Chapter 6: A Day With The Princes

The young Prince made his way to the royal bath, six servants were closely following behind him and there was also his personal attendant, Aren, who was a former Elite Knight member, serving not just an all time attendant but also a royal one's guard.

Marching towards the a certain room, two of his servants behind him automatically opened the door for the young Prince who walked straight inside the moist and steaming bathing chamber in heavy thought.

Stopping at his tracks, Jian Li gently says: "No need to accompany me. Leave." He eyed Aren by the side who bowed to the Prince with a soft smile. "Yes, Your Highness." Aren and the five white veiled attendants quietly left the chamber.

The Royal Bath, as the name says it, is a chamber which only allows people with royal blood to bath in it. In this generation, only three royals are allowed to bath inside it. Jian Hongwu, Jian Li, and Jian Morfran.

The Crown Prince, began taking off his royal garments one by one, the chains and gems embedded within his clothes made a light tinkling noises when it had hit the marble tiles. He then took off his footwear and his remaining clothes to finally bath.

He walked up to the pool and observed its peace, dipping his toes inside the open pool that emmits steam from containing a relaxing lukewarm water. A slight shiver claimed his whole body as the warm water gently climbs to his knees and then up to his chest.

Jian Li's mind was inside a daze, he gazes at the water that was slithering so carefully that it was enough to hypnotize him and make him feel like melting. Also a bit drowsy.

From thinking of everything that just happened, his knees would give out in exhaustion, remembering the events that had occured that certain dream-like midnight with the boy.

And then he thought: 'Wait. Why didn't i ever asked for his name?' His eyes blurred, feeling depressed more than ever by his forgetfulness. He folded his knees to bury himself underwater and blubbered the water under the pool, his butt landing on the tiles.

His black hair would float and sway along the gentle current under the water and he would close his eyes to ease his mind, the raw beauty of a royal never leaves his face.

The air inside his lungs slowly fades out and the jolly bubbles that came out of his mouth earnestly tried reach up the surface of the water.

As he was recalling every single detail of his fun adventure outside, a sudden flash of one of the fragments of his memory occurred inside Jian Li's mind.

'That strange, purely inhumane, red light the thief made on his palm, i wonder what that might be? Was it truly fire? It was magical and pretty. It must be, as it resembles fairly enough with fire.'

'That red sparks of orange fire was blindingly attractive and warm.' His mind would speak on its own.

'I wish to see it again..'

'I look forward, thief..'

'Maybe having tea together would be nice.' He would hear the bubbles faintly travelling its way up, enjoying the moment of pure silence.

Water dripped.

Five short years had passed.

His Highness, the Royal Crown Prince, Jian Li, stood up from his underwater meditation as countless of droplets run down his long back and steaming water would drip from caressing his glossy hair.

The large bell banged its announcement. It stuck with the reminder of dawn breaking.

Time helped evolve the once small and petite body of the thirteen year old Prince, to blossom to a very slender human-male.

From years of nesting inside the royal library, his skin became pale and he never got used of physical activity, his skin would also easily burn from being under the sun in short durations.

Being completely bare and soaked, the handsome royal walked towards the wall of the pool and reached for the bottle of fragrance, smelling its scent with his eyes leisurely closed.

His thin fingers would fondle the bottle lovingly as he tilts it down, having the rose colored liquid slide down the glass' mouth and mix with the misty pool sprinkled with floating petals that releases a subtle-sweet fragrance around the bathing chamber.

When the liquid fragrance had transferred into the pool, his hand would caress the water and mix the two substances more to refine the scent in the air, the petals would sail around as the small waves of Jian Li's movements would send tranquil ripples along the pool. He scooped the water with both his palms and brought it up to wash his face that cultivated sharp features and a solemn face.

When he opened his eyes, the blue tone inside looked like it was bleached lighter as the years passed, it confused him whether it might be a disease or something his body just develops as he gets older. But since he feels completely normal and comfortable with his sight, he ignores any unfortunate thoughts about it.

The tips of his fingers would touch the red treasure around his neck and breathed in the nice scent of sweet roses in the air. He exhales to compose his thoughts.

In a week, his coming of the age of nineteen would arrive and he would be, at long last, be formally crowned as King of the kingdom, finally being legally able to set foot outside again after six years.

Getting out of the pool, the Prince grabbed a black robe having extravagant designs that was sewed with golden threads. He then wrapped it around his body while his hair would continue to drip on the floor.

