That night, Kyou never returned, and she felt abandoned — lonely. After their argument, she took a relaxing bath to mull over her decision. In her mind, she believed it was an honour to bestow her innocence upon the man she chose to pledge her life to — for better, for worse, in sickness and in health. She didn't want to be a passing fancy, a fond memory that would eventually be forgotten.
She meant more than just a warm body. Enjoyment only lasted until it wasn't anymore.
"But will you regret never having a taste of him?" A wicked voice taunted. Inka admitted the temptation was strong but, fear prevailed. She may have the heart of a lioness to protect her loved ones but, when it came to love, she was a newborn fawn.
Climbing out of the tub, she donned a simple robe and made her way to the garden. Choosing a stone bench, she gazed longingly at the waxing moon. The quiet night reminded her of the simple life in Shiryuu. How she missed her family. She wished she could go back in time and be happy again.
Softly humming a lullaby, she hadn't realized she was sobbing until a gentle voice startled her. "Why are you crying, little dove?"
Brushing her tears, she turned to find the King of Donggu watching her in the dark. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Since I heard a little songbird in my garden," he answered, awe suffusing his question. "What is that song?"
"It's a lullaby I learnt from my tribe elders."
"It's beautiful. Won't you sing another?"
"I'm sorry. It's the only one I know."
"Sing it again," he implored, stepping out into the moonlight. Dressed in a night robe with his long hair draped over his shoulders, he appeared less intimidating than before.
Abiding his wish, she opened her mouth and sang.
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On his way back to apologize, Kyou stopped dead in his tracks at the sound of a hauntingly beautiful voice. Tracking the source, he found Inka in the royal garden — with his brother. Nettled to find them alone yet curious about their conversation, he hid and listened.
"A long time ago, Catrina used to sing me to sleep," Shuhei said with great fondness. "Back then, I was a different man, a cowering wimp who was afraid of thunderstorms but, Catrina didn't mind being the brave one. She loved me for all my faults, and I loved her for loving me. We were happy for a time. The feeling was surreal but, I naïvely believed we could last. She was the daughter of a European Count. My father despised her for her white man's blood, claiming she would taint our bloodlines. I didn't care, and we secretly wedded." Brief pain bled into his face. "We were in love until her last breath."
Was he was telling her this because she resembled his dead wife? A man who could love deeply…surely, he wasn't rotten to the core. "How did you meet?"
"Catrina's family migrated from a small town in Europe. Her father was bankrupt, and they decided to leave for a better future. They settled down in Beihai when I was eighteen and didn't know better. We met at court while her family pledged their loyalty to the Emperor. I remember her vividly like it was yesterday — hair as dark as midnight and eyes as blue as a Corydalis flower."
Inka was pleasantly surprised to hear him waxing poetry. She grinned and continued to listen.
"I stumbled upon her on a night like this. She had been wandering in and out of the bushes. I thought she was strange but, the more time we spent together, I realized how charming and spirited she was — a vivacious young woman. We didn't get on well at first," he chuckled, remembering how she dumped her tea upon his head for insulting her Western manners. "Our cultures were too different, and our minds dissimilar but like a moth to flame, we were attracted. Our families were clueless about our relationship until I confronted my father for his consent to marry her. He was livid. The old man forbade her foreign blood to sully our family tree." He took a fortifying breath, forging down an unpleasant memory. "We decided to elope. That night, it was storming heavily, and we were being hunted. I remember clawing through the woods and the chaotic noise of the hounds behind us. We were trapped on a cliffside, and I thought to myself, this couldn't be happening. Why did our ending have to be so tragic?"
"The royal guards caught us, and I was severely whipped. Until today, I bear the horrid scars. Catrina begged my old man to stop but her cries fell upon death ears. In the end, to save me from my father's wrath, she stole the guard's sword and killed herself. I remembered asking her why, on the verge of passing out myself. She told me...that it was for the best. We knew the risks but sometimes, I blame her for choosing the coward's way out – for leaving me alone."
Festering pain of the past welled in his chest and he balled his fists. "How could she have known that it was for the best? If only she had waited a little longer, waited for the old man's death and we could have been married by now. I might even be a father."
"Was she ─?"
"No," he shook his head. "In fact, we never got the chance. Catrina was adamant on saving her virginity for the honeymoon. And I respected her wishes. We were going to be together forever, so there was no rush."
"It's a woman's gift to the man she loves," she echoed his dead wife's wish.
The unbidden ache of her moonlit features spurred him to ask, "And are you saving yours for Kyoutarou?"
She reddened comically. "I-I…,"
"You know he can't marry you," he bluntly remarked, bending to look into her eyes. "He's the Emperor of Xi and Kyoutarou has a fiancée back home. Are you going to let him use you?" A jeering challenge. "He can take several concubines and if his Queen is barren, he can divorce her and easily marry another."
