By week's end, Sein's study on history was complete, leaving her to deliberate on her next subject. Keeping her mind occupied was the most effective way to pass the long days alone. Scrolls and books became her steadfast companions, offering solace and distraction.
Being out of her apartment also spared her the risk of drawing her mother's attention. She relied on the belief that 'even the mightiest tree, when hidden from view, soon fades from memory.'
As Sein lightly stepped into the Archives, she hadn't anticipated running into Zeya again, yet there he was, seated in the very spot she had considered hers. The table before him was plastered with rolls of parchment and he looked to be studying them diligently.
Sein stood on the edge of indecision, unsure whether to remain or leave, but with no other appealing options, she chose to stay.
His smile greeted her as she approached, a genuine flash of warmth that made her feel welcomed.
She curtsied and said, "Your Highness."
"I was rather hoping you'd come by," Zeya started, his eyes twinkling. He quickly stood and gave her a neck bow. "I've got a bit of information to share with you."
It immediately peaked Sein's interest. She scooped the delicate lace train that trailed behind her skirt to one side and sat down opposite him. Her dark eyes intently studied his handsome face with curiosity.
"I've been reading through these, hard to believe, I know."
Zeya indicated to the mess on the table as he took his seat.
"Your quest for the missing scroll was still stubbornly playing on my mind."
"Oh really?" Sein raised a brow.
"You know, the possibility that someone wanted to conceal some untold truth. I'm assuming someone purposely hid it. And I'm assuming the reason is somehow heinous."
Sein smiled being aware of his playful tone.
"I had the chance to speak with some of the finest minds on our history. Tell me, are you familiar with the story of Spirit of Prosperity?"
Sein shook her head, puzzled by the change in topic.
"Neither was I, I must admit. But, I've been reliably informed by several sources that King Han Min himself became Spirit of Prosperity."
Sein nodded in acknowledgment, waiting for him to continue, not sure where he was going with this.
"Well, I've been delving into the spirit's story, hoping it might shed some light on King Han Min's era. I thought perhaps it would reveal the secrets of the missing scroll, or at least satisfy my curiosity about how he built the Gin Empire. Sadly, it did neither. However, here's the fascinating thing: the account of King Han Min and the tale of Spirit of Prosperity doesn't entirely align."
Zeya was clearly pleased with his own findings.
"Really? How does it not line up?"
"As we know, King Han Min ruled for twenty-two years. Now, let's hypothesise he ascended to the throne at the age of sixteen, though historical accounts state he was much older. This would make him at least thirty-eight at the time of his death. Yet, Spirit of Prosperity's tale portrays a king meeting his end in his mid-twenties, described as dying in his prime. How, then, could he have ruled for twenty-two years?
"Additionally, the spirit scroll paints a different picture. He was considered a formidable warrior, ruthless in fact, defending the kingdom left, right, and centre. Hardly the gentle, generous, king of the people. Despite these discrepancies, both accounts agree on one point: he met his end in combat with a challenger to the throne. What do you make of it?"
"Surely someone has already spotted these discrepancies," Sein said after a moment's thought.
"If someone had, the scrolls would've been corrected long ago. Though I suppose it's more entertaining to leave us with contradictions. Who do you believe? History scholar or spirit scholar?"
"I am not sure," Sein answered. "Believing one above the other means one version is incorrect. Could there have been a simple mix up as to who became Spirit of Prosperity?"
"That thought occurred to me as well. Yet, it's widely believed that King Han Min became Spirit of Prosperity. It raises questions about how much of the legend is rooted in fact and how much has been shaped by the passage of time and storytelling, doesn't it?" Zeya said.
"It made me wonder whether similar discrepancies exist in the accounts of the other supreme spirits, and I found myself drawn to the legend of Spirit of Love and Marriage. What strikes me is how vibrant and eventful his life was, filled with remarkable achievements and intrigue, right up until his sudden and somewhat unfortunate conclusion."
