“Prince Liu, could you oblige us with an explanation?”
Several days after the duel, we were in Eric’s study so Johann could question the imperial prince.
“Yeahhhh, I guess I do owe you one…though I already told you everything you needed to know.” Liu studiously avoided Lingsha’s gaze as he explained, “The emperor tasked me with a secret mission: to expose Tailong and the prime minister as traitors.”
“The emperor personally tasked you? Why would he do that?”
“To save his hide, of course,” Liu answered calmly. “The prime minister’s been acting fishy ever since Tailong became his aide, so the emperor wanted to get solid proof of their treachery.”
Thus, the emperor had personally entrusted Liu with the task of exposing the traitors and saving his life.
“Then again, seems like it was Tailong behind the treacherous scheme, not the prime minister. He was gonna get the prime minister on the throne and then control him like a puppet.”
Now it made sense. After Tailong duped the prime minister into committing treason, he would then make a more substantial power play.
What a power-hungry monster.
I was amazed at the extent of Tailong’s dark ambitions. It reminded me of the other two great noblemen before him whose plots we had foiled. I supposed that every nation had people whose lust for power brought about their downfall.
“But that wasn’t what I was asking about,” Johann said. “I meant our duel, Prince Liu. I was under the impression the duel was real, but if bringing Lady Lin home was a false pretense, I don’t see why that duel was even necessary.”
“Ohh, that. Remember what I said? I just thought I’d take the opportunity to take Linny home with me, since I was here anyway. I knew that I was finally strong enough to protect her now.”
“Get your grubby hands off me,” Lingsha sighed, removing Liu’s hand from her shoulder. For all her annoyance, there was a peaceful look in her eyes. She was probably relieved to find out that Liu was not her enemy after all.
“Well, y’know, if you couldn’t beat me, how could I trust you to take care of Linny? So I really did fight you in earnest—super earnest, Jojo. I was ready to let you kill me, and you got pretty dang close.”
Liu gave a casual shrug of his shoulders. It sounded like the duel was more important to him than the mission from the emperor. That was why he had put his life on the line, even if it meant losing everything else…
He really did love Lingsha all along, in his own way. But she was imprisoned in the Ren Empire because of him…
“Hey, you, I’m not so weak you have to protect me, oh no. And I didn’t ask ya to risk your life for me. All ya did was give Elshaid a lot of grief.”
Liu gave a self-deprecating snort. “You’re right to say that, Linny. I did all of this to protect you, but I made a lot of enemies along the way. Still, in spite of all that, I wanted to protect you. And the only way I could do that was to get one step closer to the throne. I needed power, and fighting was my only way to get it.”
Lingsha said nothing.
He continued, “I really am grateful to our mentor for letting you escape when I begged for help. I also owe the people of Elshaid a debt of gratitude, for taking good care of you.”
“Humph! You really are selfish, Brother, making all those decisions without asking me. I’ll never forgive you for that!”
Liu hung his head apologetically. For the first time, the flippant, sarcastic man was finally baring his soul—and Lingsha wasn’t ready to accept it. She still answered his heartfelt apology with hostility.
And yet, tears streamed down her cheeks.
I’m sure these two have been through a lot. They care for each other, but the chasm between them is so wide, it can’t be bridged with just an apology.
As I watched the pair, I thought to myself that Liu was genuinely remorseful. However, Lingsha still perceived him as the hateful brother who put their family in danger. It wasn’t going to be easy for her to forgive him.
But that might be for the best for now. Lingsha is safe here in Elshaid—that’s an important first step in her healing.
I felt quite conflicted as I watched the two argue.
“Jojo, I’m in no position to ask this, but please take good care of Linny.”
“As you wish. I shall protect Lady Lin with my life—I swear it.”
“Ya didn’t have to ask, stupid brother, Johann would protect me anyway.”
“Haha, I see, I see. Well, that’s a relief.”
Johann and Lingsha both assured Liu that she would be protected, and of course, I would also see to it that she remained safe.
Hearing all of this, Eric said, “At last, I understand your motives. To be honest, I agree with Lingsha. You’ve been quite a thorn in our side. But then again…I don’t mind having the Ren Empire in my debt.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Eric wanted to leverage what had transpired to improve relations with the Ren Empire in the future.
He’s right to do that… Gaining the friendship of the emperor of a massive country like the Ren Empire is a smart move.
Hearing Eric’s will made me realize once again just how powerful the Ren Empire was. He would have to think carefully about the best way to keep Elshaid safe. And in that regard, a connection with Prince Liu would be a very welcome thing indeed.
“I am going to put Tailong in your custody, Liu. But you still bear some responsibility for his crimes. I’m going to have you submit a formal apology in writing so that you can’t use your minister of foreign affairs disappearing as an excuse ever again.”
“Wow, Eric, you sure don’t trust easily. Then again, that’s a good quality for a crown prince to have. Rest assured, I’ll gladly comply with your wishes.”
Eric’s tone with Liu was quite harsh, but the latter was unfazed and agreed right away.
“I’m holding you to that. Don’t let me catch you going back on your word.”
“’Course I’ll keep my word. I’m a man of integrity! Y’know, I find your principles of leadership quite fascinating. I look forward to seeing what kind of kingdom you build. I hope I can be a ruler like you someday, a leader of conviction who pushes for what he believes in without falter.”
Eric blushed a little and replied, “You flatter me. I’m just letting my moral compass guide this kingdom in the right direction, and it’s a struggle. But thanks to that struggle, I’ve become blessed with a circle of good allies. One man alone can’t make much of a difference…but that’s exactly why I believe I need a support system. I know you have one or two people like that in your life, so cherish them.” Eric spoke not as a prince but as a man.
“Thank you for that advice, Eric. It will make a fine gift to take back home with me—after I watch you marry Sainty here, of course.”
“Bold of you to assume you’re still invited, after all the trouble you’ve caused—but I will let it slide, just this once.”
The two shook hands, looked into each other’s eyes, and smiled. Both were destined to rule their countries, and they finally had each other’s respect. To me, the only thing they seemed to have in common was their sheer bullheadedness.
And Liu just might be even more stubborn than Eric, to boot…
As I looked at the sunny smile on Liu’s face, I couldn’t help but sense the fiery conviction that lay behind it.