6

Xie feels her eyes on his back and he smiles to himself, knowing that she was still watching him. He had wished that his father wasn’t so hellbent on making an arranged marriage for him and some random princess from one of the neighboring lands. He guessed that since they already took control of the northern lands, Hybe was of no use to the kingdom.

If that was the case then why did he bring her here?

He rounds a corner and leans against a wall, sighing with frustration at his father's actions. He turns to peek around the corner to find Hybe starting to walk back toward her small house, her dress flowing in the wind and her hair exposing her neck, making her seem like a fairy who had appeared in front of him. He feels his face heat up and quickly looks away, walking toward the large palace doors to see his face standing just behind them.

“What do you think you’re doing? I was expecting you to follow me, not to talk with that girl.” Hyreon snarls.

“I am sorry father, I only followed your example as you seemed to be on good terms with her,” Xie says, bowing his head apologetically.

“Followed my example? Boy, you need to realize that I am nice to her because...because-” He stops himself, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tries to come up with a reason.

Xie patiently waits and stares at his father in mild shock, not ever seeing him get this flustered when he was upset.

“Because I made a promise.” Hyreon sighs, admitting that he had promised her father to take care of her.

“A promise? Since when does the blood king keep his promises?” Xie asks incredulously.

He couldn’t believe how hypocritical his father was being and began to think that he was starting to go soft, which was something he didn’t know if he should be happy about or not.

“Since the girl will be yours one day. She is your concubine, a present from me to you.” Hyreon says quickly.

Xie felt his face heat up and gives his father a disapproving look.

“Concubine? Father, she’s 10, don’t think you can groom her into being a lewd woman of that nature, she’s not part of your own harem.” He scoffs, turning on his heel to walk briskly past his father to head to the dining hall.

My concubine, hah! If I were to have a harem, it would be too much of a hassle. I’d rather have one woman that I can love instead of multiple that fight for my affections.

Xie rolls his eyes as he sits at the head of the table, trying his best not to get too upset while he begins to eat his breakfast. He looks out the large wall of windows to see the gardeners cleaning up the landscape and wishing that he could just have her as a close friend instead of a concubine, he didn’t want to think of her that way, they were both still young after all.

“Ness...your highness!” A voice interrupts his thoughts and he slightly jumps, turning to see Madame Fae standing next to him.

“Y-Yes?” He asks, bowing in his seat in apologies.

“I asked if you were excited about your trip?” She asks, pouring him another glass of juice.

“Sure.” He sighs.

“Oh, it can’t be that bad, your majesty. Think of all the lovely places you’ll get to visit!” Fae smiles at him.

“I guess so. Though I don’t know why I need to find a wife right now.” He mumbles, looking back out the window.

“I-I’m sorry? A wife, where did you get that idea?” She chuckles.

“Father has been making preparations for me to meet with the princesses of each land we are going to in order to find a suitable wife,” Xie says, watching as a gardener tends to a rose bush close by.

“Aish, that man. Prince Xie, listen here, you needn’t worry about finding a wife! Sure, you can speak with the princesses, but I beg you to not fall in love with them!” Fae says, trying her best to not let him look at other girls.

She had a plan that she wasn’t about to let go to waste, mentally cursing at the king for even bringing something up so early in his child’s life.

“Madame Fae I promise you that I have no interest in finding a wife right now,” Xie says, starting to get up to move closer to the window, looking more intently at the rose bush that was being worked on.

Fae sighs in relief and watches as Xie gets lost in thought, smiling at him as his eyes move from the bush to the Eastern wing.

“I’d rather stay here.” She hears him say.

“With Hybe?” She asks quietly.

“I’m sorry?” He asks, turning toward her.

“Ah, nothing, your highness, I was just speaking to myself about the guest we have in the Eastern wing.” She smiles.

“Hybe? What about her?” He asks, his demeanor perking up when thinking of her.

“Oh, I was just thinking that maybe I could train her as a maid,” Fae says, lying to get a reaction out of the prince.

“A maid? Please, Madame Fae, please do not turn her into a maid. She’ll be here for a while and it may be best if she were treated like a princess as that is her title after all.” Xie says.

“Ah, Prince Xie, I didn’t know you cared much for the concubine.” Fae sneers, pushing him to show her just how much he cares.

“You will not refer to her as a concubine. Princess Hybe is a guest in our palace no matter what my father says. Make sure she is treated as such.” Xie says angrily.

“Of course, your highness. The princess will be in great hands.” Fae bows as she leaves the room with a smile on her face.

Well well, King Hyreon, it looks like you really have been playing matchmaker. My plan will succeed soon enough.

She chuckles as she quickly passes other maids through the halls, making her way back to the Eastern wing. As she exits the main palace, she hears quiet humming and she turns to look at the gazebo to see Hybe swaying to the song she was humming. The wind had blown past her and sakura petals flowed down around the princess, almost making it a picture-perfect setting for a romantic lunch date. She gushes at how beautiful the girl in front of her was even at her young age.

Oh yes, I will see to it that my plan succeeds.