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  When the door opened, she jumped, and the advisor indicated that she step forward. The door closed behind her and then another opened in front of her. The room she stood at one end of was long and narrow. The empress sat on a wide throne at the far end, the high priestess behind her. Just to the side, an advisor or the like stood at a desk. There were silk screens just out from the wall along both sides of the room, and with barely any effort she could sense someone behind one of them. The prince, she imagined, but she didn’t acknowledge him. Instead, she walked the length of the room and knelt before the empress.

  ‘Lisabet,’ the empress said softly. ‘Such an unusual name.’ She waved at the man standing at the desk, and he picked up a brush.

  ‘Your Eminence,’ Lis said softly. ‘My father discovered it on his travels whilst serving the emperor.’

  The empress waved her words away, and Lis waited while the woman stood and walked around her slowly. ‘Stand up,’ she said.

  Lis lifted herself to her feet and tried to stand still as she was surveyed.

  ‘Quite pretty,’ the empress said.

  ‘Thank you, Your…’

  ‘Shh,’ the empress snapped. ‘She has lovely hair, a good face.’

  Lis bit her lip, hoping she wasn’t going to be asked to show her teeth, for she feared she wouldn’t be able to remain polite.

  ‘Her father is a good man. Can you count?’ the empress asked, and Lis nodded. ‘Can you write?’

  Lis nodded again.

  The empress sat back down with a nod, then waved the other woman forward.

  ‘Do you pray often to the gods and ancestors?’ the high priestess asked, her eyes burning into Lis’s skin.

  Lis nodded again.

  She moved her hand over Lis’s head but didn’t touch her. Then she nodded once and moved back behind the empress. They both stared at Lis silently for a time, then looked at each other.

  Unsure if the audience was over or not, Lis bowed low and made to walk towards a door she could see to the side with an advisor standing in front of it.

  ‘Sing,’ the empress said.

  ‘Pardon?’ Lis asked, stopping in her tracks.

  ‘Sing,’ the empress instructed.

  ‘What would you like me to sing?’

  ‘Anything.’ The empress smoothed out her dress, folded her hands in her lap and waited.

  Lis cleared her throat as she took her place back before the two women. Then gripped her hands before her and thought of Peng. She sang soft and high, a song she had heard her mother sing, one she would sometimes sing to Peng when they were alone, one that brought tears to her eyes.

  When she finished, the empress nodded once. And Lis chanced to glance at the doorway.

  ‘You are promised to another,’ the high priestess said.

  ‘Wu Peng,’ Lis whispered.

  ‘Is he a good man?’ the empress asked, and Lis nodded, willing the tears that were starting to spill over to stop.

  ‘If you could say one thing and one thing only to Crown Prince Remi before you leave for your little island home, what would it be?’

  ‘I am sorry for your loss,’ she said quickly, wiping at her face. ‘I cannot imagine how hard it would be to live without my sister; I’m sure it is unbearable to lose such a brother.’ Lis chewed her lip as she thought the empress’s own lip trembled. ‘And I am sorry for you too,’ she added, ‘for a parent should not outlive a child.’

  The empress opened her mouth to say something, although Lis didn’t think she had taken the words exactly as they were meant, because her brows drew together. She shooed Lis from the room instead.

  Chapter 5

  ‘I don’t think she liked me,’ Lis said, playing with her collar and lifting her hand to her hair. Her mother slapped it away before she could disrupt the smoothness she had created, or dislodge the pins delicately protruding from the side. She wore one of her mother’s combs, one she had marvelled at the beauty of.

  ‘The phoenix is luck,’ her mother had said as she had pushed it into place. ‘And it shows that we are not as poor as some think we are.’

  ‘I am only here to show our standing in the Empire?’ Lis asked mockingly.

  ‘Of course,’ her father said with a wry smile. ‘Now finish dressing so you do not embarrass us.’

  He was joking, but Lis’s eyes fell to her lap and her heart thumped in her throat. ‘I hope I have not,’ she said softly.

