Chapter 5 - Dude? Means ..Fool

"Honey ~sob~ Why do you always abandon me. Don't you love me anymore! That's it! I refuse to supply you with beautiful children anymore. Since the last one popped up you only care about that little traitor." Despite his words my father comes forward and snatches me right out mothers arms.

"Oh look at how adorable my baby girl is! Aren't I the best at making little princesses." He smothers me in kisses looking at me expectingly.

I roll my eyes and my mother catches me sending me a warning glance.

Finnnnnnee...

"Morning Daddy." I give my best most sweetest smile.

~dies inside~ Damn it I'm 25 years old. 25 YEARS old.. I even had a baby of my own alrea... I quickly push that thought aside.

"Good Morning Baby Girl." he says back proudly I can practically see the stars in his eyes. He puts me down and grabs my mothers hand pulling her into his arms. "Actually Akira I change my mind I'll supply you with all the beautiful babies you want! Shall we start now." He leans in to kiss her.

Shameless! I try my hardest to block out my mothers 'scolding' while she straightens out his attire.

Dude I'm right here.. and you just kissed me with that mouth yuck.

Hm what's 'dude' mean? Why did I think of that? Mm it's probably because I'm a child at the moment I'm making up stuff now. Hmmm I guess it can mean fool. Ha ..Defines him perfectly when he's around Mother.

That dudes an octopus, let go of my Mother already. I look back at my mom and reach up for her ...opening and closing my hands..

Mother I placated father now hug me ..hurry hug meee. She shakes her head chuckling while picking me up holding me along her side , while holding my fathers hand.

We walk to the dining table. I see my grandpa and grandma and First brother. I greet them all accordingly, tolerate some face squeezing and smothering till my mother ..that Angel ..saves me and places me on her lap.

Damn it is she gonna feed me? She spoons the soup blowing it too cool it off before feeing it to me. "Mm sho good Mom-my." I mentally make a note to start doing things on my own ..after today.

Butler Zheng walks in placing more food on the table and leans over to tell my father a secret message he just received... about a stolen shipment of spirit stones along the Eastern trading port.. Not that I was listening or anything.

A cold glint passes through Dad's eyes that momentarily scares me, he gracefully stands up and bows. "Excuse me Dad, Mom.. Akira, Shen and I have something to attend to, enjoy your meal. Son." He gives Shen a nod. He leans over to kiss my mothers cheek and ruffles my hair, before walking out the dining room with my first brother Shen.

I stare at their backs. Dad gives off a very different vibe when working. I always admired his tenacity for fairness and justice. I wish I could have made him proud, instead that year I chose to acknowledge Lu Rem's bodyguards words instead of fighting alongside my parents.

I close my eyes. I don't want to see their faces in those memories.. one shocked and the other with disappointment, both with sadness. I was wrong. Okay. I was stupid to think they'd let you off because you were my parents. If I had another chance I'd choose to fight alongside you.

My appetites gone, I look up at my mother and touch her cheek and blurted out. "Mother I'll protect you." I didn't know my words would cause the table's atmosphere to become heavy.

Mother laughs and kisses my forehead. "Of course you will baby, but let Daddy and your brothers do the protecting for now. I want my little piggy princess to stay cute and safe okay?" My grandparents chimed in agreement piling more food into my bowel.

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At the Eastern Borderlands

A man dressed in all black wearing a face mask that only reveals his eyes slips through the Generals tent base, he kneels down before the King and General. "Sire, General I have the investigation report on the boat incident."

The King has no response so his subordinate continues.. "It's as you suspected. The boat's cargo port was emptied.. The explosion was caused by a box with several spirit stones embedded to the lid, while the box had a repelling spell attached to it set to go off when spirit energy was infused it. The crew said the man who was carrying the box often used his spirit energy to retain strength accidentally causing explosion. The fire was caused to destroy the evidence for the missing shipment. Twelve men were killed and four men are heavily injured and six men have minor injuries. Shall I call Siyan to take care of them?"

"Mm"..

"Yes Sire"..

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At General Yun's estate

"Ahhhh!! Look at how cute Little ShinShin looks! Ahhhh!!!! I just wanna eat her right up. I wish I had a cute little daughter who I could dress up and put ribbons and bows and beautiful dresses on. Sister Kira let's trade you can have that brat while I take this cute little sheep!"

Aunt Fei is my mothers sister-in-law. She's married to Yun Kozak my mothers brother. Uncle works alongside my Dad as his General. Aunt Fei has two children my cousin Yun Lan she's five, two years older than I currently am, and Yun Takeishi he's fifteen and around the same age at my second and third brothers.

"Don't say that Auntie FeiFei Lan'er is pretty and braver than Little Shin she's my best friend." I jump out of my Auntie Fei's arms and run to Lan's room upstairs. I can't contain my excitement. I'm going to see Little Lan'er again.

Back then when I was first engaged to Lu Rem, he forbid me from contacting Yun Lan. He said she would stick to him and annoy him with her fawning. He said if I didn't want her to die that I'd better stop bringing her around.

So like a fool I avoided her I told her I'd write after I graduated the Academy.. then I told her after the wedding.. then I promise to write after the war.. then after the war I promised I'd write after I had all the concubine issues settled. Eventually she stoped asking for a response and I stopped lying about sending one.

I found out later it was the the other way around Lu Rem approached Yun Lan and she expressed her disgust and threatened him. If he didn't treat me well she'd tell her Uncle and cousins about it and send her father and brother with them...

I didn't deserve such a loving family...

Misunderstandings .... no blind faith in love is what destroyed all my relationships. I was too stupid to be manipulated by unrequited love.