An apology

The golden fingers of sunlight lit up the morning sky. In the residence of Empress, Empress Mawangdui who was the sovereign monarch of the Gua Empire after the Emperor Gua Huang, can be seen sitting around a table accompanied by her brother Li Wang, the minister of Imperial Clan on the opposite side.

They were playing Weiqi board game, a popular strategy board game where each player has to enclose more territory on the board than their opponent.

"I heard he is here." the Empress raised her query as she placed her white stone in the board.

"Yes, Your Majesty. You heard it right! He has arrived." Li Wang made his move as a smirk formed on his lips.

"Even after being banished from the Empire, how can he show his shameless face again? Do I have to remind him that this place is not for the beast like him?" The Empress roared as her eyes widened in rage.

"Calm down, Your Majesty. Don't ruin your game because of him." Li Wang made an attempt to console his sister. "Replying to Your Majesty's concern, I must say he has got guts within him. Who knows his intentions behind coming here? He might have come in order to seek revenge as well." He further added, darting his eyes left and right.

As soon as Li Wang finished his words, he felt the Empress's fiery gazes sharply staring at him. "Before he could fulfill his intention, I will make sure to disappear him from this world." Mawangdui stated in a malicious tone.

~~~~~

In the Palace of Tranquility,

Princess YanYan and Anchhi were seated around a large table but both in the opposite direction. Due to yesterday's argument, there was cold relationship established between them. They were literally shooting glares to each other, exchanging glances with each other. But, the surprising thing was, who dared to keep them together in one room?

"Come on, apologize to her!" The Royal Consort who was seated in between them, spoke as she shifted her gaze towards Anchhi.

"Why me? She is the one at fault. She should say sorry to me." Anchhi asserted sternly, pointing her index finger to YanYan.

"Jia'er! You cannot meddle on Princess's matters. She is wise enough to handle her household affairs on her own. You shall not avoid the punishment if His Majesty learns about it. It will be better if we resolve it on our own."

"Why such partiality, Royal Aunt?"

"Hey.. Do you have hearing impairment? Don't you listen what the Royal Consort just said? Why do you have to make objection on everything? Wrap up your drama and just apologize to me." YanYan sneered as she banged the table with her palm.

"No.... and it's my final call."

"Jia'er, why are you being stubborn? First thing, you hid the fact that you had argument with the Princess and if it weren't from the palace maids, then I would have never known about it. I don't know how you changed so much, you were such a well-behaved girl." The Royal Consort threw a big sigh before blurting out.

Those words from her aunt made Anchhi a little dejected and without thinking twice, she was ready to apologize to YanYan.

"I was ignorant and ended up creating such disarray. I apologize for the mess. I hope Your Highness is forgiving and will accept my apology." Even though Anchhi apologized, YanYan was not the one to accept her apology this easily.

"Poor little girl.. I don't forgive you. Therefore, you are late to ask for an apology." YanYan smirked while playing with the strands of her hair.

"What the..." Anchhi's fingers turned into a fist. She was ready to swell up the princess's cheek if it wasn't for her aunt who stopped her midway, signaling to not create another scene here.

"If not an apology then what do you wish for?" Anchhi gave a subtle smile, attempting to hide her annoyance behind that expression.

"Command... obey my command. Do a favor to me." YanYan replied, plastering a wide smile over her face. "So the thing is... I left my precious bracelet, my lucky charm in the bathhouse and I want you to go there and bring it for me." she spoke pitifully while showing her empty wrist where one can clearly see the finger marks.

"Heh.... Such an easy one. Wait for me, I will be back in five minutes." saying this Anchhi stood from her seat and was about to depart that's when YanYan interjected, " It's men's bathhouse, my dear." Anchhi was taken aback from YanYan's words.

"But, don't worry.. I have personally checked and there were no men inside the bathhouse. Go around and bring my bracelet." YanYan further assured her which made Anchhi's heart rest at ease.

Wait! Why would YanYan left her bracelet in the men bathhouse? Isn't she supposed to bath at her personal bathhouse? If she had checked the bathhouse by herself, then why couldn't she bring the bracelet on her own? Did she do it on purpose? What's really cooking on her mind? These thoughts ran over Anchhi's head, though she couldn't express all of them, Anchhi only squinted her eyes in order to show YanYan that she was doubtful towards her.

"I am taking my leave. When you will return from the bathhouse alive with my bracelet, make sure to bring it to me." YanYan's malicious tone hinted a sign of warning which Anchhi was unaware of.

Shifting her gaze to the Royal Consort, YanYan bowed, "Thankyou for your efforts. In the future, I will not let your niece taunt me again." YanYan lifted her head while giving a gracious smile then she turned around and patted Anchhi's shoulder before leaving the Palace of Tranquility.

Soon after YanYan left, Anchhi too made her way to the bathhouse where she had to search for the egoistic princess's bracelet and bring it to her.

~~~~

When Anchhi reached near the big laden door of the bathhouse, her heart started palpitating wildly. Despair and panicness overwhelmed her.

Despite knowing that no one lies inside, her heart was still racing. But, somehow Anchhi mustered up all her courage and pushed the laden door with her fragile hands.

Upon stepping inside, Anchhi found that the whole bathhouse was covered up in darkness making it look like as if someone had purposely spread the gloom, as if the darkness was someone's happy place.