Author's Note: We're nearing the end here people! I'm hoping to finish this up before school, but I promise to do my best every chapter along the way. Enjoy!
Chapter Sixteen: Parting Ways
Lanfan crept down the hallway, pressing her ear to the door. She was glad to be rid of the fancy clothing for her midnight sneak-out. Meanwhile, Ling stretched out on his bed, snoring and oblivious to her.
All of the remaining contestants had been given sleeping quarters in the imperial palace. The guard didn't quite trust a few of the competitors, and it wasn't uncommon for nobility to be found dead in the morning, and living with possible assassins just increased that chance. Then again, if her mother found Lanfan's bed empty in the middle of the night with no signs of her on the premises, Lanfan would be the murder victim.
"Are the plans set?" A male voice asked.
"Yes, Prince. Tomorrow, you will be the hero, and you will be emperor." This voice was older, probably the chancellor.
"That is very good. And, if the assassins get killed?"
"Please, Prince. Your success is of much more importance. It's what your mother would've wanted. Anyone who interferes will be eliminated. And not just from the competition."
A choking sound was heard on the other end. "Don't talk about her."
"Right. My deepest apologies, Prince. If I may ask, what of the other contestants?"
"All pretty mediocre. Silly little nobles having everything served to them on a silver platter. I had to work. The only ones we might as well watch out for are the Chan girl, Metal Fingers, and Ling, The Idiot Prince."
Lanfan's muscles tensed. Her temper had been on edge since the wedding planning. Fu would've scolded her ignorance when she heard the click of the doorknob.
Whoever was in there was unknown to her, as she sprinted to Ling's room. She shook his shoulder. "Young Master…."
Ling grumbled as her rolled over. "Mother… can't the chancellor wait until noon for diplomacy lessons?"
She shook him harder. "No, Young Master. He can't. Now please wake up!"
He tumbled off the bed. "Lanfan! I wasn't saying anything about a bathtub about to eat me, was I?"
She placed a hand on her hip. "Um… no."
He sighed. "Good, good." He sat back on the bed, yawning. "What's so important that you've snuck out in the middle of the night and come to see me?"
She kneeled. "I was scoping out the palace when I heard a competitor, a prince." She relayed all that she heard.
He stroked an imaginary beard in thought. "It seems as though he's planning to hire assassins to attempt and kill the emperor, but set up an act so that he rescues him. Very interesting. Lanfan, I'd like for you keep an eye on the emperor. It would be ideal that you get to him before the other prince. He's probably got it planned so that the assassins get away, just in case they decide to fess up about him."
She nodded, bowing her head. "Yes, Young Master."
She stood back up, proceeding to the door. She gave him one last hesitant look before closing the door behind her. The prince and his guard had parted ways for the night.
Little did Ling know what his command entailed.
Author's Note: If you're confused about the last line, I'm referring to when the mysterious chancellor had told the equally mysterious prince that the assassins would kill anyone showing signs of interference. Song spotlight for today is "Dance in the Dark" by Lady Gaga. It's a very 70's-esque pop song... about emotional abuse. Still, it's got a good beat. Reviews are fuel for writing and correct grammar and spelling, so give that little review button a poke so the next chapter doesn't detail the adventures of "Lin" and "Ranfun". Although those are variations on the names, "Ranfun" sounds a bit too silly for drama, so reviews are love!