Heart of a Thousand Sun's

Passing time

(Above is the song played later in the story, Image to left is her outfit. Don't own em, but enjoy them. Also, it sounds better when you raise the speed slightly! Enjoy!)

As Yuma and I made our way back to my room the guard and Yuma carried my things. I finally talked Yuma into letting me hold some of my items. Which was only three bags, out of all of them but I was happy. I found bargains on everything which let me go threw only ¾ a bag of gold! As we walked through the door sun cloud ran up and greeted us. I set my packages on the bed and pet her. The guard set down the rest and he excused himself and left. I handed him 5 gold coins, which he rejected t first but I insisted. He bowed and left. "So Mae, what are you planning to do About Yin Ju?" Yuma said. "I honestly have no idea Yuma," I said "Hey Mae, How does she know you?" Yuma asked, I sighed "well, when I was ten..

~FLASH BACK~

I walked outside and watched as the clouds cleared and smelled the fresh air after a rain, washing away all the dust. In the bushes I hear a meow, a small yellow and grey kitten poked its green eyes out at me. I went to pet it and it came running towards me in a fit of meows. In aw I pet the kitten as it poured and licked me, " I'll call you sun cloud." I said to it as it walked away a few feet and waited for me, Getting the hint to follow it. I did. I followed it through the tall grass, past pebbles, down the side of the stream and to a hut. Inside the hut was a house, and two beds, one with a big book, and one with a little doll. And a painting of an old lady, with a young child, my age. She was very pretty with long black hair and dark blue eyes, pale skin and soft lips, and the old lady looked like her, just ugly. I looked around some more and found a necklace with a yellow stone in it. I picked it up and put it on, it was lighter than I thought, but looked very expensive, walking out of the house hearing the kitten meowing very loudly in distress it hisses at me and runs a few feet waiting, not thinking to take the jewelry off I ran too, I ran as fast as I could, trying to keep up with the cat, a few minutes back up the stream I heard a shriek, It was horrible, loud, and scary, the cat and I ran again, fast since we heard the wind blowing our way I ran up the stream, past the pebbles, past the tall grass up the porch and in the house, hiding under the door.

~END OF FLASHBACK~"

