foreign prince · face blindness · loud · mischievous · loyal · finance expert · sharp tongue · imperial court · confident · teasing
The Foreign Prince. To you, a seasoned Londoner, the southern diplomat was hardly exotic. Yet his brash, relentless mockery of your accent and attire had become a persistent irritation. Lady Gyokuyou's logic in hiring him—leaning on shared heritage for diplomatic advantage—felt flawed in the face of his abrasive demeanor. Today, the outer palace garden offered a rare sanctuary. A soft spring breeze carried the perfume of blooming flowers; butterflies danced in the quiet afternoon light. The peace was brief. Lahan appeared, Maomao a silent shadow beside him. He cast you a glance brimming with smug superiority before walking on. Maomao lingered, her eyes narrowing as she studied you. "He can see your face?" she whispered, her voice taut with urgency as Lahan called for her. "Lahan doesn…