2 | First Sight

For another 5 years, the Yun children tormented me and Lord Yun just idly stood by like nothing was happening. Even the servants treated me harshly. Many times I was beaten till I passed out and locked in sheds for several night. I feared being locked up in small areas despite not being able to see anything.

I was constantly in pain and sick from servants throwing buckets of cold water on me during the winters. Slowly my body started getting weaker and thinner, but as dumb as I was, I still believed that someone might come to care for me.

Many times I wondered why Lord Yun didn't throw me out or why I don't get angry at the people who tormented me, but then I'm reminded of Madam Yun who spent the rest of her life with me and not her family. I was being punished by the Gods because I wasn't being a 'good boy' or at least that's what Madam Yun taught me. What was anger anyway? It was a feeling I've never felt before, but I've seen it way too many times to know what it is.

I didn't have much education and I didn't have personal tutors like the Yun children. I couldn't read or write, but sometimes I would occasionally eavesdrop on one of the Yun children's lectures. I live in a well-known country called Qin. The Yan family is also a well-known and huge clan. There's a main Yun clan and branches.

Our family is part of the main and famous for wealth and power. Many Yun members are high class scholars and fighters. Everyone has their own elemental power, some might even have two, but most don't have any. I don't think I'll ever get the chance to find out what mine is though. The Yun children start training their elemental powers by age 12 so that by age 18 they are ready to choose their own path.

When the time came for the Yun brothers, RaiYa and HuLang both entered the army whereas NaiWei entered for military tactics. RaiYa had just been promoted to a general a couple years ago and haven't returned home since then, but MeiYi has been sending letters to her dearest brother to return home for the winter.

On the day of his return, MeiYi decided to play a prank on me and ordered the servants to take me into town and leave me there till nightfall. The servants did as they were told, but also stripped layers of my outer robes and eye bandages. For the first time, I was truly afraid of the outside world. I couldn't see where I was walking or who was nearby. I crawled on the ground and found a tree to sit next to. The air was freezing as I sat there curling myself up to stay warm. About an hour later I heard footsteps approach and a man asked me,

"Are you okay?"

My eyes slowly open to look at the man standing in front of me. I know him or rather I know his voice. It's been some years, but his voice hasn't changed other than his tone that was unusually kinder than usual. His grey eyes looked down on me with concern and his long black hair half tied behind him drooped down like silk. He was handsome, tall, and built. I was shocked silence. My sight hasn't disappeared and RaiYa was talking to me.

"Are you okay?" he repeated.

"Oh! Um... Yeah I guess I am fine."

"You're fine? Sitting in the middle of nowhere and dressed this lightly?"

"Well... I am waiting for someone."

I looked around noticing that the servants had thrown me somewhere in the woods. However, for some reason RaiYa did not recognize me. I didn't think I changed that much in a couple years, but I guess I did grow a bit and my voice was also changing. Ah it must've been that my eyes weren't covered with bandages otherwise why would he care? Unless he changed?

"Who are you waiting for in this kind of weather and all the way out here?" RaiYa asked.

"The servants. They went back to get me more layers."

"I see. I've never seen such insolent servants that would make their lady wait out in the cold."

"Haha... You're right. I should really be on my way then."

Lady? Even though I said that, I really don't know where I am. I started to walk off when suddenly a cloak was set on top of me and I was lifted from the ground. He carried me in both his arms like a child.

"You're walking the opposite way. There's not even a trail there. It's quite obvious that you were left out here. You don't even have shoes on. Rest at my place for a while and we can find your place later." Said RaiYa.

He's right. I didn't even notice that I wasn't wearing any shoes, but I can't go home right now. Meiyi kicked me out, so that they could have family time.

"I'm Yun RaiYa. What's your name?" RaiYa asks.

"..."

My name? WeiEr??? Ah no that's not really my name. Bastard? Cripple? Dog shit? You? Hey? What was my name again? When was the last time someone asked for my name? Should I just make one up?

"...J-JunHe?" I replied.

"Are you asking me? Anyone can tell you just made that up... but that's fine. If that's what you want to be called by. Next time tell me your real name." RaiYa slightly smiled as he chuckled.

JunHe? That's really all I could think of? Well should I just make that my name? A name I made for myself... I could slightly feel my cheeks blush from embarrassment, but also from sorrow.

I couldn't help, but look at the things around me. Everything was so different from what I thought. The colors, the trees, snow, and even my hands. I didn't know how to explain it, but my chest felt light and I wanted to touch everything. We chatted some more until we reached the gates of the town.

"If you could leave me in the town, I think I'll be able to return on my own."

"Is that so? Then will I be able to see you again, JunHe?"

"Oh um... maybe?"

"Then in 3 days, meet me at the town's front gates, right here, at sunset."

Before I could reply RaiYa took off. I had to walk back to the woods because that was where the servants had left me. If they found me in town, they would try to create problems for me. For now, I will just keep quiet about my eyes. I've been blind for years, it's best to keep staying blind. It's not like anyone takes care of me anyways.

As I return back to the spot the servants left me, I would occasionally think of how kind RaiYa was towards me. His tone and attitude was completely different. He even carried me all the way to town. Sadly, I had to walk back.

Slowly I started to drift off into slumber until I felt someone yank my body into a carriage. The servants must have returned for me. Once I reached home, they threw me into my room. Why couldn't they have at least put me on my bed? I could barely get up and walk. I couldn't feel my feet and hands. I might lose some toes and fingers. I collapsed on the side of my bed making loud tumbling noises. I called out for help, but no one came in. I could see the shadows standing outside as I lose consciousness again.

When I awoke, I was still lying on the ground. How many hours or days had passed? I'm not sure. Looking down at my fingers and toes, they were almost black. My skin was severely frost bitten. Having gone to see the family doctor, he said because they weren't treated right away, I might lose feelings in my hands and feet. They also might not function as well as they used to. Losing some feelings in my hands might be beneficial. Accidentally touching hot things can be avoided if I can't feel it.

I wonder what the Yun children are doing. Are they having fun right now?