Gifts

Finally I'm self-sufficient again...

Once my father got back from his trip I was miraculously healed, not fully but enough to keep up the act.

I don't recall having such an efficient body but it must be thanks to that herb Chao used on me or the fast rescue.

-I heard you weren't feeling so well, my dear daughter... Mmhk- his coughing got worse since the last time I saw him

He notices my troubled expression and smile -Oh don't worry! Traveling so much is just not something suitable at my age hehe

But let's talk about you... What happened Lai'Er?-

-It's nothing father... I just heard some beasts fighting and got scared,

I happened to be unlucky while running away and fell on a tree's root hidden by the grass...-

-Oh is that so? To think beasts now descended the mountain, so close to the people...-

-It was just a coincidence father, maybe the fighting pushed them that far, I don't normally see anything around there-

-That could be true too... Mhm- he says searching his beard

-Anyway... I have some gifts my dear! Come come, I'll give them to you but don't tell anything to your mother or she will be jealous- he winks taking me to his office room.

...

-Look at this! It's a dress my friend got from Wakoku! Ohh he has shown me such beautiful paintings... The peoples from there are really noble in the spirit!-

-It's beautiful... How is this called?-

-Gi... Gimomo? Kimono? I'm not so sure but still... You could wear it when Hu Lao comes here!-

-He will come here?- I ask putting down the dress to take a little bottle of scented water from the desk

-Oh I forgot to tell you... When I went to meet your brother I happened to find them talking together... Ah you know your brother, he's really strict.

He was questioning him so much hahaha! But anyway... I got to seat down with them and have a nice talk in front of some tea

Mmh... That man really is nice, I invited him to come over when he's free in the next days and you will show him the city! Isn't that amazing?- he asks happily

My hands tighten a little bit over the bottle so I put it back down

-It is indeed a beautiful news- I smile

-Oh! Almost forgot...- he searches for something inside a little box and takes out a fine knife decorated with cherry blossom flowers and pink gems

-This is a gift from your brother... He said to have commissioned it personally, thinking about you

I don't quite understand why a knife but... I suppose women in some circumstances might feel secure having one while walking around alone right?

Mmk! Cough cough cough!- he takes an handkchief out to cover him mouth

-Ah... I'll leave you to the fun, you can take anything you want... I'll go get some tea- he says with a broken voice

-Uhm... Sure...- I look at him leaving with worried eyes

...

Today I took accords to train with Chao...

He arrives when I'm finished changing

-You are late- I tell him as I hear his steps behind me, I put my clean clothes away and stand back up hanging the knife on my belt by the hips

-That's pretty, how did you acquired it?-

-A gift from my broth...!- as I turn around to face him the blade of my own knife pass by my cheek, hitting the wood of the tree behind me

-I might be late but you are slow- he smirks just one inch away from me, with the hand still on the knife's hilt

-H how did you...?-

-I have my own secrets- he whispers in my ear with warm breath, then moves away and smiles handing me back the knife

-You don't seems to have just "some skills"... Who trained you?-

-The same one who trained you... Practice-

-Somehow I cannot believe you, first that herb, now this skills... What more are you hiding?-

-I'm not hiding anything, I just do what is needed at the right time... Now, shall we begin?- he takes out a spire grinning with excitement

-I suppose it will be fun...- I close my eyes before going for an attack

...

-You are really fast... It seems impossible to think you're just a commoner- I seat down tired

-Are soldiers like this too? I'm beginning to think that I'm actually very weak then haha-

He seats down beside me, handing me a leather water sach

-You are not weak at all... Training here instead than a normal training camp taught you what an actual battlefield is like, I just happens to have some more skills than you-

-Then fight with your eyes covered Pff!- I mock him with a scoff, before taking a big sip of water

-Sure- he smiles and I choke +For real? You could do that?- -Yes-

-Teach me!- I widen my eyes surprised

-Are you asking me or mocking me now uhh?-

-I'm really asking! Anything you know that I don't, please teach me!

I will train more and more in the future so when we meet again we'll spar again-

-What if I will be a lot stronger too, next time we meet?-

-I'll make sure to be at the same level-

-Well then... Let me teach you how to hear the air and listen to what It says...-

...

Once I arrive home I'm really tired... It's been a while since I felt like this... the taste of challenge overwhelming me and my fingertips itching with adrenaline...

-Oh finally she's back!-

-Uh?- I rise my gaze to find my mother being all smiley and talkative with a man, so I slow down my steps and approach them

-Dear child what happened to you! Your hair are a mess! Ahh we don't have time for that now! Come come!- she pushes me toward the carriage where I find Hu Lao standing

-Oh ehm... Good evening young Master Hu-

I bend down -Excuse my unpleasant appearance, I have been picking flowers all day...-

-It is not a problem at all... As I was telling Madam Ying,

I was passing by here for some business so I decided to accept that invite your father made a couple of days ago, I'll be spending the night at an inn nearby so tomorrow we can have a meal all together-

-This is... Perfect- I smile

-I suppose we all need some rest now, let's go inside shall we?- intrude my mother saving me from some boring conversation I wouldn't be able to bear now...

...

So the next day I'm forced to get myself into a perfect dress and show him around the city...

We stop at a stall of street food and I send our escorts away for us to eat in full tranquility

-Commoner's food... I really appreciate that Miss Ying-

-It's nothing much...- I say seating down

-Now that we are finally alone you can say whatever you are thinking Miss... It is written in your eyes how uncomfortable you are-

-It's not like that... I do appreciate your company Master Hu, I'm just concerned whether I am doing a good job or not... If it all is as it should be- I sigh

-I understand... It is the same for me-

-Master Hu... Allow me to be honest with you.

As you have noticed our families pressure us to find a perfect partner...

Why I wasn't shoked about your proposal is because I too am not willing to commit into a romantic marriage so I won't be asking anything from you either-

-Is there perhaps some reason to that? Like an old promise with someone or such-

-Actually no... I've just grown tired of all of this to the point of desiring the opposite... If I were allowed, I wish to not marry at all and earn my own name

I even considered marrying a friend of mine who is of different tastes, just to help us both in keeping our families happy...-

-Then it's settled- he stands up and I look at him dumbfounded

-Settled? Already?-

-You got the wrong idea... I'm not going to ask you for such a sacrifice.

I won't bother you anymore and I will find a way to explain to my father my real will...

If there is anything you need me to do for you, please don't hesitate and ask-

-I... Uhm... It's, thank you...?- I bow down and he smiles

-No need to, you just gave me the will to stand up for myself and I hope you will find the strength to do so too...

We live in a time where all a woman is allowed to do is marry, so use this turn of events to your advantage-

-I... Sure will-

-Sir! My Lord!- a soldier runs toward us greeting us briefly with an agitated expression on his face

-What's wrong Shin?-

-My Lord! It's extremely urgent!

The Emperor asks for every Minister and consultant to come back right now!

An urgent meeting will take place tomorrow- He's breathing heavily from both exhaustion and agitation

He probably rode from the Palace and all the way here with no rest, who knows for how many hours

-And what might be the reason for such tumult?-

-A... Letter... Someone is claiming they will take over the control of the whole Empire!- silence mixed with fear fall upon both of us...

- My Lord... It's from the North!-

-Oh no...- This could mean only one thing... War.