In the shadows, Kyou resisted the urge to pummel his brother's face for worsening the situation. Shuhei was deliberately despoiling his name and painting him in a bad light. It was upsetting to see the man he once idolised acting twisted.
"I'm naïve, not stupid." She was amazed by how strong she sounded, even if her heart was breaking. "My priority is to find my tribespeople and leave all this behind. I want to rebuild my clan and live a simple, happy life. I don't need the distraction of falling in love."
"But you already love him," Shuhei stated, watching how she flushed in agitation.
"I barely know him to love him but, loving someone and being loved in return are two different things." She evaded him smoothly. "You've experienced it. Love doesn't guarantee a happy ending. At least, not for people like us or in our time."
"What a jaded soul you are," Shuhei chided gently. "I didn't expect someone as young as you to be like me."
"My family and tribesmen were killed by a man they trusted, and he had us fooled. That kind of betrayal lives on within you and slowly corrupts your soul. I was lucky to meet Kyou, and he distracted me from descending into the depths of hell. I felt no satisfaction from my revenge and before I could dwell on it, I learnt that my tribespeople were captured by slave drivers. That is why I am here." Anticipative, silver eyes ensnared his. "Will you help me find them? Or are you like your brother, Kairyuu who doesn't care about lives?"
There was an edge in her voice that ruffled his feathers. The little dove was sizing him up and deliberately provoking him. "If there is something in it for me," he levelled evenly.
"What is it that you desire?"
"A kiss from the fair maiden," he decided without thinking.
She blinked up at him, baffled. "Why would you want a kiss from me?"
"Little dove, I am a man. And because you resemble Catrina, I can fantasize that you're my long-lost love come back to life."
She grimaced, reluctance pinching her features. "And you promise to help me find my people if I kiss you?"
"I don't say things I don't mean," he promised silkily, hands behind his back like an eager child during the Spring Festival.
Squaring her shoulders, she stood to face him, beckoning, "Come a little closer and close your eyes."
The King obeyed and she studied his dark features. Looking closely, she saw the familial resemblance. While Kyou had jet black cropped hair, Shuhei's was a mop of unruly curls — both had rather sharp features. Bending to his ear, she whispered. "I like Kyou, so I won't betray him."
His eyes cracked opened in time to see her rise on tiptoe, planting a sisterly peck on his forehead. "There's your kiss. Now it's your turn to keep the end of our bargain."
Shuhei barked at her cleverness, the sound of his merry laughter blessing the palace for the second time. "You have my word, little dove."
He didn't know how much it meant to a desperate woman. "Thank you, Shuhei." She clutched his hand fervently. "I know that deep down, you're a good man."
His smile was torn between sadness and good humour. "You're the only one who thinks so. Beware that I might steal your heart."
"That's impossible," she scoffed lightly, "My feelings for Kyou won't change and I know it like I know my own name."
Amusement dipped with envy washed over him. "Then he's a lucky bastard."
"Allow me to be frank. I don't know the bad blood between you and Kyou but, I believe you would be good for each other."
He killed the habitual insult on the tip of his tongue. "I doubt that little dove."
"A man chided me for assuming the future before giving it a chance to bloom. I speak on his behalf when I say to expect the unexpected." Mirth glittered in moonstone eyes.
"I think I know who he is," he muttered.
Her lips curved amicably. "Then I bid you goodnight, Shuhei. I'll see you in the morning."
Reluctant to let her go yet he knew he couldn't keep her, he replied, "Goodnight, little dove."
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Kyou's heart wouldn't stop racing. In fact, it hadn't stopped since he heard Inka's words, "My feelings for Kyou won't change."
Her entire conversation with Shuhei weighed on his mind as he took a turn around the lake. Yes, he was the Emperor, and he was expected to marry up but surely, he had the power to change his fate? There was no one to stop him – maybe the council but, he could handle the elders.
Satisfied with his decision, he returned to Inka, creeping into bed. His little witch was fast asleep on her side, her petite frame drowned out by the heavy covers. Tugging off his boots and unfastening his buttons, he shrugged out of his silk shirt and snuggled up next to her warmth. Curling an arm around her waist and hips, he drew her into his chest.
"I'm sorry Inka," he whispered into the crook of her neck. "I had no right to say those words to you. I was an idiot, and I was angry. Forgive me."
She stirred, her hand covering his. "Kyou?"
He nuzzled her hair and kissed the crown of her head. "Go to sleep, witch. I'm here."
That small gesture of affection was enough to convey his knotted emotions. Inka settled comfortably in the safety of his arms, mumbling in her sleep. "Mmm...,".