Page 13 of Dynasty of the Wicked (The Wicked Princess #1)

13

Ying Yue was laughing at her again. Zhi Ruo wasn’t sure what it was about this time, but she was sure she had done something wrong. Maybe said something weird, or made a strange gesture that was rude. She could feel eyes turning toward her, and her clumsy, clammy fingers wove together onto her lap. She was only thirteen, and her only companion as of late was Liena, her maid. This was her first time at an outing with girls her age; she had been grateful when Ying Yue had invited her, but now she wasn’t so sure. Was she simply invited so she could be their entertainment? The laughing stock?

She shoved those ideas aside; how ridiculous. Ying Yue was her sister. Of course she had good intentions when it came to her.

Ying Yue grinned sharply, her innocent doe-like eyes appearing like two half-crescent moons. “Zhi Ruo, you look … beautiful in such a dress,” she giggled, and the other girls around them did the same, staring at her bright green dress. It was a dress that Ying Yue’s mother had chosen for her.

Zhi Ruo fidgeted in her seat. She was in the gardens, drinking tea with other noble ladies. She was supposed to be happy, she reminded herself. She was supposed to make friends here.

“Thank you.” She forced a smile and sipped her bitter tea.

“What is His Majesty planning for your birthday this year, Princess Ying Yue?” one of the girls asked, inching closer to her and smiling at her excitedly. Every year, an extravagant celebration was thrown to commemorate the birth of the emperor’s favored daughter. Even though Zhi Ruo was only a few weeks younger than Ying Yue, Father never threw a celebration for her. He never even invited her for dinner, either.

Ying Yue lifted her shoulder. “I asked him if we can have a giant party. Similar to a festival. Would you all like to come?”

All the girls eagerly bobbed their heads.

“Oh, but it’s very fancy.” She batted her lashes at them. “I want everyone to dress lavishly. I don’t want any of you to embarrass me.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll ask to borrow my mother’s clothes,” one of the girls chittered excitedly. “Or maybe I’ll have the seamstress make me some new dresses.”

Ying Yue perked up. “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea! You should all ask your mothers if you can wear their jewelry! I’ll ask mine the same, though I already have a lot of my own jewelry too, but I much prefer my mother’s more mature tastes.”

All the girls continued to giggle and plan, while Zhi Ruo felt left out. She fiddled with her hands, all too aware that she was the only one without a mother and the only one who didn’t have any fancy jewelry or dresses. All of her clothing and accessories were handled by the Empress and Ying Yue’s mother, and neither of them bought her anything flattering or overly expensive, like jewelry.

Ying Yue touched her hand and Zhi Ruo flinched at the contact, her wide eyes shifting to her sister, whose grin sharpened.

“Don’t worry, Zhi Ruo, I have some jewelry I’d love to gift you. It’s one of a kind and absolutely beautiful. I’ll allow you to attend my party so long as you wear it.”

“Oh? That’s too kind of you,” Zhi Ruo said, uncertainty washing over her. Since when did Ying Yue ever do something nice like this? But she quickly banished that thought away; she was here, with them all, and she had no friends. She couldn’t question Ying Yue’s good faith. Not when this was the perfect opportunity to make connections with other girls her age.

“Yes. Father gave them to me, and so I think it’s only right that you can have them,” she continued, her voice low so the other girls couldn’t hear. “I want you to shine at my party. I know it’s not easy for you, especially since you don’t have a mother. I hope this way you’ll be able to look more like a princess.”

“Thank you, but … but why?”

“Oh? Because, silly, you’re my sister.” Ying Yue smiled at her, and the uneasiness in Zhi Ruo’s chest grew, but it was overshadowed by the giddy excitement swirling in her stomach. She would be beautiful, she thought in awe, dressed in finery just like her sister. Maybe others would notice her and want to be friends with her. Maybe this would finally make Father notice her. She wasn’t na?ve enough to think that this was enough for them to love her, but maybe … maybe it was a start.

“I can’t wait,” she said, returning her grin. “Thank you.”

“Oh no, thank you .”