I flinch as if his words electrocuted me.
'how did he hurt you'
How does he know?
Will he believe me if I tell him the truth?
He believes me already to an extent...
I feel my stomach turn as I think about what Dr. Lin has did to me in my past life, how can I tell my brother that! I feel disgusted all over again.
Nothing.. he hasn't done anything to me yet.
But he will...
I feel disgust in myself, ashamed in my own body. I scratch at my arm under my sleeve.
I can't explain this .. I have to stop crying.
I regulate my breathing and wipe my face.
"Shen ..Why do you think he hurt me." My voice raspy from crying so much.
I'm only three years old right now, I live a very sheltered life how can anyone possibly hurt me without it being seen.
"Shinah, when your brothers and I first laid eyes on you.. the love and admiration we felt overwhelmed us. At that moment we promised to try our hardest to never let you feel one bit of suffering or grievance. As your brothers all we can do is try to protect you from dangers your unaware of, you may be young now and not understand the reasons why we hover around or keep you in the castle, but we do it so you don't have to see the ugly parts of this world."
"However seeing you react this strongly makes me want to kill him and everything that bring you sadness."
"I don't know how he hurt you but he made you cry and for that he deserves to die. I'm sorry Little Shin. Big brother let you down."
"But even if the whole world is against you, or if you feel like you can't tell anyone, that NEVER applies to your brothers. We will always believe you no matter what!"
His words bring me comfort. I decide to tell him the truth... in moderation..
"Shen if I told you something similar to the truth that sounded more like a story, would you believe it until I'm ready to tell you the entire truth?"
"No....Whatever you tell me is what I'll believe."
I slide off Asui and pat her head. Not making eye contact with Shen I tell him..
"I know Dr.Lin from a dream. I was older and in a bad situation. He pretended to be my friend but stabbed me in the back instead. At first I thought it was just a dream, it was a face without a name or existence.. until I saw him. And then his Dad poisoning Aunties tea with poison found only in The Spirit Beast Kingdom, and the thing about war and the stones all were apart of my dream I didn't know it was a real thing till I heard you and daddy talking about sending soldiers. And my brothers being taken away. And There's more I just can't really remember everything all at once I just know that mans a bad one and I don't want him as my doctor anymore." I breathe out my explanation and turn to face him.
Shen stares at me for a long while, I stare back unblinking.. I hope he can accept my half truth for now.
"I don't think that was a dream, I think its more like a premonition." He rubs his chin processing everything I just told him.
"Regardless what it is, Don't worry Little Shin I'll make sure he never gets the chance to hurt you."
My heart feels heavy yet warm with my brothers sentiment. I nod and run to hug him.
We both get back on Asui and head home talking about the way to cultivate with spirit stones and plans on how to change the outcome of the beast tide.
With Shen on my side ..Maybe I could change the outcome of all my bad decisions in my past life.
———
Back in Shinah's room.
Akuma: "MOTHER!!!!!!!" -Flips the bed, table and chairs across the room-
Kiyoshi rushes in after hearing a commotion.
"Akuma what's wrong? Why are we destroying Shinah's room?" -starts tearing down curtains-
Akuma: "Kiyoshi!!!!!! Go get Dad!! Hurry KIDNAP!!! Call all the guards someone kidnapped the Princess Code Green Code Green the Princess is missing!"-Pulls open all the drawers tossing clothes and jewelry on the floor-
Kiyoshi: "Wait she's wit—"
Akuma: "HURRY Mobilize all The Kings Secret - Ouch why'd you hit me!"
Kiyoshi: "Stupid they're not a secret if you keep shouting about them." -tosses a doll at Akuma-
Akuma: "Baby Shinah is missing who cares about secret guards!"
Kiyoshi punches Akuma, starting a fight between them. A series of fire and water element energy destroys the pink furniture in the room.
"Boys! What is going on in here." Akira pulls the two apart, slapping Kiyoshi with a whip covered in a layer of icy spirit energy.
"Mother why do you only hit me. Akuma started it! Am I even your real son."
"Mother don't listen to him! Someone took Shinah. She was snoring here a moment ago but I blinked and she was gone! Someone baby napped our Princess! I told you we should have more guards around her! Mother this is all Fathers fault for being stingy with his secret guards!"
"Akuma, relax your first brother has her, they should be back any moment. Now the both of you clean up this mess or your sister will be upset." Akira pats both their heads and sits on a rocking chair.
"No fair! I let my guard down for one second and that jerk stole her from right under my arms!" Akuma throws himself on the bed crying.
"Wait ..How is she? Is she cured of the poison?" Akuma sits up hugging a pink pillow.
"I heard she bathed herself and snuck to fathers study. If she has the energy to cause trouble she can't be that sick." Kiyoshi butts in.
"I don't know Shen took her before the doctor could check. She looked lively.. until.. I don't know we'll see when they come home, now get up and fix this mess before they get back. Well have lunch together with your grandparents."
She give them both a warning look before leaving the room.
"Woah Kiyoshi ... look at what I found!" He pulls out a light pink peach glowing with spirit energy from inside a pink pillow.
Kiyoshi: "Where'd the little brat get this treasure! Give it to me."
Akuma: "No way this is hers."
Kiyoshi: "Give me it!"
Akuma: "I rather die!"
Kiyoshi: "Then I'll plunder it off your dead body..."