Into the Array C18

Hi Hetalianprincess and Ilich, thank you very much for the reviews! I really appreciate it.

And to Ilich, yes the treason will somehow involve Ivan.

The pretty looking face look into the mirror adorning various smiles, long smooth hair fell from her head like a curtain of feathers soft as silk, the eyes self-absorbed in her own beauty, admiring the reflection, she knows she is beautiful, and she can't get enough of herself.

But the knowledge that another is much more beautiful than her prick her heart so hard it bleeds. Her jealousy burns and the smiles momentarily turn into ugly scowls, but even then, she still looks beautiful. Ironically, the amount of vanity that exist in her heart is just as much as the one person she hated so much.

She let out a huff of indignation, fanning the bad thoughts away with her hands, her face turns back into the pretty smiling princess again.

The lady in waiting styling her hair pretends she did not notice anything her mistress, Lady Mu, is doing. She is used to it by this time, for every single morning its always the same old routine.

The peaceful morning where birds chirp in the skies is broken by a series of huffing and puffing as Jin Xi barge into the door to where the princess is. The lady in waiting was startled by the sudden sound and the hair pin accidentally pricked the princess.

The princess jerked and turned around. The lady in waiting quickly kneel in front of the princess begging for her life.

Jin Xi ignored the scene and greeted the princess hastily. "Princess Mu, please prioritise what I wish to show you. It is of utmost importance."

Princess Mu knitted her brows at her bold servant. "Have you eaten leopard's guts? You dare to talk like this to your Mistress?"

"Please forgive me, my princess. You are the most importance person in my life and I will serve you even to the ends of hell." He turns to the lady in waiting and ask her to leave them alone. The moment the doors are closed, he quickly closes the gap to the princess and under his sleeve, pulls out an envelope for her. "I have been invited to the 6th prince's chamber, he has personally requested that I pass this to you alone."

"Does he have to be this secretive." She grumbled, snatching the envelope and reading its content. A small smirk slowly tugs at the edge of her lips as her eyes scan the characters on the paper, once done, she burns the paper with a candle nearby.

As the fire consume the paper, Princess Mu smile again. This time, eyes trailing back to the mirror reflecting the beautiful face. "I'll be your mouth, and you'll be my sword." She said, almost to herself.

Ivan painted quietly by the courtyard. It has been a few days since Yao last talked to him, and it unsettles Ivan because he has obviously step into a boundary he should not touch. His thoughts must have surfaced on his expression because it even attracted the attention of the usually distracted 4th princess.

"Are those troubled expression because of my little brother?" she asked teasingly.

"Not answering that." Ivan replied.

Princess Fang let out a laugh. "Fine. I do have a story for you. And if you are interested, perhaps you can help me out."

His ears piqued at the sound of a story. Moving his head towards her, the princess smile back in her usual good-natured manner, except this time it looks a little devious. "A risk I'm willing to take. I want to listen."

"Great!" Princess Fang let out, clapping her hands in delight. "So, as you know, Hsiao Zheng and I have decided to make a short opera to perform in the court. And that boy has passed the script to me last night, I have read through it and I thought you might be interested in it."

"I love his stories. I recalled the one he gave to his painting." Ivan added.

"I heard of that too. I believe you will love this more." The princess exclaimed excitedly. "It's basically a story of a thief who fell in love with the girl whom he steals from, all because of her laugh. Feeling unworthy, he set out to steal the greatest thing he will ever steal in his life, the title of a great general."

"That sounds interesting. I would watch that."

"I knew you would be interested. Now, before I tell you the details of the story, I was hoping you can bring this to my 9th brother. Hsiao Zheng and I and all the people at the dance troupe wish that he would perform again."

Ivan gave her a look. "W-Why do I get to do the dirty job." He asked indignantly, but more importantly, his knitted brow gave away the question in his mind. "And... He used to perform?"

The 4th princess smile back cheekily, purposely withholding the information she posses as blackmail. "Because only you can. And yes, he used to perform for the court when he was younger and then he decided to join the military after my 8th sister bring him along one day."

"That's rare. Tell me more, and maybe I will consider helping you."

"No, you have to promise that you are going to help me first."

"Fine, you have a deal." Ivan agreed.

