Chapter 17- pretend

Patricia thought of hiding. She hurried to the back of the house and sighted a large vessel that must have been used to collect water. It could accommodate her size, so she jumped in and shut the lid. She heard footsteps approaching. She knew the prince must be very close.

Crown Prince Edward entered the place and saw no one. He knew she must be hiding. He turned to his servant, "All of you wait outside."

"Crown Prince, this place is not good. At least, let me follow to serve you, Your Highness," the chief eunuch argued.

Without turning to him, the Crown Prince said, "I know how to take care of myself. If you move an inch to disobey my instructions, I will punish you." The servants obeyed.

Crown Prince Edward shut the door behind him and smiled. He was so grateful he had this mask. Now he could play with Patricia, and she would have no idea. He checked the little rooms. She was not there. He checked the back of the house; there was no human in sight. "Where could she be?" He thought.

He was very sure she was here. This was the best spot in the whole terrain. He turned to go, then he stopped. He had noticed the giant water container, probably used by the former occupant to store large amounts of water. It was possible a person could hide in there, right?

He walked slowly towards the giant container, eager for his footsteps not to be heard. When he got to it, he gently removed the cover and peered inside. He chuckled slightly and moved away. He spoke in a loud voice, "I know my divination does not lie. You better come out now. This might be the only way to save yourself."

Patricia bit her lower lip as she slowly climbed out. "Curse you and curse your divination," she said in her heart.

His back was turned to her, his hands folded behind him.

She bowed, "Greetings, Crown Prince. This place is not fitting for someone with such a stature as yours." "But it is fitting for someone to practice the art of rain, right?" His reply was cold. "I know you are behind it. My magical sources do not lie. Do you know you have committed two offenses today? The first is the practice of the art of rain near the temple. The second is that you did it on purpose to humiliate Side Consort Eva. I do not know what your game is, but you sure have a lot of guts. How dare you humiliate my side consort?"

Patricia wondered what she would do. "Should I give him a piece of my mind? Should I tell him why I did it? Nah! He is one arrogant man. He would never take me seriously. Besides, I can't let him know my true abilities. I must have to act foolish, like all the other women in his harem. This humiliation is for a short time girl. One day, you will give him the punishment he deserves. Then you will be the one in charge. And he will beg for your mercy."

Patricia went on her knees and said, "My Prince, please. Forgive your concubine. Do not punish me. I guess I was carried away. I saw this spot and I thought it would be fine for me to practice here. I even forgot side consort Eva would be coming here today by your orders. Please, forgive me."

He smiled to himself, his back still turned. "So you are my concubine? This is getting interesting. Why don't you come to serve me tonight to pay for your sins?"

Serve him? Where? He must be talking about his bed. Hearing the words almost made Patricia throw up. "Pervert, curse you and your horrible bed," she yelled in her heart. She did not have the courage to say it out loud. He was the Crown Prince. He could punish her, or even worse. She thought quickly; she rose to her feet and walked towards him, "Your Highness, I do not deserve your grace. I deserve some punishment instead."

"Are you refusing me?" He asked.

She fell on the floor.

He heard the sound; he got alarmed; he turned. He may be crown prince Edward, but deep in his heart, he is always her Philip. He never wants her to get hurt.

"I am sorry, Crown Prince. I think the magic has drained my strength. I may need a few weeks to recuperate. I am afraid the crown prince's invitation will have to go to another," Patricia said after she coughed.

His calm returned. He was so happy she had no idea he was Philip. He knew everything about the magic she used. What she said had happened was impossible.

She continued her drama, "Crown Prince, I would have loved to serve you. But I can't. I am sorry."

He considered her for a moment. No, she would not give up. He knew. He walked towards her slowly and could sense fear in her eyes. He stretched forth his hand to help lift her up, and when she stood, he scooped her up in his arms. "Since you are sick, I am taking you to your palace. You are my beautiful concubine after all. I must take care of you. You will feel better in my arms"

She frowned, "No. This won't do. The other concubines..."

"Are you telling me what I can and cannot do for my own concubine? Or, are you saying you are fine? And you can walk all the way back? Were you deceiving me with your words?" His eyes narrowed as he asked.

He was trying to trap her with his questions. If she said she could walk to her place, it would be clear she had decieved him.

She smiled, " I think a sedan chair can be sent to come get me."

The prince frowned. "No, you have two choices, my hands, or you take a long walk back. A walk where you prove you have been lying to me all along."

"Doom!" kept replaying in her head. She was doomed today.

If Side Consort Eva had treated her like dirt because she entered the Crown Prince's embrace by mistake, what would she and the other jealous women do to her if they saw the Prince carrying her in his arms to her room?