Rewrite The Threads of Fate

Chapter Four: The Lantern That Fell Down

After several hours with about five women who were good at dancing or had hidden talents that loved to dance, we all came together and practiced for several hours. I allowed them to set up a cot and sleep there. We sat enjoying some food and laughed with each other. It felt nice to chat and joke with girls my age again. Back home, it was hard to get girls to even speak to me as society in my time… All the girls were picky with whom they made friends and some even bullied for looking a tad different from someone. I made it a fact in this world I would cherish every woman who needs my help and never blink an eye when one is in trouble. I hated bullying and woman were supposed to stand together as one…but in time like these it was hard to get a say in, and you needed a title to even stand out from everyone.

I smiled and added more food to some of their plates as they looked over joyed to even be around me. It made my heart swell as they all meant well. They told me of their struggles and I promised them once this was over I was to speak to my Father about letting them be my ladies, who only tended to me, which would get them better coin but also away from the situation they were currently in as not everyone was as nice as me. I was determined to give them a better life.

—---Next Morning—--

When morning came, we were all woken and ready for the day. I sat on my vanity preparing for the day as breakfast was brought to us. Everyone was still in my room and no one was allowed to bother us as we all prepared for the big night.

Ai came over smiling at everyone as she approached me, putting a tray down as she leaned down. “It’s from Kai..he said good luck tonight as he will be watching.” She said smiling, placing the food down and standing to the side.

I looked at the tray as I couldn't help but smile at how sweet he was. After last night, I felt bad for snapping at them four when my anger was towards Haoyu, and I'm sure they knew that. Kai was so sweet… AH no focus on today.

I nodded, grabbing a small bite of food as I looked down at my scroll where I wrote out some lyrics I wanted to sing and hum, bet that would shock them to hear the Princess sing and dance tonight. Ha.. Take that sneak snake.

I stood up as I smiled at all the girls trying on the outfits I provided as they all were excited at how much the fabric was, which I didn't know was expensive, props to being a princess, I suppose.

“Okay ladies, let's get dressed, then practice once more in the clothes before we are officially ready for the night tonight!”

They all cheered, nodding their heads as I turned towards the mirror. Ai came over and started dressing me as I wore all white and even let my long dark hair down. Some were pinned up out of my face as she added the pretty white feathers to make it look amazing and it definitely did! I felt like a swan, it was magical. I sat down so she worked on my makeup while I watched the girls behind me practicing on the dance. We were dancing with white cloth but also had other magical hints up our sleeves later when the dance was happening.

I was getting help from Tao, who was excited and eager to help with things, as he promised to have it perfect when I performed. He was like a big brother I've always wanted in my world. He was caring and loyal, he was someone to definitely keep around.

I smiled, clapping at the practice as they finally were able to get it down correctly. They smiled happily at my praise.

“Tonight will be magical and all of you will be the stars of the show. Show them that behind your line of work is a beautiful swan ready to spread her wings.”

Later in the night came quickly as we headed in the carriage to this man’s home. My Father sat with me in the carriage, looking nervous as I smiled.

“I got this, Relax.” I told him, smiling as I took his hand squeezing it.

He sighed, nodding his head with a smile. “I just worry, but everyone including the Princes, will be there tonight. One weird thing, and I'm getting us out of there.” He warned me as I nodded my head, agreeing.

As we made it and the carriage stopped, my father and I were both excited, and he walked with me inside the large door’s. There were so many pretty lights hanging and people roamed around talking to one another quietly. My eyes looked around at the many faces.

“How many of these people do you know well?” I asked him, smiling.

“Too many.” He sighed and bowed when someone approached him to talk. As I smiled and was nice to many of the men he introduced me to, but soon I was dragged away to prepare my dance in front of everyone. There was a beautiful stage already set up and everything looked beautiful, white drapes wrapped around the poles and hung for effect. I definitely needed to thank Kai later for helping out, well all of them.

I moved to a small area in the back and dressed up in my white and pale pink kimono. White feathers were draped around my arms and some in my hair. I smiled at the girls who looked nervous but gave them a thumbs up as they entered the stage first before I followed behind. I took a breath and closed my eyes, posing before I began my dance, twirling and moving around the floor like a beautiful swan, feeling free and dancing like nobody was there watching me. It was just me. Feathers fell from the sky as I instructed as I smiled, running my fingers along my face as I continued my dance. I was in the zone before I was shocked to see my father running on stage, his arms wrapped tightly around me. I was going to speak but then screams filled my ears and the sudden impact of an arrow hitting my father in the back as he shielded me.

My eyes widened as everyone ran away from the scene as guards filled the huge manor escorting women and children from the area. I fell to my knees holding my father close to me as he made a soft noise before pulling back to look at me, blood escaping his rosy lips.

“You looked so beautiful..” He whispered to me.

“F-Father..” I whispered, staring at him confused at what the hell was happening. Everything was fine a second ago. Suddenly, my father and I were kneeling and embracing one another. My hand was soaked against his back with a warm liquid.

“Shh. You need to be strong, like your mother. You need…You need to be a good Queen.” He told me as his hand rubbed my cheek.

“What? No.. Father.” I whispered tears came to my eyes as I was so shocked and confused all in one.

I watched from behind my father. The four Princes that guarded me and adored my father were screaming and pushing past everyone to get to us through the large crowd.

My eyes went to my father, who smiled at me and placed a single kiss on my head before he fell limp in my arms and fell to the ground in front of me. I looked at the blood on my hands. My dress was a simple white now soaked in a crimson red.

I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, the man who resurrected me, the man who is supposed to be my father figure in this damn horror flick, was now dead. A loud gasp filled my lungs as I screamed out in horror.

Tears streamed down my eyes as my cries overpowered the many screams of people. I moved to lean down and shake his shoulders.

“Don't- Don't you leave me! I can't do this alone!” I screamed at him.

Arms came from behind me and pulled me back into their chest as I screamed loudly. I shoved him away and leaned against him, holding him tightly in my grasp, before I was moved into Kai’s chest as he held me, letting me scream and cry.

They kneeled with me as they cried themselves. What was supposed to be a beautiful lantern festival turned into the Emperor being murdered in his own daughter's arms protecting her.

I looked at the sky as I watched a single lantern falling from the sky, drifting in the wind, shattered and broken.