With servants carrying umbrellas so they wouldn’t get wet, Yuelan, Xiuya, and Hanju met each other in the courtyard Yuelan had turned into her music room. Yuelan studied her two guzheng for a moment before selecting the one she had purchased when she first came to Longuo. She settled herself in the chair behind it and smiled at her two friends. “What would you like me to play? Any requests?”

“The one that sounds like a waterfall,” Hanju answered. “You never told me the name, but of the songs you have played that is my favorite.”

“I never told you the name because it never had a name. My mother wrote it, but didn’t name it before she died.” Yuelan carefully put the picks on her fingers to protect them from the strings and checked the tuning of her instrument.

Xiuya smiled. “Your mother was very talented, Yuelan. I wish we could have had the chance to meet her.”

Yuelan’s expression fell. “Me too. I wish she had been able to live longer.” She adjusted the strings so they were all in tune, not that they needed much tuning, and started to play the requested song.

“What happened to her?” Xiuya asked. “I know she died, but how? Or would you rather not talk about it?”

Hanju took a seat nearby to listen to the song and the conversation. She could feel the longing in Yuelan’s music as the conversation about her mother continued.

“She had always had a weak body, but after I was born she got worse. By the time I was six she couldn’t get out of bed anymore. She died a few months after my birthday.” Yuelan’s voice was barely audible over her music.

“So you were raised by your father’s concubine then? Or second wife?” Xiuya was full of questions.

“No. Kilin practices monogamy. Even the emperor has only one wife. And my father never remarried.” Yuelan smiled. “So my father raised me himself. It’s not unheard of in Kilin. Boys and girls are raised together and learn most of the same things. Daughters are allowed to inherit titles and be in politics and the military as well. We aren’t restricted just because of our gender.”

Hanju and Xiuya blinked and stared at Yuelan. Both of them thought the idea strange. When Yuelan looked up and saw their expressions she giggled. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only ones who find the way I was raised strange. Guangfeng is still getting used to it as well and he’s been to Kilin. It was only for a couple of days, though.”

“I’d like to see Kilin some time. How long does it take to get there?” Xiuya’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“You would not be able to go without putting a great deal of strain on Yuelan.” The smooth, deep voice of Seiryuu came from the entrance to the room and all three girls turned to look. Xiuya and Hanju looked at him with confused expressions.

Yuelan stopped playing and stood up to greet the Azure Dragon. “Grandfather.”

Seiryuu walked over and patted her head. “I heard the sounds of the guzheng and came to listen. I happened to overhear your conversation when I arrived.” His eyes turned to the two young women who were visiting. “It requires the powers of the priestess to go to and from Yuelan’s birth country. I was only able to bring her father here by combining my powers with my son He’s and we will not be able to do it again. The circumstances were special. I suggest you give up the idea of going to Kilin.”

Xiuya and Hanju both looked disappointed. “So only his highness the crown prince is allowed to go?”

Yuelan smiled. “It was only that one time for him. To help him understand me a little bit better. The next time someone other than me travels between here and Kilin it will be me bringing my father to stay here.” She looked over at Seiryuu. “Though I’m curious how you and Long He managed it, Grandfather.”

The azure dragon smiled and stroked her head. “I made use of his contract. Now that we’ve sent your father back, He will be sleeping for quite a while. It took quite a bit out of him.” His hand paused, then rubbed a specific spot under her hair. “Hmm. Seems you are getting close to awakening. Let me know as soon as you feel any discomfort.”

“I will.” Yuelan brushed his hand away. “Please don’t mess up my hair. Laurel spent quite a bit of time on it this morning.”

Seiryuu chuckled and pulled his hand back. “As you wish. Just keep in mind what I said. And advise your maids to be very careful when they’re doing your hair. I imagine your head is going to be rather sensitive soon.”

Yuelan gave him an odd look. “You speak as if I’m going to suddenly sprout horns.”

“Because you probably will.” Seiryuu looked amused. “Your dragon blood is awakening.”

She put her hands on her head and looked up at him with wide eyes. “But...horns?”

“They will be small. If your maids are careful with your styling, they won’t be noticeable at all,” the dragon promised. “After all, you are not a full-blooded dragon.”

Hanju and Xiuya looked at each other, then at Seiryuu and Yuelan. “Perhaps if you wear coral accessories?” Xiuya suggested. “Hanju and I will not say anything about it, Yuelan.”

Yuelan sighed. “Thank you, both of you. And I guess I’ll have to see when they grow in. If they really do grow in.”

Hanju walked forward and gave Yuelan a hug. “Of course. Perhaps you could ask his highness to get you some? I’m sure he’d be delighted to have you ask for a gift.”

“You’re probably right.” Yuelan smiled. “I’ll check to see what I already have first, though. Then he’ll have more information on what I might need to choose from.”