Page 21 of Never Ever After

Prince Zixin is frowning, his fingers tapping the armrest impatiently. After all, he held this banquet as a celebration, to enjoy himself instead of settling such disputes. Maybe the key to winning this argument isn’t to persuade the prince, but to win his favor, whether by entertaining or flattering him.

I smile broadly at Lady Wang, an act, yet I relish the way her face pinches with fury. “These shoes were a gift, fitted to my size.” I thrust my foot out, setting it beside her own tiny ones. “Lady Wang, do you think I stole your shoes too?”

Laughter breaks out from a scattering of onlookers. Prince Zixin’s hand slides from the armrest to his knee, his black eyes fixed on mine. It’s becoming harder to breathe with his undivided attention as I fight the flush creeping over me.

“Were any of the other stolen items found on the girl?” Prince Zixin asks.

The guard who’d searched me bows. “Nothing else, just a few pieces of silver and a wooden ring. An older woman was seen fleeing from the hall, but we didn’t give chase because we were unaware of any wrongdoing.”

“Send word to the guards to apprehend her on sight,” he commands. “Bring me the ring and bracelet.”

I smother a protest as the guard places the items on a tray—the jade bangle, my crumpled handkerchief with the silver and ring. Fortunately, my ring appears dulled, its illusion holding. Prince Zixin casts a cursory glance over them, a line creasing his brow. He picks up my ring and Lady Wang’s bangle, handing them to the man beside him. “Minister Luk, take these items to the treasury. Open an investigation. We must find the thief, a grave offense to target my guests.”

His command sparks relief. “Does Your Highness believe I’m not the thief ?”

“I believe what I see and hear.” Prince Zixin faces me again. “Do you know who the woman is?”

No, I want to say. Except there are some here who might, whether one of the farmers or merchants we’ve traded with. If they speak, I’d cast more suspicion on myself by lying, appearing an accomplice rather than a victim of her malice.

“She is a distant relation. We aren’t on good terms.” I owe Mistress Henglan nothing after her attempt to get me arrested. Besides, she is cunning enough not to get caught. With the treasure in her grasp, she could go anywhere.

“She must hate you.” Prince Zixin’s gaze is penetrating but I stare back at him. For once, I have nothing to hide.

“She does,” I say bluntly. “Not all of us are blessed with family like Your Highness’s.”

Prince Zixin glances at his sister and smiles. I envy their bond, their closeness—someone to depend on.

As Minister Luk leaves, the mark on the underside of my finger throbs. “When will my ring be returned, Your Highness?”

“It will stay in the treasury until the thief is found and the investigation closed.”

The coolness of his tone silences protest. Lady Wang bows meekly and walks away—I should leave too, the wiser part of me urges, the part that keeps me out of trouble. But I have nowhere to go, and it would be easier to get my ring back from within. I recall the intent way Prince Zixin watched me by the palace walls… like the way he’s looking at me now. I don’t think he wants me to give up and walk away.

“Your Highness, if my ring remains here, then I should too.” I’ve screwed up my courage to ask this, a chill glazing my skin for fear of punishment.

At once, a stout man steps from behind the throne, dressed in the gray robe of an attendant but with an ornate black hem and a belt of iron links. His small eyes are taut with disapproval. “Your Highness, I will instruct the guards to send her away.”

“Chief Attendant Mai, let her speak,” Prince Zixin orders, still looking at me. “Why should you stay?” He sounds curious, even intrigued.

“I’m innocent, as Your Highness says.” I speak clearly, letting my voice carry. “I live far from here; it cost a piece of silver for passage to the palace. I would prefer to stay until my ring is returned to me.”

“You would prefer?” the chief attendant sputters. He must be the one Daiyu warned me about. “Do you think the Palace of Nine Hills is an inn? A free guesthouse?”

“Chief Attendant Mai raises an interesting point.” Prince Zixin leans back against his throne, the corners of his lips lifted. “I understand that you want to stay, but why should I let you?”

A subtle reminder of his power, that I’m a supplicant for his favor. But he doesn’t want flattery; he must hear enough of it. “I can pay for my own room,” I offer.

Laughter erupts, mocking and loud. Yet Prince Zixin doesn’t join in. “What will you pay me with?”

He seems to enjoy toying with people, when they don’t act as they should—maybe as long as they don’t outrightly challenge him. I bend down and slip off a shoe. As I hold it up, the pearls and crystals catch the light.

“One of my shoes.”

Little Dragon would understand; my life is worth more than any gift. Murmurs ripple through the crowd, many looking at me with scorn. This is not how a lady behaves, at least not by their rules.

“Why not both?” The prince’s voice dips, so soft it’s like he’s whispering into my ear.

“Because it would make Your Highness appear greedy.” My insides clench at my daring. One wrong move, and I’ll get my head cut off. “As your honored sister pointed out, my shoes are worth a dozen jade bangles.” I add in a rush, “I don’t eat that much.”