The Tale of the Lotus Heart

Yong didn't want to let me go so we laid next to each other as I told him about my time at the academy. After a moment, Tase came back with a satisfied smile on his face. I sat up quickly and fixed my hair. There was no physician in sight.

"You were in on it? You played along and left your only unmarried daughter to this hungry dragon?" I asked in disbelief. Tase only laughed.

"Yong knows his limits here. Plus, you two needed time along to catch up or Yong would go insane. Would you have rather I tell him that your closer with a schoolmate?" Tase teased me. I blushed as I looked to Yong quickly. It wasn't that I was closer to Alexander. I just saw him in a completely different, nonthreatening way. Yong quirked an eyebrow at me.

"Is that so?" He asked.

"It's only natural to make friends at a school," I defended myself. Tase sighed as he shook his head.

"Alright, alright. We need to go back to prepare going into the palace. Royal Father wants to meet his great-goddaughter," Tase said. Yong placed a gentle kiss on my head before we went back to Eternity Palace. I bathed in flower petals and had Ixia help me wash my hair before dressing in an extravagant and expensive, but simple, white and pink dress with matching belt and robe. After Zinnia, Tase and I were dressed, we entered the palace. The Royal Main Hall was like nothing I expected. It was huge and grand with an open roof and giant thrones where the Emperor and Empress sat. When we reached the bottom of the steps leading to the thrones, we stopped and got on our knees to bow.

"Greetings, Heavenly Emperor.... Empress," we greeted them.

"Forgo the formalities. Come, let me see my successful great-goddaughter," the Heavenly Emperor said with a satisfied smile. I stood with Tase and Zinnia before glancing at them curiously. It didn't seem appropriate to approach the Emperor's throne.

Tase whispered to me. I kept my head down and my hands in front of me as I slowly went

used his internal energy

even 15,000 years old. You really are a true prodigy. Is there anything else you have talents in?"

Godfather Second Prince also had a master teach me in the four arts," I responded. Technically it was

easily impressed by talents and status. I was the talk of the Heavenly Realm right now, which meant I was bringing him great honor. He

can go back now," he said

out and touched the hairpin Yong gave

the Crown Prince's charm is doing in this girl's

Aivi went to Heavenly Cloud, I was anxious for her safety. I asked the Crown Prince for this charm just in case.

good that you're okay,"

you great-godfather," I bowed again before descending the stairs to stand

get acquainted," the Empress said. The Emperor nodded before waving us off. We bowed before leaving the Royal Main Hall. I felt myself sigh as the tension left my shoulders when we were finally out of the Royal Palace. The Emperor clearly liked me, but the Empress did not like the fact I existed and I couldn't figure out why.

could've gone worse," Tase said lightheartedly as we made it back to Eternity

I