"The prince came back! The prince came back!"

Shouts and joyful whoops resonated in Wenlin City. It was autumn, and the trees were dancing in the breeze, orange and reddish maple leaves landing on the stone roads with great elegant swoops. In the sky, herons and sparrows flew, their cheerful chirps and cries drowned in the cacophony below. The people on the streets were making way for two stallions and beautiful gilded palanquin, all crimson and gold, followed by a dozen of soldiers in the same shade of crimson.

Prince Kang.

The prince was riding on the horse, in gold silk hunting garments, embroidered with dragons and bamboo shoots. Beside him, rode a beautiful lady, also in hunting clothes. A sturdy carved wooden bow was slung over her shoulders, her green eyes bright and her long hair wine red. In the palanquin languished a few ladies, all high ranked courtiers. They were dressed in fine silk and brocade, agitating their fans in the warmth of early autumn.

The prince was smiling at his people and holding his catch. Three rabbits. The lady on the black stallion had a fox and a boar attached to the horse. She looked on ahead, smiling occasionally, when little children would gasp and laugh brightly at her, holding out their hands to touch the catch.

Prince Kang gave a fond smile and nudged his companion.

"Still the best huntress, huh?"

"Oh, I'm sure you're better. It's just I practiced a lot, before." The lady gazed sadly in the distance.

"I'm sorry for your Uncle's death, Nathaya."

"Don't be," she cut abruptly, her head turned away.

Kang touched her hand.

"I'm still your best friend. You can tell me anything on your mind."

"I trust you," she whispered, squeezing his grasp.

"Same."

They rode into the Dragon Palace's gates, soldiers streaming on either side of them, guarding them from a danger that isn't there. They entered a few other gates into the palace courtyard. Lady Nathaya froze when she saw her mother standing with the Empress, both standing, and conversing in hushed tones.

Prince Kang raised an eyebrow and jumped off his chestnut horse. He handed his catch to a bowing servant and strode to his mother. They were both the same height and stared at each other, none yielding.

"Mother, why are you here?" The prince asked in a challenging tone.

The Empress gave a disapproving sniff.

"Am I not allowed to see my son returning from his hunt in the forest?" She jabbed her well polished nails at his chest, the magenta silk sleeves rippled like the surface of the water. Then she turned and walked through another set of gates into the palace.

Lady Annisha gave a disappointed sigh at her daughter, Nathaya, as the latter jumped off her own horse and handed her catch to a servant. Lady Nathaya bowed her head, her eyes clouded with sadness.

"I'm sorry Mother, but I can't help it," she whispered in a hoarse voice. "I want to feel as if Uncle is here again."

"Your Uncle Ghaswain is gone, Nathaya, do you understand? He is gone, and he will not come back." Lady Annisha gave her daughter a hard look. "A well-bred shouldn't be riding in such an unladylike fashion, let alone going to hunt yourself. If you must accompany His Highness Crown Prince Kang, then sit in the palanquin like the other girls."

Nathaya clenched her fist and raised her head, her green eyes full of grief and anger.

"Well-bred, Mother! That's what I don't like! I am not a toy to play with, not a doll, not a puppet! I have a mind of my own!"

Lady Annisha looked at her daughter coldly.

"You are not supposed to have a mind of your own, Nathaya. All girls must listen to their parents and marry well. Besides, it is time we find you a husband."

Nathaya stopped breathing for a heartbeat, then she flung her bow at her mother's silk slipper-clad feet, then ran to mount her stallion before vanishing in the setting sun, leaving a trail of dust and dirt in her wake.

Prince Kang whipped his head at Lady Annisha.

"My lady, please take caution of your words in my presence," he warned. Then he followed the Empress inside the palace, leaving Lady Annisha staring, surprised, at his disappearing silhouette.

•••

Prince Kang crept past an elderberry bush and went to sit beside a figure under a drooping tree, on a hill. The sun painted the sky in shades of violet, and pink, streaks of gold and red, with splashes of the last remnants of blue. The girl was sitting crossed-leg, a forgotten scroll in her lap, she stared at the distance, her green eyes illuminated by the red light, her wine red hair turned crimson. She did not even flinch as Kang settled himself beside her.

"Hey," he nudged her. "I knew you'd be here. You come here each time you're angry. Since we were five."

"Hey."

They sat in comfortable silence before Nathaya burst out.

"I hate my mother! She just acted as if Uncle Ghaswain was not important, as if he never existed! In our house, she removed all pictures of him. She burned them, Kang, she burned them. Pictures and paintings and all..." her voice broke then hardened. "She just wanted his money. As the eldest son from my grandparents, he inherited everything. And as he had no child, no wife, then after his death, everything goes to my mother," she spat.

Kang was silent for a few moments before he spoke, changing the subject abruptly.

"My mother the Empress and yours, they talked for a while. They found you, ah, a husband." He turned his head away.

Nathaya jerked up, her body twisting to face him.

"What? A husband? Already?" She studied him. "He must be bad, right? You're not looking at me. Kang!"

"He is not that bad," he murmured. "But I think you'll hate your fate if you do. Marry him, I mean," he said precisely.

She searched his eyes for a clue.

"Who is it?"

Kang did not answer. Instead he wrapped her up in a hug.

"If you decide to marry him, then know that I am sorry." He got up. "I must go, Nathaya. Good luck with your mother."

"She's out with a couple of friends partying." She also stood up. "I'll be alone with Father."

Kang nodded.

"Lord Sawan is a kind man."

"He's always busy," she sighed.

"See you tomorrow for breakfast?"

"Breakfast?" She gave him a quizzical glance. "I-alright."

They parted, mounted their horses and rode back to their homes.