Chapter 9: The Little Mermaid Part 1

Once upon a time, there lived a prince. A handsome and strong prince that he was, only to be complemented by his gentleness and decorum. As the youngest member of the royal family, he was left without an impressive inheritance. Nevertheless, he was a young man with a dedicated mindset and a dutiful, humble nature, so materialism that came with birthright was not something that he longed for.

What he did long for, however, was something more…

One day, during his trip accompanying his sister to the western lands, he came across a young woman lying unconscious by a riverbed. Struck by desire to help, he approached her and gathered her in his arms. In contrast to his pale visage and dark locks, the woman was sun-kissed with a mane of flaxen hair. It was as if he was holding a child of gold.

Entranced by her exotic attributes, the prince carefully picked her up and carried her back to his camp. The soldiers who served under him and his sister were startled by the sudden appearance of the new arrival, but they did as commanded when they were told to fetch the princess and to clear a space for the girl.

When the princess appeared before the prince, he requested for his sister's aid in nursing the girl back to health. Kindhearted and compassionate, the princess permitted the girl's stay. As the prince tenderly laid the girl onto a futon, the princess watched keenly, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

(Alibaba repressed a groan when he predicted what Hakuei would say next.)

The princess had long known that her brother was a virtuous man. Of course, he wouldn't leave behind a helpless maiden, but never did she witness him exhibit such interest in someone of the opposite gender. The way his fingers traced her delicate cheekbones to her plush lips. The way his eyes roved across her slumbering features and fragile frame. The way he sat by her bedside with attentiveness that rivaled an infatuated lover.

(He didn't meet her brother, but Alibaba was sure that none of those things had happened. Besides, he thought with a shudder, that was disgusting.)

The princess wished to solidify that ardor that her brother displayed. She had always known the prince had been lonely ever since their older brothers had died. Thus, witnessing that fervor in his gaze compelled her to make this girl to be his companion.

She knew that the girl's sopping form concealed her glowing beauty, so the princess ushered the prince out for her to tend to her. She was unfamiliar in taking care of another, but, since she was one of the few women on the site, she took it upon herself to carry on the task of caring for the unconscious girl.

She washed the girl's hair with herbs and oils.

(So that was why his hair was no longer greasy and stringy, but clean and downy. Alibaba never knew his hair could be this voluminous, especially with Hakuei's limited supply.)

She then stripped away the girl's tattered dress. To her shock, the girl was lacking a bosom!

("I at first believed you to be an unusually tall child," Hakuei admitted, "but then I noticed something…below." With that said, she blushed and shyly looked away. Alibaba would have been embarrassed too if he hadn't known what Hakuei was ultimately leading up to.)

After realizing that the maiden was no maiden at all, the princess was at a dilemma as to what to do. She loathed to have the prince realize that his first love was only a misunderstanding, but what was she supposed to do? That was when she hatched a plan.

("For you pretend to be a girl for my brother's sake!"

While Alibaba was appreciative of being taken care of for once, this was not how he wanted to repay their generosity. "I don't know…"

"Please? You must be accustomed to doing this sort of thing. Why would you be wearing a dress when my brother found you?"

Alibaba grimaced.)

Alibaba wondered how many times he was going to wake up like this. All sore and battered and starting the day with another death-impending event. This couldn't be good for his health. He also wondered if he was going to keep waking up in tents. This was his second tent, so would he be going for a third?

He regarded this to be death-impending because, while he was being kept by saviors instead of slavers, he was in Kou's grounds.

Well, technically, they weren't in the Kou Empire, but Hakuei had informed him that they were expanding their territory and were trying to recruit some clan for their warmongering cause. (Not that Hakuei had told him with those words exactly, but it didn't make much of a difference to him.)

Alibaba had been devastated to learn that he was further away from Reim than where he had started. This meant that he was located closer to the Kou Empire, which was where Kouen was. Unless the man decided to go on a hunt to skin Alibaba alive for stealing his documents, he was probably there.

