“Anise.”

“And then? What did he say?!” the girls in the chamber were grabbing your arms so hard you could feel the veins about to burst. You looked at them in desperation, “He didn’t really say anything… what do you expect? It’s just a name…” trying to tug your arms free but failing terribly as the girls only gripped tighter.

You were one of the girls with a more exciting story and that’s why they swarmed; some others were not so fortunate, even though the overwhelming consensus was that nothing happened much to Lord Sun-ye’s dismay. Zi-yu smiled next to you, the upward curvature of her lips were reserved and sealed. She had told the others earlier that Prince Xiumin had tried to comfort her about her mistake on stage and they ended up just talking, like old acquaintances and she was allowed to return to her room in the morning. The youngest girl was still shaking in her skin from her encounter because as soon as her and Prince Wufan stepped out of the great hall, he escorted her back to the harem rooms and bid her farewell. She was so worried that she’d done something wrong – either that or she was not pleasing him that she didn’t dare enter the chambers for fear of losing face. It was at midnight when one of the maids were out using the chamber pots did she notice the poor girl crouching in a corner, huddled into a ball on the verge of tears.

Chaio-han had an average experience citing that Prince YiXing asked her to play chess with him and they spent the night in silence, losing every single one of her matches. She was also excused early in the morning; even though it was the rules that the girl could not leave until she was given permission, Chiao-han grimaced that Lay didn’t care at all whether she was there or not which was a real stab to her self-esteem. But she also mentioned that he was gentlemanly and offered her some sweets and tea in between their games, stating that he had a certain, peculiar dimple that revealed itself when he smiled.

Chen’s partner shrugged off her encounter with no real zest at all. She said the two conversed, read aloud to each other and in the end, it was she that put him to sleep. There was no permission to be given when Chen fell unconscious in his chair, dozing off into his dreamland. The girl had to drag the Prince onto his bed and cover him up before leaving the room herself. She laughed a little at the thought, ‘he was like a little brother’.

The girl Tao had chosen was lamenting over Tao’s almost obsession with horses. He kept commenting that her robes mirrored the colour of one of his beloved stallions and claimed it was the reason she was chosen. She frowned at the idea, cementing in the rest of the girl’s minds that he really was the immature one. She stayed in his room the entire night and to the other girls’ questions, it was in fact all in innocence: Tao was having a bad day, in a bad mood and he simply wanted someone to keep him company. The girl rolled her eyes, “apparently, he’s also afraid of ghosts…” the rest of the girls broke out in giggles – that was the reason why she returned to the chambers so late, because she was busy keeping Tao from having nightmares. She sat on the side of his bed till morning when he woke fresh and sound and excused her so that the girl could get some of her own sleep. In the end however, you were the only one with an interesting story to tell, and the remaining one that didn’t have a particular reason why you returned so late as well.

“Did anything else happen?” one of the younger girls eagerly pressed.

“Uhhh…” you looked away uneasily. “He had too much to drink and fell asleep…”

“Whaaaat?” the girls frowned that it wasn’t scandalous gossip, “then why did you stay so long if he was already asleep?”

“Oh… uhh… I didn’t know I could leave for the night until morning. Anyways-” you quickly added, “I felt bad for the drunk.” You made it sound cocky , smooth and the girls giggled in delight.

“Aren’t we all so sneaky?” Zi-Yu laughed good-naturedly. “See, there’s no use worrying about our roles anymore. These Princes are just mere boys – all of them immature and quite strange – I might add. So girls, there’s nothing to worry about.” She assured the younger ones and dispelled any dark thoughts they had. And rightly so, because in the past, rumours would circulate the place about Princes and Emperors forcefully taking members of the harem and how commonplace it was for them to do so; the mere thought was just simply repulsive so all of you were grateful that none of the suitors you had to deal with were like that.

“How was your night?” Xiumin asked Kris genially, his eyes cheerful and bright. The eldest was always optimistic and never in a foul mood.

Kris shrugged as he grabbed a steamed bun from the plate and took a bite. “Great,” he answered through the food.

“Great, because he took the poor girl back to her chambers… then spent the night alone.” Chen scoffed, putting down his chopsticks to reach for the teapot.

