Poetry

Content Warning: Mild profanity

Prince Thallios opened the door to his study. After both he and Leiyu crossed over the threshold, he shut the door and scrutinized the floor. Random sheets of paper were strewn about. The prince walked over and started picking them up.

“It’s a bit of a mess,” the prince said. “No one really comes in here.”

Leiyu scanned the room. The ceiling was adorned with blue and gold star patterns. Light filtered in lattice-screened windows and cast hexagonal shadows on the stone tiles. To the left side was a large walnut desk with legs resembling the paws of a lion. A gilded chair with a high cushioned back was tucked behind it. The walls were lined with multiple bookshelves, bursting with voluminous tomes and rolled up scrolls. The air also had a hint of sandalwood, and Leiyu spotted a brass censer in a far corner of the room.

Leiyu spotted a scroll hanging on the wall and went up to it. It was a colorful painting of a phoenix in mid-flight, surrounded by golden swirls.

“Did you paint this, Your Highness?” Leiyu asked.

“Ah yes,” said Prince Thallios, stacks of paper in his arms. “That was from a while back.”

“It’s beautiful, Your Highness. You are quite talented.”

“Oh?” Prince Thallios’ cheeks flushed. “Thank you.”

Leiyu spotted a sheet of paper with intricate calligraphy on the desk. “Is that your poetry?”

Prince Thallios set down the stack of papers on the other corner of the desk.

“Ah, yes. I can translate it for you.”

Picking up the sheet of paper, Prince Thallios began to read aloud.

A bird of iridescent plumage sings

As it spreads its vibrant wings

In the garden where the trees flower

Day by day, hour by hour

Upward toward the sky it goes

Riding the wind current as it flows

Behind its long wispy tail

Feathers float downward in a colorful trail

Alas, it reaches the roof of the menagerie

Shattering its glass reverie

It falls to the ground where it settles

Upon the many strewn flower petals

Prince Thallios lowered the sheet of paper and looked downward. “I suppose…this poem was a bit dark…”

Leiyu looked at him solemnly. “Your Highness, forgive me for asking. This poem wasn’t just about a bird, was it?” He took a deep breath. “Was it about…you?”

The prince gasped and turned away.

Leiyu’s heart sank. Damn my curiosity. I always say the most foolish things. “Your Highness, are you all right? If I was too forward, I’m sorry. I should not have asked.” He kneeled and lowered his head.

The prince turned back to face him. “No, it’s all right. Your interpretation of the poem was correct.” He blinked rapidly a few times. “It’s just…all these things I work on - the paintings, the calligraphy, the poetry - they all seem frivolous but…they help chase the melancholy away.”

Leiyu froze. He didn’t know what to say. He kept his eyes downward.

“And I don’t even deserve to feel such things, when I’ve never wanted for anything in my life,” Prince Thallios said, wiping his eyes. “Leiyu, you told me about your childhood the other night. How you don’t even remember your parents and how you lived on the streets. My heart ached after hearing that, and it felt so unfair. That some people can have so much when others have so little.”

“Your Highness?” Leiyu said, looking up. “Are you pitying me? I had a rough start, but things became better after Shifu found me. There are others that are far more unfortunate.”

“Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound condescending,” the prince lamented. “No, it wasn’t just pity. There was also genuine curiosity and…” The prince looked at the stone tiles.

We can discuss that later, Leiyu remembered the prince saying earlier in the library. Were they going to have that discussion now?

The prince looked up and began walking towards him. “Leiyu, the other day, when you accompanied me to the city, was the most wonderful day I’ve had in years.” He sighed. “The palace won’t be open to the public anymore after the Summer Festival ends, so I know you will have to leave very soon.”

Leiyu felt an abyss opening up in his chest. Was this the beginning of a farewell? He took a deep breath and braced himself.

Prince Thallios hesitated before continuing. He stepped closer to Leiyu until they were only inches apart. “Leiyu, I know that you have your life, traveling the world, while my life is here. I just wish that-“

There was a sudden knock on the door, and they both jumped.

“Your Highness?” a muffled voice said in Heliglossan. “Are you in there?”

“Oh, it’s Lord Oganesson,” Prince Thallios whispered to Leiyu. “I wonder why he’s here.”

Because he saw us sitting together earlier, Leiyu thought.

The prince raised his voice and replied in Heliglossan. “Yes?”

“Your Highness? May I come in?”

Prince Thallios sighed. “You may enter.”

The door creaked open and Lord Oganesson stepped in. He noticed Leiyu standing next to the prince and switched to Sargeshi. “Oh, you’re here too.” Leiyu bristled. “Your Highness, His Majesty wishes to speak with you in his chambers.”

“What does my father wish to speak to me about?” Prince Thallios asked, also switching to Sargeshi. Leiyu noticed a slight tension in his voice.

“He wishes to tell you in person,” Lord Oganesson said.

Prince Thallios looked at Leiyu. Leiyu wanted to shrug, but suppressed the urge.

“We must go quickly, it is quite urgent,” Lord Oganesson said. He looked at Leiyu. “You should come too.”

Leiyu felt his face turn to ice. Why am I going too? Am I in trouble? They’ve found out, haven’t they? That I took the prince out of the palace. Goddess of Water, please grant me mercy.

Lord Oganesson headed out the door. Prince Thallios and Leiyu reluctantly trailed behind him.