※ Chapter 18 ※

Meihua's POV »☆●

It's so hard! How does Oyshi get it look so even?

I grunt to myself as I struggle to draw the Huadian on my forehead with a feather I found on the table. It's the first time I'm dolling up since the invasion. It's also the first time I'm doing it on my own. Powdering my face, I brush my hair back and pin it close to my head, preparing for the big, towering tassel I'll wear.

I head into the closet, browsing through the clothes and pick one of the simpler pinkish golden plack hanfu with low square neckline, sheer three-quarter length sleeves, and tight corset that swells into shiny, loose folds. And after struggling with the zipper in the back, I slip on a tall tassel, tucking in some flowers in my hair as well, to cover up the fact that the tassel isn't perfectly placed. I try to put some lipstick, but by the time I smudge it for the third time, I give up and realize how much I loved Oyshi.

"Angel," a muffled voice comes from outside along with two soft knocks on my door. Why's Se here?

I look at myself for a last time in the mirror. Thanks to the beautiful hanfu, I don't look like an absolute fool. I head to the door and open it, finding him dressed like a Prince Charming straight out of Wuxia, way different than yesterday. Less wolf, more royalty.

"Look who's on my door," I press a hand on the doorframe and lean sideways, "What honor do I have to thank for the King-regent to visit me in his debut day?"

He stares at me from top to bottom, then bottom to top, then again..

"Stop staring!" I cross my arms.

He shakes his head, as if clearing his thoughts, "Are you almost ready? The guests are about to arrive."

"And you came to escort me?" I raise an eyebrow. I figured he'll be extremely busy today. I wasn't expecting to see him all day, and he's the first person I saw today.

He nods, "I wasn't sure if my sister came yet and I was just heading downstairs so I thought to take you too."

"Your live in the next room?" I ask.

"Now who's flooding with questions?" he crosses his arms. I laugh and we head outside to join the ceremony.

As we walk down the stairs, he leans a little closer to me, "I hope you don't mind me saying this but in that dress, well..you look stunning today."

"Oh.." I cock my head, speaking hesitantly, "Thanks, your sister seems to have great taste in clothing."

He shakes his head, "She looks embarrassing in the same clothes. You just carry it well."

As we reach downstairs, I take in the ceremony, the festive surroundings, the enthusiastic voices, the elegant outfits. And I'm suddenly reminded of that day again. The music, the smiling faces of King Xiubo, Prince Xiumin, my father..

And then moments later, they're coated in the ugly red of blood My father laying still on the center of the grand hall, his body not moving, his lips not curving into a smile, his arms not stretching to embrace his little butterfly. The happiness and excitement of the festival around me turns into a distorted scream of horror from the past, everything transforms into a horrifying nightmare before my eyes.

Suddenly, I feel an arm holding tight on my back, everything turns normal as I come back to senses and find me stumbling into

Se's arms.

"Are you okay?" he asks urgently with panic in his eyes. He's so close I can feel his fastening breathe on my ears.

I regain my balance, trying to stabilize myself, "I think I'm a little sleep-deprived. I'll be better if I sit down and rest for a while."

He nods, "Okay I'll lead you to-"

Just then, a crowd of royal women surrounds us, tripping over themselves for Se's attention.

One of the women drapes herself on his muscles, purring in an attempt to appear seductive, "Your regency, remember me? Hope you haven't forgotten the mark you left on me last time we shared bed because I want another."

Another woman comes forward, pushing the previous one away and winking at Se, "Why retread a familiar path when I can lead you down a whole new trail."

"I've never seen any of you before," Se raises his hands in surrender as he takes a step back. The women start bickering amongst each other, fighting over him. Wow, he's got quite the fanclub.

He leans closer to me to whisper, "I must escape from them. Can you go sit in one of the tables there?" He gestures towards the left corner where servants are delivering fine food to intimate tables lining the walls.

"Of course, good luck Se," I smile to him and head towards the dining tables to sit for a while.

"I heard you met an unfortunate fate. Not sure what brought you here but it seems the stars punish those who forget their place," a girl my age confronts me sitting on the table almost at the same time with me.

