Introduction: A nameless beggar sold off to the neighboring Western Empire of the Water Dragons, to be used鈥攐r not鈥攁s intended.And the Second Prince, who knew she would never be his.Thought by everyone to be deaf and mute, she uses that to her advantage as she is made into the concubine of the Third Prince, a man hidden in the deepest corner of the palace. After one less desirable incident, she finds herself unexpectedly somewhat befriending the man who lived inside his own world of endless paintings.But as she had learned over the years, homeless in the streets of the Eastern Empire, nothing in this life comes for free. Nothing is simply gifted. And no tranquility of still water will stay as such. And sooner or later, a storm will create whirlwinds and force a heavy price to be claimed. Yet unbeknownst to her, there is a man who knows her secret. Keeps it hidden. And will do anything to keep her from the dangers inside the heavily guarded palace walls.This story begins with shameless mockery disguised as a generous gift.A story with a bitter beginning, but perhaps the sweetest end?鈹€?~???~?鈹€[ This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. ]...