Cautious Cripple

(Moutain Range - East Side of Floating Cloud City)

A boy and girl were seen basking in the shade of a tree, supporting their backs on its trunk, trying hard to catch their breaths. They were not yet teens, having mediocre features like any other 10-year old kids.

They were probably exhausted after having played for a long time.

*Whoosh*

A gentle breeze swept past them, evaporating whatever sweat was streaming, bringing over a feeling of exhilaration, followed by the loosening of muscles.

The girl's petite body leaned over the boy.

"Lit..tle.. C..he..., I-I fi-n..ally cau..ght y..o..u.." The young girl whispered with uneven breaths, into the boy's ear, resting her head on one of his shoulders.

While the boy, who was called Little Che just closed his eyes in silence admitting his defeat earning a chuckle from the girl.

"Next time, you won't, Little Aunt," he said after a moment and started to run his fingers through her hair, ruffling it. The boy looked to be just a tad bit older than the girl.

"We'll see," said Little Aunt with her smile widening a little.

"Che'er, Ling'er, come back!" a cry was heard.

The call was from their Grandpa. Little Che and Little Aunt requested him to take them out to play while the Grandpa, at last, conceded as he couldn't say no to them.

"Little aunt, it's time to go.." said Little Che taking her hand into his, slowly getting up.

They enjoyed today and it's time for them to return back.

But not receiving any reply from his Little Aunt, he turned his head back.

"Little Che, will you... stay with me... forever?" she asked out of the blue in a minute voice.

"Eh?.." Little Che didn't understand why she would ask something like that but nonetheless, answered. "Mm, No matter what happens, I'll always stay with you. I promise. I only have a single cute Little Aunt, and I had to treasure her well,"

Little Aunt smiled and both headed back.

/Scene Break/

Opening my eyes, the familiar roof appeared. Glancing at the side, I see myself lying on my own bed.

That dream again. I lately started having the repeated dreams where I spent my time with Little Aunt in the woods. The scenes began to replay in my mind. That day, I vowed to my little aunt that I would stay by her side. Is it something that a cripple like me can even accomplish? I shouldn't have promised her that.

Shaking my head, I let go of those thoughts.

Now is not the time to think about it.

I stretched my arms inviting one more day in my routine life to pass by. Just as I was about to get off the bed, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said.

The door opened revealing a girl around 15 years, holding a bowl, walking towards me. She's Xiao Lingxi, my little aunt. The one I grew up with, whom I care, cherish, and... love.

This is usually the time when we both would leave for Breakfast. But today, she brought my share on her own.

"Little Che, you're late today as well. You know what, I brought your favorite meal!" she said with a smile.

Usually, she would be in a cheerful mood but the smile which she now wore looked completely foreign to the one I knew. Her smile was something I can't buy and wasn't enough to deceive me. But I smiled back.

"Is it porridge?" I asked, my eyes landing on the bowl.

She nodded.

I hurriedly took it in my hand and inhaled the aroma it exuded and without delay started to chew it down. Little aunt just sat there in a distressed mood looking at me eat, which I didn't fail to notice.

"It's tasty!" I said. "Little aunt, why don't we have it together?"

"This is your day, you alone can have it this time," she said.

"My day?" I asked not remembering any importance of this day while continuing to have my meal. I was sure, today in no way was my birthday.

"Don't tell me, you forgot!" she said her expression turning into a little surprise, then she slowly revealed. "Today is your wedding day with the daughter of Xia Clan's Head, the BEAUTY OF FLOATING CLOUD CITY, Xia Qingyue,"

Her voice was a bit wavering.

"It's just because of a contract between us," I said.

Hearing me say that, Little Aunt unconsciously let out a sigh.

"Didn't they call off the contract?" I asked a bit unsure.

I don't mean to degrade myself but getting married to a cripple, I don't know how foolish it may seem, no one would be willing to do that. I thought the contract was just in name to prevent Qingyue from getting forcefully marriage to one of the big-shots of the City and never took it seriously, to begin with.