He pushed himself up by propping his elbows. The blanket that covered him slid back, revealing that he was wearing a white robe. The material was thin, yet quite soft to touch; it was as if he wasn't wearing anything given how light it felt. It was relatively baggy too, hiding the fact that he didn't have a chest, as Hakuei had oh-so helpfully pointed out.

Given the furnishing here, Alibaba had initially determined that the owner belonged to the upper middle class. There weren't any ostentatious decorations nor anything else that boasted of grand wealth. It was relatively modest with a higher socioeconomic standard.

The tent was spacious enough that could fit a few more of the futon that he was on. Perhaps the tent belonged to a travelling family, Alibaba had believed, since he knew that he was still in the Tenzan Plateau. He must be—there was no way the river could have carried him from the Plateau to the Far East given the distance.

But when Hakuei had appeared before him in her warrior regalia, he had realized that this was a military expedition. Naturally, an army wouldn't be able to bring along anything luxurious to pamper even the royal.

Alibaba sighed and threw the length of his hair over his shoulder. He really wanted to get it cut, but it seemed like he wasn't going to any time soon. It heightened his "femininity," so he had to keep it if he was going to continue his disguise as a woman. He certainly hated doing this, but he owed Hakuei at least this much.

He was worried when he was going to leave, though. Hakuei had said to leave everything to her, that all he needed to do was entertain her brother's delusions that he was a damsel that he had rescued. Alibaba wasn't sure if he could trust the woman no matter how reliable and nice she appeared, but it wasn't as if he had any plans himself.

"Good morning." Hakuei entered the tent with tray and a parcel. She smiled warmly at him. "I hope you had a good rest, Ariel."

Ariel was the name that Alibaba had given her yesterday. Since this was Kou he was dealing with, he had known better than to reveal his true identity, so he had introduced himself as Ariel, which was the name that belonged to the old cook back in the palace in Balbadd. In return, Hakuei had insisted that he addressed her by her name without a title.

"Hello, Hakuei."

"Do you think you're up to meeting my brother today? He's been anxious to meet you."

Alibaba hid a frown. "Um, sure…?"

"Excellent!" she enthused. Hakuei certainly was a stunning woman, and her bright smile only amplified her loveliness. It was a shame that she was a pushy weirdo.

As Alibaba mourned for the world's loss of a hot lady, Hakuei settled the tray on his lap. On the tray was a steaming bowl of congee—porridge, basically. Alibaba hated porridge.

"While you eat that, I'm going to brush your hair. Then I'll help you get dressed."

"You brought a formal gown with you?" Alibaba asked, puzzled.

"I may be a warrior, but I'm also a princess. There are times when I have to dress formally for diplomatic occasions," Hakuei said. "Although, in this case, the Kouga Clan doesn't look like the type to care much for ornamental facades, so I have no need for it. It'd be a shame to let it go unused, however."

Right. Of course.

As Hakuei ran the bristles of the brush down his locks, she commented, "It certainly is a blessing to have a face such as yours."

Alibaba scooped up a slop with a spoon and fed himself. "What do you mean?"

"You're quite pretty for a man."

"Please don't call me pretty," he griped. "I am a man, after all."

"There's nothing wrong with being a pretty man."

"I don't want to be pretty."

"But you are!" she giggled.

Alibaba responded by shoveling more congee into his mouth.

"If you like, I can train you so that you can develop muscles. It isn't uncommon for women of Kou to train with weaponry and master martial arts," she said. "Most of them prefer to endeavor in fine arts and etiquette, but it isn't uncommon."

"That depends on how long I'm supposed to be here. Like I said, I must journey to the West."

"To reunite with your family. Yes, I understand and admire your commitment, but I do wonder how you are going to manage that. It isn't safe for a woman to travel alone."

"Hakuei, I'm not a woman!" Alibaba was not whining; he was simply telling.

"I know; I've received an eyeful as proof of that," she said with a tinge of sheepishness in her voice. "But why did you appear as one? If you're so adamant on being a man, then why not look the part? I'm aware that different cultures have different aesthetics, but you do look convincingly womanly."

He winced. "It's a long story."

"Must be interesting."

"It's, uh, private."

