6 Deep Sea Lotus Flower (1/2)

PRINCESS LE-ANNE

THE BORDERLANDS

Four seasons have elapsed since Le-anne's incident with Brother Hu-go. She wanted to be resentful about how he had deceived her but could not bring herself to. Afterall, they had grown up together and being frustrated towards him was like her hating a part of herself. Besides, she was the one who had initiated the whole thing.

All she had wanted from him was for him to ask her father for her hand in marriage then she would not have to go to Nevoria but all of that was too pointless now. Her father and his whole entourage were waiting for her, her sedan ready.

The day in which she would leave for Nevoria had arrived.

She sauntered towards her audience which had come to see her off, Ai trudging behind. She was the only maid-in-waiting she would take. She had chosen her considering the fact that she had waited on her for the longest time than the rest, therefore, she was well aware of her taste and preferences more than any other. But most of all it was because Ai had made efforts to learn about Nevoria with her.

”Greetings to his Majesty, the King,” she bowed before her father using the formalities of Nevoria. She had intended to spite him with it but he guffawed with much excitement.

”A beautiful lotus flower floating on the deep sea indeed,” he inhaled eyeing her white magnificent robes ”Mistress Kei, you shall be rewarded heavily.” He smiled widely with much approval.

”His Royal Majesty too kind.” Mistress Kei blushed. Until now Princess Le-anne had thought her stoned expression was the only facial look she possessed.

”Her Royal Highness must not worry about anything from here onwards but becoming empress. If the emperor gets curious about your heritage, do not fret about it because the Wei Clan will acknowledge you as their daughter. Is that right?” A man beside him bowed in agreement, he was probably the head of the Wei clan she presumed.

”Princess must always cover her face until the emperor makes her his woman,” he instructed. The reason behind that, she did not know. It was not like beauty could be stolen but all the same he had forced her to cover her face from the day she arrived in Huticah. Her people had then identified her as the 'faceless bastard child.'

”General Feng will set a secret meeting with you as soon as you enter the Imperial Capital,” he continued, ”if you perceive that Huticah is in potential danger send me a letter asking about my health, if you sense exposure about your real identity write to me asking about your mother's health. General Feng will provide the pigeons for courier and any news from me will be relayed to you by him.”

”If Mother was really unwell, would Father care?” she blurted out.