"MISS!" "BEIYUE!"

The tension in Princess Royal Residence was high.

It was a good thing Beiyue didn't allow just anyone to come.

"Beiyue! Do you realize what this stunt of yours would cause?! If someone caught on it, this will led to one hell of scandal that would last for centuries to come! Not to mention potentially sparking a war between two nations! This is international-scale craziness!"

"If. If we get caught. But if we do not get caught, well, no harm no foul, right?"

"Grrrr!" Zhonglei loved his sister-in-arms, he really did, but sometimes he just wants to strangle her!

Dongling was so done.

"And how..." she asks, "are we going to hide the fact we smuggle someone in, even if only for few hours?"

"Well..." Beiyue thought about it, "I am the only one who invited. You two can play cards of not getting an invitation or something, and thus you may have some 'free time'. Since everyone's attention would be focused on the party, we can hide him here long enough for party duration. I'll think a way to leave the party sooner."

"Beiyue, this won't work."

"We have to make this work."

"Why are you so insistent about it?"

"...because I already send Mu Se with the letter?"

Zhonglei and Dongling froze. Horror dawned on their face.

"Beiyue. No."

"Sorry, but Bieyue, yes."

Party Night

The Spring Banquet.

An event where the noble and distinguished families mingled together and for their kid can know each other. Due to the Incident during the war, Concubines are not allowed to come. Concubine children, however, allowed to, as long as they are twelve or older, just like any other noble children.

The woman and ladies were putting on their best dresses and accessories of the latest trend. All were trying to look as attractive as possible. Doing their best to outshine each other. Those without fiance trying to catch the eye of single men. Those with fiancee want to keep their fiance's eyes on them.

Everyone wearing red and green, with little yellow, pink, and purple as complimentary. By doing so, they basically become trees in the forest. Rather than attractive, they become repetitive instead. Like forest with nary a tree stands out.

Feng Lianyi smiled at the ladies and gentlemen in the hall as the eunuch guide him to his seat. He expertly ignoring the squeals and moon eyes and whisper gossips.

"I thought you might be late." Joked Xiaoyao.

Lianyi smiled. "Well... I was quite lucky today I was in the best health condition." He replied.

Xiaoyao was a fascinating man. Behind the pleasant personality, hidden something dark. Either he was aware of it or not, Lianyi could only guess. That's why he befriended him.

That and Xiaoyao was one of the rare people who doesn't make Lianyi put up an approachable mask but internally has him want to tear his own eardrums.

Halfway into their idle talk, Lianyi notices that the hushed whispers had quieted down. Everyone seems to be transfixed onto something. Curious, Lianyi looked around to see what it was.

...and his voice stuck at his throat as his mind turned blank upon seeing who it was.

A figure in white had followed Princess Yingye. She stole all attention effortlessly.

Perhaps because unlike everyone, she dressed in white and blue. Her inner dress was pure white while her outer garment starts at white and slowly turned icy blue at the bottom. The style is plain simple and did not flaunt her shape, however, the embroidery was very eye-catching. Feather embroidery in a darker shade of blue and silver color could be found in her sleeves and skirts. Giving the impression of a majestic bird in human form. Her black hair was let loose with a braid circling her head like a crown, pinned together by pair of the wing-shaped hairpin with blue feathers beneath them. Tiny white flowers are woven to her braid, like star dotting the night sky. Lanling wonders if those are real flowers.

Her face could be called plain, compare to the dress, as the girl only put on some light face powder and that's all. Her face can't be called feminine either, as it was the perfect balance of feminine and masculine. However, Lanling found himself liking it. The girl may not be feminine beauty, but it was clear her beauty is natural, not enhanced by Vanity Pill or makeups. A simple, modest beauty yet somehow she outshone other ladies with their expensive dresses and elaborate makeup.

After all, there's a unique charm to that androgynous beauty.

Feminine beauty is common. Handsome men are common. That level of androgyny where you can pass on as either gender, now that's something. It's usually a boy too girly, or a girl too manly looking. A perfect balance between masculine and feminine charm like that? How did she pull it off?

It took everyone quite a long time, long enough that the Girl in White and Blue took her seat and pouring herself a cup of tea before people realize who she is. That Girl sat next to Princess Yingye, which means she's a Royalty or ranked very high in Nobility. And that face looks like... AH!

"Is that... Princess Beiyue?" Lianyi ask.

"It seems so." Muttered Xiaoyao, no less stunned. "She dressed up nicely."

