The Ugly Girl Is Actually A Goddess

ooming lotuses gave off a warm, flickering light even during the day. Servants ran around like busy ants, carrying trays full of exot

like a precious vase being carefully moved around. She could hear the whispers of the royal family - the sound of fancy clothes, the quiet talk of princes and princesses,

od in busy town squares, small villages, and crowded city markets. They spoke loudly and clearly, telling everyone about

servants led her through quieter hallways, away from the celebration sounds. They took her to a beautiful but lonely part

A big bed full of silk pillows took up one side. A small table by a window had lots of yummy f

f lead. The silence felt thick around her. Minutes passed. Then more minutes went by. The only sound she could

herself. 'Sitting here like a st

ook it off, and she put it on a chest nearby with a gentle thud. A feeling of relief spread over her head. Then she took off the thick golden veil. She bl

t help but look at the table full of food. Her stomach growled loudly in the s

really taking his time. There's no p

pretty ivory chopsticks, and started to eat. The roasted duck skin was just right, crispy, and the dumplings were full of tasty filling. She po

uck-up? Sickly? Maybe he's just really boring? Or... maybe he's secretly horrible?' She shrugged, then took another bite. 'Honestly, it doesn't matter. Quiet is okay. Bori

vegetables when the heavy wooden do

her chopsticks s

y and smoothly, his head tilted down a little. Maybe he was expecting to see a brid

sn't on the bed. She wasn't wearing the veil. She sat at the table, looking comfor

choked sound came out of him - it wasn't a scream, but i

s wide eyes, the red blush on his face, and how tightly he held the wheels of his chair

chopsticks. Her eyes, though, stayed on him. Now that the

brother, but more... gentle. He had thick, dark eyebrows, big eyes still wide with surprise, a straight nose, and lips that were now tight and embarrassed. H

e a scared, well-dressed rabbit. All the talk about a grumpy, quiet prince faded away when sh

awkward, with only the smell of ro

quicker than her husband, thought it was better to do something than just look at him. Sh

honey, using the nickname that came to her mind when she saw hi

nd ears red. He looked very flustered, struggling a bit with his chair's wheels.

"Come on," she said, going back to the low table and patting the cushio

ly and giving him nicknames. He moved his chair closer to the table, stopping across from her cushion. Lu Hua didn't ma

with tea. "Here," she said, picking up her chopsticks again. "

They ate quietly together for a bit, the only noises were the soft clinking of the

clear. "Lady Chun... Lu Hua..." He stopped a

ks and looked straight at him. His face was serious, almost like he could get hurt e

is," he said, pointing quickly to his legs and the chair. "People usually... expect th

air stop you from talking? Or thinking? Or enjoying good food?" She waved the bun at the table. "Does it make you mean or unkind

n a small, barely there smile showed on his lips. He

k, she chose to speak into the quiet. "I hea

sounded

alace. They said you spend all day reading scrolls a

true. I like books. The wall-staring... not so much. More like... thinking. Or looking at the garden." He

ly silly. Books are good. Gardens are nice. It's better than running around m

en though they were strangers married to each other. He took a sip of his tea,

ink again. He looked down, not able to meet her eyes. "Moth

ing a piece of candied fruit i

. "She told me... very clearly... that I must... con

ha

er throat. She coughed and gasped, hitting her chest

" He looked around quickl

ing and from being so surprised and embarrassed. "Consum-? Tonight?!"

s surprised too! Please, don't feel pushed!" He spoke fast, his hands moving nervously. "It's okay! We don't

giving such clear orders was just as shocking as the order itself. She looked at her husband, her ve

e still a bit hoarse. "But... tonight?" She shook her head with determ

his face. "Slow. Yes. S

herself. "For tonight? We finish this great food. Then,

ing very thankful. He took his teacup again

another pastry, wanting to feel calm again. 'One step at a time,