"I suspect all spirits led the most extraordinary lives as mortals before meeting some suitably tragic end. Not that I would know much about them, of course. I am guilty of never paying attention when they were told," Sein admitted with a wry smile. "My family, naturally, follows Spirit of War. I suppose all warrior families do."
"And the royal family as well. We're terribly fond of praying for power and glory, as if we don't already have our fair share," Zeya jested with a tilt of his head. "Well that said, my mother is the number one supporter of Spirit of Prosperity, and has been behind the building of more temples than I can count. I wonder which version of the spirit's story she chooses to believe. She tends not to mention Spirit of Prosperity to me, perhaps due to the expectation that I'm to uphold my father's beliefs and follow Spirit of War."
Then remembering something, Zeya sifted through the scrolls in front of him.
He picked up one and said, "Talking of which, my Master mentioned that Prince Amptu ascended as Spirit of War. Naturally, I thought I'd dig into his story a bit, you know, just to see how it stacked up against what the history scrolls claim. Well, here it is."
Sein noted his mind was as inquisitive as hers. She listened to him read the first passage detailing the early life of a young prince. Nothing remarkable or noteworthy.
"The prince was an only child and spent much of his time alone," he continued. "He lived with one purpose: to become a warrior. Every moment was spent honing his skills in martial arts and swordsmanship, embodying the duty expected of princes. There're details of several battles but let me skip to the end," he paused, his eyes scanning the text.
"At twenty-four, the prince seized the throne after vanquishing the King and twelve royal guards. Yet the triumph was fleeting. That very night, his life was taken in a manner that bore no visible malice and yet was unmistakably deliberate."
Zeya's focus shifted to Sein as he mused, "Would you say this story sounds similar to what happened to Prince Amptu from the history scrolls? After defeating King Han Min, he mysteriously died in his sleep that night? Not a heroic death but–"
"Zeya," Sein spoke up, interrupting him.
Zeya was surprised to be called by his name for the first time, and a smile spread across his face. Sein didn't notice as her eyes were scanning the shelf where she'd put the scroll with the writing about a prince who was murdered.
"May I show you something? I would like to hear your thoughts."
"Absolutely."
Zeya's eyes followed Sein as she approached a shelf. Her fingers danced along the rolls of parchment, until she found what she was looking for. Pulling a tatty one out, she unravelled it on the table in front of him. He moved close to her to peer at it, but took care not to invade her personal space.
"I found this a while back."
Sein pointed to the relevant passage. Zeya's eyes scanned the words, and a frown appeared as he said, "This does sound suspiciously like Prince Amptu's rather unfortunate end. Is that what you're thinking?"
Sein nodded.
"Yes. This mysterious message is the reason why I started reading the history scrolls. I was curious to find out who the murdered prince was," Sein explained, trying to read his expression. She felt a little vulnerable having revealed too much of herself.
"Initially, I discounted Prince Amptu because the historical accounts described his death as being from natural causes. But now you have revealed to me that his death was deliberate. So I am convinced it was him. He is the murdered prince."
When Zeya remained silent, she quickly added, "I have combed through every single history scroll, and there have not been any other prince that met their end like Prince Amptu. He was the only one."
"I see. Intriguing indeed."
For a moment, Zeya's gaze drifted to the window, watching the leaves perform an erratic dance in the wind's playful stirrings, mirroring the deliberation in his mind.
When he turned back to Sein, his pale eyes carried a look that was as enigmatic as the shifting wind itself. Drawn irresistibly into their depths, Sein felt intoxicated by his good looks.
Coming to her senses, she quickly focused her mind on the topic at hand and asked, "I can't help but wonder who could have murdered Prince Amptu?"
"Ah, so you're set on uncovering the truth behind Prince Amptu's death? A murder mystery from a thousand years ago. Quite the challenge, indeed." Zeya concluded, a twinge of amusement in his eyes. "Somehow you have intrigued me again."
When Sein looked a little unsure at his comment, Zeya added, "I do hope we might become friends and unravel this ancient mystery together. It would make for quite the satisfying puzzle, don't you think?"
Sein's lips curved into a warm smile, her eyes bright with the sudden recognition of his sincerity.