He couldn't see her since she sat behind him, but Alibaba knew that she was pouting. "Oh, very well. I won't prod. Do you still want to take up my offer, though?"

Since he was here for who knew how long, he might as well. Getting personal training from a combatant mistress might come in handy in the future. "I'd be honored, your highness."

"Oh, I told you, I don't you to be so proper with me," Hakuei chided lightly. "You're going to be my temporary sister-in-law! I want you to treat me as you would with your friends."

"Don't say sister-in-law! I'm not getting married to your brother!"

"That's the spirit!" she cheered. Hakuei placed down the brush and fluffed his hair. "The ends require trimming, but that can be settled with at another time. Have you finished eating?" At Alibaba's nod, she placed the tray to the side. "You eat fast. Perhaps I should teach you table manners in addition to fighting."

"You're not gonna make me go on dinner dates with your brother, are you?"

"He might invite you personally. He's very skilled at cooking."

Hakuei helped him onto his feet. His legs felt like jelly, but he managed to gain his footing. Hakuei retrieved the parcel and untied the packaging. When she held up the dress, Alibaba could see that it was a flowy gown with a floral design. The edges were lined with a transparent frill. The sleeves were long, likely intended for the wearer to demurely hide her lower face.

Alibaba really didn't want to wear it.

But he did.

"You look beautiful, Ariel," Hakuei exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement. Alibaba didn't bother to hide his expressed displeasure this time. "Oh, come now. Cheer up! Just know that you don't have to do this forever."

"Noted."

"Hm. Should I tie your hair up…?" Hakuei eyed his hair for a moment before shaking her head. "No, you look alluring with your hair down."

"I'll be sure to shave my head when I go," Alibaba promised.

"You'd make the universe cry by committing that crime."

Hakuei then led Alibaba out of the tent, one hand balancing the tray and the other cradling his. This woman—who knew that he was a man, who brought him a meal, who tended to him at his vulnerable state, who was holding his hand, who was incredibly attractive—didn't see him beyond being her brother's first crush.

Alibaba genuinely thought that Hakuei was a great sister—he really did—but was it necessary to go this far? Her baby brother romancing on a not-woman yet being encouraged to do so—that was just so bizarre. Alibaba had already established that Hakuei was odd, yet he remained bewildered.

Outside the confines of the tent, there were soldiers milling about. Some were running. Some were sparring. Some were eating. Some were discussing. Compared to the slave traders' campsite, this place possessed a more orderly and refined atmosphere. As expected of the princess's forces.

Approaching them was a short boy donning a blue robe. He smiled placidly at them. He inserted a fist into his other palm and bowed. "Good morning, your highness and Lady Ariel."

"Good morning, Seisyun," Hakuei greeted. "Ariel, this is my righthand man, Seisyun."

"Good morning," Alibaba said, eyeing him curiously. This shrimp was the princess's assistant? Wasn't he too young to carry a responsibility as heavy as that?

"Anyways, today is an easy day, yes?"

"It is, your highness. I don't suppose the prince has something planned for Lady Ariel, does he?" Seisyun inquired innocently, although the glint in his eyes indicated otherwise.

Hakuei chuckled. "You know how he is. I'll bring Ariel to him. Is he in his tent?"

"I believe so."

"Good! Oh, could you return this to the kitchen, Seisyun?"

"Of course, your highness."

After passing the tray over, Hakuei bid Seisyun a farewell and went on her way. As Alibaba kept up with her pace, he whispered, "I don't think I'm deserving of the title Lady."

"I don't think you mean it's because you're a man, right?"

"Right. I'm just some person your brother picked off the ground. Heck, I don't even have a status remotely close to nobility." He used to, but anyways… "I know you told me to call you by name, but it feels strange to do so, especially when I'm a commoner."

"Ariel, don't say that." Hakuei tightened her hold on his hand. "As a princess of Kou, I have a duty of maintaining airs in front of my people, but you're not of Kou. I'm not obliged to do that with you."

Kouen seemed to not think so when they first met.

He should stop thinking about Kouen.

