"Good. But since she's not of age yet, she will stay on the mountain, providing you with the medicines necessary to sustain your life. When she comes of age, she will come down the mountain to your mansion, to be your lawful wife."
"Alright."
"Prepare the ceremony."
Prince Alan clenches his fist tightly. On the day he was free was also the day he was bonded with his enemy. What kind of joke was this for the heaven's to bestow on him.
Emily walked into the room dressed in a beautiful red long dress. Prince Alan was not thrilled that he have to be engaged to the one woman whim hehate. And will continue to hate for the rest of his life. But to become normal again, he will use her until he's cured. Once he's completely normal again, he will do his worst to her and let her live a miserable life.
They both bowed to heaven and earth. Then to the emperor.
"Today, I pair you two as fiancé and fiancée," said the Emperor. "Although I have lost two good friends, I have also gained one of my son back and a daughter-in-law in return."
The soldiers cheered loudly.
Prince Alan wasn't happy, so he put on a sore face.
"Emily, you will stay here until you turn fifteen. Once you have reached that age, you will come down to the Prince's mansion and stay there to help cure him. Is that clear?" asked the Emperor.
Emily nodded.
"Good."
The Emperor walked out of the house.
"Three years will go quickly, so you better prepare yourself," said Prince Alan whispering to Emily.
Emily frowned and turned to look at Prince Alan.
"Oh, I thought they said you were blind, yet you can hear me and even turned to look at me."
Emily turned her away from him.
"I want to see what a blind and mute woman like you will do to survive." He smirked evilly at her. He then turned around and followed the Emperor out the door.
"Let's go," said the Emperor.
Emily curtsy as they left.
"Prince Alan," said a man's voice.
"Levi? Levi He?" questioned Prince Alan. He frowned as he wondered if it was the same boy who was his faithful servant three years ago.
"Yes. It is I."
"Well, it's good to see you again."
"Same here."
"He will serve you like he used to," said the Emperor.
"Alright."
"I'm glad you made it out of there alive," said Levi.
"Yes. I did," said Prince Alan, gloomily.
"Don't worry about Oliver. I will make sure to bury him properly once we get home.
Prince Alan nodded.
"Let's get out of here," said Levi.
"Yes, let's get out of this hell hole," said Prince Alan. He looked back at Emily.
Emily put down her head.
"Humph," said Prince Alan.
"Wait," said a young monk, running out from the dark.
"Who is it?" asked the soldiers. They all gathered around the Emperor and the Prince. Levi also pulled out his sword.
"It's me," said the young monk.
"Oh, Master monk's student," said the Emperor. He waved to his soldier to back away.
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"I was told to give this to Prince Alan after the engagement ceremony is done." He handed a box over to the Emperor.
The Emperor nodded his head towards the soldier. The soldier opened it and showed it to the Emperor.
It was a pair of black gloves.
"What?" asked the Emperor.
"This is for the Prince," said the young monk.
"For me?" asked Prince Alan.
"Yes," said the old monk, also walking out of the dark.
"Master monk?" asked the Emperor. "I thought you left."
"I was going to. But then I thought I come back to check things."
"Oh."
"I needed to make sure that everything going as I asked."
"It's done," said the Emperor, bowing to him.
"This pair of black gloves will help you temporarily to touch people. But not for long. Remember it's just your hands and nothing else. Your other body parts will still give out the toxic poison."
"Oh."
"And since you will be wearing clothes, it should be okay as long as you don't touch anyone or let them touch you."
"Alright." Prince Alan bowed and took the box from the monk's hand without touching him.
"Go on try it on."
Prince Alan nodded. He put on the gloves. But he wasn't sure on who to try it on.
"Prince Alan try me," said Levi.
"No. You will give me your hand," said the old monk.
Everyone gasped.
"Master monk," said the Emperor.
"What? Unless you're volunteering."
The emperor withdrew his hand and backed away.
"I thought so." The old monk reached out his hand to him and said, "Now, lad give it a touch."
Prince Alan's hand was shaking.
"It's alright. Come on." The old monk was ushering him to take his old wrinkly hand.
Prince Alan was so scared that he was literally sweating. He slowly reached his hand out to grab the old monk's hand. As he grabbed hold of the old monk's hand, nothing happened.
"What?" gasped Prince Alan.
"Oh, so it does work," said the old monk.
"What? What does that mean?"
"I happened to come upon a traveler. He said that I will be needing these black gloves in the future, but I didn't think I would so need them so soon."
"Oh."
"Very well. Now that everything is done and proceed with, I can leave peacefully."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I meant what I said to your father."
Prince Alan looked at his father. "So, you weren't going to give this to me these gloves unless I married that wretched girl."
"Yes."
"Ha. What a joke."
"It is the will of the master's good heart. Don't you dare call it a joke," said the young monk.
"Know this Prince Alan, the faster you let go of the past, the faster you will be able to move on with your life. Happiness is right in front of you."
Prince Alan frowned.
"Amituofo." The old monk and his students vanished in front of them.
"Oh. Where did they go?" asked Levi.
The Emperor sigh and said, "Come on, let's go back to the palace."
Prince Alan looked at his hands covered in gloves. He silently chuckled as this is what he's going to have to wear for many years. It was going to have to do for now. For he really is a half dead prince.
When he got inside his carriage, he saw that the girl was still looking at them from her door.
"Humph. Just you wait," he thought. "When you come to my place, I will make sure your life is like hell. I will make sure to torture you the same way your mother did me. You will never live a good life." He clenches his fist tightly.
"Prince Alan," said Levi.
"What?"
"Are we ready to go?"
"Yes. Let's go."