CHAPTER 17

Despite Cai Lung's attempts to retreat, his hands were forcefully seized, preventing any escape. He was reluctantly hoisted onto the horse, his back pressed against the emperor's chest, and his lower body uncomfortably close to Wu Yang's groin.

Cai Lung silently thanked the divine for the protective barrier provided by their armors. However, the emperor's wandering hands disregarded any sense of personal space, causing Cai Lung's face to flush a deep shade of crimson as he felt the unwanted touch on his thigh.

"Stop it."

whispered to him under my breath, desperately trying to avoid drawing any more attention from the onlookers who were already aware of our peculiar relationship. However, he responded by giving my thigh a small, unwelcome massage, completely ignoring my discomfort. I squirmed in his arms, desperately attempting to create some distance between us. In my attempt to free myself, I tried using my elbow to jab him in the stomach in retaliation, but I only ended up causing more pain to myself as I had forgotten about the armor he was wearing.

He tightened his grip on me, trying to keep me still.

"Hold still before I let you fall." he whispered, a warning in his voice.

But I was never one to listen to whatever he said. I glanced over to my left, checking if anyone was watching our little struggle. The generals were preoccupied, mounting their horses and giving out orders. I looked past them and my eyes connected with Zing, who was observing us intently. The way he was looking at the emperor gave me a startle, as he had always smiled in my presence. But now, I saw envy and something more in his eyes.

I could empathize with Zing's feeling of jealousy towards the king. After all, having an entire country under your control is something that would make anyone envious. He locked eyes with me and mouthed something, but before I could catch what he was trying to say, the horse beneath us started moving towards the entrance gate. The gate began to open, and a sickening feeling churned in my stomach. It dawned on me that this was it - I was being sent off to war, not by choice, but at the mercy of a heartless king who saw me as mere entertainment.

He brought the horse to a stop just before the gate, leaving me curious as to why he lingered. But my question was answered when I saw my uncle and another general move ahead of us. They were the first to pass through the gate, but Wu Yang remained unmoved from his initial position. I could hear the marching of soldiers and witnessed half of my uncle's army pass before us, some on horseback and others on foot. The foot soldiers carried spears instead of swords, and as soon as the army was in front of us, we began to move, with Wu Yang following closely behind. I turned my head to glance over his shoulder and saw the other two generals, along with Zing Ah and the rest of the army, trailing behind us. In that instant, I understood the reason for the division among the army and generals. They formed a shield around the emperor, protecting him from any potential attacks. We were in the middle, and anyone attempting to harm him would have to face the army and generals before reaching their target.

As we passed through the palace gates and made our way through the capital of Ying Shi, people emerged from their stalls, shops, and homes to witness the emperor's departure for war. They waved as we rode through the capital, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of embarrassment due to the attention placed upon me. Throughout the town, people pointed in our direction, specifically at me.

The emperor, however, remained unaffected, holding his head high and disregarding the desire of his subjects to receive his attention. We traveled for over an hour, with the sun shining brightly in the sky. I felt both drowsy and hot, discomforted by the long duration of horseback riding. Before we reached the edge of the city near Guzheng Pass, preparing to exit the capital walls, I noticed two men pulling carts towards us. They waved at the generals, and we came to a halt when my uncle yelled.

"Halt!"

He dismounted and walked towards the two farmers, lifting the covers off the carts to inspect their contents. After nodding in approval, he gestured for them to follow him and placed them between some soldiers a short distance behind his horse. He then jogged back towards us, kneeling down and bowing his head before speaking.

"Your Majesty, the supplies have just arrived." he informed.

I could feel Wu Yang's chest rumble against my back as he responded to my uncle in a voice that filled me with dread.

"And are they up to standard?" he inquired.

"Yes, Your Majesty," my uncle replied.

"Good, let's continue, General Lu," Wu Yang commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty," my uncle acknowledged, jogging back towards the front lines and mounting his horse.

"Move out!"

my uncle's voice shouted, and we resumed our journey. Upon reaching the pass that I had traveled through just days before, the patrols noticed our presence and began clearing the way, ensuring the emperor's view remained unobstructed as we passed through.

We had been traveling for quite some time, and I glanced down at Cai Lung to find him on the verge of falling asleep. He was struggling to keep his eyes open, and I could see the exhaustion weighing heavily upon him. I hadn't made it easy for him, and I couldn't quite express the emotions that swirled within me when he was near. Every time he was in my presence, possessiveness consumed me. I took pleasure in seeing him vulnerable and brought to his breaking point because of me. Love was foreign to me, as I had never experienced it during my upbringing.

I was raised with the understanding that I would one day rule this kingdom, and everything I desired would be mine. I was taught that nothing should be denied to me as long as I held the title of king. My father instilled this concept within me from the moment I could walk, showing me that if I wanted something, I should take it, just as he had with the Empress Dowager. And so, I found myself drawn to Lung Er, not solely because of his physical beauty, but also due to his fear of me. He refused to submit or give in to my desires.

Unlike others before him, he fought me with every fiber of his being, regardless of his fear. I reveled in his resistance. I loved witnessing his struggle, as it ignited a fire within me. The thing was, he had no idea of the effect he had on me whenever he tested my limits. Even if he hadn't attempted to escape from me, providing me with an excuse to bring him along, I would have taken him with me regardless. I lifted my hand and ran it through his hair, causing him to jump slightly at my touch. I chuckled at his response whenever I made contact with him. "Shhh..." I whispered into his ear, urging him to just relax and rest.

"Once we cross these hills, we'll set up our camp." A faint whimper escaped his lips as my voice tickled his senses, stirring a desire within me. In his state of incoherence, he surrendered to my commands, surprising me with his obedience.

For once, there was no resistance, no fight. He leaned into me, his body becoming limp as he drifted into a deep slumber. As I held the sleeping boy in my arms, a sudden realization washed over me. I yearned for him, I craved his presence.