I Promise You That

After playing with her all night, Cao Liangjei felt like he unknowingly vented his frustrations too much on her body, leading her into a messy situation. He pursed his lips as he stared at her naked body full of scars left by him throughout the process.

In a sense, she really did look like an enchanting demoness who was meant to steal her heart away without leaving a single trace behind. He stared and stared as his heart jumped in his chest.

But he didn't speak anymore as he grabbed her body and lifted her in his arms, heading toward the bathroom in the blink of an eye, rushing toward the bathroom. He gently placed the girl in the bathing tub, seeing her fast asleep.

His finger traced the woman's cheek softly and gently as he stared at her beautiful face in a daze. Sometimes he felt like she was hiding a lot of things in her heart, but he feared what he would actually end up hearing if he probed further.

Instead, he would just live by seeing this woman's face even though it hurt him to see her in another man's arms. At the very least, he would have a little flame of hope burning in his heart that he would someday find this woman in his arms.

His eyes burned in agony as traces of tears threatened to pour down the corner of his eyes. He took a deep, shaky breath and started washing her body. He gently moved his hand as he carefully wiped it clean and after that, he even washed her hair, dried her with a towel, and dressed her up before tucking her in her bed.

He stared at her with his eyes glistening with tears. Honestly, he knew why she kept her distance from him. How could he not know? He could read her thoughts pretty well especially since she couldn't hide it in front of him that well. This woman always tried her best, but she still couldn't hide it that much.

That's why, he would bring money to her so that at the very least, she could keep the chief here satisfied and she wouldn't have to find another man to earn money for this prostitute house.

At least….. he could go by doing this to protect her until he finds a permanent solution to this demon race issue.

Sure, he could run away, but it wouldn't be logical seeing how the demon race suffered even when they ran away. The couple would be tortured to death no matter where they go. So wasn't it better to overthrow this rule in the first place?

Cao Liangjei took a deep breath and placed a pouch full of gold coins. This time, he placed a few gold coins beneath her pillow so that she could have a few coins for herself. Then he left her a note—

"Xiu Ying….. I really love you and I promise I'll work on your request. Then, you'll be the first person who will get married to me. I promise you that."

After that, he glanced at her one last time and flashed out of the window.

Behind him, the woman who was supposed to be fast asleep opened her eyes and stared at the place where he was standing not too long ago. Her eyes glistened with tears as she sniffed and took the note placed on the nightstand.

She read it again and again as if she had gone obsessed and hugged it, covering herself with the blanket.

Sure, things were not looking good right now, but it would be better in the near future, right?

She sobbed and fell asleep.

***

In the palace.

By the time Cao Liangjei returned to his room in the palace, it was already late night. He should have already fast asleep, but here he was, sneaking about. If someone were to find out about it, they would look at him in a different light.

Of course, since his martial arts was high, no one would dare to mess with him despite seeing him sneaking about. They would all shut their mouths and keep mum.

It has always been like that, but today, something different has happened.

There was an extra person standing beside his bed, staring at him with his raised eyebrows.

Cao Liangjei was stunned. His entire body froze as his face paled. "Th-Third brother….."

Cao Haoran's lips curved up as he looked at his younger brother who just sneaked inside his own house. Here he thought he was the only rebel here and his little brother was merely his follower, sidekick. But it seemed this damned brother of his also had his secrets.

Now that he thought about it, he knew he chose to stay clear of his family because he actually didn't belong here. But what probed this guy into following him at all times? He hadn't thought about it.

It seems he had found a reason behind his actions of suddenly turning to him a year ago.

Looks like things would get interesting.

He had his legs crossed as he leaned against the headboard and looked straight toward his younger brother with a hint of smirk threatening on the corner of his lips. "To the brothel?"

He was merely guessing. After all, why would a prince of Cao dynasty need to sneak outside the palace in the middle of the night? But when he saw the young man's face turning paler, he realize he had hit the bullet.

He chuckled and walked over and said while staring outside window, "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Just tell me honstly. Did you side with me merely because of this?"

Cao Liangjei lowered his head in shame. He had indeed sided with his elder brother because of this reason and nothing else. His lips pursed as he looked outside too, turning to face the window.

He took a deep breath and said, "Well…. You're right about that…. Don't we all have selfish motives behind our actions? Isn't that what makes us humans?"

Cao Haoran said nothing and sneered. He flashed outside the window, leaving behind his dumbfounded and confused younger brother who didn't know what that sneer meant.