  He took her chin and lifted her face. ‘I do not think it is possible.’

  Lis nodded slowly, and he left them to finish.

  It hadn’t taken as long as Lis expected for the royal family to select a bride, and she was relieved they would be going home. She missed Peng, and it itched trying to contain her magic. Not only could she not use it, she had to ensure that no one could sense it, so she had pulled it tight within her. She longed for the moment when she could step back onto her little island and be herself again.

  The room was hushed when they arrived, a nervousness heavy in the air. The empress and crown prince stood stiff beside the emperor, who sat on his throne. There is room enough for the three of them to sit, Lis thought as she tried to contain her own growing nerves. She was unsure if the feeling was because of her own situation, or if it had grown of what she could feel in the air.

  She reached again for her hair, but her mother took her hand before it made the distance. Lis tried not to sigh as she looked over the group before her. The high priestess was not amongst them, and the prince himself looked directly at Lis. She gulped down a sudden fear.

  ‘Lis,’ her father said softly, ‘it will be over soon enough.’

  Lis nodded absently, watching the prince turn to his mother as she said something to him, her voice not carrying in the chamber as it had before. That was a skill Lis would like to have, and she wondered what the woman’s secret was.

  As the last of the families arrived, Lis realised just how many people had come. For the first time, she felt overwhelmed by the crowd and close proximity of so many people. She closed her eyes, thinking of the open spaces of the fields, and then someone tapped her on the arm and she reluctantly looked up to see the girls move forward to take their place in the line once more.

  ‘Last time,’ her father whispered.

  She nodded as she moved carefully forward to take her place. As the empress stepped forward, another woman appeared behind her. Lis thought she had probably been standing there before, but had gone unnoticed. Her dress was simple but stunning, mostly white with a deep blue beneath it. Although it was a similar colour to that worn by the royal family, it was not the same, and Lis wondered if this was the former hidden princess revealed.

  ‘Tradition is important to the Empire,’ the empress said, her voice carrying through the room, and Lis tried to calm her nerves by blowing out a long, slow breath. ‘Part of being an empress of such a world is to know these traditions, and so we spend thirteen years training her to be everything the world needs her to be.’ She paused, and Lis could see the calm façade crack a little. ‘When my eldest son and your crown prince, Rei Ta-Sho died, our traditions were disrupted. Not only was the heir to our Empire gone, but we had wasted twelve years training an empress who would never be.’

  Lis noticed the woman in white open her mouth and then close it again. She wiped quickly at the corner of her eye and then looked down at the floor. Lis wondered if she was sad for her lost prince or her lost opportunity.

  The empress didn’t look away from the crowd or indicate the woman in any way. Still standing tall, her hands before her, she took a breath and then held out a hand to the right. The girl looked up again. ‘My son, your Crown Prince Rei Remi, is now heir to the Empire.’

  The prince took a step forward and bowed his head to the people. Lis wasn’t sure whether they should clap, but the room remained silent.

  ‘As Crown Prince Remi prepares for his place in the world, so shall his bride. Tradition dictates that she must be two years younger, and that she will be
hidden away from the world to prevent distraction from her task for thirteen years. When she emerges at the age of twenty-one, they shall marry before all the world.’

  Thirteen years is a long time, Lis thought, her heart pounding. There would be no contact with family, but she wondered how many other people the hidden princess could interact with. Would they change tradition for the new hidden princess? Will she be an old woman once she is free?

  ‘We must do what we can with what is left of the tradition,’ the empress said. ‘The hidden princess chosen today will be hidden until she is twenty-one. She will only be hidden for three years.’

  The room remained still, and Lis realised she was holding her breath. It made no difference to the outcome of today. Hidden was hidden. She glanced at the young woman standing at the back of the group and thought she looked a little lost. No one acknowledged her; no one looked at her. Although Lis was sure that every other girl in the line was hoping to become her.