"Wow Mae, I had no idea, That must've been scary for a 10year old." Yuma said as she patted my back. Yuma is like my mother even though she is 20 years older than me, she can be like my mom. "Mae, I say this with my whole heart, I hope you are the one that gets betrothed. You are truly a sun god's blessing." Yuma said with pride. I hugged her with a warm heart. "Thank you, Yuma, for everything you've done" I smiled and let go. "Mae, there is something you should know, tonight is a gathering for music, you may participate if you want." Yuma said, but I was shamed "I don't know how to play instruments." I told Yuma saddened. "I can teach you a song on The Guqin if you'd like," Yuma said. "Yuma, I'd love that!" I smiled, She quickly got up and ran out of the room, about five minutes later her and a guard brought in a long wooden object with strings on top, they laid It down like a table and the guard left. "Today Mae, Only 1,000 women will be sent home, this first few days is when the majority leaves, once we are down to 1,000 or less, then removal will happen once every month of only 100 people. It is April now, and the queen will be picked Next march" Yuma said. "Thank you, Yuma And any word about anyone else? I do love a good gossip" I said nudging her and laughing. "Actually yes, Some women are secretly using beauty potions, we are trying to figure out who, and then they will be eliminated. Some are also bribing their maids into telling them everything about the competitions and what to be exactly. And some have already been removed for sabotage and reckless behavior." Yuma said with a smile on her face. "Remember yesterday how there was 2,458 woman here? Well, now there is only 2,129" Yuma said with a laugh "Now, I'm about to teach you a song that has been in my family for generations." Yuma said as she placed my hands on the strings and started to pluck at them, "Now look at your other hand notice how the strings change when you move them" Yumma said as we played the song From her family. It was beautiful. After about an hour of practicing and NOT using magic, smh. I finally learned. "It is good to learn things without depending on magic. Because when the magic fails memory doesn't." Yuma said I understand this so I tried to learn without magic. And after 3 perfect tries, I did it. I mastered the Guqin! "Thank you, Yuna! I will be sure to do my best and Impress the prince!" I said to her, to which she smiled. "Good Mae, The power of song is the strongest way to the heart. Also, those who can't play an instrument have a better chance of going home. I already signed you up for a spot on the show. There were only 1,000 spots you are 908." Yuma sighed "It's going to be a long night Mae" Yuma patted my shoulder. "We should get you ready now, It starts soon!" Yuma said excitedly. "Now Mae, I chose this instrument because I know the prince likes this instrument the best." Yuma said. "Wait how do you know that?" I asked stunned. "Because It's the instrument his mother used to play before the queen passed away." Yuma said. "How interesting, Thanks Yuma!" I said smiling. We got ready again, I wore a purple and Pink silk gown, And Yuma put her trusty Ivory pin in my hair. We also got out some of the new hairpins I had received as gifts from townspeople from the dresses I bought. I now own 48 different dresses instead of 8. That includes nightgowns since I only had 1 nice one. As we were walking down the stairs I saw Yin Ju, I averted my gaze as to not let her notice I was there. We made our way to the courtyard we were at last night. The only difference is that there was more room in the back. As we walked in we saw the royal family standing on a balcony above the head. "All of the women participating in this shall make their way to the front in order." Shouted a guard as his voice echoed off the walls surrounding us. I said bye to Yuma as she wished me luck. I was number 908, so I was in the almost VERY back. About an hour has passed and we were only on 348, I was dying. Finally, 2 and a half hours later. MY TURN. "Now Presenting Mae Xein, playing the Guqin." Said the guard as he stepped aside as servants brought up the instrument. I looked at the royal family, The prince and his father looked intense, But I used magic to feel what they are feeling, The father felt peace, Prince Weng felt anxious. I wonder why? I bowed and sat down to begin the song. Yuma said this song was called passing time. It was beautiful, It was a sad song, one that had been a man in love but lost his love over time. As my song came to an end I stood and bowed, as they clapped and for the first one the whole show, they clapped quietly and for a split second, the prince and father smelled. I can tell I did a great job. As I looked in the back where the maids stood, Yuma waved with a smile I smiled back as I knew she was proud. Sitting back down, the rest went on, Yin Ju was 930, she went up stared at me and started to sing, Since Yin Ju's necklace was glowing, I could tell she was using magic. I used my magic as a joke, Since no one could see my magic like hers, I was able to do it without her even noticing. I stopped her magic for a brief second, Her voice cracked and was awful. We all laughed as she looked red in the face behind her makeup. She glared at me and I felt something tickle my skull, she was trying to get in seeing if it was me. But couldn't since I was so mentally strong without using magic, it was easy to keep her out. And she could also tell I wasn't using magic to forcefully keep her out. So she couldn't tell if it was me or not. She was furious. But did not show it. I could tell, her powers were too strange for her to understand. She did not practice them, she trusted them to do what she wanted. Which is a big mistake, you do need to trust them but train them, otherwise, it could kill you in one way or the next. After the show, the moon was high, and we were all thanked for participating and excused. Making our way back I was forcefully grabbed, By no one but Yin Ju, "I saw what you did you little snake!" Yin Ju said In my face. "I didn't do anything, now, please. Let go of me!" I pushed her arm off of me. " You'll pay, I know it was you, you hoarse!" She said getting more intense, "do you have proof?" I said stepping back, as she stepped forward. "No, but I know it was you, you're the only one that I have problems with!" She said, "Just because I'm the only one you have problems with doesn't mean any one of those other girls could have sabotaged you!" I said being defensive. She looked taken back and glared at me. We looked off to our side and saw guards watching. Having their eye on Yin Ju. She backed off "whatever, Just know you won't win." She said as she stomped off. Yuma walked up and grabbed my hand as we rushed back. "Mae Xein! You did wonderfully! My family is honored and satisfied with your performance! My ancestors grant you peace and blessings!" Yuma said as she danced around in pure joy. "Mae, you may keep this Guqin as a token of my family's gratefulness!" Yuma explained bowing down as she always does. "Silly Yuma, stand, please. I did this for you and I am happy you are proud. But for the Guqin I do love it. And I will play it every day and learn more for you to hear!" I said as she wiped her eyes and hugged me. "Thank you, Mae, I truly adore you!" She said as she let go. We cleaned up and she helped me get ready for bed. It was a great day, And I didn't get a visit from the guard. I looked out towards the garden and thought 'what a great way to pass time.'

Thank you for reading, next chapter will be In Weng's POV But only for a short chapter. 

Word count 2015, amazing ik. lol bye bye.