"Stop."

"No, its fine. Let me do it."

"You're hurting yourself."

"I'm fine."

"Just give me that." Chen Mu took the wet cloth from my hands and softly dabbed it on my face. I was about to take the cloth back but he narrowed his eyes on me so I backed down.

"Your skin is flared up because you were rubbing so hard." Chen Mu scolded me.

In all honestly, that wasn't the only reason why I was burning red. Chen Mu was sitting in front of me, our knees touching, his face just several inches away from me. I don't know why but I'm feeling shy all of a sudden.

"Don't do this again." Chen Mu sighed as he continued wiping off the paint in my face.

I nodded like a child as I obediently sat in quiet, trying to avert my eyes from meeting his.

"I should have tied up Mo Li before I left." Chen Mu heaved to himself but I was able to hear it.

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from laughing.

Poor Prince Mo Li...

We are in his manor and yet, he couldn't do anything to defend himself from the master and subordinate duo who seems keen on locking him up inside his room.

"Xiao Yu, bring me a new cloth." Chen Mu instructed to Xiao Yu who was standing at the corner with a basin in her hands.

Xiao Yu immediately went to get a new cloth it handed it to Chen Mu. Chen Mu dipped the cloth in warm water and went back to what he was doing.

Wanting to disperse the awkward silence, I took the courage to speak, "How is Prince Chen Hui?"

"Alive."

That sounds reassuring.

"What happened?" I asked again.

"Bandits."

Very detailed.

"I guess everything is fine now then?" I prodded.

"Mm..."

An intellectual conversation.

After what seems like an eternity of stillness, Chen Mu was finally done. He took a last look at my face and when he was sure there was no more paint left, he handed the cloth to Xiao Yu and dismissed her.

"We will be going back to the Imperial Capital tomorrow." Chen Mu informed me as he stood up and washed his hands on the basin Xiao Yu had left.

I raised my brow in question, "I thought we're going to spend at least two weeks here?"

"An envoy from the next empire is coming. The Emperor needs our presence." Chen Mu answered and went back to sit in front of me.

"The next empire?"

I'm sorry. I wasn't paying to geography class when I was a kid.

"Han Empire."

I nodded my head as if I understood what he meant though I have no idea about Han Empire. Though it sounds familiar. I probably heard it from father once.

"Why are they coming to our empire?"

"Marriage prospects."

"Eh?"

"They want to marry one of their princess to our empire." Chen Mu said in his expressionless face.

Princess?

Then that would mean they would marry her to a member of the royal family but who?

My stomach started to tighten, the feeling of uneasiness creeping throughout my body.

The Emperor is out of the choices and there are only three princes. Chen Heng Li is a crown prince and alrrady has a crown princess so he's an unlikely candidate. That leaves us to Chen Mu and Chen Hui.

"Chen Mu..."

"Mm..."

Just the thought that Chen Mu might be chosen is making me uncomfortable.

But I'm also a princess.

And I'm his first wife.

I'm sure they won't let their princess become a mere concubine.

I assured myself, though it's not very reassuring right now.

Since Chen Hui still has no first wife so maybe they'll choose him?

As if reading my mind, Chen Mu raised his hand and started to pet my head, "Don't worry."

I shouldn't really worry, right?

I let him stroke my hair as I smiled at him, his action calming my worried state. I wanted to lay on his lap as he continues whatever he was doing but I stopped myself. It was embarrassing.

"Did you take your medicine?" Chen Mu asked me as he pushed my hair behind my ears.

I shook my head and my face crunched in disgust just remembering the revolting smell of the black glob.

Chen Mu had an amused expression seeing my reaction. He took a bottle out of his sleeves. It was another one of the medicine and handed it to me.

"Do I really have to drink this?" I pouted.

"Mm..."

I sighed.

If its going to help me, then let's do this.

For the sake of the babies!

I took in a deep breath and opened the bottle. I closed my eyes, my breath held in, and drank the medicine. As soon as the liquid made contact with my taste buds, It tasted so bad that I almost spat it out. Mustering my courage, I swallowed the medicine and let out a groan. Just then, Chen Mu popped a candied plum into my lips. I rolled the sugary treat inside my mouth, wanting to get rid of the weird taste.

"Thank you." I muttered.

"Mm..." Chen Mu lifted his finger and tapped his lips.

Is there something in my lips?

I wiped my lips with my handkerchief, "Is it gone?"

Chen Mu sighed and tapped his lips with the tip of his finger once again. I wiped my mouth again as well.

"Dummy..."

Chen Mu leaned in and gave me a quick peck on the lips. I stared at him in surprise as he distanced himself.

What was that about?

I clutched my stomach, wanting to stop the fluttery feeling inside.

"That- that was..." I stuttered.

"Sweet." Chen Mu continued my words.

Did he just say sweet?

Sweet?

Sweet?!

"I didn't mean that." I shook my head as if I just broke out of my own stupor.

"The medicine will make you drowsy." Chen Mu stood up and walked towards the door, "Rest."

I watched Chen Mu disappear from the door and I was left with my mouth wide open.

What just happened?

I held my hand on my chest, feeling the frantic beating of my heart.

Why am I acting this way?

True. It's not the first time that Chen Mu had kissed me. We've shared several kisses, not just a quick peck. We've also went past kissing, too.

So why exactly am I feeling this way?

Ahh, its so weird.

I laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling. A smile formed in lips as I touched the same spot where Chen Mu's kiss landed. Realizing what I was doing, I rolled over my front and screamed into the pillow.

I must have gone crazy.