The Other Side of the Mask

I drowsily wake up and stand.

"Uh, yeah."

I get dressed and head to breakfast.

"Mmm, YingYue, are you prepared for the Autumn ball? This is the first time you're going to the ball. We always have the Yue Kingdom's royal family over," mother randomly says.

I freeze, frightened.

"D-do I h-have to go?"

My father responds, "It's a ball for the peace of our kingdoms, but if you really don't want to, I guess it's fine."

"I-it's fine, I'll go…"

I don't want to cause a war or some discrepancies between the kingdoms for not showing up.

"Uh, father, can I wear makeup on that day, the one where you can't really tell it's me?"

"Sure," mother responds without questioning.

Guilt rises as I decide not to tell them. I'm pretty much trapped for doom. I can only hope for the best.

In the afternoon, I take a breather and visit the royal garden again. A couple minutes later, Commander Yang tells me that someone wants to talk to me.

"Who?"

"KaiZhen, the general's son."

I am still confused until he walks into my view. It's the sun hair dude! I muffle a small laugh. Once he comes close enough, I ask him what he's doing here.

"Well, for the Autumn ball, you need an escort, so um…"

I frown a bit.

Commander whispers in my ear, "He would be the best choice of an escort because he's been to the ball before."

I sigh, "Very well, would you like to be my escort, KaiZhen."

His face brightens and, of course, he accepts.

At least he isn't snobbish enough to just assume the position…

They walk away as I resume my rest in the garden.

"Can you explain about the ball?" I randomly ask Commander Yang.

"The Autumn ball and Spring ball are when the Yue and Ri Kingdom join at the Eclipse palace to meet. In history, we used to be one country and so there is a palace over the middle, the river."

Oh yeah�� that river that I crossed… There's a palace?

"The palace is disguised in trees now that no one lives in it, however the inside is still taken care of and where the ball is held."

"Oh…" I reply, half-heartedly.

Once I return to my room, Ji starts to pester me.

"Your highness must learn about the Yue Kingdom in its current state to attend the ball."

"Fine…"

What a pain… I don't even want to know, honestly, I mean I already know most of it anyways.

However, there is a strange glint in Ji's eyes as she speaks about the Yue Kingdom and the Eclipse Palace.

"... I heard that the Eclipse palace has rooms decorated with diamonds and gold! In the middle there's half a sun made of gold and half a moon made of silver! Then there's a diamond in the middle of the two… there are over a thousand rooms!"

She blushes sheepishly, "Yes."

I smile and laugh.

Ji keeps talking, "... right now the Yue Kingdom has finished their crown princess selection and is also preparing for the ball. There are rumors that the crown prince is strange and didn't select a crown princess…"

Huh?

" They say that he has his harem in mind and is planning to have some concubines, but isn't choosing his queen."

I look away. I don't want to listen to this. It makes me feel sick.