My name is Wú Ruolan. My family is a well respected household that everyone admires. My father is the Grand General of Emperor Gaozong. Father has lead thousands of men into war and back hundreds of time, which earned him the respect he has today. My mother once told me that when I become of age, I was to be married off to the Crown Prince, Ye-Hua. She told me that it wasn't my choice if I wanted to be married to him or not. It was an arrangement, a gift the Emperor himself bestowed on the Crown Prince and I. I really never thought much about it. Then again I was too young at the time to even know how much it would affect me.

Two more days before I turn fourteen. Once I turn fourteen, I have to leave home here and move into the Palace. Where I'd have to live in the Hall of Divine Beauty. There, is where I'd reside with the Crown Prince. TuTu, my maid, comes into my room with a bucket of water. “Good Morning Lady Ruolan.” 

“Good Morning TuTu.” I greet, stepping away from the mirror. 

“I’ll get your bath ready.” 

I nod at her, and then focus my attention on the variety of clothes all laid out on my bed. “Hmm...which one to wear.” 

A sudden voice comes uninvited. “Are you picking your outfit for your birthday party?” 

I jump at the familiarly warm voice. “Mother!” I call out running up to her.

She greets me with a smile. 

All the maids surrounding my room kowtows in her presence. 

“Have you picked one yet?” Mother asks, taking a seat. 

“No, there’s so many to choose from.” I reply, pouring her a cup of jasmine tea, her favorite.

“I like the red one.” 

“You do?” A maid brought the red dress embroidered with golden flowers. “Then I like it too.” I say, shooing the maid away. 

Mother smiles one of her usual simply smiles. “Ruolan,” she says taking my hand. “You’re going to be a women in just a few days. I want you to know that-”

“Mother let's not-”

“I have to Ruolan. Once you move to the palace, life will be difficult. It will be harder for us to see each other. They may not treat you like a princess there. You'd have to be carful. And know that-”

“In the palace I make more enemies than friends.” I repeat what has been taught to me for years upon years. 

Mother holds my hand firmly while holding in her tears. 

“Ruolan, I never wanted this for you. Any of it.”

“I know mommy.” I say giving her a reassuring smile. I pains me to see mother cry. Father always forbid it, he said women who cry will only make things worst. Because of father that mother has always held back her emotions. He isn't a bad husband or a father. And I don't blame him for being the way he is. He’s seen many things I wouldn't even dare to imagine. It’s only understandable that he’s a little tough. 

“Lady Ruolan,” TuTu interrupts. “Your bath is ready.” 

I turn to mother and smile. 

“Go take your bath, I'll be in the main hall. When you’re done come there, your cousin, Ling’er, sent over some dumplings.” 

I nod and went into the bathing room. 

While the maid throw rose petals in the bath and the others prepare my clothes. I'm in the bath messing around with the red lilac shaped birthmark on the left risk. My grandma told me that I was born to be something big. I smile a little just thinking about her words. I think she says that just to make me feel better. 

After awhile, I get out the bath while TuTu helps me get dressed. I then go to the main hall to meet mother. 

| 2 Days Later |

TuTu finishes the last touch of my makeup before putting the red cloth over my head. We both sit there in silence as we hold in our tears. “TuTu.” I say, “You shouldn't cry.” That only makes things worst, because she starts crying loudly. “TuTu.” 

“Lady Ruolan, I can't help it. I've been with you my whole life, we’re practically sisters! And now you’re being married off to some spoiled prince who might not even-”

I didn't dare ask what she was going to say. I already know the answer. A Crown Prince who might not even love me. I let out a gloomy sigh. “TuTu, it's alright. I’ll be fine. How about I promise to write to you every day. Is that okay?” 

Her face becomes frantic. “Lady Ruolan, you are always so nice to people. Yet, yet the gods treat you like this.” She then cries even louder. “I don't want you to go! I don't wanna! I don't wanna!” 