"I would very much like that," she responded.
Zeya's offer of friendship caught her by surprise, yet she welcomed it. She'd never met anyone she could genuinely converse with, and the Crown Prince, unlike so many others, neither spoke inappropriately nor behaved improperly.
He was betrothed to Princess Nanda, after all, so she doubted he harboured any romantic interest in her. And most refreshing of all, he was unlike the other young lords, who treated her like some object to be conquered. She began to relax in his company, letting her guard down slowly.
Sein and Zeya met regularly at the Archives to discuss the mystery of the murdered prince. They re-read the history scrolls and the spirit scrolls to highlight events that aligned or mismatched.
Sein continued to provide Zeya with a succinct summary of the kingdom's history, allowing him to demonstrate to his Master that he was diligently pursuing his studies.
On one such occasion, once Sein finished the tale of Zeya's grandfather's reign, Zeya smiled and said, "I must say, Sein, you're making history surprisingly tolerable."
"Just tolerable?"
"Well, I'll admit, it's become somewhat interesting. And now, with the whole mystery of the murdered prince to unravel, I'm starting to quite enjoy it."
"Do you really think that writing was referring to Prince Amptu?"
"After hearing the accounts of all the princes in history, I believe you're absolutely right, Sein. Without a doubt, it must be Prince Amptu, whom your mysterious scroll refers to."
"Oh… are you telling me now you were not entirely convinced before?"
"Well, in fact, I did rather wonder whether you might be a touch unhinged when you began going on about some ancient murder."
"Really! You think I am a little-"
"No, I'm only teasing you. Promise," Zeya said, raising his hands up in a gesture of sincerity. "Truly, I am quite determined to solve the mystery."
Sein smiled in acknowledgement, studying the Crown Prince whom seemed completely open and unguarded. Was he always this playful and cheeky?
As she rolled up the scroll she'd shown him, a faint frown crept across his face. She found herself wondering what was troubling him and gently asked, "What else is on your mind?"
"I must say, I can understand how most of my fellow princes died in battle or due to illness, but quite a number saw their demise in hunting accidents. It seems to me, a frivolous waste of life to meet such an unfortunate end."
"I had no idea chasing down unsuspecting creatures and killing them was such a dangerous sport," Sein commented.
"Well, it rather depends on what you're after," Zeya explained, noting her hint of disapproval. "Take tigers or wild boars, for instance, now that's a challenging hunt, full of potential dangers you can only imagine. Whereas going after birds or smaller game would be a safer endeavour altogether."
"Do you hunt?"
"No. Fortunately, this sport has fallen out of fashion, though there are some who still pursue it. As I'm not one for chasing down tigers myself, I daresay I'm safe from adding to that particular statistic."
Sein smiled at him, wishing in her head, I hope you'll have a happy and long life.
When Zeya looked away, she allowed herself to study his refined features, savouring every detail. His nose was gracefully proportioned, with a subtle, elegant bridge that flowed smoothly down to a delicate, well-defined tip. His lips were—Zeya glanced at her at that moment and she swiftly averted her gaze.
"I've been thinking about how Prince Amptu might have been murdered," Sein spoke up, unconsciously slipping into a more relaxed tone as she grew at ease in his presence. "It was recorded as a natural death, which implies there were no visible injuries."
"Surely then, it must have been poison. Wouldn't you agree?" Zeya picked up on her line of thought.
"Totally," Sein nodded. "It seems to me, if the killer wanted his death to look natural, you have to ask why. Clearly it was premeditated. I mean someone had to make the poison and slip it into his food or drink. It certainly wasn't a crime of passion."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Zeya's mouth as his eyes lingered on her face.
Sein became aware of this attention and quickly asked, "Did I say something curious or—"
"Not at all," Zeya interrupted. "I was just thinking that very same thing, and I must say, it's quite extraordinary to hear you say it aloud. Clearly, great minds think alike!"
Sein beamed at him as she felt a rush of delight at his words. Was it a compliment?
She took a deep breath as she continued, "And if it was a premeditated murder, what was the motive? Who would go to that extent to kill him?"
