章 3: Chapter 3 - Meanwhile, In The Qin Empire.

Qin Empire, inside a building of Imperial Nunnery which confined royal ladies who committed crimes, a hooded man is talking with an old lady who wears a plain but elegant outfit.

"Mother, Yi Xin's troops were suspected to be assaulted on his way back to the Imperial City." said the man, in a calm yet serious tone.

"Hmm? Suspected to be?"

Remaining her composure, the old lady asked as she leisurely grinding a piece of natural graphite on a pure black inkstone to produce ink for writing. Her facial expression looks so calm that as if what had just been told to her is not really an issue.

"Yes, suspected to be. The whole troop has gone missing along with Yi Xin and his fiancée. The only trace left is that blood-washed tavern which was supposed to be one of the resting spots of Yi Xin and his troop. Since no one could confirm what actually happened in that tavern, thus, they are 'suspected to be' assaulted." said the hooded man who emphasised the phrase 'suspected to be'.

"What?"

The old lady responded in disbelief, and obviously, that piece was too shocking for her that she accidentally broke the piece of graphite she had been grinding so leisurely just a moment ago...

***

Some days later...

"How long do you plan to stay here? Don't you think it's time for you to go back?"

"I don't know, it's not up to me whether or not I could go back."

"Well, I guess I will help you with it this time. I hope not to see you again any sooner."

"That would be grea.."

"Ah..."

In a dazed-off and slightly confused state, the King opened his eyes and found himself lying on a bed in a small unfamiliar room.

"Your Majesty..."

"Re... Rei?"

Yes, that soothing and familiar voice immediately dragged him out of the daze.

Hearing Rei's voice, the King immediately skimmed through his surroundings looking for her, and in less than a second, he found her...

Sitting at his bedside, Rei is looking at him with a pair of slightly teary eyes. She didn't know how happy and grateful she was at that moment, he had been in a coma for more than a week and she had been waiting for him to regain consciousness for all those days...

***

That day, when he collapsed in her arms and closed his eyes, she was scared to death that he would not be able to make it, she was afraid that the person she cared a lot and cared for her a lot would once again be sacrificed for her sake, just like everyone else she cared in the past...

That day, when those deadly claws pierced into his body, he clearly felt his own life force surging out from him. Ever since he was forcibly gifted with that damn immortality thousands of years ago, he was never afraid of death and even started yearning for death after he lost his left arm, but that day, at that exact moment, was the first time ever he felt the fear, the fear of death.

That day, as he was slowly losing his consciousness while his limbs and torso getting paralysed by the deadly venom, he felt her tears drop onto his face, and at that moment, he finally realized that he didn't want to give up on his own life yet, at least not in front of this delicate and precious girl that he valued so much, he wanted to stay alive for a bit longer... Even for a little bit longer...

"Ah... I need to tell Dr. Ben..."

Rei murmured as she suddenly remembered that she needed to inform Ben that the King had finally regained consciousness. However, just as she was about to stand up, the King stopped her.

With his frail and weak body, the King forcibly dragged himself out from his sickbed and pulled Rei into his hug with his slightly shaky right hand.

Despite not saying a single word, Rei feels that through his actions, he is telling her: "You are not going anywhere."

"Your Majesty..."

She murmured as she leaned her head onto his shoulder, she too wanted to appreciate this very moment of theirs for a bit longer...

***

Qin Empire, Imperial City, Xian Ya Dian, (which is also known as Palace of Virtuosity and Gracefulness).

Prince Ya was casually playing with a colourful songbird as one of his young consort was giving him a shoulder massage.

Suddenly, a young man who wore a slightly exaggeratedly luxurious outfit stormed in.

"Father! Father! I have some exciting news for you!" The young man exclaimed in excitement.

Hearing the voice of that young man, Prince Ya puts down his bird cage in annoyance, while his consort immediately retracts her hands away.

"For you to barge in without informing, this is better to be an important news," said Prince Ya with an annoyed tone.

However, despite being annoyed, he doesn't look angry, or rather, his eyes are filled with love and care when he looks at his son.

"Yes, father! This is not only an important news but a big good news!" The young man exclaimed.

"Oh? Come and have a seat, I am excited to know what kind of big good news you are bringing to me," said Prince Ya as he made a hand gesture indicating the young man to sit at his side.

Seeing Prince Ya's hand gesture, the consort immediately stood up and walked away politely giving out her seat to the young man.

"Father, you gonna love this news! Do you still remember that about last week, Uncle Yi Xin was supposed to invite his fiancée back to the Imperial Palace?" The young man asked he carefreely hopped into the seat at his father's side and casually poured himself a cup of tea.

"Hmph! Of course I remember! That bastard Yi Xiu even made a decree saying that he will promote Yi Xin as a Crown Prince as soon he married his fiancée!" Prince Ya exclaimed in anger as he poured himself a cup of tea as well as chugged down the whole cup of tea...