Chapter 317: RTYY 314 - Greetings and Gifts
Still royally pissed with the events of that afternoon, FeiWan walked with his head held high.
Truth be told, at the moment, his head was actually hurting quite a bit, from how tightly his maidservants had braided and knotted his hair according to his mother's directives. As if that weren't enough, the outrageous number of gold hairpins and other precious adornments, not only made his scalp itchy, they added a very uncomfortable, dispensable weight. He was just glad he had been born a boy, he thought, glancing sideways to the much more complex and heavy-looking adornments her mother proudly wore on her beautiful blond hair.
Taking an inner deep breath, FeiWan forced himself to relax. It was no use focusing on those annoying things. As it was no use dwelling on how tight his beautiful long black coat, embroidered with gold fiery flames brocade, really was. Or how constricted his feet felt, inside his brand new shiny boots. The more he focused on these things, the more irritated he was bound to become, he knew. And so he tried his best to focus his attention elsewhere, while making sure he still looked as regal and confident as possible. He hated family gatherings!
But then his gaze immediately fell on the one slowly crossing the White Pavilion's courtyard to meet them. And although he still felt more than pissed by what had happened that afternoon, he still couldn't stop his lips from smiling at the sight of that white shadow.
White!, FeiWan could almost laugh. Not that he had expected CalRimRan to wear anything else. But it was still amusing, to verify that he'd been right, and to appreciate his courage. Because not only he was completely dressed in white, he hadn't even gone to the trouble of wearing his much more refined official clothes. Not to mention that FeiWan was positive that CalWan hadn't lost this opportunity to send him a few gifts for him to wear that evening. But no. Sticking out like a sore thumb, CalRimRan simply stood there, wearing the same clothes he wore every day, his white hair falling practically loose down his back, kept in place by that simple white ribbon he always wore.
Taking both hands to his forehead, he bowed respectfully at his waist.
"Noble Janwan. Honorable El'Gin. I thank you for taking the time to guide me tonight."
More like his mother hadn't wanted to risk the possibility of CalRimRan never showing up!, FeiWan knew.
With a perfect and yet obviously fake smile on her carefully painted lips, KimLay took a step forward, and gently held CalRimRan's arms, helping him straighten his back.
"No need for such formalities, esteemed Emissary of the Demon Clan," she softly declared, taking the opportunity to openly tell him she didn't feel the slightest bit intimidated by his widely feared origins. "I know my FeiWan has been imposing on you these last few days," she added, actually managing to sound regretful, even though she had been the first one to happily push him to move into the White Pavilion. "I apologize for any inconvenience he might have caused your Eminence."
"Nothing like that," CalRimRan promptly replied, his posture impeccable as always, even though he couldn't sound more uninterested. "The honorable El'Gin has been a pleasant companion, now that my brothers and sisters have returned home."
Pleasant companion my ass!, FeiWan wanted to snap at him, but didn't even flinch, maintaining his regal posture, like some freaking tree adorned with all kinds of shiny trinkets.
Feigning a relief she obviously didn't feel, KimLay smiled back at CalRimRan and actually held his hands in hers.
"Your Eminence can't possibly imagine how relieved I am, hearing such kind words. Taking into account that your Eminence and my FeiWan have known each other for such a long time, I have always hoped you could be like brothers to one another."
Known each other for such a long time?! The way she put it, it almost made it sound like they had grown up together or something! FeiWan had met him ten years ago and spent a year in his village! He hadn't seen him or heard from him since then! How come that could count has knowing each other for such a long time? And what was that crap about being like brothers?! He had more than enough brothers as it was, thank you very much!
"It would be my pleasure," CalRimRan obediently replied, sending a creepy shiver down FeiWan's back.
"Mother, we should probably go. It's not polite to be too tardy," FeiWan gently declared, hoping to put an end to that creepy and fruitless conversation. And KimLay tilted her head, the strings of gold chains falling from her hair, and hanging over her face, dancing softly, casting light shadows over her pristine, pale skin.