Xiumin shook his head, but it wasn’t like the brothers hadn’t expected it – they all knew Kris would do such a thing.

“Well, if anyone else wants to bring up their stories, feel free – not that we need more entertainment at breakfast or anything.” Kris grimaced. He had spent the rest of his night in solitude reading and writing up reports and letters for the next trade alliance. Time well spent he thought, better than having to amuse or make conversation to a girl he barely knew.

“Come on Kris, they’re sweet girls. The one I’d chosen was at least. It was a nice night. Anyone else?” He stopped picking at his vegetables and glanced down the table, “Lay? Tao? Luhan?” Xiumin looked across to his other brothers. YiXing shook his head, tapping his closed fan lightly on the wood. “Played a few games of chess – girls these days are really spoiled sports.” He shrugged casually and then looked to the youngest.

Tao just shook his head twice, his chopsticks in his mouth. He was more eager to hear what Luhan had to say.

When it was finally Luhan’s turn, he rubbed his eyes. “I can’t remember.” Was the answer and the rest of the brother shrugged it off to continue eating. Lay was a little disappointed at the news but didn’t express it in his face; he stopping tapping his fan and tucked the prop back into his robes. He returned to picking at his rice.

When Luhan returned to his room, the events of last night plagued him. He could still smell her perfume in the room and he inhaled deeply. “Anise,” she had said so sullenly, as if her name was a swear word not to be used. He tried it once, twice and a look of distaste flushed onto her face.

“What?” he had asked.

“Nothing,” she answered.

Luhan had then proceeded to ask her about her dancing and when she had started and the girl gave him quick, sharp answers – like responses one would write for the civil service entrance exams. The girl was a complete mystery and it hounded at his heart to find out more, but she held a tight vigil and no amount of his prying led to new information. He asked her age, her birthday and family background and she answered with a forlorn disconnection that strangers would articulate to each other, weary of fabrication. Even though he asked about her, he felt no closer to her than a man on the street and it frustrated him a little.

He remembered getting up finally and looking around for more alcohol to ease the situation. She looked uncomfortable so he suggested she look through some of his books to pass time. The joy that lit up her face at the thought melted him on the inside and as she looked through his shelves he downed a bottle or two just watching the sight – the way she elongated her figure to reach up to the higher selves, the way her brows would rise in glee at the contents and how she’d feel the covers and the paper as if it were alive.

Luhan was a man that could hold his drink, but the amount he had consumed was over-the-top, even for him. His balance was a little unsteady and his vision blurred a little and he tripped over the stool, clattering the tea set. The girl was shocked out of her stupor and walked hesitantly over to him, clutching the chair trying to stay standing. “I’m alright,” he murmured, “alright.”

Cautious about him, you walked closer and placed an arm on his shoulder. “Maybe you should get to bed,” you suggested, hoping that he would excuse you and the night would be over. You slung his arm over your shoulder and hobbled him over to his bed, dropping him there. He looked at your sweetly, albeit painfully and you wondered how the emotions could mix. “Stay with me.” He mumbled, “Stay the night.”

Not sure what to say, you didn’t say anything. He seemed content with your silence and in a matter of minutes had dozed off, but his grip of your sleeve was unrelenting. Thus the reason why you didn’t return until morning was that you couldn’t unravel his fingers till early sunrise.

Scanning the room though, Luhan was brought back to reality and he walked over to the windows in the hopes of bringing in new wind to clean the place out of her smell. But as he reached up to unlatch the hinges, he paused and the throbbing in his chest told him to stop. He gave up, wanting instead to savour the fragrance.  He walked over to his low table, finding a brush somewhere, he began to pen down a poem. It was unfortunate; he was already caught, enraptured and trapped… and he didn’t mind one bit.

~

Hey, no pics for this one. Just trying it out. I asked you guys a while back, earlier in the fanfic whether you liked the pictures but I didn't get much of a response except that you like the GIFS (disclaimer: all not mine!!!). I don't want to hinge on your imagination- about how you think the are, because I know I'd get disappointed if I show you one thing, but instead think of another. Anyway, the GIFs aren't really necessary. I usually add them in my other fic for each oneshot [yes, shameless advertising for my other fic ;D]. Oh well, tell me how it goes.

Laterz!