They rose and the crowd erupted, screaming their wishes, celebrating with the finest of wine and other delicacies.
Up they went, her father closely encircling her, happy for her as his eyes were wet.
They spoke and he watched, his parents seemed happy. Drinking wine after wine, His brother was speaking loudly, in the hopes of gaining attention from the various maidens around him.
Lu Ming was pleased and not at all surprised rprised to find out they couldn't care less.
Once more it was only the sister that twirled her cup in thought, turning upon feeling his eyes and weakly smiling in return.
He couldn't return it, expressionless.
Seated next to the father daughter duo for what seemed like forever, he was suddenly pulled up, stumbling in her arms as his legs ached from the position.
After bidding farewell, he was led away in the direction of their newly assigned mansion, one last look in his sister's direction as her cup shattered on the ground.
What did she think was going to happen, foolish little child.
Step, step, step, step, countless steps later, sweat covered his brows.
"Welcome your highnesses."
Now that he was tied by marriage shouldn't they refer to him as Prince consort or something?
Customs, he never really bothered to know them.
All the servants lined up nicely, welcoming them for the first time to the mansion they would call home in their life as a married couple.
Or at least that's what she hoped.
"May I, I am in charge of the servants and overseeing the mansion.
If there is ever need you can refer the problem to me.
Shall I assign a person to lead the way?"
"Yes, yes do so." Eager, aren't you.
He didn't bother looking at the servants as they giggled.
How could they laugh with the suffering of someone? Gossip a part of the life in the palace, so it was clear they knew of the circumstances involving his entering.
"You may leave."
Already, the door closed behind the nameless maid and a cup was pushed in his hands.
"Let's speed up the process-"With arms linked, the liquid flowed and dripped in their mouths. Pleased, she wiped her lips with red sleeve, a colour so close to blood.
"my husband~"
How dull.
A thud sounded as he suddenly found himself on the bed.
With empty eyes, he watched as her fingers undid her outfit. Accesoires dropping to the ground as if they weren't worth their weight in gold.
A memory played itself, the relationship between the two had always been lively it seemed.
Why had she been so foolish to break it?
Now she was fiddling with his clothes and accessories, the only thing that stayed upon him was the earring she had gifted him.
With her finger she pushed it, the metal clinging against each other like regular sound of a bell.
"Don't you ever take that off, you understand me?"
Turning away, she settled over him, her hair falling upon him as she shortened the distance between them.
Her hand guided his face back, blue eyes once more sparkling, his own dead in their reflection.
Thumb traced his lips as they parted accordingly, her vigor was felt as she pushed hers on his.
No matter how the night passed, no matter how hard the bed creaked under her movements he didn't reply to her advances.
Moaning yes, it was hard not to as it was a physical reaction but he could see the way she was getting more frustrated.
A situation where one loved too much and the other too little was hardly fun.
They where both sweaty and tired when all movement stilled between them, unlike outside where fireworks roared loudly in the sky.
Her hands encased him again, cover appearing as by magic upon them.
Rven if they managed to fall asleep, they would be woken within hours, hardly any sleep will come too because of the noise aswell.
The first night she had slept rapidly but now her snoring stayed away as thought no doubt filled them both.
She was the first to speak as the sun arose once more.
"Get ready, we shall meet father."
With sleep following his steps, he entered the bath, ignoring her presence entirely even though she flaunted it.
He left first, wearing the prepared outfit and as she came outside he could see they were matching.
Walk, walk, more walking and that while the carriage was right there.
They passed fields of flower, a playground for the little kids of the palace.
"Do you remember?"
Even if he did, he wouldn't bother reminiscing.
"We used to play here all the time, we were so close."
Trying to unlock the childhood feelings huh.
"That was before you decided to throw it all away."
That was a nice one, he was surprised by his immediate answer.
"Why must you do this.
I have given you plenty of time to accept, I have given wealth to your family and now we are even husband and wife!" She screamed as her first coiled around his collar, far off the children were rapidly gathered and led away.
"What must I do for things to return as they once where?!"
"If you killed me, I would forgive you.
Ugh!" His groan was accompanied with the cracking of bones, nothing broken but nonetheless his body ached from the hit.
It didn't help him that her feet crashed down on his ribs.
She could hurt him but not kill him?
Hypocrite.
"Let's return."
Heh?
Surprised, he blinked and found himself back in the room.
Had he spaced out?
Ahh, he did, very thoroughly too as his clothes had already been taken off and tossed on the ground.
Even so he couldn't care less.
Click.
And now he was really treated like a dog.
"I have given space, have given wealth, have given you freedom to wander the palace and enjoy it to your pleasure.
None of it was good enough for you, why can't I ever be good enough for you?"
Scoffing, the movement made the chain in her hand cling against each other.
"It's like you are asking to be detained."
More like to be killed.
"So I will do as you wish.
After long enough you shall love me, if you want your freedom back that is."
Seeing him silent, made a desperate face pull over her.
"You love freedom remember, the countless times we sneaked out to go the festival's together.
The fireworks?
Puppet show?"
Let's not talk about memories when we're both naked.