Strategy, Suspicion, and Subtlety

As the sky bled into a rich purple, fading into an inky black, the intoxicating scents of roasted meats, sweet pastries, and fragrant blossoms wafted through the air. The gentle hum of laughter, the twang of lutes, and the distant chime of bells filled Diayu's ears as she meandered past myriad festival booths. They had sprung up like wildflowers, transforming the bustling main market into an even more vibrant display of colors and sounds.

Not far behind, Prince Nam Cal Liang trailed her, his gaze never straying from her graceful silhouette weaving through the revelry. Having shed his military attire, he now donned robes that, at first glance, seemed understated. Yet they were meticulously crafted from a luxurious dark purple fabric that mirrored the evening's palette. Illuminated by the golden glow of festival lanterns, the intricately embroidered light blue and gold orchids on his robe seemed to shimmer, as if kissed by morning dew.

Street vendors, sensing an opportunity, enthusiastically beckoned him, showcasing their prized goods. Simultaneously, young women sent coy, admiring glances his way, whispering excitedly amongst themselves about the dashing figure navigating the festivities. But the prince remained undistracted, his focus solely on the petite figure ahead. Diayu's black dress shimmered like a starlit night, and every so often, the red accents flared, making the embroidered tigers seem as though they danced protectively around her.

As he trailed her, he pondered how to approach without being immediately dismissed. He was well aware of her keen senses, more alert than the feline figures that adorned her dress. He needed a compelling reason, a justification for his presence. For he knew that bridging the gap between them—mending the trust he had shattered when he betrayed her and her brother to the city guards—would require more than mere words. He needed to offer her something that would make her pause, something that would prompt her to let him get closer, even if just for a moment.

***

As Daiyu walked through the festival, her senses were alive with the intoxicating aroma of sizzling skewers, the dulcet tones of lutes and lyres, and the kaleidoscope of colors from lanterns and costumes that dotted the crowded landscape. The atmosphere was jubilant, a celebration of life, culture, and unity, providing a needed respite from the looming challenges that faced her and her comrades. Her eyes fell upon a gaming booth, drawing her attention with the charming clatter of wood and metal.

"Step right up! Test your aim and win an exquisite prize!" shouted the booth attendant, his blue skin glowing slightly under the luminescence of a nearby lantern. His slick-backed hair and twinkling eyes gave him a roguish appearance, and Daiyu couldn't help but feel that he was the sort to know every trick in the book. Intrigued, she approached the booth and placed two copper coins on the wooden counter.

"Five arrows, five targets," he said, handing her a small crossbow. It felt heavier than it looked, worn from the hands of countless festival-goers.

Daiyu took aim. The first arrow soared through the air but missed the target by an inch. She frowned. Quickly assessing, she realized the sight on the crossbow was slightly off. Adjusting her aim, she fired again, this time striking the target dead center. Three more arrows followed, each finding their mark with satisfying precision. The crowd that had gathered around cheered.

Just then, Prince Nam Cal Liang pushed through the crowd. He was dressed in fine dark purple robes that flowed elegantly, adorned with embroidered light blue and gold orchids that shimmered in the festival light.

"Princess Yun, may I have a word?" he asked, his voice a mixture of earnestness and hesitation.

"Princess Yun Val Daiyu greets his highness the Seventh Prince, however, you will have to pardon my rudeness, this is neither the time nor the place for us to socialize as I was enjoying the festival, and do not feel a conversation with his excellency would enhance my evening." She replied coldly her sapphire eyes hardening as her small pink lips pressed into a frown.

"How about a wager, then?" he proposed. "If I hit all five targets, you accompany me for the next hour. I miss, even a single one, I'll leave you be."

Suspicious but intrigued by his earnestness and confidence Daiyu accepted. Nam Cal Liang handed over his copper coins to the blue-skinned attendant, who was clearly enjoying the unfolding drama. He picked up another crossbow from the counter.