"Excuse me? Do I know you?" I frown, startled by the sudden confrontation. Moreover, I'm quite certain we haven't acquainted before.

She sneers, "Why'd I excuse someone who tries to take the place of her betters? Your presence is a slap in the face to the pack's heritage."

"If I meet one of my betters, I'll let you know," I smile sweetly at her, earning an angry growl from the back of her throat.

She glares at me, "Ugh, these days, it seems that sarcasm among humans is as common as their blood."

"So you've got problems cause I'm a human, huh? Unfortunately, if I expose you in front of these people, I'd have the upper hand," I shrug.

She slaps her fists on the table, gazing at me icily, "This is exactly why I don't trust humans, I don't understand how Alpha trusted you to-"

Before she can finish, a beautiful woman in an ornate hanfu steps forward, smiling at her, "Have you got an issue with my dad, Amyra?"

The Amyra girl clenches her jaw and walks past brusquely. I turn to look at the beautiful girl who kinda resembles Se, "Your dad? So you're Se's sister.." I jog my memory trying to remember her name. I know she's named after a flower, "Lily?"

"Rosy, at your service, gongzhu," she bows dramatically and takes a sit where Amyra was sitting, "I recognized you because of my hanfu, also because that's the prettiest face I've seen today."

"Oh," I glance down at my body, "I hope you don't mind me borrowing this? Aunt told me to-"

She presses her palm against my hands reassuringly, "Don't sweat it, silly girl. I think you look beautiful. I've heard tales of Princess Meihua's beauty. They barely do you justice."

"You look lovelier," I smile, gazing at her small face with thin chin, heart shaped small lips, pointy nose, and puppy eyes. I guess

beauty is in their genes.

"Thanks," she smiles, "Apologies on behalf of Amy though. She reflects her insecurities on humans because she thinks being a werewolf automatically makes her superior than humans. She did the same to her adopted brother."

"Adopted brother?" I lean my cheeks on my palm.

"Spymaster Luhan, quite the charmer. Amy's father adopted him, he soon won everyone's heart, especially my brother and he became best friends so she was jealous. Now she's jealous of your closeness with him," she laughs heartily.

"Another fan of our great King-regent, huh?" I grin.

"Precisely," her eyes dart behind me, "There he is!"

She snaps her fingers, trying to draw someone's attention. I look in my back to find a man approaching us. He steps behind Rosy and speaks to her quietly, "I finished my sweep of the grounds. No sign of trouble."

"Good, but I've called you to introduce you to someone," she turns to look at me, "Have you met this hunk?"

I shake my head politely, "No, we haven't-"

"We have," he cuts me off confidently. I gaze at his face, frowning, then it pops in my memory. He's the guy who was gesturing at Se yesterday.

I bow and smile at him, "Met is perhaps a strong word for that. Though I'm pleased to make your acquaintances now."

He returns the bow, putting a hand on his chest, "Charmed to see you again. But I fear I have important matters to attend to now."

"Oh, what would we do without you, Luhan?" Rosy giggles playfully and dismisses him. Luhan smiles and nods goodbye before he rushes toward the main door where guards are preparing for the entrance.

I turn to look at Rosy again, "You're a breath of fresh air in this exhausting scenario. I feel lighter now."

"I understand this must be dreadful for you. You're alone among a bunch of strangers, which is why gege told me you might need a friend today," she smiles assuringly.

I sigh in relief, "That's very kind of you. I could use all the help that I can get."

She laughs, "Don't you know to be careful of free offers from werewolves? We're selfish creatures. Most have only their own interest at heart."

"Do you too?" I cock my head smilingly.

"Of course! I want another intelligent woman to speak with at functions like this. Now let me introduce the other noble houses to you," she threads an arm under mine and turns me toward the main door.

The servants take their places in the main hall as Se nods to the doormen. At his cue, they slowly pull back the large wooden doors, revealing a seemingly endless procession of nobles.

"Presenting the honourable Lord Yang Yang, head of house Yang and champion of the Flower Tournament!"

Lord Yangyang steps forward and bows silently with a grumpy expression. Rosy leans towards me with mischievous gaze on her eyes, "That's our oh-so-serious Yangyang, resident expert on law and lance. If you ask me, he's got a stick up his dick. But I've yet to meet a lady who's been close enough to confirm."

