Chapter 37

When A finally woke up, he felt the heat of Wang's body pressing against him. His mind a bit clouded as he tried to sort out where he was, and whom he was with.

It was after he began to sit up that the larger male finally shifted, letting Ai up as he shifted to prop himself up onto one arm. "Did you sleep well love?" he asked with a soft smile, looking at the one who held his heart.

Ai blushed slightly as he sat there, fidgeting with the blankets as he glanced to Wang. "Yes," he said with honesty. For some odd reason, his night was rather peaceful. It was nice not being alone again. He'd grown used to sleeping with someone from when he was always resting with his old friend. But those days were gone and even though they'd only been friends. Ai had missed the warmth of another.

Wang smiled as he got up, heading to change his clothing before returning with a new set for Ai to wear. "Here you go, I'll go make sure breakfast is ready," he said before heading out of the room.

Ai sat there for a while before getting up to change. The new clothing was more fitting for traveling and was less...feminine. Though on Ai's body, it still gave him the look of a young maiden rather than a boy.

Sighing, Ai brushed his hair before pulling it up into a ponytail and heading out to find Wang. He saw the male sitting downstairs in the inn's dining room. The rest of the servants were all gathered there to the side, a table filled with great smelling foods.

It seemed that through the night, the servants had busied themselves in clearing the other guests from the inn, so it was free of other souls outside of what Wang's guard consisted of.

Heading to sit down, Ai chose a seat opposite Wang, wanting to be able to still talk to him, but not have to fear being randomly groped or forced into the other's lap.

He still held some reservations about how this man was supposed to be his fated partner in this life.

Wang raised an eyebrow at the male before silently starting to eat. He kept reminding himself that he needed to press this matter slowly so that Ai wouldn't flee from him again. His heart wouldn't be able to take it.

Ai nibbled on some food for a while before peeking up at Wang. Finally, he steadied his heart. "I...I want to ask you something." he then said, setting the chopsticks in his hands to the side.

Wang in turn also set him aside, giving his full attention to Ai.

Pressing his lips, Ai took a minute before finally speaking, "I want to know..what you're planning to do. I mean, you are a ruler yeah?" he began, unsure of how to make his request.

Wang nodded as he shifted, "Yes. I just made my kingdom though, so it is not widely known yet. Right now I'm in the process of inspecting my empire to make sure everything is going how its supposed to." he stated.

Ai thought for a moment. "Then, how is your standing with the sects around?" he asked. He didn't really know how to go about getting someone to help him with his war against the people who ran those hypercritical sects.

Wang raised his eyebrow again before tilting his head. "My stand on them? Well so far they haven't done anything against me, so I've no need to do anything to them. Though, if you wish to destroy them. I'll gladly help." his tone was filled with indulgence and it made Ai blush.

Ai looked at him for a while before shifting awkwardly. "I...I don't want to go against them all, just the ones that are hypercritical. The ones that say they hold the right path but murder others for their belongings." He started slowly.

Wang's eyes narrowed. "You were attacked by a sect?" he asked slowly.

Ai bit his lower lip before nodding slightly. "I had...well it was like a family, they took me in, and in turn, I helped them. But the sects were jealous of their wealth from the items I provided them with. So they killed them all and tried to kill me. They said that the items I found in the spirit beast lands were theirs, and we were thieves." he stated.

Wang felt his anger spiking as he looked at the smaller male before him, he seemed so..sad. What family was this? When did Ai get a new family? Why wasn't his family from the start him? Maybe these sects did help him in an odd way. Wang didn't need to rid this family of this world for stealing his love, but now his love was sad?

Wang hid a smile as he reached over the table to grasp Ai's hand, patting it. "Don't worry. I'll help you get rid of all those that make you sad," he said with a caring tone. He'd be able to use this as a way to get Ai to fall for him!

Not only did he not have to bloody his hands on some useless beings that tried to take his place as Ai's family, now he was able to even help Ai get revenge and maybe Ai would finally see that Wang was the only one in this world that he needed!

Ai felt his heart shudder for a moment before it warmed up a bit. He wasn't sure why Wang made him feel slight fear, but also warmth.

Maybe it was against the laws of nature for him to be able to remember Wang's name, that's why he was reacting so oddly to the man.

It would have been better to have no knowledge, to be able to get the chance to find his own way without some predestined fate that he'd be unable to fight.

Wang shifted, waving over the head of his guard, he ordered him to send some spies out to look into the sects and find those who weren't as proper as they seemed, that abused their power. He also had the servants set out to prepare for their departure.

"Now, let us get ready to go. I'll show you around my kingdom, and the land you'll help rule over," he said standing up, heading around to help Ai to his feet. "I'll make sure it's a place you'll be proud to stay at. Alongside me."