Legend of the Dragon Princess

Chapter 10.1: Azure Reflection

For what sins did we commit in our past life cycle to displease the Gods? No magic or mystical creature have yet turned up in our lives—to give us a hand to change our fates. All I can do now is press forward, keeping my secrets close until the end.

Laying across the soft folds of gold silk, I sighed in the tranquility of darkness while wrapped in a frost-white robe. Nightfall has trickled in, and still, no word from Hao in regarding his discussion with the Empress. It had worried both me and Xin Yi, but I decided to wait until tomorrow morning to seek out my answers. It's not like Hao at all—to not answer—even though I do not know him as well as my twin brother. He always answers to his best friend. Yet, I turned to the other side of Jing's large bed, unable to sleep.

Outside, I've posted Xin Yi to guard the doors leading to the bed chamber after treating his bruised knuckles. They were red and blue, bleeding at around the hard edges, when I finally examined them. He was reluctant but, after some pestering, gave into the soothing ointment and bandage wraps.

With his back facing the doors and eyes front, Xin Yi did not question my orders when I wanted privacy to change back into my royal attire. I suppose...that despite him being a boy, and me being a girl, I could keep this disguise up much longer than I had anticipated, especially with him being the obedient type. Whether or not I would trust him, I'll make my decision in time based on his actions. He's not a bad person; however, I can't figure out why he strikes me as strange. The servants surrounding us...seemed to be wary of him. Is it due to his short hair? Did he carry a dark past?

"...I will have to stop you there." The familiar, mellifluent tone which belonged to Xin Yi could be heard, and it was not a pleasant one. Immediately, I quietly sat up in the bed and inched closer to the far edge. "State your business with the prince, Young Master Ming."

"To be frank, I didn't expect you to be standing here during this late hour, Xin Yi." There was a pause, followed by soft footsteps. Xin Yi was probably positioning himself to fight. "I did not come here to fight, especially with that injury I had inflicted on your stomach...for failing to protect the prince." Slowly, I tiptoed on my small, bare feet over toward the doors. "Did...he patch you up?"

"I refused—but then again, who am I then to disobey my master if he insisted on treating me?" Xin Yi sighed, with exasperation. "The prince is asleep--or did you come here to just mock me? Surely, Major Tang must've—"

"I've covered for you and the prince."

"...And...why would you do that?" asked the young bodyguard. There was a tinge of suspicion. "That's not like you...but speaking of odd behavior, I am starting to think...though I don't want to...that the Major wasted time, bragging about the prince."

"You dare to speak ill of the prince and Major Tang, the man who adopted you?"

"I am not speaking ill; rather, I am left, feeling confused." I leaned in with one ear pressed against the wooden surface of a door. Underneath it, I could see the tiny gap of silver moonlight flooding in. Xin Yi added, "...Is the prince not trained in the martial arts?"

Suddenly, I froze. I began to sweat, starting with my hands. Like soft drums, I could feel my heartbeat quicken with creeping fear. Swallowing the dryness in my throat, I wasn't sure when to move next.

"What makes you say that?" asked Ming.

"I'm no fool." Xin Yi paused, perhaps—to think over what he should say. "From what I have seen, he did not defend himself when the soldier struck him. As a man, would you not find this strange as well? Not only that, he was afraid...like a newborn puppy left out in the cold."