  The prince stepped forward and smiled at the line, somewhat nervously, but Lis thought it improved him greatly.

  ‘We have chosen,’ the empress said softly, stepping down to join her son. He glanced at her and she nodded. ‘When the choice is announced, all but the new hidden princess and her family will leave the room immediately.’

  Lis wanted to look around then, to find her family and the nearest exit. Would they run, or would they walk in an orderly fashion? Would the other girls move slowly to take the time to look over the one who could have been them?

  She closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath and tried to settle the prickling feeling that was moving over her skin. It was not long now and she would be leaving with her family. Running for the little boat, as her father had already ordered the bags packed. And they would be home, Peng waiting on the jetty. She smiled at the idea, opening her eyes just as the prince stepped forward, bowed low before her and said her name.

  ‘No,’ she whispered, stepping back as the room emptied around her.

  He stood slowly, his eyes a little hard, the friendly smiling prince dissolving.

  ‘I am promised,’ she said quickly. ‘To Peng. I am to marry Peng.’

  ‘You are to marry my son, Crown Prince Remi, in three years,’ the emperor said, his voice hoarse as he stood from the throne. Lis dropped to her knees, bowing low before him.

  ‘Forgive her shock,’ her father said beside her.

  ‘There was much deliberation,’ the empress said. ‘You should be honoured.’

  Her father knelt beside her, bowing low to the empress. ‘We are very honoured by your choice,’ he said.

  ‘Thank you,’ her mother whispered, kneeling on the other side of her and bowing low.

  ‘She is bright and beautiful,’ the empress said. ‘She will make an excellent empress, or at least my son is sure that she will.’

  Lis chanced to look up at the man who now seemed somewhat disappointed in his choice.

  ‘Your words to my mother,’ he said. Then he turned on his heel and left the room, the unknown woman a step behind.

  ‘Say your goodbyes, child,’ the empress said, taking her hands and helping her to her feet. ‘For we have much to cover and only three years to do it.’

  Lis nodded slowly and then turned to her parents, who pulled her into a tight embrace.

  ‘You must be careful,’ her father whispered. ‘Please be careful.’

  She nodded against him, unable to find her voice as the lump in her throat seemed to close over it. She tried to swallow, reaching up and grabbing at her neck.

  Her mother pulled her hand away and smiled through the tears. ‘Breathe,’ she said softly, putting her hand to her cheek. ‘You are clever and beautiful; you will make a wonderful empress.’

  The tears rolled away as Lis nodded. ‘Peng,’ she sobbed.

  ‘I will talk with him,’ her father said. ‘He will understand. There is nothing that can be done that would undo this. There are strange rumours in the palace,’ her father said softly, leaning in close. ‘You must not use it. Ever.’

  She nodded once.

  ‘Promise me,’ he said sternly. ‘For it will mean more than your death.’

  Lis stared at him as the meaning of his words sank in, and she dragged in a ragged breath. ‘Tell Peng I love him.’

  Her mother shook her head. ‘It is not a good idea.’ She opened her mouth to protest, but her mother held up her hand. ‘You are the hidden princess.’ She bowed a little. ‘You are linked to the crown prince and will become our next empress. You cannot love another.’

  Lis felt the world heavy on her shoulders, and she nodded through the tears. Ting pulled her into a tight embrace and then ran from the room. Her parents dropped to their knees and bowed low before her. And then they too silently left the open room and Lis started to fall, her knees giving way beneath the sorrow that filled her. A strong hand caught her arm and kept her standing.

  ‘Your Highness,’ the deep voice of the owner of the support said, and she turned to the serious face of the prince. ‘It is time for you to be hidden away.’

  She nodded slowly as he led her towards the throne and then through a door in the screen behind it, his hand still tight around her arm. When she tried to pull from his grip, he held her tighter.

  ‘I will not run away,’ she said, her voice still thick with tears. ‘For where would I go?’

  He nodded once, but kept his hold.

  ‘You are hurting me,’ she said softly, her voice cracking, and he let her go instantly. She rubbed at her arm.

