Mandatory Distancing I
1071 Words
Siu's legs and arms trembled uncontrollably, although she tried to conceal her fear, this task was impossible as the man who spoke to her was none other than the Emperor himself.
"How dare you desecrate the royal garden? Who do you think you are, miss? It's evident you lack education," he muttered through gritted teeth while clenching his fists.
Siu immediately slid down the rough and thick trunk until her feet touched the earth. Without further ado, Siu prostrated herself on the ground, a sign of repentance.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," the girl pressed her lips together to continue her explanation. "I didn't mean any harm; it's just that..."
"I don't wish to hear your vague excuses. The gardens of this palace are sacred for... people to walk on," Heng turned his back and grunted in anger.
Siu lifted her gaze and bit her lower lip. Her forehead started to bead with sweat, and her palms grew cold as ice.
"There must be a way to make amends for my mistake. I beg you to tell me what it is," Siu pleaded with clasped hands.
Heng glanced sideways at the girl's posture. She indeed seemed remorseful for what she did, but the anger burning in his chest outweighed any other benevolent emotion.
"Yes, there is," he turned to her with a disdainful look. "You must leave here at once; I see you've already healed, thanks to my healers. You'll understand that we are a very busy family, and furthermore, it's clear that this isn't your place," he said firmly, then turned his gaze forward, fully turning his back on Siu.
The young girl felt each word as a needle piercing her skin; it was evident she should no longer remain in that place, and indeed, the emperor did not desire her presence – she had that confirmed. Siu stood up, straightened the skirt of the dark qipao, and nodded.
"I give you my word, Your Highness. I will leave today," Siu said with determination and a burning sensation in her chest that she couldn't decipher yet, but she ignored it because whatever the Emperor said was law.
"I hope so," Heng replied coldly. "Before sunset; darkness is not good for travel. A carriage will escort you home; don't worry about that. One of my servants will accompany you. Wait here."
Heng took a couple of steps but remembered something and turned back to Siu.
"Oh, and one more thing... I don't want you to approach my children to bid farewell. They are very busy at the moment. I will inform them later about your departure; you can leave without that regret."
Without another word, Heng departed to some part of the grand hall. Siu noticed he was dressed in luxurious white robes. A shiver ran down her spine, and finally, the knot rose in her throat; that was definitely not her place, and she didn't even want to enter the palace, even though she longed with all her soul to bid farewell to Prince Yun.
"I better leave at once; it's for the best," she said to herself, but then she looked at her clothes. "Should I go back for my clothes? I don't think anyone will claim this worn-out qipao."
"Hello," a voice startled Siu out of her thoughts, making her turn around. It was one of the servants she had seen a while ago.
"Hello?" she replied with a trembling voice. "I didn't expect anyone to come so soon."
"I noticed that," the servant replied with laughter. "I've come to bring you your clothes and take you to the carriage the emperor prepared for you."
"Oh, yes, of course," Siu replied as she scratched her head. "I was just thinking about that; I need to change these clothes as soon as possible."
"Then follow me, let's go," said the servant, and both began to walk briskly into the palace.
"It seems the emperor likes things to be fast," Siu remarked.
The servant nodded with her gaze lowered.
"There's no doubt about that; he gets upset when things don't go at his pace... Besides, the garden is one of the places he protects the most; it's one of his greatest treasures," she assured, nervously clasping her hands together as they walked.
It was evident that the servant had seen from a distance what had happened between Siu and Emperor Heng. Siu lowered her gaze, embarrassment once again coloring her face.
They crossed the grand hall and headed toward the guest room.
"By the way, what's your name? I like you," Siu ventured to ask as she dragged her feet slightly on the highly polished ceramic floor.
"Wang..." she responded shyly. "My name is Wang Yu."
"Very nice name," Siu said with a broad smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you. It's a shame we won't be seeing each other again."
"I'm also glad to meet you; you're very kind, Miss Wu," she whispered as she opened the room door.
The moment Siu entered, there on the bed lay her old red qipao and her little Chinese shoes.
"I'll leave you for a moment to change, then I'll guide you to the carriage," Yu said, closing the door and leaving Siu alone.
The young woman sighed with melancholy and hurriedly took off her shoes. She began unbuttoning the black qipao dress from the neck down to the start of her chest, but a voice from outside distracted her, making her heart race.
"That voice..." she thought, and just then, someone knocked on the room door.
Nervousness took over, and her mind went completely blank. She started pacing in circles, debating whether to obey the emperor and ignore the prince or follow her feelings one last time.
Without hesitation, she headed to the door and opened it. As soon as she saw that masculine face that made her weak, she could only muster a smile.
"S-Siu..." Yun said, his face redder than a tomato, and immediately turned around.
"What's wrong?" she asked, puzzled.
As Siu looked down at the floor, she realized what had caused such a reaction from the prince: the upper part of her feminine curves was almost exposed, which she immediately covered, feeling like the world was crashing down on her, especially as she noticed Yu, the servant, witnessing it all.
"Darn it!" she muttered, feeling her face burn with embarrassment. Undoubtedly, this was one of her worst days.
- Writer