"As if I care. Let them wait," she decreed as if she were the El'Dai herself. But she still released CalRimRan's hands and regally turned around, to finally make her way to the Golden Forest Pavilion.
With a silent sigh, FeiWan obediently followed her, falling in beside her as was his duty. As did CalRimRan, keeping one step behind them, followed by the four guards and the half dozen servants she had made a point to bring with her. As if all that was needed to cross the freaking Palace grounds.
They hadn't even stepped through the Golden Forest Pavilion's gates and already their path was brightly illuminated by the lights coming from the surrounding grounds. As to be expected, taking into account this was definitely one of CalWan's biggest yearly events, FeiWan thought, squinting his eyes, all that golden light just too bright in contrast with the growing dark shadows of the night. The sound of music immediately reached his ears, as well as the sweet scent coming from the numerous incense burners they had clearly spread all around the place.
Walking with his head held on high, even as he stepped into the Golden Forest Pavilion's front courtyard, he couldn't help praying he might be able to find some kind of excuse to leave that annoying party as soon as possible.
All dressed in the forest-green and dark-brown colors of the Won Clan, one of the servants welcoming the guests immediately bowed respectfully to greet them. Without as much as even glancing his way, KimLay waved her hand, the light of the fire-burners catching on the many rings encircling her long fingers, thus signaling the poor, obviously frightened servant to proceed with his duties. Bowing again, the man scurried in front of them, urgently showing them the way to the Great Hall, as if anyone could mistake it. Even without the golden light pouring from its wide-open doors, or without the sound of music reaching their ears, the sheer amount of banners than now hang from every wall, depicting a huge golden tree with long curled roots against a dark-green background, would have been more than enough to mark the right place.
"The noble Janwan, Hen KimLay. The Imperial El'Gin, Wen FeiWan. And the esteemed Emissary of the Northern Lands, CalDai," the herald at the door promptly announced the moment they'd finished climbing the front steps.
Standing not far from the huge doors, with an annoying smile on his face, all richly dressed in gold and green, his red hair braided and embellished with all kinds of precious jewelry, Wen CalWan immediately stepped forward to greet them.
"Noble mother. Imperial brother. Thank you so much for coming," he declared with a polite bow of his head, one that KimLay openly refused to reciprocate.
"How could I miss CalWan-her's twenty-eighth birthday?" she purred and signaled one of her servants to step forward. The young girl quickly obeyed, carrying a large box in her arms, presenting it to CalWan as she politely bowed at her waist. "I hear that, lately, you've been enjoying going out on hunting trips. I had this bow especially made for you. I hope you can put it to good use."
Also signaling his hand, CalWan had one of his servants step forward and open the box, so he could inspect its contents.
All made in gold and silver, inlaid with several precious stones and glistening crystals, the short bow seemed ablaze, the moment it caught the light of the burning flames. And yet, no matter how expensive or rare that precious piece might be, it would never fire a single arrow, FeiWan knew at a glance. He also knew his mother was more than aware of that as well. As was CalWan. The message couldn't be clearer. A pretty useless bow, to a pretty useless hunter.
Smiling warmly, CalWan signaled his servant to close the box and take it away.
"It is indeed a stunning piece, mother. It will feature beautifully as part of my most prized collection." And, as to be expected, such soft insult would never be enough to throw someone as thick-skinned as CalWan off his game. "Please, come in. My servant will lead you to your table," he declared, stepping to a side to allow them in. And KimLay haughtily accepted his invitation, walking past him in the same she would have walked by an insignificant servant.
Knowing what he had to do, FeiWan followed her like a shadow.
As customs dictated, before they reached their table, they would still have to greet all the important guests already inside the Great Hall. This was another reason why FeiWan hadn't want to arrive too late. The later one arrived, the more guests they would have to go around greeting. Of course, KimLay would never stoop so low as to actually greet every guest. Most of them would have to personally make their way to their table, later on, and offer their greetings instead. However, they would still have to personally go and greet all the members of the imperial family, and all the important ministers already present.
