I sighed for the hundredth time today as I stare at my reflection in the bronze mirror.
Prince Mo Li decided to use my face as a canvas for his so called 'artwork that exceeds human boundaries.' If you ask me of my opinion, I'd like to describe his artwork using one word which is mess.
Different colors covered my entire face. A line here, circles there, and drawings that I can decipher. My face was a perfect example of a very complicated abstract art.
I heard Xiao Yu trying to muffle her laughter behind me while Prince Mo Li looked satisfied with his masterpiece. Only Riu was looking at me in horror.
Riu, I feel you.
"What do you think?" Prince Mo Li asked with a smile as he placed his paintbrush down and wiped his paint-stained hands in his sleeves.
"Do you want me to be honest?" I gritted my teeth.
"Of course. You don't need to hold back on your praises for my wonderful artistic skills." Prince Mo Li smirked, obviously proud of what he did.
"You," I took another look at the mirror in front of me and stopped myself from crying, "suck."
Prince Mo Li had a shocked expression and held his hand on his chest as if his heart is hurting from my words.
"I'm quite disappointed Princess Bai Fan, I thought you would understand and appreciate a high quality artwork." Prince Mo Li said and shook his head.
High quality artwork my ass.
Even a three year old paint better than you.
Prince Mo Li turned to Xiao Yu, "Girl, what about you? What do you think of my artwork?"
"Your highness, its the best!" Xiao Yu exclaimed with humor in her voice.
"I like your personal maid Princess Bai Fan. She has a great taste!" Prince Mo Li chuckled.
I narrowed my eyes on Xiao Yu through the mirror and she cleared her throat before excusing herself to prepare snacks for us.
"How about you Riu? How much do you love my artwork?" Prince Mo Li questioned the stiff Riu who was guarding my chambers' entrance.
"Master won't be happy." Riu answered simply.
"Glad he isn't here!" Prince Mo Li laughed and clapped his hands in delight, "Since I can't get a hold of Chen Mu, at least I had a revenge on his beloved wife."
Oh, is that so?
An idea popped inside my head, like a flickering lightbulb.
"Riu..."
"Yes mistress?" Riu asked.
"Hold down Prince Mo Li." I instructed.
"Wha-" Before Prince Mo Li could realize what's happening, Riu had him locked up in his seat with both his hands tied behind his back and Riu pushing his shoulders down.
Wow, that was fast.
"What are you planning to do?" Prince Mo Li asked with fear in his eyes, "I am a prince!"
"Don't worry, it won't hurt!" I smiled at him sweetly as I sauntered towards his direction.
"Riu, let go of me!" Prince Mo Li shouted as he tried to struggle from Riu's hold but he was not able to free himself.
I took the paintbrush and aimed it at his face. He moved his head sideways but Riu was able to lock his head with one of his hands. I leisurely took my time and painted a lively scenery on his face. I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from laughing.
"Now I understand why Chen Mu chose you." Prince Mo Li sighed.
"Excuse me, I'm the one who chose him." I corrected him as I painted the last touch to my own artwork.
Ahh, my beauty...
"Oh, of course. Until now, I'm curious as to why you chose Chen Mu though. You could have easily been the crown princess." Prince Mo Li asked out of the blue.
I stopped what I was doing and gestured for Riu to let go of Prince Mo Li.
"Why do you want to know?" I asked back.
"Not bad," Prince Mo Li said as he looked at his reflection in the mirror then gazed his eyes on me, "Because I love drama."
Pfft.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you but it wasn't as dramatic as you want it to be. My reason is simple, I don't want to be crown princess." I snorted.
"Why don't you want to be the crown princess?" He prodded.
Before I could answer, Riu had Prince Mo Li stood up and pushed him outside my room. Riu bowed his head to me and closed my door then I heard the distant screaming voice of Prince Mo Li.
Why is Prince Mo Li so curious?
If I remember it correctly, thought he said it in a joking manner, he also asked me why I didn't choose Chen Heng Li when I first arrived in his manor.
I broke out of my thoughts when Xiao Yu entered my chambers with a tray of food on her hands. Her gazed wondered around my room as she placed the food on the table.
"Miss, where are Prince Mo Li and Riu?" Xiao Yu asked.
"They went out already." I answered.
"Oh." Xiao Yu was a bit disappointed that Riu was not there.
"Xiao Yu, do you really like Riu that much?"
Xiao Yu's face turned bright red after hearing my words. She immediately shook her head and raised her hands to deny it.
"Miss, of course not!"
I couldn't help but laugh at how Xiao Yu was acting. She looked so flustered that she didn't noticed she placed the table napkin on top of the rice cakes.
But I couldn't help but feel sad for her as well. With what Prince Mo Li had told me about shadow guards, I can already see that Xiao Yu's cute crush will go nowhere.
"What about Prince Mo Li? What do you think of him?" I teased her.
This time, Xiao Yu grimaced, "Miss, I'm just a mere servant. I don't have any hope of marrying someone from the royal family. And I can't stand if the man is more beautiful than me. I will be depressed to the point that I might put his head inside a sack so I don't have to see him."
I almost spat out the tea that I was sipping, "Xiao Yu..."
Who taught you these things?
"Miss, my type is on the rough, manlier side." Xiao Yu added dreamily.
"You mean Riu?"
"Miss, no! That's not what I meant." Xiao Yu defended herself.
"Sure. Sure." I smiled knowingly.
Sadly, ship Riu x Xiao Yu sank without it even sailing...
"Miss, you should drink this too." Xiao Yu took out a small bottle with a blackish liquid inside it, "Master told me to make sure that you drink it every day."
I took the bottle and examined it, shaking it upside down.
"Miss, what is it?"
I think its the medicine that the old man has concocted for me.
"Herbal tonic." I answered and took off the bottle cover. I almost vomited when my nose caught the acrid smell. It reminded me of rotten egg.
"Miss, that smells horrible! Are you sure that's herbal tonic and not poison?" Xiao Yu took a step backwards and covered her nose.
"I feel like I lost all my appetite." I said without breathing as I twisted the cover back.
The door opened and revealed Prince Mo Li.
"I am back with your belov-" Prince Mo Li stopped on his track and scowled, "Princess Bai Fan, did you just fart?"
It took a lot of self control not to lunge at the prince in front of me. Before I could say anything to retort him, someone unceremoniously kicked Prince Mo Li out of the room.
"Noisy..."
I gasped in surprised, "Mu Mu!"