I turn my head towards her with wide eyes, surprised by her bluntness, "Rosy!"

She laughs, "No time to be shocked or offended, here comes the next noble."

"Announcing Her Ladyship Gabrielle Guan, rightful head of house.. "

A girl comes forward and pinches the announcer, she's whispering but her voice is loud enough for everyone to hear, "Not that one, the better one. The King-regent is watching!"

The announcer gets startled by her sudden push, clearing his throat, he reannounces, "Ahem, announcing Her Ladyship Gabrielle Guan, rightful head of the glorious, mighty, notorious but in a good way, House Guan!"

She waves her hands towards everyone, pretending to be overwhelmed by the special reception, "That's right, people, your favourite Gabrielle is finally here!"

Rosy whispers to my ears, "This one became the head of her house by threatening her father that she'll suicide if she isn't the head. And trust me, she'd try to impress a garden squirrel if it made eye contact for long enough."

"It seems like you don't hold her in high regards," I comment.

She giggles, "No one holds her in higher regards than she does."

I bite my lips, holding back a laugh, "She sounds like quite the character."

"An understatement if I've ever heard one!" she laugh, "My advice? Keep to compliments with her. I've always found it easier than doing something radical like an actual conversation."

"Is that man coming in behind her head of the final house?" I raise an eyebrow.

Rosy sighs, "Last, and most certainly the least."

"..Lord Dylan of House Wang!" the announcement finishes.

"And Lady Bella, of course," a man with a lavishing outfit and long shiny hair bows to the crowd. The small, well-dressed dog cradled in his arms spring to attention.

After greeting Se, the man scans the room until meeting my eyes, then walks towards me without looking away.

"To think such a radiant beauty was once unfortunate enough to be out of my sight!" he gasps. The dog starts to bark enthusiastically and he ruffles its fur, "Indeed, Lady Bella. One may as well shroud the rosy down or throw boiling water at freshly fallen snow!"

"You speak as though we've acquainted, my lord," I force on a smile.

His jaw drops in surprise, "But we have! Don't you remember? We were abroad my private gandola. You were feeding me grapes as I let you taste my-"

"I'm quite sure you're mistaken!" I stop him before he says something I don't wanna hear.

He jerks his head back, laughing, "Oh, silly me, confusing the future with the present again!"

I laugh awkwardly, holding my hands back from slapping him, "Lord Dylan, you're so kind."

"You've no idea just how kind I can be, my little petunia," he winks at me.

"Nor will she ever, should her luck hold," Rosy steps between us before he can get closer to me, "How are you so perfectly nauseating?"

"That feeling is best explained by the butterflies that no doubt appeared in her stomach the moment she saw me. I'm exceptionally attractive afterall. None could blame her," he smiles gazing at me inappropriately.

Rosy holds my hands firmly and nods meeting my eyes. Alright, I'm gonna play along. Cringing hard, I smile, "You're good at provoking powerful reactions, aren't you, Lord Dylan? If only some of them were positive."

His jaw drops at my snide remark. Trying hard to not react, he moves his eyes towards Rosy and a big smirk plays across his lips, "Oh my darling Lady Rosy, you haven't abandoned your duties as Keeper of the Royal Archives just to spend time with me, have you?"

"Never fear, Lord Dylan. I wouldn't abandon so much as even a migraine to spend time with you," she smiles bitterly, pushing him away. He puckers his face into a forced smile, nods politely, then walks back toward the entrance where rest of the guests have just arrived. Rosy and I break into laughter.

"You've now met all the players of our little game other than House Gaius. What do you make of them?" she asks curiously.

"Honestly? They seem complicated," I answer. Although Rosy made me feel lighter about it, they seem like the type who you've to constantly play mind games with.

She laughs, "Like all best families! Don't let that scare you."

"Why didn't House Gaius come though?" I ask.

"Oh, about them," she lowers her neck and speaks in a hushed tone, "A word in private, if I may."

"Sounds serious," I whisper. She nods urgently and walks outside gesturing me to follow her. What could she possibly have to say?

To Be Continued »☆●