Chinese Touch

Chapter 8-Kidnapped

A groan escaped my dry lips. My eyes cracked open to a blinding light, and I raised my aching arm to block it. I pushed myself up on one elbow and looked around. I was in a massive room, lying on a beautiful mahogany bed. Intricate carving laced the wood, and I couldn't help tracing my finger over the designs. There were dragons and horses, guards and the emperor.

"Emperor..." I whispered. Why did it sound so familiar? "Oh no." I was in the Emperor's palace. There were three sudden, sharp raps on the door. I winced as the sound rang in my ears, and I went to rub my sore eyes when my hand brushed a bruise on the back of my head.

"Are you awake, Ming?" Called a woman politely.

"Yes, I am."

"Okay. There are dresses in the dresser if you would like to get changed. I suggest you do; now that you're awake, the Emperor will wish to see you."

'Oh no.'

"All right. Thank you." I stood clumsily and walked over to the wooden dresser. I pulled it open and looked through the clothes inside. All the dresses were long and beautiful, some pink, some blue, a green dress, two gold ones, a red gown and a simple orange dress that would cling to my body. I pulled a pink dress out, one that matched my hair clip, and changed into it quickly. I put my other clothes under my pillow in an easy location to access.

They would be easier to run away in than this dress.

After I changed I re-did my hair in the mirror and went back to the bed. I lay down quietly and positioned myself comfortably.

At some point I must have fallen asleep because at some point I was woken by the same rapping knock.

"The Emperor would like to talk with you now, Ming."

"Okay." I rubbed my eyes and sat up. Thankfully I hadn't rolled around and messed up my hair or the dress. I opened the door and the lady beckoned for me to follow her.

"Emperor?"

"Enter." He sounded nice, charming even.

"In you go." I was ushered into the room. I fell to my knees, knowing that the Emperor was right in front of me.

"You may stand, Ming." I reluctantly stood to face him.

'Wow, he's cute. Woah, where did that thought come from?'

"Good day, Emperor Shang."

"Please, call me Hua."

"Yes, Hua." He offered me a smile, then his eyes went wide.

"Oh, where are my manners? Please, take a seat." He followed me to a long table and pulled out a chair next to the end seat. Once I'd sat down, he pushed my chair in and took the seat and the head of the table.

"Thank you." I said, shifting my dress under me.

"No, thank you."

"I'm sorry but, what have I done exactly?" He chuckled.

"My apologies, I tend to jump to the end of topics without explaining them. Please, help yourself to food while I explain." We both lifted food onto out plates; meats, vegetables, fruits and sugared sweets. There were also tall glasses the size of my forearm from my wrist to the elbow. They went in and out so that the drink inside would run in streams down the throat of whoever was drinking from the glass. Hua lifted a large glass bottle and tipped a clear liquid into my glass. It bubbled and fizzed, tickling my tongue when I took a sip.

I began to eat, taking bites at the meat and we had a pleasant conversation. When we had both finished, Hua set down his glass and said "I have a ver important question to ask you."

"And that is?"

"Will you marry me?"