The servants behind the white curtain walked across the chamber and came beside Jian Li, gently patting his hair against a soft satin to dry it. Another servant would put on a cape around the Crown Prince's shoulder, and secured it fastly after.

"No need to escort me back. You may all leave." The Crown Prince spoke to his servants with a relaxed, lullaby-like voice that was enough to make all the maiden's hearts shiver and squeeze, this time however, the sound of his voice had been set lower as he hits puberty.

"Yes, Your Highness." Aren, the attendant who didn't look any older bowed as his acknowledgement to his master's orders and went back to his royal chamber.

Once he was done clearing his thoughts, Jian Li exited the bathing chamber alone and marched back to his own room without any attendants hanging under his wing. With the clanking sounds of the silver ornaments he carried on his cape, the soldiers we're notified of the Prince's return. They would automatically bow and greeted him, opening the chamber's door and closing it after the Prince entered inside.

Dismissing the group of servants out of his eyes once more, he would sigh when he undressed himself naked again, silently moving around the large room with a single satin slithering around his body.

His royal robes that was carefully planted with small beads sewed with golden threads was hanged on a clothing rack without any crease spotted. As always, he would admire his servants' seamless work. You gotta hand it to the palace.

Wearing the first layer, he would look closely of his movements in front of the huge mirror, in mastery of tying and buttoning every parts of the clothing that is needed to be fastened.

Once he was finished dressing up properly, he would sit down on the vanity table's stool and stare at his well refined face as he cross his legs. Pulling one of the many offered drawers, he reached for the hair comb and brushed his black hair gently. Opening a clear and small bottle, he would pour a thin amount of transparent oil on his palm and brushes it on his hair by sections as he combs it, fully coating his hair strands with the substance for his hair to be sophisticated and shiny.

Wearing a piece of accessory on his hair, he mumbles to himself: "It is almost time, huh?"

Grabbing a small cushion to rub on a square powder compact, he raises his hand and pats a white powder to his cheeks. After making sure that the tone was equalled, he picks up a thin brush and dipped it inside a crystal-like bottle, applying a red pigmented water on his lips by the brush.

He stood up and once more and walked across the chamber, his face looking more enhanced and alive from the cosmetic's help. Going back to the clothing rack, he picks up his outer clothes and would wear the top that revealed the skin of his thin waist so openly.

Jian Li came to realize that he was more comfortable of refreshing clothes. Since no one was about to criticize how he dresses, he would continue to wear them without giving any mind to anyone. And so, he normally wears this slightly lascivious clothings, having the rumours started that the future King looked like a femme.

A name the people created around the kingdom, 'half and half', because of the stories saying that he took after his mother's features, the Queen, who was known after an incredible range of beauty that won the King over; Queen Dana of stunning elegance and power.

Walking back to the vanity furniture, in front of him were a desk filled with different scented perfumes and many kinds of bodily accessories. He picks a particular bottle of perfume and puffed it behind his neck, getting only one piece of his sapphire earrings and wearing it on his right.

He leaves the chamber, leaving a recognizable scent in the air.

Regardless of the grand event that will be taking place within a week, the royal classes of the Prince, still do take place. Lady Anwir never changed her face features, except of her hair that hasn't been cut that swish swashed around the air when she walks down hallways.

Inside of one of the many halls inside the palace that was decorated with so many illuminating glass lanterns, Lady Anwir and the Crown Prince was spotted seriously talking about important topics regarding the management of the palace when the door opened, and foot steps arrived.

Huffing and puffing out his breath, the Prince that was too irked to even exist, Jian Morfran, arrived at the scene.

He was wearing these overly-decorated fancy clothes, matching it with his original gnarl.

Morfran's roars has become a habit that he couldn't really restrain. The small, twelve year old boy had reached the age of seventeen. Still so young yet his arms already had streaks of muscles from training and his skin were slightly tanned from the sun. One thing for sure, he had surpassed Jian Li's height and was taller for some inches.

Bearing such fangs, he roared at his servants again. It was such an eyesore. But to add it up, Morfran carried the face their dignified father has, and it was such a painful sight for the palace people to see something as the young King Hongwu yelling at his servants, shouting his rage over small problems.

All knew Morfran took after the King, his facial features, and even his physique. As though that he was just a younger version of the King, truly a royal's son.

"Late again, Your Highness." Said Anwir with a disappointed tone to the Second Prince while Jian Li sat on his chair quietly with his legs and arms crossed, leaning back to the chair comfortably while softly eyeing his baby brother.