Daiyu watched as the prince aimed. The first arrow struck the target. Then the second, third, fourth, and finally the fifth. The crowd erupted in applause.

"I win, it seems." Nam Cal Liang turned to Daiyu smiling slightly.

"So it appears," Daiyu replied, her eyes narrowing, unable to stop the rye smile creeping onto her face. "But I'll wager you knew the game was rigged."

"I've been to many festivals," he conceded with no embarrassment, "and learned a few tricks along the way."

The booth operator, with great showmanship and vibrance produced a small shimmering blue bag.

"To our champion! May this prize enrich your evening adventures and bring forth even grander fortune. Step right up, everyone! We've celebrated our first victor of the night, securing a magnificent prize. Who among you will be the next to test their luck and prowess?" The booth owner called out enthusiastically, using the recent win to entice more attendees.

The prince opened the bag pulling from its satin folds an exquisite hand fan, intricately painted with the mythic Azure Dragon.

"A prize for you, should you choose to spend the next hour with me." He stated with an exaggerated chivalrous bow

Daiyu looked at the fan, then back at the prince. There was something about the way he looked at her, a sincerity she hadn't seen before. Perhaps this was the opening, the chink in his armor, the vulnerability she needed to start building the foundation for her next steps.

She did not fully trust him, or his motives, after all, word of him approaching her would make it to the ears of Esteem Nam as well as all of the other circling carnivores in the Capital hungry for her and her brother's flesh. His approach would be noted by those in power, and they may see it as an opening. yet perhaps it was an opening she could use as well.

"Very well," she said her mind made up, "but know that a fan and an hour won't mend a broken bridge." The gentle hum of the festival surrounded them, with the distant sound of lyres and flutes creating a backdrop of melody. The decorative lanterns cast a warm, golden glow, and the scent of spring growth and sweet pastries hung in the air, tingling the senses.

"Of course. But it's a start." Nam Cal Liang's voice resonated amidst the murmur of the festival-goers, his solemn nod carrying an air of finality. With a courtly gesture, he offered her his arm, a silent invitation. Daiyu hesitated for a fleeting moment, then delicately placed her hand on his elbow, the other gracefully wielding her new fan, and allowed herself to be swept into the festivities. T

Despite their mere four-year age difference, the height disparity was noticeable. Daiyu barely reached the broad-shouldered prince's chest, and as they strolled side by side, she appeared almost ethereal next to him—a delicate, fairy-like presence contrasting with his more imposing stature.

They navigated the sea of vibrant stalls, each bustling with its own set of sellers hawking wares and patrons haggling, in a reflective silence. The flickering torches highlighted the intensity in their eyes, two chess players contemplating their next moves. She was acutely aware that the prince held an unspoken agenda for approaching her. Speaking first would tilt the balance of power, letting him know she had one of her own, so she held her peace.

"You were watching the advancement ceremony?" The prince said breaking the stillness, his words hanging in the air, less a query than a presumption, as if he already knew she had been among the spectators.

"I rented the private room at the Dumpling Dragon for me and my people to enjoy the event," she replied, her voice unwavering. The brief pause that followed was filled with the laughter of children trying out games nearby and the soft strumming of a lute.

"The privilege of that venue, not to mention the private balcony at the 'Weeping Willow Inn', must have come at a high price on such a day." The prince's voice was contemplative as he slowed their pace, his gaze drawn to a nearby stall adorned with a display of ornate wooden hairpins. The vendor, sensing an opportunity, perked up but didn't dare disturb their dialogue.

"My brother and I lived with monks, we didn't, in fact, relinquish our worldly possessions when banished to the monastery to do so," Daiyu replied, her words suffused with honesty. She sensed the gears of thought whirring inside the prince's head as he calculated his next move.

Her gaze trailed his hand as he lifted a hairpin, scrutinizing its craftsmanship with intense focus. The lantern light caught in his eyes, giving them a mysterious gleam as his long fingers delicately caressed the intricate designs. After a moment's contemplation, he set one hairpin down and picked up another for further examination.

