It wasn’t long before the scene had changed. It was still the same room, with all the same people, but now it felt like a social event. One where adults spoke of ways to gain something of benefit to them, while the children were left to observe. To gain the knowledge to engage in similar discussions upon entering adulthood themselves. Only for once, it was useless to me, as the language barrier prevented me from learning even simple things.

  I waited beside my father, not wanting to tread far while blinded by this veil.

  Father was speaking of gems that every country but ours considered rare, while the man told of a luxurious fabric that made you feel as though you were touching the clouds after rain, and made your skin feel the same, as if it were rain itself rolling off the clouds. It made his daughter’s sash, which he allowed my father and myself to touch.

  It was more than mere words. It truly was amazing, but I was careful not to allow myself to be too enamored.

  Father followed the man toward another hall. The guard allowed them through, but would not let me pass.

  “No girls can leave until the ceremony is over,” Ai told.

  I huffed, being guided to a place where I could simply keep out the way. It was no secret everyone here would rather I never came. Even those polite to my father only did so because they wanted something. In that way, this place was no different than home.

  “Ai,” I said, as I stood against the wall, unable to see a thing but silhouettes moving against the light. “Tell me, what is being said here?”

  “About you, or the Princes?” She asked.

  “I already know the kinds of things they’ll say about me,” I said. “It won’t be different here than it is anywhere else. Tell me about the Princes. In the order they appeared to me.”

  “Touya, the oldest is 12, and already has a woman.”

  “What?” I asked. “Then why is he here?”

  “He only has a lesser wife, not a proper one.”

  “How barbaric.” I said.

  “Is that not also common practice in the lands your people are from?”

  “They are also barbaric,” I said. “That is why we are no longer there. Giving their own away as slaves is arguably worse than buying and owning them as far as morals are concerned. I’d say they’re worse than these too.”

  “It is unsavory.” She agreed.

  “What else is said about him?” I asked. I did not want to speak of the past or the lands we came from. Better to leave the past alone and keep our eyes on the future.

  “He is the favorite to be named Crown Prince, and the most desirable candidate.”

  “How is he married so young?”

  “Different customs.”

  “But he… neither of them could be old enough to… surely they don’t perform marital duties?”

  “Goodness no!” She covered her mouth. “I-I don’t think.”

  “Tell me about another one.” I whispered, though no one could hear the course of conversation and how dirty it had become.

  “Prince Shinji is the youngest. 6. He’s only been to one Choosing before this. He’s said to be proper but nothing beyond that.”

  “With eyes like that, it’s no surprise.”

  “Eyes like what?”

  “So empty.” I said. There was nothing beyond his behaviour that was proper on the surface to be spoken about. “What about the other one?”

  She was quiet.

  “Ai?” I turned to her, almost worried she’d disappeared.

  “Are you certain you wish to hear princess?” She asked.

  “Yes,” I said, quite certain.

  “These people despise foreigners, and many of them express sympathy toward you.” She said. “Others say you must be a devil for him to take interest in you.”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. They only say such things to make me lose interest of my own accord.”

  “He was so vile! He ought to have made your interest flee itself!”

  “What is it he was saying to me anyway?” I asked. “Surely you could hear what was said from even there.”

  She shifted beside me. “Oh Princess, I couldn’t say.”

  “Oh, but you must.”

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  “It was so rude.”

  “You must be able to translate rude things. It is not as if you are truly the one saying it. We may speak more with him.”

  “That would only happen if– Princess, you can not truly consider speaking with him about engagement matters!”

  “Well that is why we came here Ai.” I said.

  “I will only tell you so you will let go of such a ridiculous idea.”

  “It can’t have been that bad.”

  “It was terrible!”

  “Do let me judge that much for myself.”

  “Oh alright,” she cleared her throat. “You. Foreigner, how is it you got here?”

  A fair question.

  “Bettery yet, why? Can’t you marry closer to home?”

  That would have likely been around when I meant to answer.

  “Why is it you wear this veil? Are you hiding your face or are you afraid to look at me?”

  Afraid to look at him? Of all the things to say? What silly ideas had been put into that

  child’s head that anyone would be afraid to look at him. Of course, when I the veil had been removed, all heads but mine were down.

