Royal Wedding III

Linghe approaches me, wanting to rise me up in his arms but I only take his hand standing trying to stand up by myself.

He squeeze my hand, not letting go, before lowering to my ear -Grab onto me or you will end up falling in front of everyone...-

-I... Uhm... Mhn- I nod locking my fingers with his, moving insecure slow steps on the floor.

-My head... The floor...-

-Don't you worry- he says, passing an arm around my waist to help me walk more steadily.

My eyes fall on my worried brother standing up from his seat as he meets my gaze, ready to come and help but Hua hiss on his sleeve making him seat back down

-Linghe is helping her, don't worry! Uou overprotective brother hehe... She probably just drunk, a bit more than usual actually- he giggles covering his mouth with an hand looking toward us.

More far away I notice the Emperor, talking with one of his personal guards, staring at me too.

This is quite embrassing...

-Look ahead- says Linghe, gaining a confused look from me

-Why...?-

-If you really feel so ashamed of the state you're in, just fake it. I'll be walking for the both of us, you just need to try to look normal... Or you want me to carry you?-

That sparkle is back, forcing me to look away feeling weak -No need... That would... Hurt my pride if you did-

-As you wish-

As we are about to leave the hall, I see a late noble walking down the opposite hallway as we're in...

Black hair... Golden eyes and black clothes...

I think I know him somehow.

He stops in front of one of the doors, where Dong is keeping guard, to exchange a few words before patting his shoulder...

With the tail of his eyes he stares in our direction, serious at first becoming calm again when our eyes meet...

-Let's go- drags me Linghe as the man enter the banquet hall.

...

We leave the palace and as soon as the guards close the doors behind us... Linghe catches my whole self taking me in his arms, walking down the stairs

-What the...?-

-You're drunk, I'm not going to let you risk falling down these stairs under my watch-

-But...!-

-Nothing you will say can change my decision-

-Uhm...-

-Rest your head for now... I will take you somewhere to cool down- he says and so I listen to him.

I can feel his relaxed heartbeat, resting my ear against his chest as I close my eyes falling asleep...

He heads Into the little wood beside the Palace's walls.

I feel a chilling breeze, caressing me, and slowly begin to wake up...

It's pretty dark around me except for the moonlight... I'm still in Linghe's arms as he share that bit of warmth he owns with me.

-You can let me down...-

-Not yet- he says making his way between the trees

-But I feel better...-

-You will ruin your clothes here... Let's go sit over there-

He approaches a small Pagoda and puts me down on the stone bench, securing my head on a pilar, before seating beside me.

-I know this place... I train here in the early morning with my Master- I say caressing the old cracked wood

-What do you train?- he leans back on the handrail of the Pagoda

-I... Cultivate-

He nods, I retract my hand from the wooden handrail looking at him

-Before... That was risky-

-Uhm?-

-The kiss I mean... It is not common to show such things in public, even less if they are Royals...-

-Nothing was going to happen anyway... Not when it was about one of their best soldiers- he crosses his arms

-Uhm... I suppose you are right- I look at the trees -So... What's gonna happen now? Any plans for the future?- I ask curious

-What do you mean?- he lowers his arms

-You said you normally go from one city to another... Are you going to keep on moving or will you stabilize in the Capital? The Head choreographer seems to like you, maybe he will permanently hire you-

-I...- he hesitate in his speech.

This is unusual for him...

He stands up, turning his back on me -I received a good proposal... A theatrical company wants to hire me-

-That's amazing-

He nods, the lips pressed tightly together

-I'll be departing tomorrow for their next show... We will be traveling all over the Country for months...- he doesn't look in my direction and just keeps on checking the surroundings, as searching for something...

-Oh... So this is a goodbye I suppose- I stand up fixing my messed robes

-I'm afraid yes- his voice is cold as metal

-I didn't even had time to prepare a gift or anything, I'm deep sorry...- I bow down as both an apology and a goodbye -... I hope future will be so gentle to let us meet again one day-

-Is that all?-

-What... Do you mean?- I rise an eyebrow

He leans forward, taking my chin in his hands for a deep kiss, much more intense than before...

-W... Wait- I try to murmur as he pushes my back against a pilar...

He rises and arm over my head and the hand on my chin slowly move to my jaw, bringing me closer to him for more intimacy and pressure...

All my fighting spirit comes undone.

I actually do not want to push him away and just grab on his clothes with one hand, while my other one rest on the cold wood behind me...

After some time he let go of me, passing his thumb on my cheek...

-I messed it...-

-It's fine- I say using the back of my hand to remove the lipstick

-I'm sorry... I didn't meant to push this on you...- he rests his forehead against mine, helpless.

-Don't apologise- I say cupping his face... He's looking away with sad eyes...

-Will you ever tell me the truth, Linghe?-

-What...?- he widen his eyes meeting mines finally

-There's no theatrical company isn't it? You are running away-

-I...- the muscles in his jaw clicks as an expression I know too well pop on his face

The expression of someone fighting against themselves...

Against what's objectively right and what they want.

-I do not ask you to tell me what's happening... Just don't lie at least-

He sigh at my words, coming to hold my hand still on his face

-You really are cleaver...

You're right, I have to disappear as soon as possible...

I cannot tell you more but... Just be careful... Do not lower you guard around anyone-

-Anyone at all?-

-Your brother... Master Feng... And Me, only us-

-Mhn... I will remember that...!- as I finish my sentence he lowers onto me again, kissing with more hunger... My hand fall on his shoulder as I close my eyes.

...

There's a knock on the door and a man rushes inside our room...

-Miss Ying?-

-Yes I'm here, who is it?- I ask at the man enters the room and bows down, handing me a parchment before leaving the room...

-Thanks...- I take it before seating down to read as Hua crawl on the bed, behind me...

"On order of the Emperor, Miss Ying will be moved in his private selection of Guards to serve as a...." -...Royal Guard?!- yell Hua leaving all the other guys shocked

-Is this real...?-

-A Royal Guard? This is a big thing- they murmur

This... Is not what I want...

That's useless for me

-That's amazing! You will be working along Pei'Ge! And will have so much free time for "someone"- blinks Hua toward me, hitting me with his elbow

-This is not that much of a good news...-

-Yeah... She won't be with us anymore...- sighs Wei as Kasuo pats his shoulder -The Emperor ordered it tho... It can't be changed-

-But...!-

-No buts... It's a goodbye- says Shun

-The second bad news in two days...- I murmur as the paper falls off my hands... I stare into nothing, ignoring everyone around me

I don't want... I don't want to go...

I'll be trapped forever in the Palace!

-Second...?- ask Hua

-Linghe... He had to leave the Capital...- I whisper between us

-But...! That's not... Wait... So you actually cared for him... Lai'Er? I'm sorry- Hua tears up hugging me from behind

-It's not a goodbye for us, I promise!- he yells as Wei runs to hug us too.

Could this really be the end of my journey...?

Stucked in a big Palace, under the protective wings of my brother and tons of Nobles around me treating like a slave?

Becoming one of the toys of the Emperor... For him to order me as he please and never to help my nation...

Beautiful Jade floors and silk dresses never looked more opressive than now... When I finally thought I said goodbye to those and achieved something on my own.

Now that I lost one of the dearest friend I could even find...

Blocked inside wooden walls again... I cannot escape my origins.