The hand gripping her arm clenched tightly, his fingers trying not to dig into her flesh and she tried not whimpering. He was hurting her. The empress was goading him, she was the only thing that left a reaction on his face apart from the mention of his mother.
"Some people are lifeless, defunct in the palace. Them dying would leave no reaction on anyone's life because they've been for a long time in the palace." he said so calmly you would think it was a child he was speaking to but no.
The empress and he were talking about her son. A tight lipped smile caressed her lips and she nodded her head like she understood before waving her hand for her maids to follow her as she left but then she stopped in her tracks, only tilting her head to Xin-Yi and then to Li-Rong "It's a big event. We should be careful not to get lost unless we lose our head" and then she walked away, her regal robe sweeping the floor behind her.
"Did you hear her?" His low whisper in ear made the hair on her nape stand at ease, not shivers but shock. This place was getting shadier with people threatening each other like they're inviting them for dinner.
She had no time for trouble and enemies but they always seemed to knock on her door. Tears clouded her vision, she never wanted this life, at least not how she envisioned it.
"I want to go back to my room" not like she had any, it was the maids quarters where two to three people slept in a single room "let me go"
And like he didn't hear her, his voice boomed around them "You're dismissed!" And the maid-servants scurried away.
What she would do to not have his eyes or attention on her, his gaze came back to her, fierce with fury burning through them and she prayed that anger wasn't directed to her because she hadn't done anything.
"You—"
"Shut up"
Everyone's head was down as they walked the grounds and south to the crown prince's chambers, greeting him and not minding how he was manhandling her. The Heaven's Gate Palace but they made a mistake by giving it to a demon.
The southern palace was built only for the crown prince. A sacred place built for the next in line to the throne, the first brother. Prince Lengxiao was initially residing there but after a shift with the crown, he evacuated the place and had the devil's incarnate staying there.
Her legs throbbed as he dragged her across the rough cobblestones, she'd been working since the early mornings and now here he was dragging her.
She stopped, the sew of her shoe was bad and her toenails were scrubbing the stones. The next few days were going to be big and wild and she was least invited but she wanted to look her best and not limp around.
"Let me go. I don't want to do this with you" from where they stood, the route leading to his palace was visible, the curved roofs spilling out from the fence.
One turn around the corner and they would be at the entrance, she looked out behind her, the trees from where they stood, rushing between those bushes would leave her with scars and she wouldn't outrun him.
"You can't."
He always knew what she was thinking, their past relationship had him knowing every single emotion and actions about her that no one knew and it was getting irritating.
"You don't need to do this Li" maybe coaxing him with the name he so loved from her lips would have him think rationally "The emperor?" She said softly, stepping into him, the guard who stood by the wall, his head down since the crown prince was close by, moved by her gesture.
She didn't know if this would spread but it might as well. She couldn't step her foot into his chambers, the last time she was there. They almost committed a sin. A scandal that would have her head hung on a spike as a lesson to who would never dare do what she did.
"What can the emperor do?" He dropped his head and like she understood what he wanted, she cradled his cheeks in her hands, her eyes tracing his face cataloguing all features into her heart.
His black obsidian eyes that would suck you in, if not careful and you would gladly drown in them stared back at her. Vulnerable, imploring her.
"He can't do anything" he gritted through his teeth, his lashes fluttering and she didn't know when she stood on her toes and kissed them. His eyes closed as he hummed, her heart sped.
They were in the middle of anywhere, anyone could see but her heart constricted looking at him. He was alone in such a big place filled with vipers and snakes, but there was nothing she could do.
They couldn't be. It would be better if he just let her go but knowing Li-Rong and how obdurate he was. It was impossible.
"He can do anything he wants, Li. He's the emperor" she lowered herself back, her fingers slipping off his cheeks but he grabbed them, keeping them back. His jaw tightened, as his lips thinned.
He was always angry, frowning, scowling at everything and anything that didn't interest him. It was sad. She couldn't remember the last time he laughed, smiled genuinely without trouble lurking around the corner.
This place was evil. It was a stupid idea but… "We could run away from here" she said softly, "Find a small province and stay me—"
The jerking out of her embrace so abruptly, she tried grasping for air like it could hold her and ease the hurt and pain from the force. The sound of a hollow, chilling laugh filled the air and she stepped back.
"Are…are you…you—" the laugh continued, making him not finish his sentence. But nothing was funny. It was low and risky yet a nice idea. If he could see from her point of view.
She bit her lips, disappointment mirroring her blazing teary eyes, everything she did, thought and said was always traced back to him. It was like her existence was all about him. Her world revolved around him.
He didn't even want to listen to her opinion or what she intended to say. She exhaled as a tear slipped free, she folded her hands, maybe putting herself first and acting selfishly and not selflessly was preferable than this.
"You didn't even listen to what I had to say Li." Her voice cracked "you never listen to me. It's always been about you"
He marched towards her, the tassels on his waist swinging both sides "No. everything I do is about you. I'm in this sickening position because of you and you know what? You don't care. You don't listen to me anymore. You don't want to talk to me or even hear me out. I need you."
He cupped her cheek as more tears rolled down, "I need you so much. When you're not close it's like I am parched yet am not thirsty, you know why? Because I need you to quench a taste inside me that water can't. Please, don't push me"
Broken sobs shook her body as she shook her head. He gathered her, folded as she was close to him, his hold tight not letting her slip, his kisses on her hair filled the air.
"Everything will be fine. We can't leave here, we will pass this. I promise. Trust me please. I beg you"