"Well, I can come up with a few reasons. For starters, he defeated King Han Min. That alone probably didn't make him terribly popular within certain quarters. I imagine there were plenty in the palace who felt the urge to avenge their fallen king," Zeya considered.
"Then, there's the matter of his birth, you know, being the illegitimate son likely led some to question his rightful claim. But I grant you, it does seem intriguing that they resorted to such an underhanded method to eliminate Prince Amptu. One would think, if there were any honour among them, they'd have faced him openly, perhaps even challenged him to a proper duel, as he did with King Han Min."
"Perhaps the truth is not entirely straight forward. That's why this mystery has its claws in me," Sein admitted. "I can't seem to let it go."
Surprisingly, she felt completely herself with Zeya and she shared her thoughts freely. How was it possible to feel like this in the company of the Crown Prince?
"Then don't let it go just yet," Zeya said, grinning. "Well then, shall we continue our… hunt? I must say, I prefer this kind of hunting. Why don't we draw up a list of suspects and examine them one by one? Who do you suppose ought to be on it?"
"I'd suggest we start with King Han Min's two daughters. If my father was killed by my half-uncle to take his place, I would wish to avenge his death."
"Exactly, I imagine I'd feel the same. As a princess, of course, I'd hardly be doing the dirty work myself. I'd have a loyal servant carry out the deed," Zeya said, with an animated expression. "Our first two suspects are Princess Hayma and Princess Zar. How about Queen Tin? She was the one who let her half-brother duel with her husband so presumably she's on Prince Amptu's side. Shall we discard her from the list? What are your thoughts?"
"You're right, Queen Tin should be on the pro-Amptu list. One moment, we need parchment and ink to write all this down," Sein rose from her seat and scanned the room. "There's nothing here to write with. I'll bring some with me next time." From her standing position, she spotted Khin Yu through the window. "It seems my time with you is up," she said, feeling a pang of disappointment at the thought of him leaving.
Zeya quirked an eyebrow. At that moment, Khin Yu entered and bowed.
"In that case, until next time, Lady Sein." He stood, then added, "Do try not to get too far ahead in your sleuthing without me."
Sein gave him a coy smile.
Sein and Zeya spent the next afternoon creating a list of suspects consisting of King Han Min's family members and possible supporters. However, they both knew well, there was no way of discovering the truth. They could only make assumptions and best guesses. Despite this, they persisted in the hunt as it was a valid reason to continue to meet.
After a few weeks, their interests and conversations diversified onto other topics. Sein found the scrolls detailing the events that shaped societies, cultures, and civilisations far more riveting.
Zeya was particularly engaged in the study of military strategies and the impact of war on the kingdom. He was still keen to unravel how King Han Min had created the Gin Empire.
"I can't help but wonder what strategies King Han Min actually used to conquer so much. He never struck me as a man with particular military flair. He wasn't trained as a warrior and he never led troops in battle. And yet, somehow, he unified whole kingdoms," Zeya said, snapping a book shut.
Then turning to Sein, he continued, "Perhaps his true talent was in surrounding himself with the sharpest minds and letting them do the clever work. If that's the case, then maybe delegation really is the greatest skill of all. Still, it's a bit of a nuisance that we've yet to turn up that elusive scroll, isn't it?"
"Yes I'd imagine you're right," Sein commented, not looking up from her reading. She was evidently engrossed with a scroll she was perusing.
"You do seem to be reading something that delights you," Zeya remarked, gazing at her. He noticed Sein had a gentle smile forming as if savouring each word.
Sein glanced up and shifted in her seat.
"It's about King Han Min's personal life. And how he was entirely devoted to Queen Tin."
"How so? I mean, we already know how his story ends. It's difficult to picture there was much love in that relationship."
"Perhaps for her, it was just duty, but he clearly adored her. Did you know he was the first king on record who never took a mistress." Sein responded, clearly showing her approval. "Totally unheard of in those days, wasn't it? Imagine, setting a precedent like that. A model of fidelity and devotion, creating a legacy of love and respect that transcends time."