In her excitement, the 4th princess beam as brightly as the sun and she told Ivan the one thing should not have said: "This brother of mine is quite a handful, he was very naughty as a child, but he had an incredibly kind heart. And as you have seen him yourself, he was and still is a very beautiful boy, so beautiful he became quite vain. Just when nothing seems to be able to hold him down, and nothing seems to be able to captivate him, he saw a dance by our dance troupe. In the centre of it all, our previous prima donna, with grace and beauty in a dance fit for Gods. My brother wanted to woo the girl and decided to ask me to let him join the dance troupe, so he can practise and dance beside her. Anyway, sometime after he married our prima donna, he left to join the military. They are really good together; I wish I could see it again."

Ivan look amused, but nonetheless a little jealous. A question still tore his mind though, and he is almost desperate to ask, "I have a question though."

"What would that be?"

"What happened to his wife?" Ivan asked slowly and carefully, fidgeting and biting his words. He asked the same question to Yao and it didn't even well, and trepidation is screaming for him to not succumb to his curiosity.

Her smile froze, and it took a while, but she replied politely: "She died quite some time ago."

"Did he really kill his wife?" Ivan interrupted.

"He…" the princess utters, dragging and trailing the word but could not finish it. She nodded in the end, agreeing with what Ivan said. She looks away from Ivan in embarrassment, turns out time can't wash away the truth, she thought with some sense of regret.

"So he did…" Ivan repeated. "He must... have his reason I guess."

"Maybe." She quietly replied.

The day ended in an awkward silence, not even Shu San's arrival by the princess's side can bring her from her dark pondering. Not even the confirmation from the princess can bring a peace of mind for Ivan. The mild distraction from painting however, brought Ivan some comfort. Everything will be over once the paintings are done, Ivan kept finding himself thinking.

Soft fluttery kisses lands on his cheek, he woke up to the familiar smell again. The same smell that makes his heart feels all funny and his body hot with quiet lust. His eyes open to an unfamiliar face though, in the instance, the 11th prince push the lady away. Knitted brows, heavy frustrated breathing, Cheng Chang looked at the lady in shock and disappointment with himself.

"Get out." He gritted his teeth, pointing towards the door.

"But Sir." The prostitute purrs, impervious to the obvious anger that Cheng Chang is holding back. She moved closer.

The smell of her perfume infuriates him off and he shouted straight at her: "GET OUT. Or I'll open a hole in your stomach."

Her immediate reaction was to scramble off, half dressed in translucent clothing. The ajar door brings in refreshing air that clears the inside of the room smelling of alcohol and bodily fluids. Cheng Chang held his splitting, spinning head, his naked body laid there covered in white stained sheets, "It's a mistake. It's a mistake. Damn it." He muttered over and over, slamming his fist onto the mattress itself.

"Sir… Sir… What have you done?" Xiao He asked. "I saw a lady ran out from your room." His head looked around the room for the smell, and it seems obvious what the answer is before he even return his looks to the prince.

"I fucked a prostitute." Cheng Chang replied.

Xiao He's face changed in an instant. "T-That lady.." he asked, a little flustered. "What are you going to do now?"

"I need to report this to the commander and accept my punishment." Cheng Chang said with an eerie calmness.

"B-But.. you.. might get stripped off your post. You will need to work up from the bottom even if you are prince." Xiao He's brow knitted in response and started pacing around worriedly.

"I'll work my way up if it needs to."

"Sir, it's not worth it. You might even get expelled from the military."

"My brother will not expel me."

"11th prince. Our commander uphold the military code with his life, he will not let you go simply because you are his brother. Your sins from violating the codes are even greater precisely because of your nobility and ranking, you are our second-in command. Do you remember the 7th princess? D-Don't worry, I'll help you. Let me help you. I'll make sure no one else knows about this and that anyone who does are silenced." And with that, Xiao He went out of the room.

A few moments later, an old lady came in without a word and started cleaning up the room, Xiao He came in with a pail of water, usher the prince to quickly freshen up and head out for for the breakfast area and leave rest to him.

Unwittingly, Cheng Chang went along with Xiao He's plan. His mind filled with the 9th prince, thinking that perhaps his brother will really expel him out of the military simply because he doesn't want him in his way with that foreigner. Ladies with strong alcohol smell flooded the breakfast room trying to seduce the soldiers at the breakfast room, but the strict and often merciless military rules set down by Wang Yao have planted an innate fear in every single one of them. Each of them rejected their advances yet can't bring themselves to shout at those ladies.

