A sister's betrayal of trust

       My hand trembled as I read the sentences on the scroll, Xian noticed it and patted my shoulder gently, a grim look on his face.

"It can't be...Xie Xie would never do this" I murmured as I reread everything once again.

Dear Brother.

     I'm terribly sorry for the lie I came up with, you know full well how much I like meat and everything I'm consuming there are a bunch of leaves. I know you won't be treated unfairly on the palace so I didn't have any regrets doing this, do know that I worry about you everyday.

                                          Sincerely yours

                                                –Mai Xie Li

I close the scroll and walked forward back to my Manor with Xian hurriedly tailing behind me. I didn't believe it, I didn't want to believe any of it. She did this just for...meat.

Tears burned the back of my eyes as I entered my Manor, the servants greeting me but I ignored them and went straight inside my chamber, slamming the door shut. I greeted my teeth and looked angrily towards the mirror.

All the humiliation I've been through. Everything that I have endured for her sake. It was all for nothing.

I heard the door open and close but didn't look towards it. I know who it was in the first place.

"Are you alright?" I heard Xian ask worriedly. I scoff at his tone and turned my attention to him, glaring heatedly in his face.

"I'm soo fine" I answered sarcastically. He sighed and came close to me but I ain't having any of it. I pushed him away roughly and pointed at the door.

"Leave" I ordered, my voice cracking with the emotions that was about to burst.

I don't want him to see me in such a pathetic state. He's probably laughing from the inside. He can't pretend he gave a care after how he treated me when we were children.

"You might be a noble but we are still Royalty, stop thinking your the same as us, you're not even near are rank"

The memory flashed in my head and I clenched my fist.

Royalty my ass, you're all still human beings just like everyone, you just happened to have riches.

Xian didn't leave the room and stood there a meter away from me, staring at me with worry.

"Stop pretending" I groaned, tears streaming down my eyes.

"Stop pretending you cared about us who's not even near your ranks" I added as more tears fell.

Xian bit his lip, a flash of guilt passing in his eyes and that's all I need. I laughed and pointed at him, all my anger going directly towards him.

"Did you enjoy humiliating me this past days? How long have you known I was a man!? I have a feeling you don't even love my sister" I demanded, my voice cracking between sobs.

Xian shook his head and slowly took steps towards. I gave him a warning look but he didn't stop.

If I cause a ruckus it would be chaos, as far as I know he and the Empress are the only one's who knows about my true identity.

I closed my eyes as he wrapped his arms around me tightly. For some reason a little bit of my anger subsided. His arms felt so warm that it calmed me down. More tears fell from my eyes and my nose began to be clogged as I sniff. I didn't know what to do at that moment, I didn't even know why I was being so pathetic that my Rival was trying to embrace me. Everything was confusing but Xian's arms around me somehow felt right.

I hid my face in his chest and continued to sob. He didn't push me away, he wasn't disgusted as he wipe some of my tears and even a bit of saliva from my open mouth.

Why was he my Rival in the first place. I began to wonder. After years he'd change from that arrogant child into a caring man who love his people. Their laws might still be a little cruel with those high taxes and such but it may be because the Empress Dowager still had power.

We stayed like that for a few minutes till I finally stopped crying but Xian didn't let go. He continued to embrace me in his arms, stroking my hair comfortingly.

I pulled away and sniffed, laughing awkwardly.

"You get to see a pathetic man, quite a view isn't it?" I grumbled.

Xian shook his head and stroke my cheek. "Crying isn't a sign of being pathetic, it just shows your a human being with emotions"

"When were you a poet?"

"Can't remember"

We both laughed at that.

I looked around and bit my lip. "It was fun today"

Xian's gaze went down my lips, something passing from his eyes.

"Yeah it was fun" he agreed, eyes not leaving my lips.

I licked my bottom lip teasingly and saw the way he swallowed thickly.

Oh? What's this?

I smiled and traced my finger along the lines designed on his robe till I reach his neck, stopping and purposely stroking my finger near his pulse.

I noticed how his eyes became clouded and a realization came to mind.

"Xian tell me" I started, eyeing his reaction as I tease him.

"Are you perhaps...into men?"

He choked and coughed hard. I almost laugh yet decided against it and patted his back gently.

"I was joking!" I chuckled.

Xian regained his composure and look at me straight in the eyes.

"What if I am?"

What?