"If that's the case," Alibaba breathed out, "alright. But it still doesn't feel right being treated like I'm better than everyone else."

"If it makes you feel better, I can assign you to chore duty."

Doing chores sounded like a more useful task than deluding her brother. "I'd like that."

"And I'm sure my soldiers would like that as well," Hakuei said with an amused smile. "Most of them would do anything to be relieved of that."

Alibaba would be too under normal circumstances. "What can I say? I'm used to doing something."

"Are you now?"

He shrugged. "My former occupation was being a servant for a noble, but my family decided to move to Reim."

"Is that so? Where did you live originally?"

"Qishan."

"Isn't Qishan…closer to Reim than here?" Hakuei looked at him curiously. "I've neglected to ask, but how did you manage to come all the way over here?"

Here it came. "You remember how I told you about my family being attacked by slave traders?"

She nodded.

"Well, these traders belonged to different sects, apparently, so each one of them took a member of my family and gone in different directions, separating us." Hakuei gasped in sympathy. "Before we were dragged into different directions, my family promised each other to try to escape and make it to Reim so that we can reunite there. I managed to escape from my traders, but, in the process, I fell into a rushing current. That was the last thing I remembered."

Telling the lie wasn't as difficult as he had thought it would be. Then again, he had recited it several times to himself after Hakuei had left him alone last night. He was glad that he managed to make it sound natural.

"Then my brother found you." Hakuei placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Ariel, I am so sorry for your misfortune. I am certain that you will see your family again one day!"

Alibaba forced a smile. "Thank you, Hakuei."

"In the meantime, I wish for you to relax and gain your bearings. Even though I'm putting you up to this, I know you'll enjoy your time here."

This was indeed an improvement compared to the last place, Alibaba admitted to himself.

When they reached a tent that was situated across from the one that Alibaba had been staying in, Hakuei told him to wait for her. She slipped inside and, as he could hear her from behind the flaps, called out her brother's name. it didn't take long for Hakuei to exit with the prince following shortly after.

"Hakuryuu, this is Ariel, the woman who you rescued," Hakuei said, beaming.

Hakuryuu executed the same bow that Seisyun had done earlier. "Good morning, Lady Ariel. My name is Hakuryuu. I am pleased to see that you are in good health."

Alibaba's eyes widened. He was…different compared to his sister. More…reserved.

When Hakuryuu pulled himself upright, Alibaba could see a faint pink scar marring a portion of his face. His eyes were of different colors—one was Hakuei's dark blue while the other, the one that the scar surrounded, was an icy hue. Alibaba wondered if he was blind in that eye.

When he heard Hakuei's subtle cough, Alibaba quickly folded his hands over his belly and bowed. He didn't know exactly how women of the Far East curtsied, but bowing was a universal gesture, wasn't it?

"Good morning to you as well, Prince Hakuryuu," Alibaba said, his prince lessons on manners kicking in. "I haven't gotten the chance to thank you for rescuing me yesterday. Had it not been for your kindness, I surely would have been in a dire situation."

"No need for that. I was only doing what anyone would do," Hakuryuu said.

Alibaba lifted his head and noticed that the prince's expression hadn't changed from its state of neutrality. Did this guy really did like him or was Hakuei's mind playing games?

"Well, I have things to do," Hakuei suddenly said in a bright tone. She was lying but would use any excuse to leave them together, Alibaba figured dryly. "I can leave her with you, can I, Hakuryuu?"

"If that works best for you, Sister," Hakuryuu replied.

He didn't sound all that excited by the idea of getting to spend time with him. Alibaba's doubt grew.

"Thank you, Hakuryuu. I shall see you two for lunch," she said. With that said, she spun on her heel and left.

They watched her go until she disappeared among the mass of soldiers and tents. They turned their attention back to one another. Alibaba shifted his weight from one foot to the other, feeling awkward. What were they supposed to do now?

Luckily, Hakuryuu knew what to do.

"I assume that you have already eaten?"

Alibaba nodded.

"Then, if you don't mind, would you care to join me for a walk?"

Alibaba nodded again. Walking was better than nothing.