Secret Love

SPLASH!!!

A cup crashed.

"What is that?" the king asked.

"It was just my son's carelessness," Hung Dao's father stood up.

"Oh. Hung Dao, are you fine?"

"Yes, your majesty," Hung Dao stood up as well, lowering his head.

"Be careful next time," the king signal for them to sit down. "Now where are we ambassadors? Ah, I remember now. What do you think of this?"

"I think the Khan will be happy to hear this," the ambassador said happily.

"Then it is done. Now sit down and enjoy your night with me and other officials."

The ambassador bowed his head and sat down at his table.

"Let's begin!" the king announced and the banquet began. Music started and dancers came out from the back. Everyone was enjoying the food and the music, but Ngu Lao felt that Hung Dao was upset. Suddenly, Hung Dao stood up, about to leave.

"Where are you going?" his father asked.

"I am going to the restroom father," Hung Dao said and left.

"Ngu Lao," Hung Dao's father said.

"Yes?"

"Follow him, he seems strange today"

"Yes," Ngu Lao bowed and left as well. Normally, he wouldn't listen to Hung Dao's father's order, but Ngu Lao himself was curious about what happened to his master.

Once he stepped outside, Ngu Lao was hit with the fact that he was clueless about the map of the palace. So he just wandered around. He kept walking and admired the beauty and heavenly feeling the palace gave off. He was drawn into the beauty so much that he forgot what his mission was. Until he reached the lotus pond, Ngu Lao woke up and hid behind a wall nearby. He then slowly peaked out and saw prince Hung Dao standing there on the bridge of the pond. Surrounding him were fireflies and lotus flowers from the pond. His head looked up and fixed at the moon. His eyes were filled with such sadness that Ngu Lao could feel it in him.

Ngu Lao then noticed a lady, dressed in royal clothing slowly appeared and walked on the bridge as well. She stopped next to Hung Dao and looked at him. Hung Dao slowly turned his head and looked back at her.

"How have you been?" the lady asked with a smile.

"I am always well, how were you?" Hung Dao smiled back at her.

"The palace is always peaceful," she answered. "Are you not happy to see me? You were the one that called me here yesterday" she sensed Hung Dao was sad.

"Thien Thanh," Hung Dao called her name.

"So that is princess Thien Thanh," thought Ngu Lao. "Isn't she about to be sent to Yuan?"

"Yes?" Thien Thanh responded to Hung Dao.

"I am afraid this is the last time we could meet," Hung Dao announced the shocking news.

"What? Why is that?" Thien Thanh was surprised.

"The king has just announced that you will marry prince Toghon of Yuan."