Chapter 10

"How do you all think about this celebration?" he asked, his voice loud over the music which started to lower. "It is unfortunate to say that we must end soon, for everybody is busy, correct?"

We all bowed and said, "Yes, your majesty."

He smiled and said, "Thank you for showing up to my celebration. I have been told that these 'Nations' on my right side will become superior than anyone else in the room. Now, if you all may, please introduce yourself."

A moments silence quickly ended when we all replied in unison, "Yes, your majesty."

Yao was the first to straighten since he was the first in line. Taking a step forward to distinguish himself in line, he began, "My name is Wang Yao and my respected Nation is China." There were incredibly silent murmurs. It wasn't really a secret that the Nation China was coming to the celebration, but it was surprising to meet him in person. Or so that's what I think from the sudden murmurs.

The emperor glanced around the room, silencing the room before turning to Yao and nodding. "Very good, Wang. It is nice to meet you."

Yao bowed and backed away in silence. I felt something clog my throat and gulped down my saliva so that I wouldn't spit while I talked. Straightening, I took a step forward and turned to the emperor. "My name is Wang Mei, and my respected Nation is Taiwan." I bowed low before the emperor and waited for his reply.

To my dismay, I heard a soft cluck of his tongue against his teeth and he said, "So you are the representative of Taiwan. Taiwan is a ball of mud beyond the pale of civilization." He shook his head in disgust and continued with his disapproval, "Return to your place in line. I suspect you and Wang are related, therefore you need not come back. I shall give all your work to him. Thank you for attending." My heart pounded and my brain echoed his words over and over again in my mind. I was a ball of mud beyond the pale of civilization? What in the world would make him say that…?

Slowly, my feet took three steps back and I was back in my original position, still not looking up. What kind of rumors did he hear about Taiwan…? And just what rumors will be created now? Everybody continued their introductions, but it just sounded like mud being stomped on: unintelligible and unmindful.

All I wanted was for the meeting to end. Now.

Oh goodness, I am so sorry for the delay. OTL I've been working on my summer homework, so I wasn't really focusing on the story. I hope you all still like the story. I shall try uploading more. I'm very sorry for the delay. (Sorry this is kind of short too... I blame it on the order of the line I put them all in, otherwise there would be more introductions... but I wasn't really thinking about that earlier in the story.)

~Yui Lathens~