The Flute Player

Chapter 11- Kisses

AN. Seems like chapter 9 and 10 were in the wrong order :/ thanks greyisboring for letting me know, I have tried fix the problem, but Wattpad won't let me read my story as a reader, so I can't check.

As Wei Ying trekked home, situated at the other end of the city, his fingers wrapped around his flute and he unhooked it from his belt, bringing it to his lips and he blew a few sweet notes. He felt excited, a small buzz ran through his body and he felt alive.

More alive than he had felt in years.

Whenever he had held the flute before, it held alot of sadness and melancholy for him, but now, he felt giddy thinking about the handsome prince who had placed it into his hands.

He heart swelled when he thought about the Jade Prince's stoic face and bold words.

He said he wanted to date him! That he was beautiful! And he had-- had touched him. Wei Ying felt himself swoon slightly from the phantom feeling of his heavy fingers on his gentle frame.

The night was difficult indeed.

It was easy faking to his sister and brother that nothing special had happened during the day and the reason he couldn't sit still was because he found his flute (which a fisherman found for him!).

But at dinner time, things took a downward turn.

"Mother, did you hear the news? The Jade prince has stopped looking for the flute player," Yanli commented as she poured her mother some tea.

"Why?" Jiang Cheng asked sarcastically, "did he finally find his beloved, gorgeous girlfriend? Uch, these royals are so vain, I bet she's stunning, I mean for him to stop the whole country just for her! And to think he's a virg-" he stopped just as his mother lifted her fist threateningly.

"Jiang Cheng! Watch your mouth!" In her heart, she was extra upset, angrily getting up from the table. "Wei Ying, clean up earlier tonight, you were selfishly out all day today." She stomped off.

Yanli was supposed to go to the ball. She was supposed to be the one to attract the Jade prince. She knew her daughter was nothing like her and that she was genuinely beautiful and kind, easily attractive and sweet to the eyes. She loathed the slut who dared to steal the prince from her daughter who deserved the title princess and future queen!

Wei Ying sat at the table, visibly shaken. His siblings might not have noticed why their mother was truly angry, but he understood since he took the brunt of her bitterness most often. He realized she was jealous and hateful to the person Lan Zhan wanted.

Him!

He nervously looked at Jiang Cheng, wondering if he could tell what happened and see right through him. After all, he was the only other person who knew their bet. Luckily, he was too busy eating to notice Wei Ying's discomfort.

But Wei Ying couldn't eat another thing the whole evening.

Sleeping was even worse and it didn't grace him that night. Everytime he closed his eyes, he saw Lan Zhan's clear blue eyes gazing at him and he had to open them up again, incase Lan Zhan was actually there in the room!

'Ah, Mother!' Wei Ying spoke to his mother in his head often, telling her about his day and life as he used to do when he was a child.

'Today I met a prince, a beautiful man! Mother, he's so handsome and kind, I'm sure you would approve of him! He wants to date me, he says it's love at first sight!' Wei Ying smiled happily and continued rambling to himself.

But as the night lengthened, negative thoughts started streaming in and soon Wei Ying found himself staining his pillows with salty tears.

'Mother, what if the prince thinks I'm a nobleman, since I was dressed in fancy garments by the ball. Yanli got the invite, not me, I'm just a mere step- brother to her. What if he finds out that I have no dowry, no regal name, I don't have a mother and my father doesn't talk to me. Surely he will regret his decision-'