"I must attend a business at the library after so make this meeting brief." The Crown Prince got up his chair and draw his brother's chair so they could finally start the lesson. Morfran didn't say anything and took the offered seat quietly, secretly paying glares to his older brother who sat beside him.

The voice of Anwir started.

The lesson began, and obviously, Morfran wasn't listening in any rate. Only white bitter smoke escaped from his lips, blowing its smoking swirls around the hall. His hand held a long and thin stemmed smoking pipe, the pipe that he was holding was jade and gold patterned, with elegant accessories draping around it.

With Anwir more annoyed to the bitter smelling smoke under her nose, her attendant, wearing magenta robes walked beside her to hand fresh parchments and rolls of papers for the Princes.

The attendant's face was absolutely telling the opposite of the color of her robes. Most probably, it was Anwir who forced her to wear the current colors, and that obviously the color of black that would fit her face more. Forcing a smile, yet irked, Anwir spoke up. "I'll be handing out your daily examination scrolls."

Two servants laid the golden bordered scroll infront if Jian Li, with an ink and thin pen at the side. Hundreds of questions unfolding within sight. Jian Li calmly started answering, his back straight and face with utter relaxation, Morfran placed down the pipe, with a small smoke escaping within it and his fingers took the pen when he heard Jian Li's starting to scrape on the paper, so steady yet hurriedly.

The sun increased its light and both brothers finished after a long moment, the attendants began collecting their scrolls and handed it dry over to Anwir.

"I will be checking on the spot. Both of you please stand by."

Going at it again, Morfran picked up the pipe and blew a smoke right at Jian Li's face. "How does it feel?"

Jian Li looked at Morfran, trying not to breath in the tobacco's scent. "What is?"

His younger brother scoffed. "Being a King. Your coronation's near."

Jian Li took time to answer, and then said "It's well, fine." But inside his head, he would shake his head: 'Its an indescribable feeling that i can't even make it to words.'

"..."

Yet inside Morfran's head, it was rage and jealousy. 'Fine?! If i was the first son i would be so enthusiastic about it! You... you ungrateful mongrel!'

Morfran dug his eyes to Jian Li: "Father—"

"Done, Your Highnesses." Notified Lady Anwir with a bright voice.

"Congratulations, your Excellency Jian Li, you've done it again. Perfect scores, no mistakes, you never fail to impress me." Anwir and the attendants clapped.

Jian Li just nods. "The Crown Prince says his thanks."

"Came in second place, with two hundred and twenty five points over two hundred and fifty questions. Morfran, Your Highness." Anwir smiled. "Better luck next time." She clapped after, proud at Morfran's improvement deep inside.

Morfran was enraged inside. 'Luck? What's luck have to do with this? I studied well! But why can't i have perfect scores?! How can he always get it?! I bet he cheats! Crowds favorite! Better luck next time?! You gotta be kidding me!'

Anwir snatched a glance at the clock. "It's time to have a break, serve the Highnesses!" A trolley with steaming tea and small plates carrying pies and blueberry cakes arrived by the door, it was very obvious that it just came out freshly from the royal kitchen.

Morfran stood up, walking away from his seat. "I'm leaving to meet sir Deverus." Said he, with a bit of a growl. A man was passing through him carrying a serving board towards the direction of Jian Li, then suddenly:

CLANG

The servant lost his balance. Or in all honesty, Morfran stretched out his foot sneakily and tripped him.

Jian Li had sharp senses and immediately noticed something. He stood up from his seat and tried to save the servant from slipping, but his hands couldn't support the man's weight properly, so the man tripped and hit the marble tile with a loud thud.

The porcelain teacup broke, and boiling water spilled to the servant's clothes and skin. He groaned mostly to the pain at his wrist and ankles.

Jian Li and Anwir was equally shocked. Turning around and getting a napkin abruptly, the Crown Prince became very concerned on how the tea was boiling hot and it spilled to his skin, how it must've burned him very badly.

A frown showed upon the Crown Prince's face as he thinks of his experience being burned in the mouth, he thinks its worse to be burned directly on the skin. He then offered the napkin to the man and helped wiping the spilldd tea on his wrist, saying: "Are you alright? I'm sorry dear sir—"

Then the man's eyes bulged and he shook his head and waved his hand frantically. Muttering and sweating: 'No! No! No! Your Highness I am the sorry one! I- im so sorry!! I nearly splashed the hot water on you!—'

Lady Anwir gasped dramatically from behind, "A King never apologizes!" Said her while emphazing every word. "Even mostly to a lowly, clumsy servant!"

