In the end, Kai let Hino ride inside the carriage on her own because he wasn’t about to ‘let a beautiful lady walk’. Wenyu flat out refused to let him sit with her, so the two men ended up walking. As Hino grew more accustomed to their antics, listening to them bicker felt refreshing somehow. Although they were constantly arguing, they gave off the synergy of people who had been close for a long time, and she envied them. She wondered if she, too, had someone she was once close with like this.

And if they existed, where were they now?

Hino watched as the rural landscape slowly changed to city as they passed through the main gates of the capital. The bustling noises of the busy streets were loud and constant, compared to the peaceful quiet of the countryside. The carriage had slowed down considerably after they’d entered the city, and she peeked out of the window to drink in the sights of the capital.

There were a handful of people selling their wares on the side of the street like produce or handcrafted items, calling at passersby in hoarse voices. Hordes of people lined these streets, some stopping by to make a purchase, others just trying to hurry to their destination. She caught sight of another carriage further down the road. It seemed to be in the same predicament, slowed down by the waves of foot traffic.

There was a gentle tap on the carriage wall beside the window, and Hino poked her head out to find herself face to face with Wenyu.

“You look really excited looking at everything,” he said teasingly. “I’d hate to coop you up in the palace now. Tell you what, after I go greet Father, I can take you around.”

Hino was about to thank him, when Kai swooped into her field of vision as well.

“Accompanying a young lady alone huh?” he asked, tutting in disapproval. “Mind if I join?”

Wenyu shrugged. “Why not?”

Kai nearly choked in surprise, but quickly disguised it as a refined cough.

-

Finally, they arrived at the steps of the palace complex.

As it was customary for the royal princes to schedule a meeting and greet the Emperor upon their arrival at the capital, Wenyu had excused himself and headed in first. He told Hino to wait outside with Kai, although the latter had disappeared off somewhere on his own.

Hino hovered outside of the gates, trying to be unobtrusive. For the most part, palace servants that scurried around performing their tasks paid little attention to her. The ones that asked her if she was looking for anyone seemed satisfied when she told them she was waiting for the second prince.

As she waited, she grew increasingly restless and uncomfortable and in her pacing back and forth, she accidentally bumped into a tall, lanky man carrying a stack of what seemed like books. They clattered noisily to the floor, and she stood there for a moment, stunned.

The man looked shocked as well, but he recovered quickly. To Hino’s horror, he bowed low and said, “An esteemed guest from the Three Rivers Alliance. Your lowly servant humbly apologizes for not watching where he was going.”

“No, no, it was my fault,” Hino said quickly. She’d learned about the honorifics system from Wenyu and how one lowered one’s status when speaking formally to someone of higher rank. But it was jarring to see it in practise, especially when Wenyu – the prince himself, and his cousin spoke so freely and comfortably with her.

The man stared at her blankly, as if not comprehending. He bowed low again, twice, and knelt on the ground to gather the fallen books.

“Let me help,” Hino said, reaching for the ones closest to her feet.

“That won’t be necessary,” he said quickly. “Please do not lower your esteemed self to –”

“I insist!” she said, a little too loudly. Her cheeks flushed, and she said, in a softer voice, “I was the one who wasn’t watching where I was going. Please, allow me to help.”

She gently picked up and handed him the last two books. “I am not of higher status, so if you can, please don’t lower yourself to speak to me like that. Just my name is fine. I am Hino.” Her voice faltered. “Qiu…Hino.”

A strange look passed over the man’s face as he straightened up and cradled the books in his arms. “I…if you insist. My name is Taishi Jin – Taishi, as in the son of the Grand Historian.”

Hino bowed respectfully in greeting, and he looked aghast. Had she made another mistake…?

“Please, I am but a commoner,” Jin said, “Speaking with you like this is already highly disrespectful for mere scum like me. Please do not overstep your boundaries.”

“Ah,” said Hino. “I think you’ve been mistaken. I’m not actually a disciple from the Three Rivers Alliance. I’m only –”

“Hino! There you are!”

It was Wenyu’s voice.

She and Jin turned in the direction it came from, to see Wenyu - accompanied by two others - heading towards them.