Heart of a Thousand Sun's

The Palace Part 2

(Again, I obviously don't own the picture, enjoy)

Yuma sat me down In a chair and started to undo my hair. "It was very lovely how you did your hair, Mae. How did you learn?" Asked Yuma as she took out the last pin out and placed it in a yellow jade cup. "When I was 9 My mother always loved to do my hair I never knew why, but she also taught me, and we would sit under a peach tree every day and practice." I told Yuma, she then said "How lovely, and where is your mother now?" Asked Yuma, My heart sank, and so did my face. I can tell Yuma saw because she started to apologize. "Yuma, you're fine. My mother is at rest, under the plum tree in our garden." I said to her, She apologize for my loss. "So that is why you never spoke of her beforehand, only Your grandmother Chein?" Yuma asked. "Yes, that's why I never speak of her because I feel as if you keep mentioning the name of a lost loved one, their soul could never rest because they are always being called for." I said to her. Yuma thought for a second and said back "that makes sense. Mae, you know, you sure are a wise one for your age. I've hardly seen any girl like you in the past few years." Yuma said. "Really, I thought many would be like me." I told Yuma, "Oh no, many are airheaded, or cold-hearted, or too quiet, or too loud. Most of the ones that come here have life handed to them and bought their way here. You'll notice who those are right away. They stick together and have the most jewelry. They are the majority standing at about 3,500 all together at times, just mingling from different cities, sharing stories of wealth." Said Yuma as her face sunk. " I take you used to be familiar to a life like that." I said as Yuma looked up, "yes, I used to be part of a very wealthy family, but was always so humble and naive. I one day found a man and loved him, he then took everything I have and left me with our son." She said. "But I ended up here, and my son loves it here too." Yuma said. I nodded and watched as she finished my hair, it looked stunning. It was up in a curled bun, with my long brown hair flowing under it. With pink marble and blue sapphire pins. Yuma then pulled a hairpiece out of her pocket, It was an ivory flower. "This was my good luck hairpiece. It had served me for many years," Said Yuma as she placed it in my hair. "Now It shall serve you many years". In shock, I looked over to her, "are you sure, Me? Why? I have done nothing to deserve it?!" I said to her as she smiled with closed eyes, "You did everything Mae, you respected me." she said and turned away to grab my dress and shoes. (picture above) A light pink silk dress with blue and gold lightning and dark pink flowers with silver flats. I put the dress on and have never felt more alive. Yuma did my makeup and with that, we rushed downstairs, Yuma then stopped me. "Here Mae takes this, It will be a good help." Yuma handed me a gold coin as I put it in my pocket I rushed out as gracefully as I could to the front row, well, I was in the 3rd row but that was good enough for me. I was still in the middle of the walkway as more and more filed in, A few moments later, this big courtyard was filled with young women wearing bright and colorful silk dresses. Some less new as others. Some more traditional like mine and some more stylish than others. We all sat quietly and straight up in our spots poised as could be. When an announcer came out and started to begin the ceremony "It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to the prince, the suitor, and soon to be king of all northern Zhou. Prince Wang Zhou!" Everyone bowed, and then cheered as he stepped from behind a wall. My soul almost left my body, he was more pure and handsome than the stories. A perfect image untainted by outsiders, or hardship. He was perfect. He scanned the crowds, locked eyes with me for a few seconds and then spoke "It is with great honor I invite you into the walls for such a sacred ceremony. I hope you will all enjoy yourselves. But before we begin there was a test tonight set amongst you all. Those who passed received a token of gratitude. Those who didn't were left empty-handed. Those of you who received the gold coin, please stand and hold it high and proud above your head. Those who don't have one please stand and leave. You will be leaving at dawn." Suddenly an uproar of sobbing girls throwing fits were escorted out. There were only 2,000 left roughly. He then continued after it went silent again and all were out. "Those remaining, there were roughly 7,000 eligible women here, but we are down to only 2,458. And the tests will be harder and harder. Every day, you will be tested, you will not know when or how. It will be a pleasure to have you all try your very hardest. And to my future wife out in this crowd. I will be waiting." He said and walked off. Then the fireworks appeared. In beautiful color. We made our way out single file, meeting up with our maid. Soon I was out and met with Yuma, and then proceeded to walk back to my room together. "The opening ceremony takes about an hour Mae, and might I say I felt like a mother all over again, so proud of you. You looked stunning." Yuma beamed as she cleaned up my face and hair. "All to you Yuma, you are truly the most welcoming person here." I smiled at her. "Aww Mae, so sweet." She smiled and continued to say "So, what do you think of prince Wang?" She said making a silly face, I laughed and replied on a funny voice "Oh he's soooo gorgeous, just a perfect man~" I swooned and we both laughed. I handed her back her ivory pendant, but she just forced it back in my hands "Please a gift from me, a welcome gift." Yuma smiled. She walked me over to the bed and tucked me in, like a mother. "Goodnight Mae, I'm very proud of you." Yuma said as she then proceeded to leave the room and whisper goodnight.

The room was dark, so I used my magic to give a glow as to where I was going when I got out of bed like a lantern. I walked over to my armoir and opened the doors to find the big oak box my mother had, I found the journal, and small oak box too. I brought it back to my bed, homesick and nervous, I opened the small box. Inside was a small ring for my middle finger. It had a bright green emerald, surrounded by diamonds. I slipped it on my finger and sighed. Such nice gifts. Since the box was a little deeper I lifted the fabric the ring was in and found a bottle of rose water. It smelled heavenly and enticing. I set it on my stand and put the box back in it breathing space behind dresses and walked out to the balcony. My light green nightdress flowing in the night breeze as I stared at the stars. "Somewhere, I bet grandmother and mom see those same stars as I look at them now." I sighed and looked at the lantern filled courtyard, except this one was not visible to others and had many ponds and fruit trees with animals. Enticed by the view I felt tired and walked over to the bed to fall asleep. 

1368 word, next chapter out soon!