Cheng Chang came in drawing his brows together at this preposterous scene.

"You girls need to get out." A soldier almost pleaded, pushing the girls out one by one before Cheng Chang even made his way to his seat.

"Sorry Sir, they were very persistent." A soldier immediately explained.

"It's alright, eat your breakfast, we will be setting off soon."

The thick alcohol smells left by the ladies linger in the air, masking the alcohol coming from the second in command just right beside them. Xiao He came in soon after, giving a light smile and a bow to Cheng Chang.

"You're really lazy and senseless you know." The 13th prince complains as he place a cookie into Yao's mouth. He have already brought in trays after trays of cookies and cakes from the kitchen to the Yao's room.

"But you are the one who wants to eat." Yao replied condescendingly, lying on his side playing with his hair, munching on the cookies he have made yesterday and kept hidden in their vast imperial kitchen.

"Why can't you just ask the ladies in waiting to bring this in and feed you instead. Why do I have to do it." Xiao Bao kept on grumbling, but his hands kept feeding Yao and his own mouth.

"Because if the ladies in waiting knows where the hiding spots in the kitchens are. I can't cook anymore, and chances are, the food will be gone before you and me can eat it." Yao explains, he then point towards another plate and said: "So keep feeding me, and I want that cake now."

The slightly ajar door was pushed open and a tall figure came in, catching them in the act. The two princes look towards at the door surprised like cats caught stealing fishes in the tanks, crumbs fell from their faces and Xiao Bao's fingers like fishes bring plopped back into water.

"I'm sorry." Ivan blurted out, he doesn't know why he apologise, but it seems as though he accidentally interrupted something. "The door was opened so I thought…"

Yao quickly sat up and wipe his mouth free of crumbs while Xiao Bao pop the last bit of cookies and cake on his fingers into his mouth. "What didn't you knock on the door." Yao asked, tidying his uncombed hair with his fingers.

"I shall not interrupt the two of you." Xiao Bao added, inching towards the table and staking every single cookies and cakes onto a tray.

"Hey. What are you doing?" Yao holler after his brother.

"Goodbye." Xiao Bao gave a sweet smile and took the tray with him.

"Hey! I made all those, you can't just take everything, you greedy boy. Ivan, stop him, stop that imp." Yao cried frantically, pointing and gesturing furiously at Ivan to Xiao Bao. "Stop it right there Xiao Bao!"

"Bye!"

But Ivan held his arms as the boy passed by him through the doors.

"Let me go. Or I'll run away every time you try to do my portrait." The young prince argued, nudging carefully at his arms for Ivan to let go.

Ivan look at Yao for answer.

"Don't let him go." Yao warned, he quickly got out of bed and rush towards the door. He took two plates off the tray Xiao Bao is holding and continue: "Okay go, see yourself out and goodbye." Yao smirk and shrug his shoulders before gleefully taking the two plates back to the table.

"Brother Yao…." Xiao Bao whined as Ivan let go of him and followed after Yao.

"Come Ivan, let's enjoy these ourselves."

"What are these."

"Snacks I made yesterday. Try this one." Yao said as he pointed to a white coloured with light brown cookie in a shape of a flower.

"I want it too." Xiao Bao whined, moving back to the table with them.

"Mmmmm… It taste delicious." Ivan mutter wide eyed, spilling out crumbs in between his words.

Yao beamed with joy. "Try this one as well." He pointed to a flat, golden looking cake.

The soft and lightly sweetened pumpkin taste melts in his mouth and slipped down his throat without much chewing and Ivan can't help letting the joy shine through his eyes as he look at Yao's anticipating face. "It taste so good." He whispers.

"I want it too, that was the last piece. Give me a bite." Xiao Bao plead, tugging onto Ivan's robe.

Ivan let out a smile and held the cake up high above his head. "You can have a bite if you reach it."

Xiao Bao is young and only half the height of Ivan, and he really jumped and tried to grab hold onto Ivan's arms, hoping to pull it down enough to grab the cake. Yao was laughing out loud at his brother's futile attempts, and he tried to reach out to the cake as well, thinking it would be easy for him.

