9 Early Parting.

Time was passing fast, and it was already his highness and Anne's wedding.

After spending an enormous amount of time touring the closest towns, Chen had chosen a matching outfit per Lily's request. She insisted that it would look nice at the wedding.

A couple of servants from the palace had arrived in Chen's home to have them get ready while the servants serving his house busied themselves towards finally furnishing his home. The furniture that Chen wanted took a long time to either find or make.

As part of their culture, they made sure Chen and Lily weren't dressed so outstanding to not overshadow the main attraction. They knew their master had the looks of what people say 'could conquer the world', and his accompanying partner can 'bring downfall to a country' in a heartbeat. It took quite a while before they could leave.

Lily would say it was okay the way it is, but the servants refused to half-assed their work and made sure it was perfect to the tea.

The wedding was grand, so grand that it seems like it came out of a dream that every woman desired to have in real life. Everyone, even the citizens had attended. Though it wasn't enough space in the specified venue as it was for special guests only, the people stood outside clapping, cheering, and throwing confetti.

During the wedding, Lily was worried about Chen the whole time, so she stayed close and gave brief blessings to both of them.

When it reached towards the end, Lily wanted to confirm the man next to her was still on earth. He was staring listlessly in front of him, so she was anxious during the exchange of vows.

"You okay?" She inquired.

"En." He looked down at her.

He finally felt refreshed, finally letting go of something that felt somewhat of a burden. Despite not knowing how deep it had gotten, he did not regret liking her. She was still his first love, someone that saved him from the unknown, and gave him a new life.

At some point, he thought it was natural if they could be together, but he was afraid if he said anything beyond what he was supposed to, it would break what they had.

But this is precisely why it was meant to be in the present. Someone else was far braver than he is and took the first step; thus, that person deserves to be with her.

After the ceremony, the newly formed couple and Chen secretly met by the bridge to bid Lily farewell.

"Congratulations again, your highnesses. I wish you both the best" Lily said before she laughed. "I'm looking forward to being an aunty soon!"

"Oh please Li, you don't have to be formal! I'm still me." Anne said as her eyes started to get watery. "It was charming having you here! I had so much fun within the week more than I ever had this year."

Lily chuckled and hugged her. "Deary, you're exaggerating. I don't know when I'll see you again, but I will find the time!"

Lily looked at her intensely before giving her a signal.

Anne immediately understood and knew what she was supposed to do. She quickly dragged his majesty away to go to their awaited honeymoon.

Anne was about drag Chen as well, but Lily stopped her, leaving then together alone. It was best for both of them to stop feeding the poor man a huge amount of dog food and scurry away.

She turned to face him after seeing the couple's carriage moving away into the distance.

"Well, it's your turn, Chen!" Lily said after an awkward silence.

"..."

He was looking at her gravely, not saying a word. His heart felt heavy. They'll see each other again, right? After all, she plans to visit Anne too, whenever that was.

Not seeing him budge one bit, Lily felt bold despite his overbearing aura and tiptoed up to hugged him, patting his back lightly. He was always so oppressive like a demon king but right now, he looked like a lost puppy.

It was cute.

"Though it is hard, I hope you find happiness. Time will heal! I'll visit you often! Thank you for everything, and I promise I'll make it up to you in the future!" She rambled continuously.

"..."

Chen looked down at the woman in his arms. It was the most precious thing how she was tiptoeing. He could see her legs shaking to keep up. Lily was quite tall for a woman, but he was unusually taller than most people.

Chen bent over to let her hug him comfortably. He wrapped his arm over her waist and reciprocated her hug.

"En." He finally let out a short restrained reply. Then he tightens his jaw and his embrace. What if I don't see her again? She's making it sound as if we'll never see each other.

This past week, he was busy accompanying her that he had momentarily forgotten the pain he felt all these years. Now the thought of her leaving, loneliness was hitting him. He felt despondent.

"I also have a secret to tell you." Lily suddenly announced.

"Un?" He softly muttered. She's making him think again with her broken sentences.

Tippytoeing further up beside his ear, she whispered briefly.

His eyes slowly opened wide, stunned at the sudden information. It was hard to understand anything she had said.

Before he could react, he could hear the splashing sound from the bridge.

He quickly ran towards the rail and looked down at the slightly swayed water. Staring intensely at it for a couple of minutes, he didn't see anything and turned around.

Slowly sliding down on to the ground, he thought about what she just said, putting his head on his hand trying to comprehend.

That's it? Is that why she asked me about magic? No wonder she kept looking at the ocean. But why? Why does she look so sad at it?

He was filled with so many questions, but there was no one to answer it for him. Her words resonated in his head again and again. It was so confusing.

He sat on the floor by the bridge for a long, long while with a lost and dazed. He was like that until a servant came to fetch him for his duties.

_________________

Somewhere deep below. A girl moved forward to an open-spaced room towards a throne.

On top of it sat a woman with blonde, wavy hair dropping down past her waist. Her almond-shaped cat eyes were looking aloofly down at the girl like a queen.

She had three flat jeweled seashells clipping each side of her head and bright red lips which gave her a very mature and enticing aura. Her hands were curled and laid under her chin, arm rested on the cushioned seating.

Despite her appearance, she asked the person in front of her lovingly with a sultry voice. "How was your trip love?"

"It was quite fun. I'm sorry for causing you all this trouble."

"It is fine. Though I was worried about how long I would able to keep them out of here. Is there no way for you to escape?"

The girl looked down at the glowing bangles and shackles. "How could I?" The girl laughed coldly.

"Don't worry love, I will find a way soon, and when I do, you better leave and not look back, I'll take care of everything else." She twitched one of her brows.

The girl just smiled at her, a very, very sad smile. "I'll be heading back now,"

She slowly made her way out of the room.

The woman seated, looked at her with lowered eyes. Her lips were bent marginally downwards.

The girl looked like she was sentenced to jail. Maybe even to her death as the door closed behind her.

It was an upsetting sight.

The woman closed her eyes to wash the view from her mind.