes before smiling like normal.

"You wouldn't lie to me."
He mumbled quitely before he quickly rose off of the bed.

"I must get back to the palace before my absence is noticed."
He said with a slight smile, before I could respond he lept back out the window and closed it shut.

***
"My lady is it me, or has the palace been wary of you lately?"
Ming said sceptically as her eyes darted to many of the servants. The palace servants eyes were plastered on me as I made my rounds around the palace. Though it was horridly cold outside now, staying inside of my room would bore me to death.

I glanced around at the servants who we walked past in the hallways, if I made eye contact they apologize and hurry away.

"It doesn't feel much different than usual, but it seems this rumor has reached all ears in the palace."
I muttered with a sigh, Ming grew silent and followed behind, I glanced back at her.

"Do you beleive the rumors too?"
I asked quietly,she stopped and looked at me, she looked down.

"I didn't at first, but then they said you and him were sneaking out at night."
She muttered quitely, I almost gasped, I had remembered the midnight practice that Choi and I had been doing for the past two days. I grabbed Ming's hand and held it tightly.

"That is true, I am practicing for Mengyao's birthday party, if you don't believe me come with me tonight."
I said firmly, she looked at me in surprise but sighed in relief and smiled a bit.

"I believe you."
***
The moon rose high in the dark sky, while the midnight insects loudly called for a mate in their final hours. It had grown very cold at night, the wind piercing through anyone's skin.

I walked along with Ming in silence around this time of night everyone was sleeping, but even the smallest bump could wake them. We approached the training there were several guards huddled around Choi. Even though it was freezing outside he wore a sleeveless vest while his hair was tied up in a ponytail.

He glanced over too use and dismissed the soldiers, he walked over to us with a stern look on his face.

"Is anything wrong?"
I asked worriedly as he stood in front of us. He looked at Ming with a curious look before looking back at me.

"Your from the Hon Shi empire right?"
He asked me suddenly, I felt my heart drop a little, I nodding slightly.

"Their King recently made threats against the Emperor, about a specific concubine he wanted back."
He said as he scratched his head. I stood in silence, and stared up at him. My body grew even colder than the wind that blew silently. Choi looked at my expression and sighed.

"Your brother wants you back."