Valentine's Day
She knew the day. Secretly, she had been waiting for it. It was foolish of her, as she watched him on that day, to think that a day changed anything. From behind her mask, Lanfan watched the Prince go about his daily business.
Instinctively she flinched every time one of those girls came close. Today it was not only acceptable, it was customary to adorn him with lavish gifts it hopes to pay tribute and win his affections. Those girls, who knew nothing of her prince, would try their hardest to be put in consideration. For if he were to become the Emperor, perhaps he would remember and choose them as one of his wives.
They didn't know a thing about him, and they thought they could just stumble all over him and that that would be enough to win his affections? He wasn't that kind of man. Lanfan fumed inwardly, glaring at the girls who shared her same desire and actually could attain it.
Yes, they knew nothing of the man Ling was.
Yes, she did.
But no, she couldn't try like them.
He wore a kind smile and accepted the gifts with graciousness. He gave them each the same amount of time. He didn't think of them any differently as another. She knew that. She knew these girls were not for him.
Her prince wouldn't want some soft woman, who only knew a woman's world. He would want someone who understood him, who believed in him, who would love him for him and not his status.
Grandfather Fu knew, he knew how she watched him that day and every day really. Normally he would scold her and remind her that she was his bodyguard and nothing more. Yet today he handed her a small box of candied fruits.
"Your tribute to the Prince," he explained, "you are a girl too."
"Grandfather…" Lanfan whispered in shock.
"It's only custom." His eyes shone as he turned away, she would be the only guard for the Prince today.
She followed the Prince, watching those girls with envy and wondering when she would have her chance to give him her tribute.
Finally the noise died down, the sun began to set. Ling turned to her as they neared the palace. "Quite a busy day, huh Lanfan?"
He spoke to her! Her cheeks flushed red behind her mask and she ducked her head. "Yes, my Prince…"
He tore away from the fake smile he usually wore, something he only did around her or her Grandfather. "I suppose Old Man Fu will take over watching me for the night."
Lanfan nodded. She thought about the gift she had for him, she couldn't just not give it to him. She didn't have to be afraid to, she knew that, and yet she was terrified.
Ling looked up at the sky. "Do you want to know what my favorite gift was?"
No! No, she really didn't. She didn't want to hear about someone who had beaten her in a game she couldn't play. Still she perked her head up in response.
"My favorite gift was the one you gave me."
Lanfan blinked, her heart skipping a beat.
But…She hadn't given it to him yet!
"Your protection mean much more to me than candies and treats." He smiled, his true, genuine smile and turned into the palace.
When the Prince awoke he found the little box of candied fruit on his bedside table. A card was attached, reading "Thank you, My Prince."
A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! :D
Thank you for reading and reviewing!^^