Then the Crown Prince turned around, glaring at Lady Anwir.

Jian Li was greatly aggravated, shaking his fists under the table. "How is apologizing wrong?" How the servant tripped was in no one's fault. But Jian Li felt what she was saying was wrong, what she was trying to teach him just goes against his values.

"You're telling me that that's how i should act?" He asks her. "Is that the type of King you want me to be? Someone who'll be nonaccountable to his mistakes just because he holds a high position?"

Then cut in Anwir: "Exactly that!—Your Excellency! A King isn't just a high position- It's the highest of all positions one could obtain! This position is prestige! No one will raise hand on you if you make a mistake! To begin with, a King must never make a mistake, do understand that that is why I am here for."

Jian Li stood up from squatting and sighed, still taking care of the shaking servant. Then Jian Li spoke again. "I will be attending matters at the library." He announced, "Lady Anwir, Royal teacher, lower rank from the King's position, is dismissed." He walked away while supporting the wincing attendant who also seemed to sprain his ankle from the fall.

Unlike all the rooms in the palace, the royal library was not guarded. Jian Li who dragged his servants by his tail stormed the library and walked inside the white hall. Its ceilings were so high, and tall columns lined up in the middle. The thick books stretched to the second storey of the hall, his heel sounding so sharp as he marches inside and goes straight at one section he frequented for the past six years.

LANGUAGE ALL OVER JIAN KINGDOM

Said the signage where Jian Li was headed.

As this was the Crown Prince's private time, the other servants was dismissed while only Aren stayed by his side. The attendant gets a trolley and picked up every last book on the cabinet, laying them neatly to the very wide stone table.

This set was the last cabinet of books Jian Li will browse into. If he still hasn't found what type of language the boy used, he will have to give up to find the meaning of the letter.

Aren was truly amazed at the Prince's motivation to learn about the people for years. The boy managed to fool Aren by saying that studying these languages was for him to be able to communicate with his people and to speak the kingdom's languages very fluently, saying that communicating well is a very a great asset for understanding the people he'll rule over. That "It's amazing to be the first King able to speak all the languages of Jian."

Jian Li would spend hours and hours of reading and flipping pages, and the time to time comparing of the writings to the old, crumpled, and soggy paper he had for a very long time.

For years of scanning, he still hasn't found any characters related to it. By dusk, he had cleared all the books of Jian Kingdom's languages and still, he couldn't find what it says.

He squints his eyes at the chicken feet writing. 'Maybe its a crooked handwriting? I mean he's a thief afterall. A commoner who cannot write?'

"Or maybe.."

'Maybe he's not even from this Kingdom?' he would think inside his mind since Aren was just beside him. He would support his theory and stood up fastly, that even the librarian in charge got startled.

His footsteps thudding and finding a certain section.

LANGUAGES OF ALL NATIONS

Aren who was tagging along widened his eyes. 'Really?! After you just finished those hundreds of books you're diving into worldwide?!' The man freaks out, fixing his loose jaw.

He takes out another batch of books that his arms could carry and put them on Aren's trolly.

After an hour of sitting in utter silence while thoroughly examining each and one of the books, he finally encounters a book with a single character so similar to the paper he holds. A maple red colored book, this must be it.

Leaving all of the sprawled books at the library and totally dismissing the confused Aren, he goes to his own chambers quickly and ordered the soldiers to not let anyone in.

His spirit was burning for this one clue, getting his parchment and ink as he sits at his study chair in excitement.

He would spend the night without taking meals and delved into the book deeply, his head aching as he tries to understand something he doesn't even know how to read.

The crack of dawn arrived and his eyes housed dark circles under it, he had been yawning for fifty times and cannot help but to rub his watery eyes.

The moment the first ray of the sun reached inside his room he had finally completed what was written within the parchment that was trying to present itself for years, waiting for Jian Li to read it a loud.

He stood up with both of his feet with fatigue and cracked his neck. Jian Li looked for the deciphered paper and picked it up, then he wrapped a thick cloak around him and went to his balcony.

The chilly fog had arrived and the Prince's breath expelled a misty smoke within his sighs. Holding the paper, he reads it.

"I will find a way to meet you again, Lili."