Zeya's expression softened in an unguarded moment before he masked it, and commented, "As I've said before, I believe King Han Min stands as a fine example of the noble kings of old."
***
Three months had passed since Sein's first encounter with the Crown Prince. Now in the middle of the dry season, the southern winds carried a sweltering, sticky air. By midday, the heat drove everyone indoors, seeking refuge in shaded rooms, where they often succumbed to a languid rest.
During the afternoon, despite the lofty ceiling, the Archives was filled with a drowsy warmth. Although the doors and windows were flung open, the atmosphere remained oppressive, clinging to skin like damp cloth. Nevertheless, Sein and Zeya didn't let anything stop their routine of gathering regularly there.
Sein took care to wear proper attire whenever she met the Crown Prince. However, the stifling air ensured she could no longer tolerate the organza and tulle floor-length cape, encrusted with thousands of shimmering beads, pearls, and crystals, enveloping her form. She peeled off her layers, sitting comfortably in a intricately embroidered top and a long skirt with a belt that cinched at the waist, creating a refined silhouette.
Zeya who was seated next to Sein, cast sidelong glances her way. Then he quickly looked elsewhere, but a flicker of interest lingered just behind his casual expression, as he asked, "What has caught your interest, Sein?"
"I'm reading about herbs. I'm a little curious as to what might have been used to poison Prince Amptu."
"I see you haven't given up your hunt," Zeya noted, his pale eyes returning her gaze.
Sein adjusted a stray lock of hair, tucking it behind a bejewelled hairpin, as she responded, "I suppose I haven't quite given up entirely."
"Very well, I'll join you," Zeya offered, pushing aside the book he was reading. "What are your thoughts? I'd like to hear them."
His steady and unwavering generosity with his attention unsettled Sein somewhat. She quickly told herself, it was merely his inherent nature. Having deliberately avoided the royal social sphere, she could only speculate this was the way he treated everyone, a thought she clung to as a shield against reading too much into his interest.
"There are many herbs that are toxic and certainly can be fatal when ingested," Sein said. "I was looking into one which may be a possibility. It produces shiny black berries which are described as being sweet. The poison causes paralysis in the involuntary muscles of the body, which would certainly cause the heart to stop. Perhaps Prince Amptu was fed these berries."
"That does sound rather plausible, Sein," Zeya agreed. "If only we could uncover precisely what he dined on that evening!"
"Since we can't exactly ask Prince Amptu what he ate, I was thinking about the writer of that message seeking help. It strikes me as someone clearly devoted to him. There's a real sense of anguish and heartache in those words. I can't help but wonder if the writer was, in fact, his lover."
Zeya pondered for a moment before he said, "As I recall from Spirit of War's story, there wasn't any mention of a lady. In fact, very little is known of Prince Amptu's personal life. As you're aware, he fought in several battles against insurgents in the northern lands. I did come across a passage from a General who spoke highly of Amptu's remarkable command of combat and his strategic insight at such a young age—a testament to the respect he commanded, particularly within military circles. But it sheds no light on a potential lover. I haven't read anything else on him."
"Me neither. What a shame there's very little written about Prince Amptu," Sein sighed, expressing her disappointment.
"Rooting around in these scrolls hasn't revealed any great clues, has it?" Zeya said, propping his chin up with a hand.
Then straightening up, he put forward, "How about we step away from the Archives for a change and speak with real people. Not the lords and ladies, I mean the people living in the capital. There's wisdom passed down through generations that isn't captured in writing, and that's where we might find the answers we seek."
"That's a great idea, Zeya," Sein agreed, brightening up. Then her face fell as she said, "I'm not sure how we would find people that might have that knowledge to be honest. I very rarely leave the palace compound. You know, I don't get out much. In fact I don't know anyone on the outside apart from my relatives."
"Leave it with me," Zeya said, with confidence. "I'll speak to my attendant, Saw Win. He's very well connected with people across the capital. He may be able to suggest someone who can help us."
"Really? You would do that?"
"Absolutely. I'll have a word and report back."