thank you to those who reviewed. and i forgot to mention in my last update about the Rika and Terada situation. My first reveiwer brought up the Elektra complex. Yes, I know about the Rika Terada pairing, but the pairing does NOT exist in this particular fanfic.
PART 3
(at the garden)
"So, Syaoran-kun, how are things of late?" asked Price Eriol.
"Mother's pressuring me again." Syaoran sighed.
"To find a bride?" confirmed Eriol.
"Yes, and I can't stand it." confirmed Syaoran.
"Understandable, it is a lot of pressure, especially since, you are to inherit the throne." said Eriol.
"I just know that mother is going to arrange a marriage between me and Princess Rika." said Syaoran.
"And what is your opinion of this?" asked Eriol.
"I see her more as a sibling and I repeated that many times to mother, but she ignores me." said Syaoran exasperated.
"Well, is there any maiden that could hold your interest?" asked Eriol.
"These things just can't... oh, forget it. Enough of that, the Li Kingdom festival is in a few weeks. Are you planning on entering one of the competitions?" said Syaoran.
"If I know correctly, both of us are entering the sword fighting competition." said Eriol.
"Of course, we better practice, I'll just grab my sword." said Syaoran.
With that, Prince Syaoran headed to his quarters to get his sword. At the prince's quarters, Xiao Ying was busy working. Xiao Ying had just finished making the bed when she heard footsteps just outside the room doorway. By the time Xiao Ying turned around, the prince entered the room.
"Prince Syaoran." greeted Xiao Ying in her polite gesture.
"At ease" said Syaoran.
"Thank you." thanked Xiao Ying.
"I thought someone else did my room." said Syaoran.
"I'm just helping out a friend." said Xiao Ying.
"Very well, where have you placed my sword?" asked Syaoran.
"Your sword is by the corner." answered Xiao Ying.
"Oh, I see it, thank you." said Syaoran.
"Glad to be of service." Xiao Ying replied.
Prince Syaoran took the sword and headed towards the door. Just as he was about to leave, he turned around to face Xiao Ying.
"You dance very well." complimented Syaoran.
The prince turned around and left leaving Xiao Ying speechless.
(a bit later)
Xiao Ying was with some of her friends in the garden. They were all chatting about Chiharu's date, which made Chiharu blush head to toe.
"You are so lucky Chiharu, get to go on a date." said Princess Tomoyo.
"You have someone you love Tomoyo, you know the feeling." commented Princess Meiling,
"Well, it's still wonderful. Looking into each other's eyes, gazing at stars." said Tomoyo giggling.
"It was a day date, not a night day, Princess Tomoyo." said Chiharu embarrassed.
"It's still romantic." said Tomoyo.
"Chiharu, you owe Xiao Ying you know, if it wasn't for her…" giggled Naoko.
"I know, thank you so much Xiao Ying." thanked Chiharu.
"Oh, no problem, glad you had fun. Just don't do it again. You should ask Naoko to help next time." said Xiao Ying.
"Is there a problem?" asked Chiharu confused.
"The prince unexpectedly returned to his quarters to get his sword." explained Xiao Ying.
"Oh. But what exactly is the problem in an encounter with the prince?" asked Chiharu.
Xiao Ying immediately blushed remembering when the prince helped her that time she tripped a few days ago.
"Xiao Ying?" asked Meiling.
"You never blush." pointed out Chiharu
"Don't tell me you have a crush on my cousin." said Meiling in a sort of disgusted voice.
"Of course not! It's just uncomfortable to have encounters with the prince." said Xiao Ying.
"Oh really? You had encounters with a million different guys. I don't see why you would be uncomfortable." said Tomoyo in a mocking tone.
"You see, Xiao Ying tripped a few days ago and the prince helped her." explained Naoko.
"Oh, I see." said Meiling in a sly tone.
"It's nothing like that!" said Xiao Ying panic in her voice.
"We understand don't we?" said Tomoyo in that sly tone of hers.
"Don't tell me you guys don't believe me. You guys are my best friends." said Xiao Ying disappointed.
"Of course we believe you Xiao Ying." assured Tomoyo in her normal voice.
"Yeah, we were just kidding with you." assured Meiling.
"Although you never blush, so that's new." said Chiharu
"Well, it's embarrassing. I'm a servant. I can't get involved with the prince." said Xiao Ying.
"Well, the Li Kingdom festival is coming up. Anyone plan on entering." asked Chiharu starting a new topic.
"I plan on singing." answered Tomoyo.
"You'll surely win." said Meiling.
"Yeah, you're really good." commented Xiao Ying.
"Yeah! We're supporting you all the way!" encouraged Naoko.
"Thanks." thanked Tomoyo.
"Hey Xiao Ying, aren't you going to enter the dance competition, you'll surely win." said Naoko.
"Yeah, no doubt." supported Chiharu.
"I don't have the time." said Xiao Ying.
"Don' t worry, since you helped me, I'll help you." offered Chiharu.
"But yours was just one day." said Xiao Ying.
"Don't worry. Go ahead and enter the dance competition." encouraged Chiharu.
"Yeah! I'll help too!" said offered Naoko.
"Really, I don't have to enter…" started before Chiharu cut her off.
"You'll be great!" said Chiharu.
"Yeah!" said Naoko.
"I'll be there to support you too." said Tomoyo.
"So will I!" said Mailing.
"Ok, thanks guys. I'll do my best." said Xiao Ying grateful.
"That's the spirit!" said Naoko.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The sound of clinging swords vibrated through the castle. The two princes are practicing for the competition.
"Well, that was a nice workout." said Eriol.
"Whatever." said Syaoran in a dull voice.
"Now, don't be like that just because the queen is rushing you for a bride." said Eriol
"Like you understand." said Syaoran.
"I don't comprehend your pressure, but I do comprehend that there must be some maiden that you can connect with." reasoned Eriol.
Syaoran just sighed. It's just too much. Suddenly a picture of Xiao Ying flashed through Syaoran's mind.
"That's forbidden. I can't be with her. Wait a minute! I don't like her. I just happened to help her. You don't have to like a person to help them. That was such a silly thought." thought Syaoran.
(next day)
Xiao Ying looked at the flowers as she carefully took care of them. It was the end of August. The flowers would soon finish blooming and go into hibernation for the winter. The festival will be in two weeks and everyone is getting more and more excited. Of course, the prince only got more pressured.
"Mother!" Syaoran called out exasperated.
"Son, you need a bride and I don't see why you can't marry Princess Rika." reasoned Yelan.
"Because I feel like her brother! I don't have that special feeling." explained Syaoran trying to remain calm.
"Then who? You reject all the other princesses because of their flirtatious attitude, but you don't "feel" for Princess Rika., then who?" said Yelan starting to lose her patience.
"I don't know, but just give me some time. If I really am asking for too much, then at least give me some time to get to know Princess Rika better. That's ok isn't it?" bargained Syaoran.
"Alright, we'll both take a step back." agreed Yelan.
"Thank You mother." said Syaoran.
With that Syaoran stepped out of the throne room and started to aimlessly walk around the palace. He felt so confined, caged. He wanted to get out of the palace at least for now; actually he needed to get out of the palace. He walked through the palace gates not caring about the guards, just flashing them his royal seal.