When Sein turned sixteen, she was introduced to many lords from her mother’s portfolio of potential husbands. After the tenth, the limit of Sein’s tolerance was reached. 

“No Mama, I did not like Lord Myat or lord what’s his name. The guy with light hair. He looked to be ancient,” Sein said, her face full of disdain. “They prattled on endlessly about their family lineage, noble titles and the so-called heroic accomplishments of some distant relatives, as though I’d have the slightest interest!” 

The lords in her opinion were pompous and spectacularly boring to converse with. She was much like her father and eldest brother, who shared a disinterest and dislike for court society, with its strict etiquette and rigid expectations of social rank.

Lady Marlar continued to persist. Her relentless efforts were met with Sein’s defiance. She had endured long enough and pleaded to her father, “Papa, I do not wish to meet any more lords.”

“I see, fair enough,” Lord Hein responded, feeling like he was walking on a tight rope, delicately treading to ensure he didn’t displease his wife or his daughter.

“Hein, tell your daughter she must think about her future,” Lady Marlar said, trying to muster her husband’s support. “I am merely concerned for her welfare. She must see that.”

“Do not worry yourself, my dear. I am certain Sein will capture the heart of a worthy man when the time is right,” Lord Hein remarked, his eyes full of affection for his only daughter. 

His strong, imposing figure was tempered by a calm and gentle demeanour, making him a reassuring presence to those around him. 

Then in a quiet tone, assured his wife, “And I daresay, she will be willing to meet these young lords you have singled out when she is ready. Be patient, my dear.”

Over the course of the year, Sein found herself spending more and more time alone. Her three older brothers were engaged in full-time training and were in the service to the crown. While her cousins were much older, already married with families of their own. 

Everyone had a busy social schedule, and she rarely saw any of her family. She hadn’t made any real friends, only acquaintances, and she preferred solitude over spending time with the lords and ladies of the court.

Seeing his daughter’s self-isolation was clearly impacting on her wellbeing, Lord Hein waded in. 

“Sein, you must at least dress for the day,” her father gently encouraged.

“Papa, I’m perfectly fine dressed in my house clothes. No one will see me,” Sein reasoned.

“That’s precisely the point. It’s unhealthy for a young lady to be alone. You need to engage your mind. Go out and make friends with the ladies of the court. You will have much to discuss with people of your own age.” 

Pushed into socialising, Sein met other young ladies. She was invited to tea with one of the daughters of a notable family, who’d been in service to the crown for many generations. 

Lady Gawa was a year older than Sein, yet she already had many admirers. Even Sein’s third brother, Naing, often spoke about her. With high cheekbones, a delicate nose and voluptuous lips, she was considered a beauty. She would certainly be married by eighteen.

“Lady Sein, how delightful to see you,” Lady Gawa said, sat perched on a gilded chair in the Tea Hall. “I have also invited Lady Meena for tea. I believe she will make a good addition to our gathering.” 

Sein offered a warm smile.

The room exuded an air of exquisite elegance, with several wide doors opening out into the palace formal gardens, allowing a flow of fresh air to circulate. Sein noted the numerous wooden tables, each intricately carved and polished to a high sheen, were occupied by ladies similarly gathered, and in animated conversations. 

She sat down, making herself comfortable on the velvet cushion, embroidered with floral patterns.

“Lady Meena, may I introduce you to Lady Sein. She is Lord Hein’s daughter,” Lady Gawa began when her friend arrived at the table.

“I am delighted to meet you, Lady Sein,” Lady Meena greeted, taking a seat next to Lady Gawa. 

Sein acknowledged politely following social etiquette.

Lady Gawa looked up to Lady Meena, who was a few years older than her. Her experience in the art of marrying the right lord was much admired. Lady Meena on the other hand took advice on the latest fashion from Lady Gawa. She desired recognition for her status as the eldest daughter of a prominent lord of the court.

Lady Meena let out a giggle as she began, “Lady Gawa, I appreciate your advice on the latest fashion. Not only did my lord compliment me but many others admired what I wore to the Autumn Moon celebrations. The bodice certainly shows off the figure.” 

She styled her hair piled high, almost like a hive, decorated with scattered flowers and jewels. Her beauty was striking, with alluring eyes and red-painted lips that contrasted sharply against her pale skin.

“I am delighted to hear it,” Lady Gawa responded. “You wear the new fashion with perfect grace.” 

She smiled brightly at the young man who brought over a tray of bone china cups and a tea pot.

“Only under your guidance, of course. You are truly talented in your sense of style,” Lady Meena returned the compliment.

“You have an exceptional eye for detail and a wonderful knack for choosing the perfect colours.” Lady Gawa countered, hitting the compliment back over the net.