"Forgive me, princess," finally selecting a hairpin graced with three azure orchids, skillfully carved from the mesmerizing blue of Azurethorn wood. He paid the eager merchant and gestured for her to proceed. They melted back into the jubilant crowd before he continued.

"I did not wish to imply any lack on your part. Merely, if you had such means, why not use them to ensure better treatment within those monastery walls?" His voice held no judgment, only intrigue, he was asking honestly. Daiyu's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the unspoken words behind his question.

"Your inquiry suggests you know of our experiences these past five years," she remarked. He remained silent, a tacit confirmation of her suspicions that he had dispatched someone to probe their history at the monastery. With a slow nod, she increased the pressure on his arm, steering them away from the bustling crowds. Liang yielded without resistance, allowing her to guide their path.

"You needn't deny it," she began, her tone devoid of emotion, "Such reports are likely in the hands of numerous factions by now. Every spy agency in the city would have at least one account to peddle, even to the mildly interested."

"You were merely a girl of nine lunar years..." His voice emerged as a muted whisper, tinged with a complex intermixture of grief and regret. If only he had perused that report earlier, if only he had been aware of the hardships the siblings had faced, perhaps he would not have so thoughtlessly used them as expendable pawns in his own schemes. But that knowledge had eluded him until after the welcoming banquet, a moment now marred by the weight of his ignorance. At that gathering, he had watched, awestruck, as the siblings captivated the royal family with their performance—unaware then of the depth of their earlier suffering.

"Displaying wealth within the monastery walls would have only increased their greed and opportunities to exploit us. Such bribes, if discovered, could jeopardize us further by providing leverage, painting us as hypocrites in the eyes of the Maker. It would risk further public scrutiny and shame our mother even more in the eyes of the Esteem." Daiyu responded in the detached and explanatory manner of a teacher.

She led them through a narrow alley adjacent to a community building, finally emerging onto a broad avenue that overlooked a sprawling, festively lit park. A makeshift stage stood in a water pavilion, where a storyteller animatedly narrated tales of historic battles and valorous generals. Children playfully mimicked the storytelling, wooden swords in hand, as they darted through the park's foliage.

"Did you truly understand the implications of all that at such a young age?" Liang inquired, the scent of blooming flowers enriching the air around them. Daiyu's chuckle carried a note of irony, her eyes twinkling at a far-off memory.

"I learned to read when I was two. My first book was the 'Twenty-Three Strategies of Avnew.' My father believed it would be linguistically easy for me to understand." Her eyes softened as a vivid memory materialized—a towering, violet-skinned general, feared throughout all of Tahair, passionately teaching a small, fidgeting girl about war strategies while arranging wooden figurines before a fire.

They settled on a bench beneath the sprawling canopy of a purple wisteria tree, its drooping clusters of lavender blossoms adding a sense of weight to the poignancy of her memories. The ambient murmur of the festival still reached them, mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant laughter of children at play. A stray gust played with a tendril of Daiyu's midnight hair, teasing it into the air.

"Your father was a great man," Liang remarked, his hands folded reverently inside his sleeves as if to restrain himself from reaching out to catch that errant strand of her hair, just to feel its silky texture around his finger.

"I believe he tried very hard to be," Daiyu replied softly, her eyes momentarily meeting his before diverting the conversation. "You chose to skip the royal banquet tonight, even after receiving such an imperial assignment. Won't that be considered disrespectful?"

Across from them, a group of children let out peals of laughter as they played a game of tag, their youthful energy adding a layer of charm to the evening atmosphere. Nearby, a couple immersed in each other's company exchanged smiles beneath the flickering lantern light.