  ‘It is my place to take you to your new home. For we shall not see very much of each other…’ He looked at her seriously. ‘You will not see very much of anyone. But it is my place.’

  She nodded, and when he held out his arm, she put her hand on it and allowed him to lead her. They moved in silence through the passageways, and she was surprised by how simple and quiet they were. They passed no one.

  ‘If you know where I shall be hidden, then you can find me at any time.’

  He nodded. ‘Everyone knows where you shall be hidden, and that is why no one will visit.’

  ‘Oh,’ she said.

  They stopped in the middle of a passageway, and the prince listened for a moment before opening a door she hadn’t seen. They entered a large room with a desk covered in books, scrolls and wooden slips. One whole wall was covered in shelves filled to overflowing with more of the same, while another wall contained a smaller shelf with a beautiful, simple jade pot, a dragon carved into the front of it.

  Lis stopped, taking in the room.

  ‘My father’s study,’ the prince said, pulling her forward.

  ‘How did we get here?’

  ‘Secret tunnels only for the family.’

  ‘But now I know,’ she said, looking up at him, and he gave her a tight smile.

  ‘You are now family.’

  ‘Oh.’ She allowed him to lead her out of the study and across a smaller courtyard. A long pond ran along its edge, and she could see the large golden fish in the dark water as they passed over a small bridge. The stone was perfectly smooth and the red lacquered railing somehow calming as she slowly moved her hand over it.

  ‘My mother likes this bridge,’ he said. ‘They all look alike to me, but she often finds her way here.’

  Lis smiled at the idea of standing at the top of it and watching the fish swim beneath her, and then she remembered this wasn’t a visit. She wouldn’t be sailing home again. She coughed, trying to remove the lump that had quickly formed in her throat again.

  The palace covered the biggest island in the Ti-Emi Chain, and it appeared that every inch of it had been covered. There was not a soul to be seen, and the further they walked the more nervous Lis became.

  ‘The main residence,’ the prince said, pointing to a large building, and she stopped.

  ‘Is there another building on the top?’

  ‘Another storey, yes. It looks out onto the hills of Second.’

  ‘It
must be like being up high in the temple.’

  ‘Similar. Have you climbed the temple?’ he asked.

  She nodded absently as she took in the building. ‘When I was a child, on Fourth.’

  When he said nothing, she turned and found him smiling. It unnerved her more than she thought it could.

  ‘Will I be hidden in there?’ she asked.

  He shook his head and led them past the building, over more ponds and bridges, through little gardens, and eventually they arrived at a wall similar to the one behind which she had stayed with her family. The gate was bright red with the symbol for ‘hidden’ painted in black on it.

  As she made to run her hand over it, the gate opened and a large soldier—who towered even over the prince—stepped forward. Lis stepped back, bumping into the prince. The soldier, with a long, narrow sword in his belt, bowed low and then stepped through the gate to stand to the side of it.

  The prince nodded at him once and then directed Lis forward. Above the door of the palace, similar to the one in which she had stayed with her family, hung a sign denoting the hidden princess, painted in gold. Lis stopped at the doorway and looked over the garden. It was much larger than the one she had been in; it contained a pond, trees in blossom and flowers that bloomed along one wall. She smelled something sweet and then discovered a tree with fruit. ‘How?’ she asked.

  ‘They come from different parts of the world and so flower and fruit at different times.’

  She looked at him seriously, but he shrugged.

  Then the empress was standing in the doorway, and Lis bowed.

  ‘You may go, Remi,’ she said kindly.

  He bowed low before his mother. ‘Your Highness, I present Hidden Princess Lisabet.’

  ‘Lis, please,’ she murmured, and the empress frowned.

  He bowed to Lis, then turned and disappeared through the gate.

  Lis took a deep breath and walked up the steps to meet the empress, who indicated inside the house with an outstretched hand. Following it, Lis stepped into her new life.

  Chapter 6