ARC 2.22: Under the Moonlight

Liwei felt Iwa's body stiffen before she rolled away from his embrace and got up from the bed. He quickly pulled her back to him, however, she struggled to move away from him.

"Iwa, please."

As Quirra successfully broke away from Liwei, she went to grab a robe which loosely hang off of a chair nearby. She fixed her hair while she walked towards another chair situated near the window. She wanted to be away from Liwei.

Quirra then positioned herself on the chair where the moonlight could shine down on her but at the same time hide her face. And when she did, the moonlight successfully cast her features into a shadow.

"Iwa. . ."

Liwei could only call her name as he didn't know what to say. His heart was in so much pain from Iwa's actions. Her ignoring him hurt the most.

After a long time of uncomfortable silence between them, Quirra surprised Liwei by speaking first.

"If we are to speak about another woman, it will not be on our bed."

She kept her face towards the moon as she told him this. She would not let him see how she truly felt inside.

Liwei stood up and walked towards Iwa. He grabbed a chair with him and sat on it, across from her. Waiting for her to speak again. When he looked at her, he could tell she had been crying.

Now that she had her emotions under control, it was only then that she continued speaking to him.

"What is it that you wanted to say to me, my king?" she was still facing the moon outside as she asked him this.

Liwei sighed heavily. He wanted to gather her into his arms and hold her. He wanted so badly to comfort her, but know that he couldn't. Not right now at least.

Not before he could talk to her about the other woman who still occupied a part of his heart and mind.

L: "I think it best if Chonglin no longer has to greet you every three days. She has indicated that she wishes for your death. In order to keep you both safe, I believe it is best if the contact between the two of you are reduced to a minimum." he told her slowly while looking at her intently, assessing her reaction.

L: "However, should the two of you meet by chance, she is to follow the protocol and bow to you in respect. Should there be any disrespect towards you, you are permitted as Queen, to give punishment it deserves."

Q: "I understand. However there is something I want to know, if I may?"

L: "Go ahead, my Queen."

Q: "If Concubine Chonglin wishes for my death, what does my King wish for me?"

Although taken by surprise with her sudden question, Liwei answered without any hesitation.

L: "I wish for you to stay by my side and be my Queen. As I have told you before, as long as you breathe you will always be my wife."

Liwei was watching her as a thousand thoughts and feelings ran through her mind and she couldn't help them to show on her face.

Although Liwei couldn't tell exactly what she is thinking about or what she's feeling, he was certain his words are tearing the trust, love and happiness they slowly built for one another, apart.

Iwa looked down and closed her eyes, not letting him see the silent tears falling down her face.

Q: "Then we'll do as you say."

L: "Iwa---"

Q: "I am feeling tired right now. I still have a lot of things to prepare for the banquet on your birthday. I want to rest and go to sleep."

She quickly got up from her seat and went straight to her bed. Her back was still facing towards him and he couldn't help to feel as if he lost something important in his life.

Liwei looked out at the window and up at the moon. Right at that moment, he decided he hated the sight of it. The moon will forever remind him of the night he hurt Iwa's feelings as well as break her trust.

A moment after, Liwei got up and crawled into bed with Iwa. He pulled her closely and held her tightly in his arms.

Between the two of them, no one slept that night.