The Dragon Prince's Warrior

When discomfort arises

Moments before the meeting in the garden...

Emperor Heng was overjoyed when Lord Len, the chief of the palace healers, who was in charge of Prince Shun's case, finally gave the green light to begin his beloved heir's recovery. He had breakfasted alone in his chamber, and the good news couldn't have come at a better time.

A beaming smile graced his face, and his chest swelled with happiness, something he hadn't felt for many days. The knowledge that his three sons were alive gave him a strength he had thought lost after the death of his beloved.

Heng wasted no time in looking for his dear children to share this good news. He walked as quickly as he could, passed by the royal dining room, and it seemed they had already eaten. So, he decided to search for them in their chambers. He made his way to the second level, but there was no sign of his children.

"Where could these young ones have gone now? Here we go again," Heng thought, tinged with disappointment.

As the palace was vast, it was always the same story when he wanted to talk to his family or gather for a specific conversation.

"But... Where could Jin have gone? Has he managed to escape the palace again?"

Finally, someone told him that they had seen Jin heading towards the library area, so Heng immediately headed there. Sure enough, his son was there, engrossed in reading a book on Chinese history. The ruler didn't dwell much on what he was reading; what he had to say to his two sons was much more important.

Heng took a step inside the library and noticed that Jin's hair bristled, and his skin pores also stood on end, sensing a presence. Still, he didn't pay much attention to it. Somehow, he knew instantly that it was his father.

"Father, do you need me?" Jin inquired without looking up and focused on his reading.

"How did you know it was me?" Heng asked, his eyes wide. Sometimes, his son scared him. In fact, all three of his sons did now.

"Just intuition," Jin replied, smiling as he looked up from his reading to face his father.

"I thought your brother would be with you. Do you know where he is?" his father asked with some anxiety.

In Jin's mind, the image of his brother heading somewhere with his friend arrived, probably to take a walk around the area. However, when he scrutinized his father's features, he felt a certain tension in his countenance.

"Well..." Jin looked around, chin in hand. "I think he's reuniting with his friend, the girl who was in recovery. He said he'd meet me here, but he hasn't arrived."

The Emperor nodded but didn't continue discussing that topic.

"We'll have an immediate meeting. You know where to go. Wait for us there; we'll be there shortly," Heng said, then turned and left the library.

"Is he... upset? Why?" Jin wondered, but he didn't want to dwell on the topic any further.

Heng headed into the vast corridors in search of Yun.

"You two," he addressed a pair of servants, who quickly approached their Emperor, "Have you seen my sons? I can't find them anywhere."

"We did see Prince Yun, in the company of the girl who just woke up," the young servant said.

"I believe they went to the gardens, your majesty," the middle-aged servant pointed with his trembling finger.

"Of course, how could I overlook that place?" Heng commented as he scratched his head.

"Well, we'll take our leave," both servants reverently said and went about their duties.

Heng had decided to find Yun, and maybe he knew where his brother was. He didn't have to search for his younger son for long because when he left for the main gardens, there they were. He had imagined it; his son wasn't alone. Both were behind him; neither Yun nor she had changed out of the white robes they wore in the intensive care unit, and it was clear they hadn't noticed his presence approaching.

The emperor walked slowly and deliberately to analyze the scene before his eyes. His son stood behind the girl, and she had her hands outstretched, while Yun gently touched her hand. When she turned around to say something he couldn't hear, Heng could see the attraction in their gazes.

Heng's heart twisted with something he couldn't decipher, perhaps it was a premonition from the dream he had, but he couldn't remember if she was the woman who had harmed his son; maybe repulsion at the fact that he didn't even know the girl or her origins; or possibly indignation because in his eyes, she didn't fit the standards of royalty, even though her delicate features gave her a graceful and elegant demeanor.

The Emperor's internal conflict grew with every step he took to approach them, until he was close enough for his two sons and the girl to notice his presence. It was clear that they both were startled to be pulled from their daydreams, and the girl reacted with an exaggerated bow. Was it out of fright or did she sense some fear in his actions?

"Father..." Yun murmured and then swallowed hard, bowing respectfully. He quickly looked at the girl and continued, "Siu... I mean, Wu, you can get up now. I want to introduce you to my father."

She stood up quickly and, unsure how to behave in front of the emperor, left her hands at her sides and began to speak.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Siu tried to smile, which seemed difficult given the Emperor's stern expression.

"Good morning," he responded with a certain coldness and a furrowed brow.

Yun noticed his father's posture and the doubts invaded him. What could be happening? Had he heard something negative about her? The young prince coughed softly and was determined to break this awkward moment.

"Father... let me explain a bit," he laughed nervously, "She... she accompanied me to Mount Yumai, and she also witnessed the dark dragon attack."

"I saw it with my own eyes, besides..." Siu started to say, but Heng's hand motioned her to be silent.

Heng approached the girl, who didn't know how to act amidst the Emperor's movements and reactions.

"I see... Soon you will tell me more, once I've spoken with my sons," he said with a serious expression and then turned to Yun, "My son, I'll be waiting for you in the meeting room. We have some important matters to discuss."

Yun nodded and simply watched as his father left without saying more. He turned back to Siu, and there was no doubt that she was not doing well with that small but uncomfortable conversation.

"Are you okay?" was the only thing he dared to ask Siu.

"Y-yes, don't worry. I'm just a little tired," she replied, managing a weak smile, nothing like her usual radiant expressions, which left Yun feeling puzzled.

"Please wait for me in the infirmary. I'll be there as soon as I can," he asked the girl, smiled subtly, and then turned to start walking.

The prince headed to the meeting room, leaving Siu dismayed. There was no doubt that his father hadn't been the same since his mother fell ill with that strange disease, but at that moment, she felt like his mood had worsened dramatically.