The Xiao Sisters

"Why? Why else will i have anything to say? When am so in love with you!" Kanya thundered.

"And i say, i don't have any feelings for you! Why can't you just accept that? Fine...lets have it this way. All of you leave my kingdom then, i announce my true bride in front of everyone in Racalyn." Prince Ethan told her softly.

"True bride my foot, i am your true bride!" Kanya pulled Prince Ethan towards her as i watched in anger and jealousy.

What was wrong with me? As Kanya claimed his lips, i saw a strong light around them with my own two eyes, and i fell shocked. Prince Ethan fell down hypnotized and Kanya was surprised, too. She started wailing. I entered the room and slapped her.

"What did you do to Prince Ethan? Why is he sleeping? What happened Kanya?" I yelled at her but she was crying and sniffing so much she couldn't give me an answer.

She just ran out of the room in tears. I closed the door and ran back to Prince Ethan.

"Prince Ethan! Prince Ethan! Please get up! Why are you doing this? How...how...how did you even get hypnotized? Are her lips poisonous?" I tried to ask him. I knew he was listening to me. I held his hands and caressed them. They felt so warm.

"Prince Ethan, its me Rose. You don't have to be afraid. You see, i am such a hard-hearted, i mean strong-hearted girl! I have never really cried for silly things. So, don't make me cry..." I noticed tears in my eyes. I wiped them and sniffed.

I felt him waking up and i was so happy. He sat on the bed as i smiled.

"Prince Ethan, am so glad...."

"Rose, why are you doing this?" Right. I knew Kanya must have turned him against me. She is a powerful witch.

"You don't love me, do you?" I exhaled.

"N..no. I don't love you. I don't have any feelings for you. I thought we were j..just friends."

"Friends? Crap!" He muttered under his breath.

"Don't worry sire, i...i..i will leave your room. Sleep well." I bowed and walked out of the room. I swear i tried all possible means not to cry. Vivian came into my chambers a few minutes later to give me a dress. She said i was to wear it for the next round.

And the next day, that was what i wore. It was a long red hanbok (Korean traditional clothing) with a binyeo (hairpin) and many flowers. Huh! I cant believe we still follow a bit of Queen Ahyeon's traditions here.

When i got downstairs, all the eight girls were wearing the hanbok and binyeo.

"Good morning y'all. Today's challenge will be all about traditions. Each of you has thirty minutes to prepare a poem to read to everyone today about Racalyn's traditions. Period." Prince Ethan left the room and as he looked at me, i knew he was annoyed.

I wasn't a poet. So how was i gonna find a tone, a note and rhythm, a pitch and all that in THIRTY MINUTES???

Okay....let's go....

Racalyn....

Oh great kingdom of country.....

Woah! What am i saying i sound so lame right now.

"You see, Princess Rose, when you write a song, you write the verse, using your instrument. Create vocal melodies for chorus and verses. Write lyrics for those vocal melodies."

"That's a plan!" I smiled and as i grabbed the violin, i closed my eyes to think of something.

***

Everyone assembled in the court room to listen to everyone's music. Suddenly, an unexpected and uninvited guest came in. She was wearing a short cheongsam (chinese dress) with her black hair strands all over her face. She looked gorgeous.

"I am not from Racalyn..

Neither from Korea

I have never had a nationality...

Of my own..

But when i wore the binyeo....

When i wore the hanbok...

I felt a gust of wind telling me, that i had my family..

The nationality....

RA - CA - LYN..."

"SHUT UP! Who are you and why are you in my kingdom?" Prince Ethan thundered. I had never seen him so angry before.

" Sire, my name is Xiao Li. I am from Hong Kong, i am sorry for disturbing your peace, but when i heard about you and saw your portrait, i fell madly in love with your eyes, and your lips..then, i heard about TLW. Please, let me partake. I really..."

"No problem. You're in." I could see the happiness in Song Daiyu's eyes.

"Welcome, Chinese." She winked at Li and i chuckled. I noticed Li staring at me. Maybe she liked me.

"Look at her beautiful eyes, how captivating! Look at her perfect jawline, the binyeo fits her well, how elegant." She was whispering to Song Daiyu. I was so flattered that i didn't notice my hands were empty.

"Princess Rose." I was called to sing out the poem. I felt my heart beating fast as everyone's gaze were on me. I noticed Prince Ethan avoiding my gaze. I tried to use the paper in my hand as support, which had the tonic sol-fa, but i was shocked.

The paper was missing and i had no idea the tone to use. I started going off-tone and i felt so disgraced as some girls and even courtiers were snickering. As i turned to look at the girls, i saw Xiao Li among the courtiers, winking and showing me, the missing paper!

I tried to yell that she had it but the words couldn't come out. Vivian didn't give me any marks and the only girls who got marks were Kanya, Song Daiyu, Scarlett, Bella and Xiao Li of course. Her first 10 marks.

I went to my chamber angrily, and the maids stared at me concerned.

"What happened my lady?" One of them asked.

"That disgusting new girl! I don't like her."

"Why?" She asked.

"She stole my tonic sol-fa and she is also awkward, cunning and strange. She just barged into Racalyn from Hong Kong with some fake story!" I complained.

"Wow, you mean Xiao Li? She's my sister. Her full name is Xiao Lien."

"what's your name?" I asked her.

"Xiao Chen." She replied and i smiled.

"Is your sister always this stupid?" I asked angrily.

"She....she was cursed." Xiao Chen said sadly and i gasped.

"Cursed? By who?"

"Goddesses of Racalyn. That's why i hate this kingdom! But, am forced to work here, all because of them." Xiao Chen started crying, and i felt bad for her.

"Who are the goddesses? Explain to me."

"That's not my job." Xiao Chen took a tray and left my chambers.