"Grandpa won't allow it in any case. Little Che, you need to get ready... Come with me to the other room,.." she said dragging me along with her to the room where I had to change clothes making myself seem like a bridegroom.

There were red-banners arranged beautifully and the sound of the drum beats was ear-piercing. Might be some are too annoyed about me getting married, that they are venting it out on the poor drums.

I quickly changed my clothes and with my little aunt helping here and there, it didn't take much longer.

"Che'er, are you ready?" a voice came from the door.

It was none other than my Grandpa, Xiao Lie. He is currently the Strongest Elder of the Clan, only by which I could stay as I was now even though I'm a cripple. He was also the father of Lingxi.

"Yes, Grandpa," I answered.

I then followed to the Carriage while both Grandpa and Little Aunt stayed behind.

The Carriage moved on to the Xia Clan where Xia Hongyi, my father-in-law, together with Xia Yuanba was ready to fetch me.

"Che'er, Take good care of my daughter," Xiao Hongyi said patting my shoulder as soon as I got off the carriage. I merely gave a nod.

Soon, the bride, Xia Qingyue appeared along with her maids wearing a coronet. Her features weren't clearly visible and I didn't peek at her for a long time either. I followed her back to the Carriage and sat at my previous place.

Customarily, a bridegroom would take the bride's hand in his and walk together, but as I am a cripple, it would do no good and at most I might even lose a hand if the other party applied a bit more force than they should. Better not to be sorry, I avoided it.

The journey back was completely silent.

As expected.

The remaining events took place one after the other with nothing worthful to tell. I continued to receive daggers from all the people, but as I was already accustomed to it, It was no big deal.

At last, the ceremony ended.

I gave a toast to the elders and important people in the City and returned back to my room to rest, feeling exhausted.

But when I opened the door, I realized that my current courtyard isn't the only mine... not anymore.

Qingyue was seen sitting on the bed with her coronet in place. Is she waiting for me to unveil it? I laughed to myself even thinking such and slowly wanted to slip away.

*Cough*

Hearing a cough I stopped in my tracks. I then turned my gaze into the room to see Qingyue staring in my direction.

Not wanting to disturb her, I averted my gaze to the other side intending to leave.

*Cough*

This time, I was sure she didn't want me to leave, so I entered my room slowly closing the door behind not making much noise.

Qingyue started to unveil her coronet.

Slowly, one by one, her features were visible to me.

Her two tranquil pupils, clear like crystals, were like the radiance of a flowing dream, her two black thin and curvy eyebrows, similar to a pair of crescent moons. Her jade-like skin and creamy face were as white as snow under the dim lights in the room. Her lips were like the world's most delicate petals and her nose was of the most beautiful of sculpted white jade, high and proud with an innate nobility. Her soft and shiny black hair fell gently behind her shoulders.

Her figure was wonderfully moving and delicate to the extreme. Looking from afar, her physique was so elegant that it was simply too hard to describe.

Under the azure long skirt, one could faintly make out a pair of exquisite and slender legs. Her jewelry occasionally twinkled on her delicate, womanly figure. The perfect arcs of her waist, breasts, and buttocks were indescribably lovely. She radiated an incomparable, soul-shaking charm and had a kind of proud appearance and attitude that transcended this world although she maintained a stoic face.

Seeing her for the first time in full glory, my eyes widened to their limit. Her being called the beauty of the city was not at all an exaggeration and it fit her perfectly.

Along with my appreciation for her, I felt my own self-esteem lessen.

*Sigh*

I let out a sigh to clear all those thoughts and to calm myself down. It isn't my fault as I saw someone so beautiful for the first time. I continued to tell myself.

I lifted my gaze to see her directly staring into my eyes with a poker face. That was deadly... But a sudden thought diverted my mind. She must be maintaining her stoic face all the time. Then... I started recollecting all the events that took place till far.

It only meant one thing, she isn't happy with the marriage Or it's that she didn't take it seriously... just like me. I grew a little confident but was also scared. I might be targeted by someone and might get murdered for no reason. But I convinced myself as long as I won't leave the Clan, I would be safe.

I slowly made my way towards her...