11 A Different Kind Of General (1/2)

WEI LI LIAN

PRINCESS LE-ANNE

LADY QUEENS' MANOR

Without thinking twice, Princess Le-anne took a sharp turn and saw a built man having his back towards her. He turned around in panic, not expecting her and meteorically, she sprung him around and knocked him to the floor.

”Who dares to intrude this manor?” she adjured, her knees pressing onto his chest while her hand clenched his neck.

”Greetings to her Royal Highness...” he tried to speak.

”General Feng?” she frowned and pulled off the hat of his cloak. They had once met two years ago and until now he had not changed a bit. She loosened her grip and pulled him up.

”General Feng greets her...”

She put her finger on his lips to silence him. Looking around, she almost reached for his hand but retracted. He blushed at her touch, the only man who she had held hands with was Brother Hu-go and she intended to keep it that way. She waved her hand back and forth, gesturing him to shadow her.

They took the back entrance and snuck into one of the empty servants' room.

”General Feng greets―”

”Don't stand on ceremony.”

”May her Royal Highness forgive me for meeting you this late, I could not find the right time.”

”All is well, General is a busy man,” the princess smiled kindly.

”Not busy to meet with her Royal Highness.”

There is nothing that could beat General Feng's loyalty. For years his clan had served Huticah in secret. They were distant cousins of the royal family, her father had once told her. General Feng was tall in appearance and his body well-built and muscular which imposed fear but his face was one of kindness. He had coffee brown soft eyes, a squared jaw and wildly arched eyebrows. Any lady's heart would beat fast in his presence but Le-anne's did not falter.

”General Feng, if I fail to catch his Majesty's eye when we perform the Summer Festival dance, will another opportunity arise?”

He sheepishly stared at the floor. ”Yes, your Royal Highness.”

Of course, there would be but she was not a woman who easily missed the target. One shot had to go for the kill.

Awkward silence filled the small room.