CHAPTER TEN

As Gang Li Hung waited for his father's response, he saw him begin to open a secret compartment attached at the bottom of his desk. He then retrieved a large envelope and handed it to Li Hung, //father what is this// he asked curiously, Gang Jian heavily signed a complicated look on his face. //I have been trying for all these years to find that person for you..... It's too late for myself, but I hope I am not too late for you. The information in that envelope is the last place yet be ventured, your chosen one may be hiding their//. It was evident from the way Gang Jian moved his hands that the information Li Hung was about to discover would not intend to bring him great joy.

Li Hung looked at the envelope in his hand apprehensive of what he was about to read, he wasn't an expressive individual and was often indifferent, but today it appears his emotions have betrayed him. As he lifted the opening of the envelope that was sealed with the royal stamp, his hands trembled slightly, he knows not whether it was his own nervousness or excitement. Pulling the sheets of papers that was neatly placed within the envelope out, Li Hung began to read its information, and immediately his heart stopped "THANATOS" the words jumped off the page at him. He gazed at his father who for the first time saw his son with an expression he had never seen before, //father are you certain?// he asked, slight fear evident in his face. Gang Jian nodded to confirm, //This is the last place left, if it were not for my failing health, I would have gone myself, the distance is quite far but am sure with your birth ability and wolf form, you should manage the journey and return in time for blue moon assessment//.

'Thanatos' meaning death is truly a place to be dread, it was not that Li Hung himself feared such a place, but he feared for the one who maybe there. For Li Hung had heard numerous stories of its horrors, one such stories told of powerful beings, born not of the three main genders but of something else. They are claimed to have possessed abilities not of which they were born, but have created falsely and call it "MAGIC" whilst branding themselves sorcerers. It is also said that it's a place where the dead resides and the living disappears, hence the name 'Thanatos'.

"If that person was truly in such a place, would they even be alive? Or in Danger? Is that why he must win their heart?" various questions came to Li Hung's mind and matter of urgency came over him.

//father I will leave first thing tomo…// at that moment the door to his father's study opened and in entered XiaoSheng, his face wearing an elegant and charming smile.

"Your Highness" XiaoSheng spoke as he came closer to the two men, his movement ever so graceful and refined it made one's eyes unable to move from his silhouette.

Gang Jian nodded in acknowledgement and gave him a strained smile, as an uneasy atmosphere awakened within the room. Retrieving his quill pen to note down his words, Gang Jian questioned XiaoSheng on his reason to the palace. "I had come to visit MeiShu, as well as check his Highness health", he spoke calmly, his voice smooth yet menacing. Though his actions were true his reasons were both dishonest, his earlier encounter with Li Hung had him curious of the other's behaviour and seeing that he was on his way to visit his father, XiaoSheng became suspicious of what the two would be discussing. Since the two are mute, they would be required to note their conversations down. His intentions were to enter the study unannounced and trap the men in the midst of their interaction, allowing him the open invitation to view their written discussion.

However, he saw no such scripts, arousing his suspicions at how the two were able to communicate. From his knowledge, he was aware that the curse had affected both men's ability to mind link with others. Therefore, they wouldn't be capable to speak telepathically and there was no other well-known communication method used within the empire.

Again, Gang Jian picked up his quiff and began to quickly write, **my health is as it was, I just needed a private word with Gang Li Hung, you have arrived just in time there is something I wished to discuss with you also** he turned and nodded at Li Hung, ending their earlier exchange.

Understanding his father's intentions, Li Hung calmly gathered the information he had earlier received, bowed his head respectfully to his father not sparing a glance at XiaoSheng, before taking his leave.

As he departed, XiaoSheng took the chance to glance at the document in his hand, getting a glimpse of the word Thanatos, causing him to frown his brows.

Outside the doors, Li Hung clenched his teeth, anger coming over him, until he was hit by that sweet scent again. As if hypnotized, he slowly began to move closer towards the omegas that stood waiting for their master. As he reached the figure of a particular omega his hands slowly began to rise wanting to touch them, "Your majesty" Toshiaki grabbed his hands pulling him from his trance.

Toshiaki wore a complicated look on his face, quickly releasing his hold on the prince, "my apologise your majesty" he spoke softly, his voice carrying his concerns. Li Hung looked at him blankly, his own confusion showing.

"Did our crown prince take an interest in my servants?" XiaoSheng's voice rang out, startling Toshiaki, "our apologise your majesty, his majesty was curious of your omegas" Toshiaki answered calmly taking a step to cover Li Hung. XiaoSheng stared intently at Li Hung, but the other remained indifferent and calm, "hm mm…. I do not need to remind our crown prince of our empire's omega laws", he spoke maliciously, stepping directly In front of the omega Li Hung had shown an interest and using his birth ability he formed a palm size water ball, then reaching his hand out as if in a stroking motion and gently touched the outside of the omega's vail.

Seeing this action affected Li Hung greatly, and he had the urge to rip XiaoSheng away from them, as if by instinct Toshiaki stretched his hand out, halting an aggrieved Li Hung in his tracks. Though his back was towards them, XiaoSheng had caught his reaction from the corner of his eye, and a disgusted smirk rose to his lips.

"Your majesty, the prince and I are to take our leave, we bid you a pleasant day" Toshiaki bowed respectfully quickly guiding Li Hung away, XiaoSheng turning his head to the side slightly glared at the disappearing figures his eyes filled with malice.

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The day had passed quickly, and the palace servants were busy making the final preparations for the young royal couple. One particular servant, the personal maid of Wu Shu was busy in the kitchen preparing the couple's special bedtime tea. Looking around the room to see if anyone was watching, she quickly without hesitation pulled out the vial that was earlier given to Wu Shu by XiaoSheng from her sleeves and slipped three drops of the suspicious liquid into the crystal teapot, blending the content in with a small spoon. Before covering its top, she sniffed the final product to ensure it had no peculiar odour that could alert Li Hung, smiling contently at the finished product.

Flashback

After XiaoSheng had gone, Wu Shu pondered for some time about the vial in her possession. until finally, she had decided that she did not want her marriage to be based on deception, but instead wanted Li Hung to love her of his own occurred. Having made up her mind, she dashed out of Shāngu lî de bâihé' hall, in hopes of catching her brother before he departed and persuaded him otherwise. However, on her journey, she came across the moment where Li Hung seemed to be entranced by an unknown omega. Watching from afar the interaction created an uncomfortable feeling within her, Li Hung had shown a face she had never seen before, and his actions appeared tender.

Recalling the words said earlier by her brother, she clenched the vial in her hand's flames burning deep in her heart. Not able to witness the sight any further she returned from where she had come, "Chul Cha Ae, I will speak with you alone" she ordered, her tone Stoic and filled with hidden emotions. "I need you to carry out a task" she spoke as soon as the two were alone in the room, opening her palm to revel the crystal vial, visibly showing her redden palms from where she was gripping too tight.

"Of course, my lady, Cha Ae will do whatever her lady desires" her maid accepted willingly, a genuine trust and loyalty in the woman she severed. Wu Shu pursed her lips, her heart still in conflict but filled with jealously and grievance, she handed the vial to Chul Cha Ae and explained her demands.

At that moment she had made up her mind, she realized that the palace had its own war zone, and she needed to be a soldier not a prawn if she were to win.