The woman who arrived at Soyeon's chambers the next morning was ancient, with silver hair pulled into a severe bun and eyes that missed nothing.
"Lady Su Yan," she said with a crisp bow. "I am Teacher Wan. His Highness the Second Prince has requested I instruct you in proper court etiquette, history, and decorum."
Soyeon blinked groggily. It was barely dawn. "Etiquette?"
"You are now a resident of the Cold Moon Palace under His Highness's protection. You must learn how to conduct yourself appropriately." Teacher Wan's expression softened slightly. "His Highness is.….particular about these things. He wishes you to be prepared."
So he's worried I'll embarrass him, Soyeon thought. Fair enough.
The next two hours were torture.
Sit like this. Bow like that. Never look a superior in the eye. Never speak unless addressed. The proper way to hold a teacup. The proper way to address each rank of nobility. The seventeen different types of bows depending on who you were greeting.
Soyeon's head was spinning.
"You're doing well," Teacher Wan said, which felt like a lie. "Most foreign girls take weeks to learn even basic etiquette. You're quite sharp."
"Thank you, Teacher Wan." Soyeon hesitated. "May I.…ask you something?"
"Of course, child."
"The servants mentioned a war. With the northern tribes. Can you tell me about it?"
Teacher Wan's expression tightened. She glanced at the door, then moved closer, lowering her voice.
"The Xiongnu tribes have been raiding our northern borders for three years now. They're becoming bolder, advancing further into imperial territory each season. The Crown Prince has led several campaigns against them, but..." She paused. "They're fierce warriors. Many good soldiers have died."
"And the Second Prince? Does he fight too?"
"His Highness commands the border garrison at Xiqiang City. He's.…very skilled in warfare. Some say more skilled than the Crown Prince, though such talk is dangerous." Teacher Wan's eyes were worried. "The situation is deteriorating. There are rumors the Xiongnu are receiving support from someone within the Empire. Weapons. Intelligence. Someone wants this war to continue."
Soyeon's stomach dropped. "Who?"
"Prime Minister Li is suspected, though nothing can be proven. His son, Li Feng, commands the western army. Some believe the Prime Minister seeks to weaken both princes through this war, clearing the path for his own family's rise to power."
Oh damn, Soyeon thought. Oh damn damn damn.
Political intrigue. Corruption. A war being manipulated for power. And she had landed right in the middle of it.
"Are you alright, Lady Su?" Teacher Wan asked. "You've gone pale."
Soyeon forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just.…. thinking about it."
"It's a lot for a foreigner to understand, I know. Our court politics are..." Teacher Wan sighed. "Complex."
That was one word for it.
Soyeon bit her lip, then asked the question burning in her mind. "Teacher Wan... His Highness the Second Prince. Is he... is he an illegitimate child?"
The old woman's face went white. "Shhhhh!" She glanced frantically at the door. "You cannot ask such things! If anyone heard you—"
"I just want to understand—"
"It is not your place to understand!" Teacher Wan's whisper was fierce. "That topic is forbidden in this palace. You must never—"
The door slid open.
Prince Liang Jian stood in the doorway.
Both women froze.
Teacher Wan immediately dropped into a deep bow, her voice trembling. "Your Highness! We were just—the lesson was—"
"It's fine, Teacher Wan." His voice was void of emotion. His dark eyes fixed on Soyeon. "Leave us."
"Your Highness—"
"Leave."
The old woman fled.
Silence filled the room. Prince Liang Jian stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He moved inside slowly, until he stood directly in front of Soyeon.
She forced herself not to back away.
"You want to know about my heritage?" His voice was soft, but with an undercurrent of anger.
"Your Highness, I didn't mean—"
"No, please. Ask." He sat across from her, calm in body yet carrying eyes as keen as a drawn blade.
"I'll tell you. Since you're so curious."
Soyeon swallowed hard. "You don't have to—"
"My mother was a palace maid." He spat without a care, his voice flat. "Pretty. Young. The Emperor noticed her one night when he was drunk. Nine months later, I was born. She died when I was seven. Fever. No one cared enough to call a physician for a servant."
Each word was delivered like a knife thrust.
"His Highness—"
"I was raised by General Wei because no one else wanted a bastard child underfoot. The Empress Dowager tried to have me killed three times before I turned ten. I survived. Learned to fight. Earned my position through blood and steel, not birthright." His smile was cold. "Does that satisfy your curiosity?"
"I'm sorry," Soyeon said quietly. "I shouldn't have asked."
"No. You shouldn't have." He leaned forward. "But since you're so bold with your questions, let me ask you one. Why do you look at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like I'm an actual person and not just a filthy bastard."
Soyeon was puzzled. "Because that's what you are."
"Am I?" His laugh was bitter. "Tell that to the court. Tell that to the officials who won't meet my eyes. Tell that to the Empress Dowager who still fantasizes about my death."
"They're wrong."
"They run the Empire."
"Then the Empire is stupid!"
The words burst out before she could stop them.
The room went deadly silent.
Teacher Wan's voice echoed in her mind: Never contradict a prince. Never raise your voice. Never—
Prince Liang Jian's eyes darkened. "What did you just say?"
"I—" Soyeon's heart hammered. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"
"You think the Empire is stupid."
"No! I just meant the way they treat you is stupid. You saved your people. You command armies. You're skilled and intelligent and—" She was rambling now, panic making her words tumble out. "Your birth doesn't define you. It shouldn't matter who your mother was. You're worth just as much as—"
"Stop."
She stopped.
He rose slowly and moved toward her, his expression a quiet mask, cold as a winter storm gathering over distant mountains.
"Do you know," he said softly, "that I could have you beheaded for speaking to a prince this way?"
Terror shot through her. "Your Highness—"
He drew a small knife from his belt. The blade gleamed in the morning light.
Soyeon's breath stopped.
He came closer. Closer. Until he stood before her, close enough to feel his presence, his dark eyes lowered to hers with a softened intensity.
Then he lifted the knife to her throat.