But it seems like even he underestimated how high it is.

"If Yao wants it, he can always just tell me about it." Ivan beam childishly.

"No, I can get it myself." Yao replied, but try as he may, it doesn't seem like both he and his brother stand a chance to get the cake with normal means. Yao nudge at Xiao Bao, and gave him a devious smile, then he turn towards their common adversary and start tickling him.

"Hey, that's cheating." Ivan laugh and tried his best to maintain the height, moving back and back till the back of his calf touches the bed frame. He fell over the bed and in an instance, both Xiao Bao and Yao fell into the bed with him in the middle.

"Hah! I won." Xiao Bao declared as he snatch the cake out from Ivan's enclosed fingers. This time, he quickly squeeze it in his mouth, scrambled off the bed and scooted off with everything on the table.

"That greedy brat." Yao pouted, slumping onto the bed on Ivan's arms in defeat.

"There's still a mouth of the cake left." Ivan said, lifting his thumb slightly to reveal the bit that Xiao Bao failed to snatch away.

"I want it." Yao replied, opening his mouth.

"Get it yourself." Ivan teased, putting the last piece into his mouth and closing it.

"Oh, you think I won't, do you." Yao asked, snaking his fingers across Ivan's chest. Then slowly, his feet trailed across his thigh as well, in a single move, he sat on top of Ivan with a little smile. Yao cup his hands on Ivan's cheek and slowly move down on his lips.

Tongue push pass Ivan's lips and swipe his mouth of the sweet cake. Yao suckled onto Ivan's lips and swallowed him whole; the kiss ignited an intense burning desire all the way down making it hard for Ivan to breathe.

Yao pulls apart and wipe his lips clear of any traces of their saliva.

"Seems like I got the last bite." Yao smirked as he got off Ivan.

He walked over to the table and poured himself some tea. Then he turned towards the Ivan still dumbfounded in bed and said: "What are you here for? You're done with 4th sister's portrait?"

The question snap Ivan out of the state and he sat out, closing and hiding his bulge. His head held low to hide his burning cheek and shame. "I-I am done with her portrait and wanted to ask if you are free to talk."

"I am. What do you want to talk about?" Yao asked, eyes slightly darkening as he swirls the tea inside the tiny teacup.

"Would you like to perform again?" Ivan quietly said, looking up a little shyly at the prince who is sitting roughly with a leg up.

"No." Yao answered bluntly.

Ivan nodded his head a little awkwardly. He felt like a child again, sheepish in front of a person they admire and love, though he would rather be a child, then perhaps he could whine and ask why, or maybe he could throw a tantrum and insist that Yao do it.

Ivan's eyes look up to Yao's face again. Yao's tried his best to look away nonchalantly, but the corner of his eyes betrayed his decision. Ivan's lips pursed, puffing his cheeks up into two soft looking ball of fluff waiting to be squeezed, his eyes are unnaturally huge with a really pretty colour. When he stares, it reminds… it reminds…

"Can't you stop looking at me?" Yao snapped, squinting his eyes at Ivan suspiciously.

"W-What's wrong with looking at you?" Ivan retorted indignantly.

"You look like a really huge dog right now." Yao explains, oblivious to the fact that it sounded weird.

"A… Dog?"

Unable to resist anymore, Yao went forward in front of Ivan and pinch his two cheeks. It is as soft as he imagined it to be, it's warm and furry and it makes Yao wants to rub his face onto Ivan's face so badly. "Yes, you are a big puppy that gives the eyes when he want something he should not have."

Before Ivan could react, Yao went ahead and hug Ivan's head in between his chest, nuzzling his face on Ivan's slightly curly hair. "You smell nice." Yao muttered, closing his eyes.

Ivan lightly let out the breath he held, and he breathe Yao in. The physical proximity fills his lungs, brimming it with joy that overflows into everything inside his body. Slowly, he dug his head deeper into Yao's chest, slowly, he wrap his arms around Yao's waist, slowly, he closes his eyes and slowly, he savour this happiness. This happiness of being able to breathe around a person he loves, the contentment of loving and being loved, he felt…. strangely alive.

"You smell nice too." Ivan replied, wishing that this moment will last forever.