As the tea was poured, the air filled with the delicate aroma of fresh-cut grass mingled with a hint of sweet seaweed. The infusion served at the Tea Hall was freshly brewed from the Queen’s own supplier, and was a brilliant emerald green. It was neither bitter nor sweet, but full of rich umami and Sein noticed how the liquid coated her tongue and mouth, a mark of an exceptionally good cup of green tea.

“Lady Sein, the new fashion will suit you very well,” Lady Gawa said, pausing to eye Sein up, then continued, “You have a tiny waist and assets worth displaying. No lord will be able to resist you in the latest fashion. You must wear a bodice for the Lighting Festival, with a skirt that has just the right length of train to gracefully glide behind you.”

“Indeed, Lady Sein. A skirt and train, with a cropped jacket rather than the usual cape is perfectly respectable,” Lady Meena encouraged. “I would be delighted to help you select the best colours for you. You do have fabulous complexion. A man certainly appreciates delicate pale skin and the more you show it, the more he will be enticed.”

“I am grateful,” Sein said, shielding her irritation. “However, I am happy with my current clothes. I am not interested in wearing the new fashion.” 

She was trying to politely turn down their suggestions. Really, there was no way she’d be bearing skin and showing off her cleavage to anyone. Since having developed appealing curves, she was already attracting attention. She loathed the scrutiny from the lords’ wandering eyes.

“…”

“…”

There was a moment of awkward silence as the ladies awaited Sein to continue. 

What are they expecting? Sein wondered in alarm. Am I suppose to compliment them in return? 

She remained silent, as she had none to offer and lying was not her forte. Then she berated herself for not following the social etiquette. 

Lady Gawa picked a different topic and began, “There are so many delicious young lords. Are we not fortunate, Lady Sein?” 

A snigger escaped her lips. 

“Though none as good looking as the Crown Prince. He is utterly divine. Oh…what I would do to have a private audience with him.” 

Sein faked a smile, cringing inwardly.

“Indeed, but he is off limits, dear sister,” Lady Meena chided, replacing her tea cup on the table. “Do not choose a mango that is out of your reach. Why tempt yourself!”

“I am well aware,” Lady Gawa interrupted, pressing a hand against her chest where a ruby pendent rested just above her cleavage. “He is to marry Princess Nanda when she is sixteen but that is a long time away. Perhaps he might fall in love with a lady from his own people before that. If only I could capture his attention and persuade him otherwise.”

Lady Meena shook her head, “My father has journeyed to the Southern Delta. He speaks of Princess Nanda, despite being only fourteen, is already a renown beauty. It is said, she has simply stolen our Crown Prince’s heart. Have you not observed how he shows little interest in other ladies at social gatherings? He has no need to seek for someone when he already has a jewel in his possession.” 

Lady Gawa didn’t seem the slightest bit deterred. Her attention turned to Sein as she asked, “What is your opinion of the Crown Prince, Lady Sein?”

“He is…,” Sein hesitated, unprepared. 

Remembering Thura’s words, she thought it best not to reveal her real opinions on the Crown Prince. “He is… a… true prince.” 

She managed to string a sentence together, then inwardly winced at how pitiful she must have sounded.

“A true prince, indeed!” Lady Gawa agreed, her hands clasped together. “And are you acquainted with Lord Tin? I had the fortune of meeting him yesterday. He is also delish, but not as handsome as the Crown Prince, naturally.”

“No.”

“Shame,” Lady Gawa continued, sensing the conversation stalling, she smoothly pivoted to a new subject. “Ladies, we must discuss what to wear to the Lighting Festival. It is only a mere two weeks away.” 

Sein smiled politely, nodding to various comments but her mind had zoned out. Their conversations dwelled on: how to dress in the latest fashion, what accessories were deemed appropriate, and how to move with elegance. 

Then it moved onto what flowers were suitable for decorative hair pieces. How to apply make-up to enhance natural beauty and a youthful glow. 

It was all dull, dull, dull. 

Tea with the ladies was a lukewarm experience, neither delightful nor dreadful. Their subsequent conversations, fixated on the art of pleasing a lord, left a bitter taste in Sein’s mind. The idea that a lady must bend like a bamboo to accommodate every whim of her lord was something she couldn’t swallow. As far as Sein was concerned, both parties stepping into the arena of marriage should bear the weight of responsibility equally.

Whenever Sein met with Lady Gawa, the focus eventually moved onto how to make Sein more alluring to men, as if Lady Gawa was colluding with her mother to ensure she was married off. From then onwards, Sein feigned various women’s ailments to decline any further invitations to meet. 

Perhaps her mother was right. Having grown up surrounded by boys, she didn’t think like a lady. Her interests lay in acquiring knowledge, sword fighting and martial arts. She was more suited to befriend a lord but that door was firmly closed. In the eyes of society, any connection with a man would be twisted into the guise of romance.