The two followed the big man outside the training grounds to the garden, where they stood underneath a bare brown chestnut tree. Shadows crept between the trees, the long fingers of dusk.
"Rin, the emperor called for you. Go and see him." General Guo ordered.
"Uncle…" Her brows furrowed. She looked between the two men.
"Go." Her uncle insisted, more sternly this time.
With no other choice, Rin reluctantly left the two alone. The wind sighed through the trees. When General Guo passed the young man's eyes, he came upon two gray, dark pools. There wasn't a flicker of guilt or fear.
He couldn't help but sigh.
"You know I'm quite pleased with you, Sun. You're a good man with strong morals." General Guo said, his tone rather calm. "However, when it comes to my niece, I'm going to have to put my defenses up. Even to you. Now all I ask is…are you serious about her?"
An Sun's gray eyes remained still. He never reverted his gaze.
"I am."
"Will you marry her?" General Guo suddenly asked.
An Sun blinked. He had opened his mouth once, but nothing was said. A flush was creeping up his neck. He bowed his head and cleared his throat.
"I hadn't thought of that until now. But I appreciate the reminder."
Seemingly not too pleased with his response, General Guo frowned. "You…"
"Don't misunderstand. No matter how much I care for Rin…I will never force her to be with me." An Sun's tone grew serious. "If she is willing, then I will take her. When that time comes…I will ask for her hand. Only then will it be up to her to decide whether she wants to be with me or not."
When all his words were said, General Guo's eyes only continued to widen. He fell silent for some time before he finally sighed.
"You truly love her, don't you?" He asked casually, but the words seemed to strike deep.
The wind blew the red leaves above them, and somewhere one could hear heard the soft pat of a chestnut. An Sun's eyes were dark in the half-light. He turned to the large man, his features looking finer than usual, like carved marble. Those eyes filled with clear emotion.
"I love her."
…
At Rin's knock, the emperor came shuffling, opening the door just a crack.
"You called for me, your Majesty?" Rin asked.
"Yes, come in." The emperor opened the door wider. "I was mulling wine. Would you like a cup?"
"I'll have to refuse his Majesty's offer. I try not to drink on duty."
He nodded and poured one for himself. "Sit." He ushered her to a seat.
As she sat, the emperor had settled at his desk, drinking from his cup. He seemed a lot more relaxed the last she remembered. Perhaps he was drinking more wine before her arrival.
Cool, green light filtered down through the diamond-shaped panes of colored glass set in the sloping, triangular walls, and a breeze was blowing gently through the terrace doors, carrying the scents of fruit and flowers from the garden beyond.
Closing a book on his desk, he looked up at her.
"As you know, there are only three days until the An Clan attack."
Rin nodded her head.
The emperor took another sip of his wine before asking another question, "How would you say our chances are at winning?"
The question surprised her. She gathered her thoughts, thinking carefully about how to respond.
"I beg your pardon your Majesty, but such an outcome is hard to tell. However, with our numbers and training, I say we have a fair chance."
"So you're not confident." The emperor frowned.
"I'm only confident about what I know," Rin replied simply.
He stared at her for a moment. Then suddenly let out a heavy sigh. "You must be thinking I'm quite lousy of an emperor. Unable to protect my people from an outside threat is rather careless of me."
Rin's brows furrowed. "That's not—"
"You wouldn't have come to help me if you didn't think I was so desperate for help. I know I'm not the best emperor of the four nations. But I still care for the wellbeing of my people and men. I can only hope now all our effort is not a lost cause."
The hands resting on Rin's lap clenched. "I promise your Majesty. I will ensure it won't."
He lifted his head to her. A solemn smile appeared on his face. "You don't need to comfort me with promises that are not certain." He said. His voice was resonant as aged wood.
Rin could only lower her head. There was nothing more to say. However, the words stung. If only she had more strength, would she be able to give a definite answer. Not just to the emperor, but herself. Even she could not predict the outcome.
Only fate could.
"I apologize for taking up your time. You may go now." He dismissed her.
Standing up from her seat, Rin walked toward the door and suddenly stopped. She turned, resting her gaze upon the emperor.
"Your Majesty, that story you told me before…did it ever mention what the people looked like?"
It had been a simple question, but the emperor seemed to wince as if stung. His face crumbled. The afternoon light was fading, and the shadows lapped at them like dark water.
"Your Majesty," Unlike her usual formal demeanor, Rin was persistent.
A strange feeling was rising in her. A sort of sinking in her chest, like a jagged rock sinking at the bottom of a vast lake.
With his eyes set on hers, the emperor finally opened his mouth. To his words, Rin fell silent. Her feelings must have shown on her face, as the emperor no longer looked her in the eyes.
Pale and wordless, she departed, with never a look back at him. The emperor heard her footsteps as she rushed through the halls. She was almost running. The final light of day vanishing from the sky.