The great hall of the Tughril palace glittered with lanterns and firelight, casting a warm glow over the polished stone floors. Musicians played unfamiliar instruments, their notes weaving into a melody that was foreign yet oddly captivating. Dancers moved gracefully, twirling and leaping, their colorful costumes catching the light with every spin.
Xiao Zhi sat beside Kabil, her supposed fiancé. He smiled warmly, offering her a cup of fragrant wine. She took it politely, swirling the liquid in her hands, careful not to drink too much. She did not want to make the same mistakes she had in the border city. Losing control now would be unforgivable.
Across the hall, Ruhan stood near the throne, beside the Great Khan. His posture was composed and almost imperceptibly deferential, yet his presence drew the room's attention without effort. Xiao Zhi found herself watching him constantly. In Hua, he had always carried authority, confidence, and power. Here, he appeared as a servant, an eunuch in a courtly role. Yet beneath that, she sensed something else, a steady strength, the kind that could control any situation without raising a voice. Mystery and power. Both.
She sipped her drink, then looked back at Kabil. His movements were calm, kind, and unassuming. His smile lacked malice or the cold detachment she had expected from the so-called barbaric princes of Tughril.
As the evening progressed, Xiao Zhi gradually relaxed, enjoying the music and dance. Servants brought platters of roasted meats, fragrant breads, and exotic fruits. The mingling scents filled the hall, and she felt a lightness she hadn't experienced in days. Kabil leaned in to explain some Tughril customs, and she listened with curiosity and amusement.
"These drinks are from our northern granaries," Kabil explained, leaning slightly toward her. "Fermented from millet and barley, with a touch of honey from the steppe. The harvest was generous this year. I hope you enjoy it."
Xiao Zhi took the cup politely, inhaling the warm, slightly sweet aroma. The taste was unfamiliar but pleasant, a gentle mix of earthy grains and honeyed richness. "It's… really nice," she said, swirling it in her hands. "Different from any wine I've tried before, but I like it."
Kabil smiled, a faint glint of amusement in his eyes. "It pairs well with the food tonight. The flavors are meant to complement each other."
She took a careful sip, savoring it. "I can see that. And it's strong enough to warm you, but not so strong it overwhelms the meal."
He nodded. "Our people drink this often during festivals and ceremonies. It's simple, yet it carries the spirit of the land."
Xiao Zhi glanced around the hall, watching dancers twirl and lanterns sway. The drink warmed her from the inside out, giving her courage to laugh and engage more freely. "Then I'll toast to the spirit of Tughril," she said, raising her cup slightly.
Kabil mirrored her gesture. "To Tughril," he said, his voice smooth, "and to our beautiful guest from Hua."
Xiao Zhi took another sip and smiled. "And the dancers, they're amazing." She shifted her attention toward the dancers on the floor.
He chuckled softly. "Since childhood, these dancers have been trained to dance. Tughril believes music and dance are as important as sword and bow. It teaches discipline… and patience."
She nodded in admiration. "Then I hope I'm learning some patience tonight," she said with a smile.
"You see," Kabil continued, pointing to a dance step she had missed, "it represents the harvest. Each movement honors the land and the people who tend it."
She tried to follow with her foot while sitting down, laughing when her footwork faltered. "I think I'm going to step on someone's toes."
Kabil chuckled. "Then you will honor them with a new story to tell."
Xiao Zhi laughed in return. They shared a moment of genuine amusement, a laugh she never would have expected to have in this so-called doomed land.
Ruhan's shadow flicked past the edge of her vision. She realized she had been watching him again. Even in the crowd, his composure made him stand out. She wondered what he was thinking, and a small pang of curiosity and unease settled in her chest.
Ruhan whispered something in the Great Khan's ear, and then he rose. The Khan's voice carried across the hall, deep and commanding. "The night is done. Rest, all of you, especially the princess. She has journeyed far, and her strength must be renewed." He glanced at Ruhan. "Take her to her quarters."
Ruhan approached Xiao Zhi quietly. His dark eyes softened slightly, but his air remained composed and controlled. He bowed deeply and gestured his hand for her to follow. She bowed to Kabil and the rest of the court before following Ruhan out of the hall.
The corridors were hushed, lit by flickering sconces that cast long shadows across the carved walls. The silence was a relief after the grand noise of the banquet.
"Did you enjoy the feast?" Ruhan asked softly as they walked.
"Yes," she admitted, smiling faintly. "I didn't expect Tughril to be so welcoming… or lively."
Ruhan's lips curved faintly. "It has its charms," he said. "And you have been the perfect guest."
Xiao Zhi chuckled lightly. "I hope I haven't offended anyone."
He shook his head. "No. You behaved admirably. Better than most courtiers here."
When they reached her chambers, Ruhan opened the door and gestured for her to enter. "Goodnight, Princess," he said, bowing lightly.
Xiao Zhi gave a tired nod. Her body ached from the journey, but her mind lingered on the contrast of the evening, the kindness of Kabil, the warmth of the palace, and the inscrutable presence of Ruhan. She wondered what secrets he carried and why, despite his position tonight, she could not stop thinking of him.
As the door closed behind him, she sank onto the soft bed. The events of the night replayed in her mind. For the first time in days, she allowed herself a faint thread of hope, but it was tangled with uncertainty and confusion. So yes, Tughril was completely different than what she had imagined. So yes, Kabil was the exact opposite of what the cruel, barbaric prince was supposed to be. But what did it all mean then? Was the story she read shifted? Did she somehow change the story? But how?
The palace went quiet as night settled over Tughril. Ruhan walked alone. His boots echoed softly across the sand-tiled floor as he approached the Khan's private chamber. The heavy doors loomed ahead, carved with falcons and flames. Two guards stood at attention but stepped aside when they saw him.
He pushed the doors open.
Inside, the chamber was dim, lit only by a few lanterns. Scrolls and maps lay unfurled across a massive wooded desk. The Great Khan sat behind it, still masked, his broad shoulders tense beneath the folds of his robe.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
As the door slowly closed behind him, Ruhan stepped forward. The Khan's hand stilled above the parchment. Slowly, he rose from his chair and crossed the short distance between them, each step echoing in the silence.
Ruhan stopped, his eyes steady, unreadable.
The Great Khan bowed deeply. The formal gesture broke the stillness of the room.
"Welcome back," the Khan said, his voice lower now, stripped of its earlier thunder, "Your Majesty."