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Imperial Palace – Treatment Hall
Maids and servants hurry in and out, bowls of water sloshing, fresh towels clutched in anxious hands, faces drawn with worry.
Emperor's Study
Princess Raina stands close, her fingers gently threading through the Elflord's dark hair. His head rests against her abdomen on the right side, gaze fixed upon an unfurled scroll of state affairs.
Princess Raina: …and Her Highness did mention that her people are still deliberating when she conveyed your word to them.
Elflord: And she told me nothing of the matter.
Princess Raina: I suppose she is simply trying to protect her people. I would have done the same…
Elflord: And I wish he could as well.
Raina's fingers pause for a heartbeat, then resume their gentle motion.
Princess Raina: Well… that is his loss.
Elflord: But you make it sound as though it is yours. (He takes her wrist gently) Why can't you simply—forget him?
Princess Raina: Your Flourish, that is…
Royal Advisor: (Rushing in, bowing deeply) Your Majesty, may you live long.
Elflord: (With timidity) Won't I live long before…?
Royal Advisor: (Panicking slightly) Yes—yes, of course. Young Lord Ernest has fallen into a coma and has been detained in the Confinement Hall in accordance with the code of conduct you placed upon him. However, I plead on his behalf and most humbly advise that he be treated and permitted to recover.
Silence descends.
Three seconds pass.
Elflord: You seem to cherish my little brother more than you cherish me, dear advisor.
Royal Advisor: Of course not! [Why wouldn't I, when he is the only one who isn't trying to frustrate me to death?]
Attendant: (Bursting in, breathless) Müs Nel! News from the East Palace—Elva visited the Queen Dowager despite your decree.
Princess Raina: She did?
Royal Advisor: About the prince…
Princess Raina: (Soothing, caressing the Elflord's jaw gently) Your Flourish, I advise that the prince be attended to until he recovers. His punishments should be reduced—he has learnt far beyond his lesson. And let Her Highness be; she cares deeply for the Queen Mother.
Royal Advisor: Enchantress Raina has just read my mind.
Princess Raina: (To the Attendant) And you—please be careful how you address Her Highness. She stands theoretically on the same level as His Majesty.
Attendant: Yes—forgive my absent-mindedness.
Elflord: (Warmly to Raina) I will listen to you.
Royal Advisor: (Through gritted teeth) I should learn from Enchantress Raina. The Emperor listens to her words more than to his very own advisor.
Elflord: (Annoyingly) You sound jealous, dear advisor.
Royal Advisor: (Practising composure, forcing a smile) How could I be, My lord? I shall go and deliver your word at once. (He exits).
Days pass.
Elva's Bedchamber
Elva lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in memory of her recent conversation with Saeed and Xylon.
FLASHBACK – Conversation
Xylon: I can't believe that I—blessed with the trait of Yang eyes—got deceived by you.
Saeed: How could you not be? She is the Yang itself, after all. (He takes a long gulp from his liquor container)
Xylon: (Hand on chin) Good point.
Elva: I wanted you to know, Bain'bën Xylon. However, we got— (points at Saeed) —him also knowing about my identity.
Saeed's container drops hard onto her head.
Elva: (Rubbing her head, peeking up at him) Ouch!
Saeed: (Sarcastic) Sorry. My hand slipped.
He glances at her, then at the branch he's perched on—clearly calculating where to jump down.
Elva: (Annoyed) Tsk!
Xylon: (Dusting his palms) I've got to say, Na Jaxton would be so pleased that you're female.
Elva: Why would he be…
Saeed abruptly scoops her into his arms.
Elva: What are you do—?!
He hurls her into the nearby pool with a massive splash.
Annoyed, Elva surfaces, floating, water streaming from her hair.
Saeed: (Slowly unbuttoning his shirt) Let us bathe together.
Elva: (Terrified) Pardon?! How dare you even think of something inappropriate?!
Decorum hangs for a heartbeat—then Xylon's chuckling shatters it. He steps up beside Saeed, grinning.
Xylon: Okay, okay—don't make her so agitated.
Elva: (Scoffing, realising it's a prank).
Saeed: (Hand on right hip) Now you see how the students in your dormitory will feel when they discover your real gender.
Elva: (Unbothered) Tsk.
She leaps from the water in one fluid motion, landing lightly on both feet—drenched.
She places one palm over the other.
Air swirls between them, then spirals around her body.
Her clothes puff outward with the current; water evaporates instantly.
She stands completely dry.
Elva: I didn't expect you both to be so naughty. (Points at Saeed) And you—with your appearance (grunts)—it fits so well. Which makes me think you might be interested in courting…
Saeed: (Flinging off the arm she tries to drape around his neck) I am a practician of the Chastity Paths.
Elva: (Finger on chin) Aye—so am I.
Xylon: You are? But I didn't sense that…
Elva: My Chastity line has been cut.
The room falls silent for a long moment.
Saeed: Wha… what?
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