章 23: The Promise (II)

King Lin was discussing some political issues when he heard outcries were coming from outside. It sounded hysterical.

However, the shouts were gradually getting smaller and smaller until they didn't hear anything. He dubiously furrowed his brows pondering for who dared to make a scene in front of the courtroom.

Unlike his patient behavior, his father was filled with rage on the guard's carelessness so he ordered them to inform him about the outside situations. Before the guard could leave to investigate, Ruo Xie entered the courtroom and kneeled down.

"Reporting to His Majesty. We have just captured the girl His Majesty was looking for."

Both Emperor Lin and King Jingze got up from their respective seats with excitement. They couldn't wait to see Nuwa's face since there was still some doubts in their minds of the possibilities of her resemblance with their beloved princess.

The old emperor was feeling enthusiastic because he was wondering if the news was fake or not. How could he believe such a thing without proves! It was impossible. However, since they found the live-evidence, he was brimming with curiosity.

On the other hand, King Jingze's lips broke into a wide smile because his corrupted mind was still filled with impure thoughts of his so-called faithful 'wife's slave' younger brother having a secret affair and keeping an illegitimate child outside the palace. He loved to tease this brother of his, so to annoy him more, he peeped at King Lin's direction and gave him a wink. However, King Lin didn't give him a face by sparing him a glance. His face was rigid like an ice cube, unlike regular days. He became unusually calm and cold after hearing Nuwa's arrival. King Jingze noticed his complicated expression and frowned. 'So cruel! Humph!'

"Lin'er, what happened! Why you are looking so tensed? Let's go to see this girl."

Without responding to his brother's dumb queries, King Lin signaled him with eyes to 'shut up'. They should not discuss their personal affairs in front of so many watchful eyes. He didn't want to lose his rationality on impulse. There were eyes and ears everywhere inside the palace. Who knew if suddenly someone backstabs them by treading such a valuable piece of news to the enemy nation!

King Jingze stopped his childish attitude.

"Where is the guest?" King Jingze inquired with a calm voice.

"Into the medical pavilion, Your Highness."

The trio then went to the infirmary with Ruo Xie. They directly entered the room without any hindrance. They discovered that Queen Lin and Princess Liena were already present there.

Liena was anxiously examining Nuwa with a hurtful expression when Queen Lin looked stupefied. She could not believe that Nuwa was almost a replica of her children!

'Just how it was possible!' Her eyeballs were almost popping out. She also felt connected and heartbroken at the same time to see her condition.

The trio couldn't control their curiosity so they finally looked to Nuwa. And yeah, like others, they were also shocked.

"This---...."

They saw Nuwa's tiny lying figure was on the bed, but the view was disturbing because her four limbs were tightly tied up by cloths. Blood was oozing out from the scalp, her whole body was covered by blood and purple bruises, there was not a single space left without wounds. They could hardly recognize her as a human.

'Looks like she was a scapegoat of someone's fury.'

Undoubtedly her body went through cruel tortures. Still, all the wounds couldn't hide her appearance, at least not to them who were waiting for her for two months...

King Jingze and Emperor Lin were gasping air in bewilderment but King Lin frowned in displeasure. It was such a convulsive sight for him, he could not take the cruelty anymore. So he shot a dagger to the imperial physician.

"Why are you inhumanly tidying her up! Are you challenging this King?"

It was the same physician who served Bai Qiang. So when he saw the king's reversed treatment for Nuwa, his jaw almost dropped.

'Seriously this man! Was this girl his illegitimate daughter? Why she resembled the princess?'

Curiosity kills a cat. So he didn't dare to clarify his doubts by asking questions. The personal complicated affairs of the imperial family were none of his business. As long as he was alive and paid with a hefty sum of money, his all generations would be grateful.

"Your Highness. This girl is heavily injured, this servant thinks she was beaten to death. So if this servant does not treat her immediately, she may lose her vital organs, even lifespan. Strangely, she is acting crazy whenever someone gets closer to her. Every time we try to be closer, she would violently strike us, like a mad dog. This is our last resort to tie her up in order to treat her."

"Such a ruthless behavior! Was it you? Have you beaten her to death?" King Jingze shot a deathly glare at Ruo Xie.

Ruo Xie vigorously nodded his head. 'Don't blame me! I was the savior, okay?'

"Your Highness, it was the Zi family who cruelly beat her."

King Lin scowled. "Did she work there?"

"No. They were bullying her. They always do." This time Princess Liena replied. Her face turned red in fury. She swore to God that she would take revenge on behalf of Nuwa. The entire Zi family needed punishment, she had no doubt that they were some greedy ruthless hyenas.

But this time their actions had crossed her enduring limit...

King Lin noticed her behavior. He laughed inwardly, his daughter was finally growing up, huh! She was showing her hidden emotions. It was a good sign. She was getting better. Though... his heart was also filled with jealousy.

'Wuwuwu... I never got her attention!'

There were not any outsiders except the physician and Ruo Xie in the infirmary. Since both of them already knew Nuwa's presence, Liena believed it was unnecessary to hide anything from them. She determinedly looked at her parents, then her grandpa and finally uncle.

"I want her as my sister."

Listening to her declaration, all of them were thunderstruck, especially her parents. Only God knew how much they were hesitating to convince her.

Last two months they wasted on planning different means, more than a hundred times how to pursue her. But they never imagined that it would be Liena who will take the initial step! They were happy.

Queen Lin sobbed and hugged her daughter.

"Of course. As my daughter wish."

King Lin laughed inwardly. He was relieved that his daughter was not narrow-minded. She accepted this girl without any hesitation. It was a good sign. She might become a good ruler in the future!

He was actually planning to hand over his throne to her. He would feel proud and rest in peace if she became the first and only ruler in the entire human history.

Nuwa suddenly opened her eyes. Sensing so many rich people around her, she became terrified. She thought it was another confrontation mob, so she started another round of hysterical shrikes. There were some medical tools on the table. She grabbed a sharp knife and shouted,

"B*stards. I'll kill you if you don't leave me alone."

She used unlimited vulgar words and curses while threateningly moving the knife. However, to everyone's surprise, Liena went closer to her.

Everyone was flabbergasted on her mad yet courageous actions so they tried to stop her, it was not the high time to pursuit Nuwa, her physiological state was not normal. But Liena refused to listen to their shouting and advice.

So their eyes nervously followed her back. Ruo Xie was prepared to save the princess. His first priority was saving the heiress. He didn't want to lose her because of some uncivilized beggar.

All these times, Nuwa hadn't notice Liena's presence. So when Liena's face was revealed in front of her, her knife fell on the floor...

Liena's tried to give her the most beautiful smile to Nuwa. Her heart filled with satisfaction when she discovered Nuwa slightly calmed down in front of her. 'Doesn't it look like I am taming her?'

Slowly but steadily she walked in front of Nuwa. In her mind, it was important to save Nuwa. She would do anything to save her. From now on, she promised to take care of Nuwa, just like her younger brother did to her.

Liena promised herself.

[Note: Unedited chapter.]