Sein returned to the Archives the next morning, arriving a little later than she had the day before. Even before she reached the doorway, Master's booming voice cut through the air, sharp and unmistakable. She guessed the Crown Prince was inside.
Without hesitation, she turned on her heel and left, deciding she'd return in the afternoon when, with any luck, the place would be empty.
Daily visits to the Archives soon became a habit, for she was truly captivated by the historical accounts she'd been reading. Afternoons proved to be the ideal time to avoid the Crown Prince and his Master, though she still entered with a cautious glance inside.
After a week, she felt secure she wouldn't encounter them at that hour, no longer pausing by the doorway to listen before stepping in.
In the back of her mind, she was toiling over the mystery of the unknown prince who had been murdered. She wanted to know who he was, and whether justice had ever been served.
Who was the author asking for help? Sein wondered. And why was the message hidden in the archives?
If she wished to uncover the truth, she had no choice but to delve into the kingdom's history. There were a lot of scrolls to get through, and while she was a fast reader, she took her time, often getting distracted by the records which were accounts from nobles and wealthy merchants.
The wet season was well underway. Rain poured relentlessly every day. One afternoon, Sein strode towards the Archives, unfazed by the prospect of getting a little wet. She even welcomed the cool specks of drizzle that kissed her cheeks. When the droplets thickened into heavy splashes, she quickened her pace.
Once she crossed the threshold into the building, she shook off the moisture from her hair, droplets scattering around her.
Without hesitation, she approached the history shelf to retrieve several scrolls, when out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of movement.
It was the Crown Prince standing by the table furthest from the door. He had his back to her.
She held her breath, slowly turned around and was about to make a quick exit, when she heard, "Do not leave."
Sein was riveted to the spot. Slowly she turned as she heard steady footsteps approach.
She kept her gaze downcast, not wishing to reveal her contempt for the royals as she curtsied and said, "Your Highness."
"We have not been introduced. What is your name?"
Naturally, as the Crown Prince, he was unbound by the usual rules of etiquette and could boldly demand her name. She thought with disdain of the liberties afforded to one born to rule.
With no choice but to comply, she replied,"Sein, Your Highness."
"Lady Sein," the Crown Prince said. "I believe you are Lord Thura's younger sister."
Sein nodded, still avoiding eye contact. She focused her attention on the Crown Prince's highly polished immaculate boots. How could she end this encounter without being impolite?
A sense of unease crept over her as she noticed how the rain had made her blouse a little sheer. She realised now she should have been dressed more appropriately. An organza cape would have offered some modesty, concealing what now felt a little too revealing.
How can I get out of this with any dignity? Sein wondered.
Her foot slowly lifted to take an involuntary step backwards but stopped.
"I recognised you, Lady Sein. I have seen you before at the training grounds, alongside your brother," the Crown Prince continued, his voice gentle.
I must be more careful going to see Thura, Sein told herself.
As silence stretched on, she felt obliged to respond but she didn't know what to say. She wasn't exactly well versed in making small talk with members of the royal family. It was something she had evaded until now.
Reluctantly, her eyes rose to meet his, and when they did, she found herself helplessly drawn into the pale depths of his gaze.
The Crown Prince casually crossed his arms and remarked, "I see you are interested in history."
"Yes, Your Highness," Sein managed to utter.
His pale eyes, his dark hair, his handsome face—an unexpected feeling of attraction to him befuddled her.
The Crown Prince continued, "I have been working through these history scrolls," he indicated to the table.
"To be honest, I was hoping our paths might cross."
Sein tried to mask her surprise.
"I am aware you must be further along in this study. If I may be so bold, might I trouble you with a few questions about the illustrious origins of our venerable history?"
Sein was taken aback, firstly to be asked for her assistance, and secondly his playful tone at the end of the sentence, mimicking his Master's words.
Quickly recalling the etiquette required to speak to royalty, she replied, "I…if Sein can answer, Sein will, Your Highness."
The Crown Prince looked pleased, the corner of his lips curved but the smile didn't materialise.
He ushered her to the table and said nonchalantly, "There's no need to use formal speech. You're not that dissimilar in age to me. In fact, address me as Zeya."
He offered her a chair with a small wave of his hand before taking his seat.
Zeya?
Sein knew him as the Crown Prince of Arkar. She wasn't aware of his given name, having never paid attention to affairs related to the royal family.
As she settled into the chair, she glanced down at her blouse. And as she suspected, the damp silk clung to her breasts.