FeiWan was silently readying himself for all that tiring bowing and smiling, when he heard CalWan's annoying voice again.
"Esteemed CalDai! Welcome. I'm so glad you could make it!"
Unable to resist, FeiWan stopped to look back.
Standing almost like a ghost amongst all that light and color, CalRimRan was bowing politely, both hands in front of his forehead.
"It is my pleasure, noble El'Gin."
"Ah! None of that! None of that!" CalWan immediately intervened, grabbing his hands and pulling them apart, forcing CalRimRan to straighten his back. "We're far from being strangers, after all. And it is my great pleasure to have my good friend attend my birthday celebration."
FeiWan had to bite the insides of his mouth to stop himself from retracting his steps and simply punch the lights out of CalWan!
What was that disgusting smile? And those touchy-touchy hands? And how long was CalRimRan planing on allow him to touch him like that? Was he unaware of CalWan's infamous reputation? And what was that absurd talk about being good friends? What good friends?! Since when? Unless … Cold dread wrapped itself around FeiWan's stomach. Since he'd arriver at the Palace, CalRimRan had visited CalWan a total of five times. Surely they hadn't … become that intimate in that short amount of time … right?
Finally gently freeing his hands, CalRimRan reached inside his white sash and pulled out the small pouch he had been making that afternoon.
"I know this isn't much. But I hope these herbs can help Your Highness keep a calm and organized mind, even in times of turmoil," he stated, offering CalWan the small white pouch, and CalWan immediately accepted it, even though Palace costumes clearly dictated that a member of the imperial family should never directly accept gifts from another person.
"Thank you! I will definitely treasure it!" he declared, looking genuinely excited, and he even took the small pouch to his nose, taking a deep breath. "The scent is very refreshing and pleasant. I shall always wear it," he decided and immediately tied the small pouch to his golden sash. It was incredibly simple, compared with the bright complexity of CalWan's clothes. And so it looked extremely out of place. At the same time, it was like an annoying, hard to ignore, outright in FeiWan's face, a reminder that CalRimRan had actually dedicated an entire day, since early in that morning, just to make that for him!
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Author's Note: Mm, mm. FeiWan is definitely more than a bit jealous. I can almost see him demand that CalRimRan make him a herb pouch as well, only bigger and with more herbs inside, so his pouch can be better than CalWan's! 😁
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CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
CarPerSanti
CarPerSanti Language:
[1] . FeiWan: Literally fei (raging / furious) + wan (fire)
[2] . CalRimRan: Literally cal (bright) + rim (cold) + ran (moon)
[3] . CalWan: Literally cal (bright) + wan (fire)
[4] . Janwan: Literally jan (flower) + wan (fire). Could be translated as Concubine.
[5] . El’Gin: Literally el (supreme) + gin (gold). Name given to the male children of the Emperor. Could be translated into prince in the common language.
[6] . KimLay: Literally Kim (perfume / scent) + Lay (seed).
[7] . El’Dai: Literally el (supreme) + dai (light). Name given to the Empress
[8] . Hen: Literally hen (heal). Where Hen is the name of the Clan, also the name of a Province.
[9] . Wen: Literally wen (sun). Name of one of the three Empires, Wen, Ran and Sen. (Sun, Moon and Star). Also used as surname by the members of the Imperial Family with ascending rights to the throne
[10] . CalDai: Literally cal (bright) + dai (light). Unlike the Empires, the Dragon Clan has no royalty. They have a Leader. CalDai is a personal title (not inherited), and it refers to the youngest son of the Leader, reason why ZaiWin and the others sometimes refer to him as a prince (which he is not).
[11] . -her (in CalWan-her): Suffix meaning boy child, or a child of the male sex and an endearing form to call a child. The feminine, girl child, is -har
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