No shit, had Lianyi was a lesser man he would've said that. It was hard to connect this demure and elegant lady with one hell of a scary lioness that gives him nightmares. Were they even the same person?

Beiyue's seat coincidentally was right across Lianyi. She lifted her head.

Purple and black meet.

Beiyue smiled.

It was not a nice smile. It was an 'Oh, it's you again' kind of smile with a hint of threat underlying the message. Lianyi hid the fact he blanched a little bit by smiling back.

'Fancy meeting you here, Princess.'

Beiyue raised her cup. 'Suit yourself.'

On second thought, there's no doubt that they are the same person. Beiyue still has this unearthly grace, except this time with less death threat.

Throughout the banquet, Lianyi barely averted his gaze from Princess Beiyue. He wants to know more about her. He found out that Beiyue detaches herself from everyone. Her expression was one of politeness, but it's clear she didn't like her situation and want nothing more than fleeing away. She was very disinterested with the banquet, even Princess Yingye's chatters were not able to make her look interested.

The only time she actually pays attention and respectful, if affectionate, was when the Emperor arrived.

Princess Beiyue truly loves her uncle, didn't she?

When the times to socialize arrive, Beiyue stood up and mingles to people...

...and then she's gone.

Lianyi blinked and start looking around. To his disbelief, despite Beiyue wearing white and light blue, setting herself apart from the rest like a sore thumb, Lianyi can't find her anywhere. It was as if she faded away from view or something.

Where did she go?

~X~

"Welcome back miss. How was the party?"

"Boring and I'm glad I know how to escape from the crowd." Beiyue thought Vongola galas were boring. This was ten times worse. At least in Gala, she had her Guardians provide entertainment at cost of collateral damage. And booze. Xanxus always brought high-quality booze and not the weak wines the Ninth Generation used. "How was my cousin?"

Dongling didn't reply. She opens the door so Beiyue can enter... without letting anyone take a peek.

Understandably, because inside, in the living room, Zhonglei and Zhenshi were in the middle of the game of go.

The princess smiled. Her boredom and dark thoughts melted away when she opened the door to the living room and found Zhenshi was here. Here, in her palace, in Nanyi country. Safe and happy.

Beiyue coughed and pulled the snacks she smuggled out from the party. "I'm bringing souvenir." She said, grinning.

Zhenshi turned to her. Happy and confused. "Cousin. You're back? But the party does not end yet."

"Well. I'm ditching it. I was never a party person, to begin with." Beiyue shrugged, flopping down on the chair. Damn, she missed the comfy, bouncy couch. "How does it feel, a sneak peek to homecoming?"

Zhenshi paused between the game. "It's... weird." He said. "It's surreal, you know? It's hard to call this place home. But on other hand, you were here, so it was not too bad... even though I'm not allowed to see or meet anyone... and I haven't been there for a long time. I wonder if they would recognize me. After all, I do change over time." He moves the white piece.

"If you're alone? Maybe." Commented Zhonglei, moving his piece to counter Zhenshi's move. "But if you stood next to Beiyue, then yes. People would. Beiyue took after Princess Royal strongly, although more masculine version, and Princess Royal and the Emperor are twins."

"But I do have a mask."

"Risky." Dongling shook her head. "The palace is guarded tightly. Tonight is the night of Banquet, after all. If you show up now, things will go bad."

"But if tomorrow morning, it would be fine, right?" Smiled Beiyue. "How long can you stay here before someone realize you were gone?"

"Wha-?" Horror dawned on Zhonglei's face. Dongling, too, turned pale. "No offense, but are you crazy?! Just in case you have forgotten, Princess Yingye likes to come in. Nevermind those other people who might come visit because you've made your social debut?! The rumor about your situation has made rounds. Oh. Have I mention a servant from Prince Jing's fraction had come here and asked for an arranged meeting, as soon as possible."

"They can wait until the evening."

"...do you have grudge against First Brother or something?"

"...Him, personally? No. His maternal relatives? Yes."

She's not sure what she feels about her oldest cousin. On one hand, she barely has personal recollection about him so he has benefits of doubts. On the other hand, he's related to the Xue clan. Maybe he's different, maybe he is not. Thing is, Beiyue is not ready to face him yet. She's not sure she can face him and didn't saw images of the Xue clan. Especially that Dumb Loser. She doesn't want her Cousin's first impression to be tainted and they start off from bad footings.

Zhenshi looked up at her. "What did they do?"

"Annuls Engagement and forgot to tell me till last minute. Snub me for a thief's spawn with me in full view even before I sign the paper."

Silence.

"...what?"