Brilliant, just what I needed, and in his presence of all people!
She shifted slightly and made a subtle attempt to pull the fabric away. Fortunately, the Crown Prince appeared not to notice; his gaze remained fixed on her face.
"Speak freely and be at ease, Lady Sein."
"…"
This was another surprise, she didn't expect him to be quite this laid back and informal.
"I'm meant to read through all the scrolls on history, which I suspect might take me a hundred years. I must confess, I can be rather lazy when it comes to studying history, as it's not something that interests me greatly. Have you studied the period during the start of the Gin Empire?" Zeya said, leaning back in his chair.
"Yes, Your…" Sein started and corrected herself but couldn't bring herself to say his name. "Yes, I have. The reign of King Han Min."
Zeya leaned forward.
"I've heard of King Han Min. At least I know that much. How did he manage to unify the three kingdoms?"
Sein paused for a moment and answered honestly, still maintaining a formal tone, "I am afraid I cannot answer. I have read how he became king. The twenty two years of prosperity during his rule and how he died. I have not read how he united the three kingdoms."
"I see," Zeya said. "Interesting how historians only capture the beginning, the peak and the ending. I'd like to hear the full tale. Will you tell me how he rose to be king? How did his journey begin?"
Sein wondered if the Crown Prince was asking or commanding her.
She thought she'd better comply and began tentatively, "Han Min was the youngest son of a warrior family. He had five older brothers whom all followed their family tradition and became warriors. Han Min, however, took a different path. He was…"
She paused choosing her words, feeling self-conscious as she sensed his eyes fixed on her.
"His appearance and personality were considered his best asset… he was exceedingly handsome… a fine figure of a man…"
Sein was briefly lost for words, distracted by the fine figure of a man gazing at her. She suddenly understood what Lady Gawa was talking about. The Crown Prince was, without a doubt, the most attractive man she'd ever set eyes on.
She scolded herself for entertaining such thoughts, as she continued, "The historians described him to be impeccably mannered, sharp-witted, charismatic and compassionate. Those who encountered him, simply fell in love or envied him. Rather than training to become a warrior, Han Min naturally veered towards trade and commerce. His ability for spotting opportunities and forging connections with suppliers paved his way to success as a merchant. He accumulated enormous wealth through trading ores and precious gems, and later, the pursuit of every luxury became his focus, such as honey and exotic fruits."
"Ah, I daresay we owe King Han Min our gratitude for the bounty of mangos and papaya we now relish so freely," Zeya remarked.
"Yes, he made them available to the masses," Sein agreed.
She noted his dark hair had an unexpected depth; the streaming sun from the window highlighted subtle hints of blue and chestnut that shimmered through, revealing hidden layers of colour.
"I apologise for interrupting, do continue," Zeya encouraged, offering a warm smile.
Sein realised she'd been caught up in her own thoughts again.
Forcing a neutral expression, she reeled off quickly, "Han Min was a rather interesting character, he did not pander to the nobility or royals, despite his status and influence. He was lavish with his wealth, reshaping the fortunes of those around him. And he single handedly helped elevate a host of families, establishing a prosperous middle class in his wake. One historian even described him as 'the saviour of the people'. This earned him the favour of the masses which was pivotal in how he ultimately became king."
"How so?" Zeya asked, leaning forward, his curiosity evident.
"When King Aung suddenly died, there was no heir to continue the reign," Sein said, struggling to keep her mind calm under the scrutiny of those pale eyes. "His only son had been killed in a hunting accident the year prior. The King however did have an illegitimate son, Prince Amptu, with one of his mistresses. The boy was only two at the time and was deemed unsuitable to rule the kingdom.
"The people took to the streets and Han Min was put forward as a favourable candidate. Despite not being of royal linage, as he was married to Princess Tin, King Aung's youngest daughter. This was thought by many, an acceptable continuation of the royal bloodline and Han Min was made king on the day of the Lighting Festival. Over the twenty two years of his reign, he united the Northern and Southern lands creating the Gin Empire. There was no mention of how he achieved this. Not as far as in the history scrolls."
Sein found herself scowling a little, wishing she could extinguish the fluttering in her stomach.
"It's a pity there's no record of exactly how King Han Min managed this. Nevertheless, he certainly seems to be a fascinating figure," Zeya commented, crossing his arms. "The twenty two years of prosperity ensured his lasting memory and affection among our people. My uncle often speaks of him, recalling his charming manners that I, too, am encouraged to emulate. And his immense generosity, another quality my uncle advises me to nurture. I believe he stands as a fine example of the noble kings of old."