"For now, it's more prudent for me to risk their disapproval than to subject myself to their potential disrespect. Besides, I had a much more delightful objective for this evening." Liang said, a touch of genuine mirth sparkling in his eyes. Daiyu felt a faint blush threaten to surface, captivated by the notion that he had forsaken imperial decorum just for the chance to converse with her.

"For Now? So, you have aspirations for a future where it would be inconceivable for anyone to disrespect you?" Daiyu astutely inquired, her gaze shifting from his face to the circle of jubilant children nearby.

"And if I were, would that make us adversaries?" His response was cleverly evasive, almost confirming without saying that he had ambitions to become the next Esteem while probing her stance on the issue.

"Not at all. My brother and I simply want peace and just enough power to safeguard it. We've no ambition for high office—too much trouble and too many headaches," she asserted, subtly clarifying that neither she nor her brother would stand in his way if he aimed for the throne.

Liang's gaze lingered on the playful children, and he lapsed into a thoughtful silence. Memories of a conversation he shared with young Balem in a dim cave weeks prior surfaced in his mind. They were both injured then, relying on Daiyu's tender care. Her current sentiments mirrored those past expressions, making him realize he had underestimated both her and her brother's worth.

A twinge of regret gnawed at him, but it was accompanied by a glimmer of hope tucked away in his thoughts. Even if her brother didn't carve out a political name for himself, Daiyu's emerging strength was undeniable. She could shield her brother, and by extension, be a potential ally for him. At the very least, she wouldn't be a roadblock on his path to power. Liang knew he needed to regain her support. Observing the internal battle reflected on his visage, Daiyu allowed a faint smile to touch her lips. Sensing his wavering resolve, she chose to relieve him of his indecision. She knew she had the upper hand.

"It's been a while since I last ventured on a hunt. I've caught whispers about the allure of the royal hunting grounds, rich and tempting enough to draw one in for nights on end. I was wondering if I might receive an invitation to explore them soon." Liang's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm at her words. Despite Daiyu being recognized as a princess in the realm and holding the title of Esteem Nam's Godchild, certain privileges like accessing the hunting grounds were reserved for direct family members over twelve lunar cycles and their select invitees.

A sudden disturbance caught their attention. "My lord," a voice emerged from the shadows as a figure knelt before Liang, interrupting their conversation. Wisp, the prince's trusted guard captain, extended a brief note to him. Liang skimmed through the content swiftly, his demeanor shifting to one of mild frustration.

"Forgive me, Princess. I have an urgent matter that requires my attention," he announced. But before Daiyu could even think of reaching for her concealed weapon, Liang deftly plucked an object from his sleeve and secured it in her hair, capturing the stray strand that had been floating earlier. He leaned in and whispered, "Until our next meeting at the hunting grounds." Before she could fully process what had just happened, Liang and his guard had vanished from her sight, leaving her both bewildered off balance.

*Interesting encounter,* Zalgras mused, its mental voice tinged with curiosity.

*Indeed. I didn't expect him to be so...complex,* Daiyu admitted, her thoughts swirling around the object Liang had fastened in her hair and his whispered promise.

*You think he's trustworthy?* Zalgras probed.

*I can't say for sure. But there's something about him, something genuine despite all the layers of pretense,* she reflected, her mental tone suggesting she was still putting together the pieces. The conversation almost seemed to go too well in her favor.

*And this invitation to the royal hunting grounds?* Zalgras' thought carried a note of caution, mindful of potential traps.

*It could be a test or a sign he is open to the alliance; it's too soon to tell.* Daiyu concluded, her thoughts now focused on the immediate future.

*Very well, but let's not let our guard down. I don't like how swiftly he managed to put that trinket in your hair,* Zalgras warned, a protective edge in its mental voice.

*Agreed.* Daiyu mentally acknowledged, beginning to distance herself from where the prince had stood moments ago. Her fingers delicately grazed the intricately crafted hairpin now adorning her hair. A smile tugged at her lips as she realized that not only had Liang gifted her a new hairpin, but he had also deftly removed her old ones without her even noticing.