BECOMING EMPRESS

I was woken up by the maids. Gosh, how odd. I'm getting married at twenty one. Who does that?

Washing today was extremely different. Different sort of ointment, soaps, perfs and name it.

I was determined to enjoy the bath to the fullest. The washing took longer than usual. I felt relaxed and satisfied.

I was then dressed in the cheongsam or qipao as they call it here. It was red in color and embroidered in gold designs. It's really breath taking. Red in where I am presently signifys good tides and happiness while white signifys death which is really in contrast to my world were red signifys danger and white peace.

A matching pair of earrings and golden necklace were given to me which I wore making the embroidery on my red radiant.

They put on some stuffs on my face which I'd better call make up. It's so different from the one in my bag. To top it all which is really disappointing, I was made to wear a veil. Like why should I cover my face? What's the use of the 'make up'?

I left my room and walked down the hall with the excited maids around me. Seems like the first time a grand wedding's happening in the palace after a long while.

I soon joined my parents in the hall were the wedding was to commence. We, the Emperor and I whose name I have still figured out, were lead to the altar where we paid homage to the Heaven and Earth and the kitchen deity,Tsao Chün and family ancestors.

The only people present were my family and Dowager Empress plus the coordinating priests.

Then, we shared a drink of Tsao Chün tea while crossing arms and we bowed to each other. Tea with two lotus seed was offered to the dowager empress as she was the only relative of the groom. We exchanged rings and gift and dowry. We were pronounced husband and wife.

We were asked to move to the next hall were other guests were waiting for the banquet. The emperor held my hand and we moved down to the hall.

On getting to the entrance, everyone bowed to pay respect.

"Greetings to the Emperor and her highness"

The emperor responded and they all resume eating and drinking. The emperor and I went and sat on the seat specially for us. I didn't speak a word since I entered the second hall. I was just observing.

"Why are you gloomy? Am I not handsome enough?", the emperor suddenly said looking at me.

I was stunned. I hadn't noticed someone was beside me. I was too busy in the world of my own.

"Nothing just that..." I was cut in by him

"Just that what?" he asked intently

"Uhm, can I trust you?" I asked

"Haven't I been nice enough?" he asked still looking at me.

"That I better not reply." I said cautiously but his next question caught me off guard.

"Why?" he asked again.

I swallowed hard and said, "If I had said yes, you might think you're being too soft in me and make things difficult and if I said no, you might feel is a waste of time trying to be lenient and still make things difficult."

He looked at me amusingly and laughed. That was the first time I've sent him laugh so heartil. I was confused and asked,"What's funny?"

He smiled and said," You really deserve to be empress. You did the right thing by replying the way you did."

I didn't understand and just ohhed.

Seems like everyone here is scared of the emperor. Some neighbouring emperor were present and came to greet us and I answered them curtly and reactions on their faces shows they were impressed.

My parents were leaving that night so I had to bid them goodbye. Normally, if their real daughter was to be the one married, she'd have cried her eyes out. So, I faked some tears and let them flow. My mum was the one who cried the most. My dad just sighed and my sister gave me a comforting 'don't worry everything would be fine' look. I bid them well and left.

The banquet was already over and I returned back to my room. The way I was being treated changed instantly as I was already the empress.

It still seem strange to me but I knew if I wanted to survive in this 'only god knows where' land I need to accept fate and mould my future.

My personal maids which I hand picked soon came and wished me. Everyone wants to be on the empress favor. They helped me wash and keep my jewelries and clothes then they both left.

Minutes later, a servant came and told me the emperor wanted to see me. I thought he hated me so why the need for the wedding night stuffs? I wasn't ready to lose my virginity to a tyrant so I took my hairpin.

I really am tired of wearing gowns and gowns and gowns so I search through my clothes and brought out a crazy crop top and a bumshort plus a pair of slippers and left for his wing.

On my way, servants and maids that saw me started whispering, well not like I cared. I got to his room and entered without knocking.

The emperor was just coming out of the bathroom with his robes on allowing me to view his hard chest.

"You sent for me" I said but I got no response. He was just staring. This is the second time his actually behaving this way.

"Uhm uhm" I cleared my throat to get him out of his thoughts."You sent for me" I repeated.

"What are you wearing?" he asked

"Clothes" I responded.