I get up to embrace her. I can feel their tears soaking my dress. “TuTu, you're going to ruin my dress if you keep crying.” I jest. 

“I-If it’s ruined, will you have to go?” She asks looking up at me with her puppy eyes. 

“TuTu, I wish I could stay. But you know the Emperor bestowed this marriage. My hands are tied. I'm to marry the Crown Prince and be forever loyal and faithful to him and only him.” 

A sudden knock approaches my door. “Lady Ruolan. The carriage sent from the palace is here.” 

My heart sank and fell to my feet at the maid’s words. TuTu looks at me desperately not letting go. 

“Lady Ruolan.” TuTu calls. “Please don't go.” 

I quickly gather myself together and pull TuTu’s arms that held me in a lock, off and walk towards the door. I then follow the maid through our garden that mother and I planted years ago and had kept such good care of it. The smell of peach blossoms in which I can no longer smell. My feet stops midway through the garden that fills with peach blossoms intense. Tears begin to flood my face. 

“Lady Ruolan, if you don't hurry you’ll be late to the palace.” 

My eyes begins to draw the very last images of the beautiful garden, as my eyes closes to seal the image. Forever keeping it safe, tucked away in my brain for all eternity.  

Once I enter the main room, mother’s arms swings open. “Ruolan ah Ruolan.” She calls out holding onto me tightly. I look around to see the other maids crying alongside her as well. Father is looking down at the ground concealing his feelings. 

“M-Mother.” I try to say without choking up. 

“Ruolan....I’m-”

Before mother could speak the eunuch clears his throat. 

“I should get going.” 

Mother stands up and wipes her tears away. “You're right. You don't want to keep the Crown Prince waiting.” 

I walk over to father as he embraces me tightly. “I love you my little angel.” He whispers. 

My heart wearies of the thought that those words might me the last words I ever hear him say. 

“We’ll visit you my darling.” They both say as the eunuch and the palace maids lead me out the house. 

I pull the red cloth over my head blinding my vision. Once I got outside, I hear banging of drums and firecrackers. Crowds cheering, saying how lucky I am to marry a royal. I make my way into the carriage and once they close the door, I lift the cloth off my head. The carriage begins to shake, meaning that we’re leaving. Because no one can see me, I am now free to cry. 

I hear the drums and firecrackers come to an end. Which means we’ve arrive at the palace. I quickly pull the cloth over my head. As I hear public officials guide the Crown Prince to kick down my door. Knock, knock, knock. And crash! The door came down. My body begins to shake, I can practically feel their eyes on me. Everyone shouting and cheering, “Well done Ye-Hua!” A palace maid enters the carriage and grabs my hand, leading me towards the Crown Prince. He bends over and puts me on his back. It's customary that the husband carries the wife over the threshold of their new home. 

After awhile I felt my butt touching a surface which is the bed. A husky voice suddenly startles me. “This is your room. My room is in the West Wing. Unless you need me, don't come and bother.” With that I hear the door slam. 

Hours have seem to gone by, and there hasn’t been a knock on my door. The room itself seems to be getting a little cold. I lift up the red cloth to see that it’s dark outside. A long sigh escapes my mouth. Maybe he’ll come in soon. I keep telling myself. Then the door open and I jump in excitement. My excitement got cut short when a maid enter the room instead of the Crown Prince. 

The maid walks slowly over to me and bows. She's pretty adorable. She wore a light green palace outfit, with her hair pinned up. “Greetings Princess Ruolan.” 

The title startles me. Princess, I repeat over and over in my head. “Who are you?” I ask.

“I'm Suyin. The Crown Prince has assigned me to serve you, Princess Ruolan.” 

He gave me my own personal maid? I smile at her. “Where’s the Crown Prince?” I ask. 

A bad look covers her face. “He....”

“What is it?” 

“He has announced to the servants that, he.....” she pauses, “that he won't be seeing you tonight.” 

My heart drops, mother has told me how important this night is. This is the night we are suppose to consummate our marriage. Does this mean that I'm not married to him? Suyin kneels down at my side and comforts me. “I'm sorry Princess.”

