Ahh!   Sorry for not updating for the past couple of days!  My family came into town and I had to be their tour guide.  And now that they've gone back home, I'm back! Anyways, on with the story. 

***********

Prince Aiguo stared at Lihua in shock.  He couldn't believe what he heard.  Never in his life had anyone insulted him, embarrass him, and not give him any face like she has.  She had cut all his ways out of the situation and even demanded him to kneel down on all of his limbs to bark like a dog.  Anger lit within him, he wished he could rip her veil off her face and see what beauty Hell King coveted underneath that he chose to marry such a person.  His hands gripped into a fist at his side and his lips tightened, worried that he'll say something he'll soon regret.  

Prince Aiguo couldn't bring himself to kneel, how could the Prince of Yukah kneel down to just anyone?  How could he afford to insult Hell King and Lady Lihua?  What about the relations between Yukah Kingdom and Cara Country?  If he doesn't do what she asks, could he afford to anger his father and lose more than his pride?  

 In the middle of him figuring out what he was going to do, Lihua backed off and gave him a way out.  She told him she wanted to see him on all fours and bark like a dog to see how he would handle the situation.  Seeing his internal conflict gave her great joy, but she knew she was already pushing her luck.  

"Hahahaha."  Lihua laughed softly.  "This Lady was just joking with you.  How could this Lady ever ask the Prince of Yukah to do such a thing?" 

Prince Aiguo sighed in relief.  The mysterious Lady Lihua, who no one has ever seen her face before, who had a reputation of being elegant and lady like, was also a very evil and sly.  Prince Aiguo's heart skipped a beat when he looked upon her figure. Her delicate and refine movements made her seem soft and weak.  And yet, her biting words and unforgiving heart made her seem stronger than she looked.  There was something about her that drew everyone's attention to her.  Something illuminating and alluring that made his heart skip another beat for her.  What this feeling was at the moment he didn't know, but what he did know is that if he could find himself such a person to stand by his side, he could over turn his brothers in their competition to own the throne.  

"Ha. Ha. Ha."  Prince Aiguo said awkwardly.  "Lady Lihua has great humor!"  

Lihua smiled behind her veil to see the relief wash over Prince Aiguo's face.  

"But this Lady is serious when this lady asked what your punishment should be for slighting this lady."  Lady Lihua said.  "What shall we do about all your people disrespecting this Lady and you, as their Master, doing the same thing?  The actions of the servants are the actions of their Master."  

Prince Aiguo suddenly had a feeling of dread wash over him as he stared at the white veiled woman. Although she gave him a way out, she still held him responsible.  The way she treated him made him realize that she did not treat him just like everyone else did. How everyone fawned over him and gave in to him.  With this first interaction between the two of them, she scolded him, embarrassed him, lectured him, and now wants to punish him.  His heart skipped a beat again.   

Suddenly he felt this overwhelming need inside of him to serve her and provide for her. To make her his and protect her. He wanted to cherish her and have her feel the same way he felt towards her.  And as soon as he felt those strange feelings, he felt his knee bend and he knelt down on one knee, his head bent down, looking at the floor.  

"What ever Lady Lihua thinks best for this Prince.  This Prince will gladly permit."