THE DECREE

Before his sword could cut off Xiao Tianyao's neck, Xiao Jun had stood behind the elite guard and stabbed him with his dagger right on his neck and stood beside his brother who seemingly had lost a lot of blood.

Xiao Tianyao was half kneeling while propping his body with his sword stabbed downward the ground. Despite his battered state, his eyes were still glistening with bloodlust. He looked at the elite guards with hatred. Some of them were the same people who supposed to protect the previous Emperor with their life, however, it wasn't only they had failed the task, but they were still alive until today.

"Stop!" A eunuch shouted out loud to stop the fight.

With that cue, all of the elite guards stepped back and gave away to the person behind them to come into the scene.

Xiao Zi was wearing his red dragon robe that exuded his royal blood and his authority upon the Kingdom of Azura. He trudged proudly as his eyes were scanning the two brother conditions.

He could just issue an order to kill both of them right there and then, but it would raise suspicion and uprising riot within the palace, especially when the Black Sword Clan that was led by Elder Dam knew about this. The old man wouldn't sit idly and let him off easily.

Since the military was under Elder Dam authority, Xiao Zi simply couldn't take the risk. It wasn't the right time.

Moreover, he had anything planned for both of them.

Xiao Jun and Xiao Tianyao looked at their imperial uncle with hatred, if look could kill, Xiao Zi would have died without been able to recognize by now.

In contrary, the animosity that consumed them, elated Xiao Zi when he let the eunuch, who was standing behind him stepped forward and announced his decree.

"Prince Xiao Tianyao." He started, his voice sounded dry and hurt in the ears. "With the crimes that you had committed upon the Kingdom of Azura, which were…"

And the list went on, all of that started with his infatuation toward Luna and ended up with his unjustified action to break into the prison.

Xiao Tianyao almost didn't hear what the rest of the decree as he fought back the black spot that gradually appeared in front of his eyes.

"… Your Military authority would be revoked…"

When he heard this, he felt Xiao Jun squeezed his shoulder tightly as his hand trembling with anger. Xiao Tianyao looked up at his brother and saw his defeated eyes.

Xiao Tianyao clenched his jaws tightly, somehow he felt something tugged his heart harshly.

It was the disappointment because he had failed his brother. He shook his head to clear his mind. There was something wrong. He knew that, but couldn't put his finger on it.

He clutched his throbbing head with pain expression as he traced back his memories, however the next thing that the Eunuch said made him abruptly snapped his head as the pain that it caused was as if his head had split into two.

But, it didn't stop him to glare at the Eunuch and directed his eyes at Xiao Jun beside him.

"… Prince Xiao Jun will be sent to the Kingdom of Rockstone as the representative of Azura until he is summoned back to the country…"

It was crazy!

His mind rushed to calculate all the possibility that could happen if Xiao Jun was sent to the Kingdom of Rockstone and none of them was good. It was clear to see that it was a suicide mission, if Xiao Jun agreed to take it.

To Xiao Tianyao surprised, his brother did.

It was unknown how long he was kneeling there or when the eunuch stopped announced the decree, but when Xiao Jun patted his shoulder to get his attention, all the commotion near them had dispersed and the dead bodies around them had been removed somewhere, only then Xiao Tianyao back to his sense.

"Can you get up?" Despite the disappointment that graced his expression, the concern in his question was easy to hear.

Xiao Jun supported his brother's elbow and helped him to steady himself.

The ray of the sun had turned into golden color in the sky that casting their shadow longer when they were walking in the garden in silence.

They were walking long enough to reach the north gates where they left their horses, refused the offer to take sedan to reach there and also the imperial physician offer to clean up their wounds.

"Don't you know he will kill you the moment you step out from Azura?" Xiao Tianyao broke the silence with his question. He was walking a step away behind his brother.

"I know." Xiao Jun answered curtly.

"And? Are you planning to suicide?"

Just right after he voiced out his question, a sudden kick landed on his chest that caught him out of guard, he staggered three steps back before he steady his footing again.