Beiyue sighed. "Do you know I'm not always this badass?" Zhonglei look annoyed at her choice of words. "I'm used to be a pariah. My Dantian is defective and my Cultivation skill is at rock bottom. And in the world where Might Makes Right... you know where is it going to, right? It stays that way until two years ago I had enough of this situation and decidedly do something drastic, and miraculously worked."

Miraculously worked, yeah. She can't tell them that this Huang Beiyue held the soul of a Mafia Donna who happens to be one of Purest, Strongest Sky.

"It's because everyone—welp, almost everyone, decides I'm not worth their time, so I have to improvise with whatever I had. The crazy things and ideas I come up with? Making use of Common Sense, Leap of Faith, Luck, and vehement praying the world doesn't screw me."

"So the crazy plan of yours that somehow works..."

"I'm winging it on the fly." No plan survived at first contact. And Vongola style plan heavily leans towards improvisation on the fly. "Back to the topic, the thing is, I'm used to be the butt of all jokes and scorn, not helping that there were rumors about me. The bad kind. My reputation is damn near nonexistent at this point. Only my status as my mother's daughter preventing me from being kicked to the street... I think that would be better."

" " "No it's not." " " Dongling, Zhenshi, and Zhonglei said in unison. Zhenshi sounds pissed off for some reason.

Beiyue pouted. "Meh. Spoilsport." She reached for a drink, and to her silent misery, it was not alcohol.

Damn. She wants to hurry up and become an adult so she can drink. No party is complete without drinking alcohol. Especially not the one where she dumped out what she feels.

"Either way, that ex-fiance of mine? We never properly meet and thus did not know each other. Hence why he eagerly ate up the rumor and believe I worth nothing. He dumped me because of that."

"Not just dumping." Dongling's hands sparkled. "That jerk goes as far as pretending to be diplomatic and caring just to humiliate miss... and he dares to flirt with another girl in miss' presence even before the engagement is annulled." Her expression turned dark. "Jokes on him now. That girl he fancied turned out to be a Thief's spawn and Miss got a better deal than him."

Zhenshi nodded with dark satisfaction. His cousin is the best spouse anyone could ask for. Charming, strong, smart, a good cook, and most above all, she's loyal and when she cares, she cares with all of her heart. She deserves better than a shallow idiot who listens to a baseless rumor.

He still very pissed at her behalf. If only he was not in precarious situations, he would have to go out and murder that bastard.

"Enough of the heavy topic." Beiyue clapped her hands. Zhenshi remembers she did and said the exact same thing when they first met. "Why don't we..." she eyeing the sweets... they are gone. "Why don't we go to the kitchen and make something? The pantry is full, right?"

Zhenshi brightened. Beiyue's cooking? He loves Beiyue's cooking. No food can compares to hers. Well, maybe Dongling. And Zhonglei. As long as he didn't make stew or soup. But Beiyue's cooking tastes the best out of all.

He's a prince, but an abandoned one and Beiyue didn't give a damn about his status. Telling him he can be a brat in her presence.

"Sure!" He sprung up to his feet. "What are we making?"

That's how they found themselves making a mess in the kitchen. Flour coated the table, with Dongling and Zhonglei were making contest who can make the most cookie and who can make the most creative shape, Zhenshi laughed as he whipped the cookie mix for next batch, and Beiyue chuckles as she making sure the ones in the makeshift oven would be cooked thoroughly and not turned charcoal black. Jokes and teasing fill the air.

She was not a party-going girl. Definitely not a scrupulous and formal party where everyone watches what they said or did, lest they risk making fool out of themselves and other repercussions.

She prefers this. A simple party where everyone can be themselves and having fun, social status be damned.

Sky is a Home, after all. The Real Sky. Even the murderball of wraths like Xanxus and lunatic asshole like Byakuran cares about their element in their own way.

The next morning, after a short brief tour around Linhuai city, Beiyue didn't let Zhenshi go home empty-handed.

She put on the necklace on him. The necklace she won in an auction.

"It suits you." Complimented Zhonglei. "The color match your eyes."

"You should start wearing some color that complimented it. Since it's a dark shade, you can try wearing light color, like white, light gray, blue... or if you're daring, you can try red or black."

"I'm not a girl who can wear any color as I pleased." Replied Zhenshi dryly, but his mouth quirked upwards. "But... thank you. This means a lot to me. What can I do to pay you back?"

This necklace was yet another proof that someone wants him and waiting for him to go home.

"By staying alive until your term ended and you're within Linhuai City borders."

"Fair enough."

TBC