4 Winning Sister's Heart

On the fourth night, Dragon didn't bring anything but himself to visit his dear sister. He came only when all lights were out and the guards fell asleep at their post.

"Little Sun…" a small whisper could be heard from her bedside window. The hushed voice called again and Sun got up from her bed, all dressed and creaked open the window.

The emperor and his soon-to-be bride's eyes met under the full moon and Dragon's mouth curved up in a confident smile. But Little Sun only returned it with a frown.

"Why are you here?" Dragon's sister asked, pretending not to care.

"I missed yesterday. So I thought I should start all over."

Little Sun looked over at the emperor who wore a most determined expression, one that a general would don when a decision has been made.

"Do whatever you like, just don't bother me," was what Sun said, but she couldn't help but check in on him ever so frequently.

'He's still standing! How so? He is renown for having a weak body,' Sun thought internally before finally having a servant deliver a chair to the stranger.

"Thank you Sun, but sitting would take away from my sincerity," Dragon called aloud.

'Idiot. A good emperor should not waste his time like this,' Sun scolded before she started feeling any more sympathy for him.

Dragon, however, was not wasting time at all. With the frail physique of his current body, he needed to build up endurance. What better idea than to meditate at the same time? His sister was there to keep him company, while the imperial council and advisers were far away. In fact, it benefitted himself more than he found so in the beginning.

On the fifth night, Dragon showed up same time and stood until his royal guards fetched him for morning Council.

But on the sixth night, the emperor was nowhere to be seen.

'Finally decided to give up?' Little Sun wondered as she looked out for the twentieth time that night. She eventually fell asleep, but never did end up closing her window.

And on the seventh night, rain began to pour shortly after dinner.

'He probably won't come anymore,' Little Sun sighed as she laid her head down on the windowsill.

"Little Sun."

Sun's face lit up as she saw the familiar figure standing in the garden behind her room balcony.

"I missed the third night again. So technically, I still haven't stood night vigil yet. I guess I have to start over," Dragon shouted over the rain with the same smile as the first time.

'This emperor is really stupid,' Sun thought but decided to give him some respect for his "sincerity."

The cycle continued where the emperor would show up for two nights and disappear the third only to come back again to start over.

During this time, Sun had grown quite fond of her royal suitor. They shared a few chess games, light banters, and even late-night snack outs.

Finally after a month and a half, the emperor's efforts paid off one fateful night after a game of chess.

"Dragon, you don't have to stand vigil anymore," Sun said, kicking his piece off the board.

"And why is that?" her opponent questioned while moving another piece to defend. "I wouldn't count our nights of playing chess as standing vigil."

"It will look bad on your reputation if you still haven't successfully gained my acknowledgement," little Sun said, strategizing her next move.

"What effect could it possibly have against the puppet emperor's reputation?"

Little Sun put her piece down.

"It's about time your reputation gets a greater boost. Since you have chosen the Tengs to be on your side, I will assist as much as I can. You can arrange for me to enter the palace," Sun said, producing a most professional demeanor.

Dragon already had great plans for little Sun. Even at a young age, his sister had far greater prowess in strategizing than he ever did. In fact, Father said if she was born a boy, she'd surpass even the greatest generals of the century and bring great glory to her family. But since she wasn't, she stayed as the loyal and obedient daughter, waiting for the time to engage in a beneficial marriage arrangement.

However, her brother knew that it would be tossing away raw talent. Who knew the original blunder who lead to such opportunity!

"Little Sun! You would do well to help Ge decide and manage matters of court and such! I know it!" Dragon exclaimed. "You make your Older Bro so proud! I am so proud!"

The emperor's excitement was flattering, but there was a familiarity in his reaction, the way his smile covered his entire face. The way he so naturally referred to himself as "Older Bro" even though it is extremely strange in the context.

"Older bro?"

Dragon's laughter stopped as he slowly glanced over at Sun.

[Did she figure it out?]

"You remind me so much of him that sometimes I mistaken you two," Sun said sadly.

[No you didn't mistaken anything! I am your bro!]

"Even the way you call me Little Sun is just like him. No one calls me that but him."

[Because I am him.]

"When I learned you took him away, I hated you. Why did such a good and valiant man have to be sacrificed for the country's humiliation?"

[Little Sun…that may be too cruel to say in front of the real Dragon's body. It's still his ears hearing this.]

Sun took a step forward before cupping the surprised emperor's face in her hands, as if speaking to a child.

"I know it will take lots of time and practice, but…I will try harder to think a little more highly of you."

[This is progress right?]

Yes. It was.

"Older Bro will show you that his decision was not for naught."

'Is he actually calling himself my older bro?' Sun wondered as she eyed the pretty boy emperor standing across from her.

No matter how she looked at him…he was still…he still looked…

…her junior.

'This guy needs a lot of help...'