Chapter 16: Deception

**Back to the Present**

There’s no mistake. Although his hair, his clothing, and the air around him is very different from when I met him before. This man…he’s Ren, the trader that I rescued! Why is Ren here? Why is he dressed like that?

Ren…is the Crown Prince of the Flame Dragon Empire?!

My mind went numb as many thoughts raced frantically through it. I stared with eyes wide opened at the Ren who was dressed in the highest-grade royal ensemble as befitting of the Crown Prince of a large empire. His hair partially tied back and decorate with gold jewelry. His royal robe must be made mixed with gold as well. He wore multiple gold jewelry and had a beautifully decorated sword hanging by his side. The air about him was royal, refined and quite arrogant. However, there is no mistaking it, this man standing before me is Ren.

Does he recognize me? I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to or not. If I catch his attention, will he help me out or should I try to blend in with the rest of the woman here? What should I do?

So many questions raced through my mind as I stood there with everyone’s eyes on me. What am I even thinking about? How could a heartless man who used me like that help me? Taking in a deep breath to strengthen my resolve, I looked up from the floor to stare directly at his eyes. In that moment as our eyes met, I decided that I would do everything within my power to make him pay for using me that way.

I will teach him the value of people’s lives. I felt my blood boil over as I thought of the bloodshed I had to deal with on that fateful day of the war. Thinking that I aided him in that war made me feel like I had killed those people with my own hands. It didn’t matter if it was direct or indirect, I now have their blood on my hands.

My body shook with anger. How dare he use a healer like me to murder people?

“My name is Rin Kamiya from the Town of Amber leaves,” I repeated once more in a loud and confident voice. I refuse to back down now.

“What is your special skill?” the eunuch hissed softly behind me. It was clear that he was uncomfortable with the fact that I haven’t started demonstrating my skills yet.

“I’m a healer. I have knowledge in herbs and medicine, Your Majesty and Your Highness,” I stated the truth firmly as I bowed low. This wasn’t a skill that could be performed for entertainment like dancing and singing but if Ren remembers me, then a demonstration of my skills won’t be necessary.

“So you are…” Ren replied in a soft voice as if he was muttering to himself.

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His words were not missed by the watchful eyes and ears of the Emperor and the eunuch as they focused their attention on him with clear look of surprise on their faces.

“Healing is an excellent and very noble skill to have…” the Emperor commented with a pleased smile.

The Eunuch exchanged some words in whispers with the Emperor but I didn’t pay them any attention. I kept my eyes on Ren as I watched him, trying my best to judge his reaction. I think the corner of his lips curled up into a small smile for a split of a second before it was gone or perhaps, it was just my imagination.

“I guess I’ll be seeing you later…” Ren stated as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Everyone bowed as Ren turned and strode out of the grand hall without another word, leaving both the Emperor and the Eunuch slightly stunned. As everyone bowed low, I quickly did the same. Since Ren is no longer here, does that mean that this assembly is now over? What will happen now?

After exchanging a few secretly whispered sentences with the Emperor, the Eunuch turned to address everyone in the grand hall. The atmosphere in the grand hall became even more tense as everyone waited for the Eunuch’s announcement. I guess it made sense, the fate of all these women, and I guess my fate as well, was at stake here. Oh…how unfortunate and how disgusting this is.

“Thank you everyone for your display of beauty and talent today. Without further ado, I would like to officially announce that all of you here have received the highest honor of joining the crown prince’s harem starting as of today. Please strive to serve the crown prince to the best of your ability as representative of your town and village. The Eunuchs will now help with escorting you to your new living quarters. I wish everyone the best of luck and hopefully, the next Empress is amongst you,” the Eunuch announced in a proud voice as he stressed over each and every word in his message.

In other words, everyone here is now official the Crown Prince’s concubine and whoever produces an heir first will become the next Empress. Why should I be surprised, we were all sent here for that sole purpose from the very start. Reminding us that we represent our town is rubbing in our faces that we are hostages and the fate of our town rests on how well we perform our duties.

Although the other women seemed please to have passed the first step towards achieving their mission, I felt like this whole ordeal was ridiculous at best. The worst part was that I wasn’t sure what I should do. Which path would lead me towards my freedom the fastest? I guess I need to learn more about the rules of this palace and the situation that I’m in before I can make a well-informed decision. I just want to go home.

Like school kids on a field trip out in the mountains, we were ushered to follow the Eunuch as we headed to what I would later learn was the inner court located in the Crown Prince’s palace. The inner court or in other words, the place where the Crown Prince’s harem was located.

--To be continued...

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