Guangfeng didn’t like the way the prince of Kilin kept looking at Yuelan during tea. It didn’t help that the prince kept offering to do things for Yuelan when he saw her doing them. Even worse was that Yuelan let him. He didn’t understand what Yuelan might have been thinking, but it was obvious that Kilin’s prince wanted Yuelan. His expression didn’t change, but his aura grew darker and more angry the longer the tea went on. By the time the tea had finished anger radiated off Guangfeng.

The third prince of Longuo went with Yuelan and Ansheng to send off Kilin’s prince. He waited until Ansheng went to speak with his secretary before he looked at Yuelan. “What was all that about with that other prince?” he demanded, his arms folded.

Yuelan looked calmly at Guangfeng and shrugged. “I was giving you an opportunity to see how things work here when it comes to trying to court someone. It’s not just about nice presents and fancy restaurants, Guangfeng. Little gestures are nice too. Opening doors for a woman to show you respect her or taking the time to make sure she’s comfortable. I know where you’re from it would seem odd, but from listening to the wives and daughters there it feels like women are expected to be servants their entire lives. Here a marriage is a partnership between equals.” She smiled and lifted a hand to place it on his cheek. “I have no interest in him at all. The rumors about him are even worse than the ones about you were and based on what I saw today, they’re not entirely unfounded. He made me uncomfortable, but you came here to learn and I had to give you an opportunity for that.”

Guangfeng frowned and ran a hand over his hair. He sighed, then wrapped his arms around Yuelan and pulled her close. “I understand. It made me jealous to see him acting that way toward you.”

“Good.” Yuelan smiled up at him. “Because I don’t have to marry you. Long He and Byakko told me that now that I’ve officially become the priestess I outrank your father. I think you’re the right choice to become the crown prince, but we still have things to work out as a couple if you really want me to marry you. One of those things is that I need to feel like you really love me.”

The third prince stiffened, then sighed. “I suppose this is your way of saying I’m not doing a very good job of that?”

Yuelan shrugged. “Not really. But wanting to come here to learn more definitely gives you some points in your favor.”

Guangfeng gently stroked her hair with one hand and gave her a resigned smile. “Alright. I guess I’ll just have to keep observing for the next couple of days to see how different things are in Longuo from what you’re used to.”

Yuelan reached up a hand and patted his cheek. “That’s a good idea.”

“I suppose I can understand now why you haven’t already gotten over your fear of horses. Though I don’t understand why you weren’t afraid of a giant tiger.”

The priestess laughed. “Easy. I knew he was a divine beast from the start. Horses are animals, not spiritual beasts. When Byakko was calling for me I could sense that he wasn’t going to hurt me.”

Guangfeng smiled and nodded. “I suppose that makes sense. It scared everyone else though.”

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Yuelan smiled and shrugged one shoulder. “I know. I had to knock Shadow out just to go and you were pretty angry. Maybe you should try trusting me more.”

The prince sighed. “I will try,” he promised.

“Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the house.” Yuelan smiled at her fiance and headed toward the stairs leading to the second floor.

When the tour had finished, Yuelan went to find the butler. The older man was in the dining room inspecting the silver tableware. As Yuelan entered the room with Guangfeng the butler looked up. “Can I help you, Miss?”

Yuelan nodded. “Have you gotten a room ready for Guangfeng?”

“Of course. It’s the suite right next to yours.” Cheng Man smiled at her. “One of the servants also included some...necessary items. Please remember to be responsible, Miss.”

“Mr. Cheng!” Yuelan blushed to the roots of her hair. “Nothing like that is going to happen! Guangfeng is very traditional.”

“Perhaps, but it’s likely you won’t survive long enough to get married.”

“Mr. Cheng, please! This is hardly an appropriate conversation!” her blush deepened to shade that was almost purple.

The old butler only chuckled and went back to work.

Yuelan gripped the sleeve of Guangfeng’s shirt and pulled him out of the dining room and toward her bedroom.

Guangfeng frowned as he walked with her. “Why would your steward encourage physical relations before marriage like that?”

Yuelan let go of his sleeve and covered her burning face with both hands. She took a couple of deep breaths before sighing. “Because a lot of people don’t care about marriage anymore. I think it’s important, but not everyone does. And keeping yourself pure isn’t a requirement here.”

The prince’s frown deepened. “It isn’t?”

“Is a person’s value really dependent on their virginity? What about personality? What about whether or not you get along with them? Besides,  it’s not like you can check a man for purity. Also, it’s not anybody’s business whether someone has done anything like that before marriage.” Yuelan’s tone was firm and even a little angry.

“So you…”

“Have never been interested in anyone that way,” Yuelan cut him off. “Not that it should matter at all, but at least it’s convenient considering your country’s customs. I’d rather not be killed for something so ridiculous.”

Guangfeng looked like he disagreed with it being ‘ridiculous’ but he knew better than to argue with Yuelan over something when it looked like she was going to be infuriated by the idea. He nodded instead. 

Yuelan frowned at Guangfeng’s expression. “The very idea that you have to be a virgin when you marry or you could be killed is disgusting. What should matter is the couple’s feelings for each other. Not whether or not the wife has had sex or been raped. Why should someone get killed for being forced to do something they had no desire to do? It’s not like women in your country could fight a man off them. They’re not even taught how to fight or defend themselves. It’s just one more ridiculous notion that makes men feel superior.”

The third prince winced at the venom in her tone. He did think over her words, however, and nodded his head. “You’re right. At least about how what should matter are the feelings between the couple.” When Yuelan’s jade eyes bored into his he cleared his throat and added,  “And about how being killed for something you had no say in shouldn’t happen.”

Yuelan sighed, but didn’t pressure him to agree with everything. “Alright. Let’s show you where your room is for  the next couple of days. And then I need to get some rest. I’m feeling a little tired.”