[Suggested song: Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker, Op.71, Act 2: No.14a, Pas de deux]
"Why must I give up everything I love for this Country?' he asked her. "Is it too much to ask for one thing for myself?"
"I don't know what you mean, Z…Zhu Yicai."
He closed his eyes in pleasure every time his name fell from those beautiful lips. If she knew how wild it was making him, he was certain she would go back to calling him 'your highness'.
"But I'm certain you will have many things you love as the Second Prince of the Empire. There's almost nothing in this Empire that can't be yours, should you desire it."
"I'm not talking about material objects!" he growled. "I'm talking about people, of course. More specifically, a woman."
"I'm certain you will find a very good woman who you will truly love, and who you can take as your concubine. With your status, there are many good women who would accept that position."
And here was his opening… he thought.
