The Distant Princess: Chapter 1

The Prince entered his ostentatious surrounding and glared at it.

Oh, the temerity of the King! To tharwth him as such. Does he not know who he is?

As he had admitted, he visited many lands before arriving on this.

And on the many lands, he chanced upon the numerous daughters of the King, now stately Queens.

In one of these lands, he met the venerable Mei Xing, gentle daughter of the King. He remembered her as a fair and elegant lady, head dipped in servitude to her husband, a light smile creasing her lips. He had gazed upon her then, regretful that she was but a wife and not a free girl.

'My lady,' he said. 'I saw all your sisters in other lands, Queens no less. But you, among all, are the most graceful I have seen. May I enquire the name of your land?'

Dipping her head towards him, she told him.

'Your family breed such fine daughters!' he exclaimed. 'would you not indulged me in your family story?'

She looked enquiringly towards her husband, who waved his hand in consent.

'Noble lord,' began the Queen in a lilting voice. 'I am born the only daughter of a lesser empress, who have a son my brother and prince to the land. My father have only 2 sons and therefore treated my mother and I generously. Being a King with numerous concubines, he has 20 daughters.'

'May your family proper eternally.' replied the Prince dutifully. Then, hesitating a little, he added 'Have you any more sisters in court?'

The lady smiled in delight. 'I believe there's just one left. But a child of the lowest concubine. I seldom saw her in court. It was doubtful my father knew of her existance.'

The Prince frowned in consternation. It was a pity that the girl was not favoured. But then, what are daughters?

'Would she have your bearing, my lady?'

The Queen hesitated.

'All daughters of the King are taught well. I seldom encounter her. But ifyou are concerned with fairness, you need not worry. Her beauty surpasses mine.'

'Never, my lady.' replied the Prince in surprise. 'Can any girl's beauty surpass what your already have?'

'An echo of hers.' admitted the lady with a rueful smile.

So it was then that the Prince made a visit to the homeland of the numerous Queens he met. It was there where he thought his search for a companion would have ended. He would not begrudge the girl of her status. Despite her being unfavoured, he planned to make her Queen of his land, an honour any father is proud his daughter would pocess.

So why did the King decline for him to meet her? Was he, like Queen Mei Xing said, truly ignorant of her existence?

No, his manner hinted more. And what the Prince wants, the Prince will get.