Chapter 4

I knew I was no true daughter of the imperial house, only the extra baggage Mother had brought with her when she married again.

Cold sweat trickled down my forehead. I bit my lip and was about to speak when the Princess Royal looked at me indifferently. “Look at you, going all shy. If you can’t bring yourself to say it, don’t force yourself. Didn’t you want to play? Go on. Show everyone your skill.”

My legs were almost shaking with nerves. Still, I curtsied and walked into the playing area.

Instead of taking my shot from directly in front of the pins, I moved to one side and crouched. After several deep breaths, I narrowed my eyes, took careful aim, and flicked the ball with a finger.

It did not travel in a straight line. It skipped forward like a stone across water, knocking down Frugality, then Kindness, then Trustworthiness. Three red pins fell with a clatter. Not one black pin moved.

In practice, my best was four red pins with one ball. Though nerves had kept me from doing my best this time, it was not a bad result. I was fairly pleased.

But the hall was deathly silent. Everyone stared at my performance, stiff as wooden figures. No cheers. No applause. Nothing.

The silence pressed upon my chest like a mountain.

In alarm, I looked toward Mother. She gave the Princess Royal a faint, considering glance, then turned to me with a lovely smile and a look that said, Don’t worry.

I breathed more easily and sent out my second ball. Three more red pins fell: Deference, Respect, and Gentleness.

Still there were no cheers or applause. Yet I straightened my back further.

For my third shot, I was determined to take four pins. I gathered my concentration, bent my finger, and was about to flick when a derisive sound reached my ears.

My hand shook. The ball veered and struck Excess first. Fortunately, it touched no more black pins as it went on to knock down Wisdom, Propriety, and Benevolence.

I looked back toward the sound. Prince Chun was watching me with icy eyes. His mouth curled into a sneer. “However skilled those hands may be, there’s no escaping that word: Excess.”

Blood rushed to my head. My cheeks burned, and I breathed hard with fury. I wanted to demand why he had humiliated me like that. I wanted to tear apart the mouth that spoke such venom. But the banquet, silent until then, erupted in laughter.

I stood rooted to the spot, unable to utter a word.

I could hear the blood coursing through my body, feel it surge into my head and then drain away again.

Clinging to one last thread of hope, I pressed my lips together and looked up at Chi Yan.

Even if the whole world shunned and despised me, it would be worth it if he could say one fair word.

But I saw him nudge Prince Chun lightly with his elbow and smile. “Uncle, you’re wicked.”

His beautifully shaped eyes never once glanced my way.