I let out a reassuring sigh. “No need to be. There’s always a tomorrow. Now I'd like some rest.” 

She looks me in the eyes before heading out. 

When the lights turn off, I took off all my makeup, put on some night attires, and open my window. The wind blows in a chilly breeze. The moon as round and bright as ever. I close my eyes and intertwine my hands together. “I miss you mother and father. Your daughter, Ruolan, wishes you have a goodnight’s rest even if I'm not by your sides. Please know that I'm doing fine. There are treating me well. Please don't worry about me and focus on your own healths. I love you.” With that I close my window and went to sleep. 

 | Three Years Later |

“Happy Birthday Princess!” Suyin shouts running into my room. 

A huge smile cracks on my face. “What's got you in such a good mood this morning?” 

“Why it's your birthday Princess.” She replies, pouring me a cup of tea. 

“Suyin, you know The Crown Prince doesn't like to hold celebrations in the hall. So just keep it to yourself.” I warn, as she sticks out her tongue.

“I don't understand why The Crown Prince doesn't agree to do anything. Three years already and he hasn't yet visited you once. Then he has the decency to go and marry the princess of Bei Xu-” She stops herself from saying anymore. 

I put down my cup of tea and look out the distances. “He only married her because of public affairs. It was a peace treaty for the nation.”

“But-”

“No buts Suyin.”

She nods her head and heads out. 

It's dark when Suyin and I tour around the imperial garden. Bamboo trees, wildflowers, water fountains made of rocks and crystals, the pond lit up with candle-lily pads. I sit under the stone shade, as Suyin pours me a cup of tea. “Princess, it’s getting late. Maybe you should head inside.”

“I'll be fine. I want to be alone for the night. You go and get some rest.”

She hesitant for awhile, not wanting to go. 

“Suyin.” 

She lower her head and walks back to her room, leaving me alone in the dim night. 

The moon is full, shining a single spotlight that can blind one’s eyes. It reminds me of mother and father. I close my eyes and let the smell of flowers sink in. “Mother, father, how are you guys doing? I can't believe its been three years since we’ve seen each other. I'm doing well. People here treat me fairly nice. Mother, are you eating regularly? Father, are you getting enough sleep? You shouldn't stay up late reading documents. It isn't good for you. I miss you all. I miss everyone at home. So much, I-” A nearby footstep startles me back to reality. I turn to the noise to see a 6 foot man, wearing a dark blue outfit, with one hand behind his back and the other in front of him. His face smoldering between sadness and coldness. “W-Who are you?” I ask frantically. 

He approaches closers, causing me to get up from my seat. “Don't be alarm,” his husky voice says. “I'm a court official, Liu Hua. I just came from a late meeting with The Crown Prince and wandered here. I'm sorry if I've startled you.” He apologizes. 

I look at him unsure what to do. Carefully, I sit back down not looking away. He too sits across from me.

“You must be Princess Ruolan.” He says look at me.

“Yes.” I reply.

“Do you like looking at the moon?” He asks. 

I look over at the moon. “It's beautiful isn't it.” I feel a warm tear drop fall down my face. 

“W-Why are you crying?” He says worryingly. 

I smile, “All the years I've been here, finally, I have someone accompany me watching the moon.” 

He stays quite for a while. “Do you blame him?” He asks suddenly. 

I look at him unsure what he was asking. 

“I hear that since you've been in the palace, The Crown Prince hasn't visited you.” He pauses not taking his eyes off me. “Do you blame him?” 

His words ring in my head, I honestly haven't thought about it. I smile hiding the pain in my heart. “Why would I blame him? He’s the next heir to the throne. He’s busy reading documents, tending to public affairs, of course I don't blame him.” 

I look away to gather my thoughts. “It's getting late Sir Liu Hua. I should be heading back.” 

He stands up to see me back. 

“No need, I'll be okay.” With that, I leave the imperial garden in silent tears.