14 First Meet-- Lilando.

That day, they were back safely.

The emperor let them rest for a day.

And called for everyone to come back to the camp.

The emperor had told the others that as part of the activity, Malbeno and Ruthless are hidden for the others to find them.

Their appearances did not cause much disturbance to the others.

Ruthless's pov.

Next Morning.

"Your Highness."

Infina and Teari kneel down upon their master.

"We have failed to protect you, please punish us."

I pull my riding clothes over and ties the girdle slowly.

My pale fingers look even paler under the sun streaming in from the small window.

My paleness signifies my death. My illness and the power it brings.

"No."

I flatten the creases on my sleeves carefully, deep in thought.

"It would have been better if you were not there."

"Don't worry. Do not panic understand?"

I lie back lazily, violet eyes sweeping across them sleepily.

"Yes, Your Highness."

I stand up and leave the tent.

The sun flows into the tent, shining on them, and closes.

The tent back to darkness.

"The daughter greets Father."

The emperor looks up from his pile of reports and memorials.

His eyes, dark brown.

Unreadable.

"Ruthless, tell me, what happened."

I sniff, wiping a fake tear from my eyes, as if I am going to cry, like hell it will happen. My shoulders trembling, acting to act brave and trying to push down her fear.

"Father... there are assassins in the forest. And...and I almost died, but Dark Prince happened to be around and helped me. But...but they still want to kill me even when Dark Prince was helping me. They are so reckless! Dark Prince is our guest!"

"Then they forced us to the cliff and we both fell to the pit, there is a river at the bottom, and we managed to survive. We walked for very long in the forest to find a way out and came back."

I know my eyes are puffy and red, adding a pity point.

"Zhen will punish them severely! Do you know who sent them?"

I hesitate and shake my head, but nodded again.

"Tell me, don't worry, Zhen will protect you."

"I don't know but when I tell them I am a princess, they said their master is from the palace and..." Ruthless looks at the emperor hesitantly, "and said that their master...will...will be the emperor anyway."

Pamm!

The emperor cannot control his anger anymore.

He hates it when he knows that his sons are thirsting for the throne badly. Especially when he is still alive. No one can snatch his throne away. He narrows his eyes fiercely.

No one.

None.

"Ruthless, you may go back first. We will stay here for a day and return back to the palace soon, so you will be safe, understand?"

Of course, the emperor will not believe so easily.

But they dare to touch my daughter now and harm the Dark Prince on my soil.

The seed of suspicions has been planted.

I stroll out of the tent.

I do not worry if Dark Prince will tell the truth. He will want to keep a low profile first, so let me take the chance for my own.

I pass rows of tents, some can be heard with ladies complaining loudly, or beating their maids.

"Sister Ruthless."

I turn leisurely.

Prince Lilando, Noble Consort's adopted son from a maid.

The tips of his amber eyes are slightly upturned with a tiny tear mole below his left eye.

He wears a red similar to mine but with flowery prints.

His thin lips beaming brightly.

His face, too womanly.

He is well-known for his slyness in business and he is in charge of the country's finance.

Also on Gem Rank.

"Brother Lilando, such a coincidence."

"Why don't you come and join Beng Dian for some wine?"

"Of course," Wanting to see what tricks are on his sleeves, plus, it has been so long since I drank, I lick my lips hungrily.

Little did I know, this is the path to something different.

I knew he was not close to Noble Consort Diana. Apparently, his mother was Noble Consort's maid, the emperor was drunk that night and went to the maid's room. They spent the night on the maid's bed and was pregnant after a month.

The maid was given the title of Beauty Wen, one of the lowest ranks in the harem.

The maid died during birth under the hands of Noble Consort Diana and took the child under her care.

No one will be close to someone who killed your own mother.

Enemy's enemy is a friend.

We set off for the nearest brothel.

Flower Fragrant Manor.

"It's Prince Lilando, welcome welcome, I see that you have brought your friend, it has been long since you came. Our girls were so bored while you were away!"

A middle-aged lady with a heavy smell of rose and face powder comes out inviting them in.

"Sister is still as young as ever! Beng Dian has not forgotten sister's wonderful fragrance while I'm gone."

I don't know about him, but I sure know that she is far from fragrant. The heavy odour of rose is the worst.

Liliando taps his foldable fan on his tall nose, grinning widely like a pervert. His face looking even more attractive than the beauties in the manor, I admire his features for a while, stroking my face, who's face is more beautiful?

"Aish, the Prince is still as slippery as ever," The procuress laughs and swipes her handkerchief at him.

"Come on girls Prince Lilando and his friend are here, get to work right now." The procuress claps her hands and ladies rush into the room.

Some hustle around the man, some went to brew tea and prepare little desserts.

"Prince Lilando, allow the servant to play a song for you..."

A mellow song of "Longing For You" plays as the lady's fingers work wonders on her zither.

Notes after notes complaining why has he returned late vibrates on everyone's ears, the other even dances.

Each throw of her sleeve, each spin of her body, each bending of her spine, melts beautifully into the song.

The song has ended.

The dancer lands.

"Brother has so many beauties around him that he has forgotten me. That is so saddening."

I blink my violet eyes at him as if I am legit innocent and disappointed.

"Hahahahaha, this lunch is on me! Any lady you want is also on me," He laughs, his tear mole looking more alluring beside his amber eye. "Rosy and her group shall stay. The rest can leave."

The other beauties retreat accordingly. I narrow my eyes at their obedience. No simple, this man, no simple.

"What song does master wants to hear?" The one playing the zither bends her knees(a form of greeting) and asks.

She wears a white dress, with light yellow daffodils prints, her collar displays her collarbone perfectly, her fingers are white and glow luminously.

"Play Eighteen Touch for me."

The ladies stiffen their body for a moment, Lilando's amber eyes twinkle even brighter.

I yawn and sink into my chair, eyes stopping at every lady in the room lazily.

The dancers then start to dance, the other musicians start to play their instruments.

Zither, flute, pipa, harp...

The others serve tea and desserts.

"We are here for your wine, not tea, my dear girl, Rosy" Lilando strokes the girl's hand gently who served him tea. "Am I right Ruthless?"

An eyebrow raises up, "of course Lilando." I take a bite at the cookie, "Don't worry honey, your master can drink." Winking at Rosy, earning a giggle from her. Maybe I am not too ugly after all...

"Yes Princess, the servant will get some wine for you immediately." Rosy bows.

She returns with a few male servants behind, each carrying a huge bottle.

I take two small cups out and fills them with wine, passes one to Lilando and drinks immediately.

"Good wine, remember to bring me to drink good wine again Lilando."

I empty cup and pours another, lips smacking in satisfaction, savouring the taste as the liquid boils in my mouth and throat.

"Of course, I will bring my friend along next time, if you don't mind." He raises his cup to his thin lips, adam apple rolling.

I say no more, as we start playing scissors paper stone, the loser will drink a bowl of wine.

Until night falls.

"Let's go back, Ruth," Lilando's face is flushed red, his amber eyes slightly dreamy and whispers beside her ears.

"We need to go secretly, or Father will be mad." His breath blowing on my earlobes, ticklish.

"You seem to have done this quite often." I am no better than him, we drank old wine, the older the wine, the more powerful it is. My vision blurs for a moment, at least I am not entirely drunk, I pinch my thigh to keep awake.

"Of course! Every time when I come to the brothel and return late, no one knows and I have never been caught."

Lilando raises the corners of his eyes excitedly when he speaks of his adventures.

We support each other and stumble back to the campsite.

Alerting no one.

At least, that's what I thought.

+

So, 'Beng Dian' is how a prince would address himself.

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