Sein couldn't help a bright smile from blooming as she said, "Your uncle appears to be a man of considerable thought and sound judgment."
Realising she was still grinning at him like a doting puppy, she swiftly reined in her expression, worried she was being overly friendly or worst still, showing signs of admiration.
She folded her arms, mirroring him, determined to project an air of indifference, as she said, "King Han Min does sound like a king from a fairytale. Unfortunately his ending was rather tragic."
"How did he meet his end?" Zeya arched an eyebrow, inclining towards Sein before adding playfully, "I have a soft spot for a tragic tale."
He sounded entirely at ease in her company and that irritated her. Sein wondered whether he was always this easy going with others. She hesitated as she considered how to respond.
Before she could decide, Zeya prompted gently, "Do go on. I'd like to hear the full story."
"During the final years of his reign, although peace and prosperity secured the empire's strength and influence in the region, discontent began to simmer in certain quarters. Those who were loyal to King Aung and the nobility gradually rose in opposition to King Han Min."
"Well, as the saying goes, a mighty tree will always attract the strongest winds," Zeya remarked thoughtfully.
"Yes, there was harsh criticism of the way the empire was ruled. The balance of power was too much in favour of the masses. I can imagine how the nobility might have felt threatened by the rising wealth and influence of the people, and likely stirred discomfort and unease among them."
Sein paused and clenched her fists in her lap, silently chastising herself for expressing her opinion so freely. She needed to remember whom she was speaking to.
The Crown Prince nodded, and she continued, "As a result the Gin Empire became divided; the nobility versus the masses. King Han Min continued to support the people, convinced that true prosperity lies in achieving equality and fairness for all.
"Meanwhile, it appeared that other royal family members and the nobility conspired to undermine his reign. The tension within the palace and court society began to spread as they tried to repress the wealth of the people by introducing various laws and policies.
"In the end, King Han Min was betrayed by his own wife, Queen Tin, who helped her half-brother, Prince Amptu, to infiltrate the palace compound during an unrest that gripped the capital. Prince Amptu challenged King Han Min to a duel. King Han Min never wielded a weapon in his life. He was simply not a warrior and Prince Amptu being an elite swordsman emerged victorious."
"Betrayed by his own wife. Tragic, true enough," Zeya mused aloud. After a pause, he asked, "Did this new guy rule after defeating King Han Min? I must admit, I've never heard of King Amptu."
"No, Prince Amptu never became king. Shortly after defeating King Han Min, he too died, but of natural causes. It was thought by the people that it was karma, a sort of justice for killing their beloved king."
"Who ruled after King Han Min?"
"I am afraid I have not progressed any further," Sein said, a little apologetically. "I have been reading the accounts from many historians on King Han Min. He was loved by so many. There are countless stories of how he transformed many lives for the better. He used his power and status for the good of others. He was truly the king of the people."
"How extraordinary," Zeya remarked. He appeared at ease, resting comfortably against the chair's back. "I understand now why my uncle is always harping on about King Han Min."
Footsteps approached the Archives. They both looked towards the doorway. A tall man, well-built with strong brows and pleasing features, stepped in.
He bowed at Zeya and lightly cleared his throat, "Your Highness, your uncle awaits you."
"I have completely lost track of time. Khin Yu, do send my apologies to my uncle. I will be on my way once I have changed into my uniform."
Zeya was on his feet in an instant, giving Sein a respectful head bow.
Meeting her gaze, he said, "Much appreciated, Lady Sein. You've spared me the need to wade through a mountain of these scrolls."
Sein abruptly stood and curtsied.
"Your Highness."
Her eyes followed his retreating figure, feeling a wave of relief as silence enveloped her again.
Having spoken with the Crown Prince, Sein was left with mixed emotions. He seemed perfectly reasonable and pleasant, nothing like the entitled, arrogant prince she'd imagined. More than that, he made her feel seen and appreciated, which surprised her. Still, she wasn't ready to soften completely or find him likeable. No, she refused to be one of those silly young ladies who swooned over his princely charms.
"I'm not that easily taken in by a handsome face or those pale eyes or that fine figure. Oh, spirits' sake, stop! Don't even think about him," Sein ordered herself, her mind doing exactly the opposite.