  “Why don’t you answer me? Are you a mute or a fool?”

  “A fool?” I repeated. “Is that the word I repeated.”

  She nodded.

  A part of me thought I should feel rather guilty, but if he was truly asking why a foreigner wouldn’t respond to his yelling, it certainly fit.

  “You–”

  Ai grabbed my sleeve, turning my attention to two bowed silhouettes.

  “Princess.” She began to translate for me.

  “Yes?”

  “Please accept this gift on behalf of Prince Touya, as an apology.”

  I looked at the gift in question, an item that looked vaguely similar to a comb from my people’s homeland. Ai’s breath hitched, but she said nothing. Was this some kind of trap I was not meant to understand, or was it something else?

  Of course, she could not advice me, so I was left to handle this on my own.

  “And where is the Prince?” I asked.

  The man paused. “What would his presence be required for?”

  “What is his apology for?” I asked.

  “Ryuunosuke’s behavior.”

  Interesting. The difference with which they referred to the two princes was impossible to notice. In fact, it almost sounded like a proper offense they should be punished for, calling him so casually in such a setting, yet no one even blinked an eye at it. His behavior had been quite rude, perhaps his lack of decorum led people to treat him accordingly. Still, even if I assumed the older boy did mean his apology, I could not accept any gifts. I had no idea what doing such a thing could cause me to owe either one of them.

  “Such a thing is hardly necessary,” I said, a smile in my voice. “I take no offense in cultural differences.”

  There was a silence. Not just from the two I’d refused, but from those surrounding me. No, the entire hall. Had there been more significance in refusing?

  “What is it I’ve done Ai?” I whispered.

  “You have rejected a thinly veiled marriage proposal.”

  “What?” I covered my mouth.

  “That’s what it means to offer a comb to a woman,” she said. “He tried to trick you.”

  “Oh, what a scoundrel.” I said. “And you say he’s most favoured?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he’s handsome I suppose.”

  “Is he?”

  “Only in face, clearly,” she said.

  I bit back my laughter. “Oh Ai, you cannot say such funny things.”

  “Sorry Princess.”

  “You apologize too freely,” I said.

  “Oh.” She held my sleeve, pulling me toward somewhere. “Your Father has returned. It’s time to sit back down.”

  “Alright.”

  I was led past people and objects, close rubbing against clothes and bodies far taller than mine, but I trusted Ai to take me where I needed to go. I recognized Father by his clothes, and his warmth, and his smell, things that all stood out here in these strange lands, making the sense of familiarity all the more pronounced.

  “Did anything go awry?” He asked.

  I shook my head. Details of what had really happened could wait until after.

  The voice from before rang out, calling all beside us to an attention of sorts. Whatever he was saying was clearly important.

  “They’re telling of the Prince’s choices.” She said to me.

  I nodded.

  “Touya,” she said, the only voice I understood above the others. “Has chosen…. 63 girls.”

  “63?!” I was aghast. What purpose could he have for even looking at so many?

  Father nudged me into silence.

  “Perhaps I miscounted,” she offered, clearly just as confoundingly taken aback as I was, but they called out the names. 67– and the final name was mine. I could feel Father turn to me, and I shook my head.

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Shinji has chosen 13.” A much more respectable number. Not too small that it left one unprepared, but not so ridiculous it came off as indecent. My name was not among them, which was perfectly acceptable to me. I had no desire to be near those eyes, let alone marry them.

  “Ryuunosuke has chosen…” I admit I listened more keenly than I cared to admit. “He’s never chosen anyone before.”

  If Shinji had attended one before and he was six, Ryuunosuke would have attended what, three? Perhaps more.

  “One.”

  The spectator's silence was similar to hers. Stunned, unbelieving, but holding that undenying curiosity. Not curiosity filled with wanting for wisdom, but rather, gossip.

  Who was the chosen one?

  The answer was of no surprise to me. “The Foreigner.”

  Despite a lack of name given, everyone knew it was me. All eyes turned toward me, and not even my veil could hide me from their gaze. So I stood straighter, held my head higher.

  “Well?” Father asked, pulling me from my ego.

  I turned to him, smiling. “Why not?”