World 3.19

..Cough! Cough!

As he regained his consciousness, he was restrained by the heaviness of the clanging metals connected to him.

The place was dark, and the only thing he could feel was the cold sement touching the skin of his feet. He wailed when a forceful whip hit his back.

"Argh!" 

Only he realized that he was back again in that place for the third time. The dungeon was full of laughter and cursing words. 

Wuwu shrugged his shoulders as he bit his lower lip to stop himself from whining. The leather boots in front of his eyes were indicating that he was watched. Four palace guards, big and hunky. 

His black hair fell down,caressing his shoulders, his eyes were fixated on the ground but his eyes widened immediately when one of the guards threw something below his head. It was a dragon crochet hair pin.

The other guard stamped his foot on the crochet, letting the dirty dust cover the sentimental things in front of his eyes. 

Then he remembered a familiar face "...Ruru" he uttered

Loud laughter filled the place once more.

"The Prince will not save you! You shameless madman!"

"Who do you think you are?! Don't ever think ahead of yourself brat!"

Then, they laughed again. A mischievous grin was all over their faces. 

The iron door creaked, three men entered the dungeon. Two were high ranking soldiers while the one in the middle was wearing a black robe with wide sleeves and a white linings on the hem.

The two palace guards who were mocking Wuwu a while ago, kneeled down and bowed their heads. 

"My lord, it is such a bother for us to let you see this filthy madman" one of them said

"Yes my lord, your royal shoes may get dirty just from walking here" another one second the motion

"I am here because I have an important business to attend" then Ru Zhen smirked, his eyes went down to the chained man.

"Lift up your head"

Wuwu slowly lifted up his head, he saw a man with recognizable features. He has the same yellow phoenix eyes but unlike Ruru it was an intriguing one. They have the same long silky hair. 

"So you are the lowlife that captured my son's heart" Ru Zhen said as he ordered one of the guards to give him the whip.

"..Ngh!!" 

Wuwu groaned, he gritted his teeth to resist the pain that was bestowed by the thing made of buckskin. It was painful and sore.

Another one landed on his back, he again clenched his jaw and fist to control the mournful sound he was making. 

Wuwu knew this would happen. He has decided that he will make Ruru smile again even if he was going to sacrifice himself. He felt no anger towards the Prince. This was the decision he made, he chose this himself.

"What reason could make you think that my son will show you pity?" Ru Zhen crouched down "My son just use you for the bid" 

Wuwu was struck for a minute, but he didn't let Ru Zhen see it. He gritted his teeth in anger as he delivered a sharp gaze towards the other man. 

"You dare look at me like that..?" Ru Zhen grinned as he stood and after that grin he swiftly kicked Wuwu's face. The male spit blood after coughing a few times.

"I badly want to kill you right now, you are useless, Ruru played with you to get the bid" Ru Zhen smiled as he noticed the silence from Wuwu

Ru Zhen laughed hysterically "Don't tell me...you fall for his tricks?" Then he laughed again "Too bad...my son will never give such attention to a filthy lowlife like you!" He said like he was gonna puke.

His gaze went to the two guards "Don't give him food, let him be alone!" Ru Zhen ordered

"Y-Yes my lord!" The two exclaimed in unison as they bowed their heads

Wuwu was so weak that he didn't even notice the disappearing of them from his sight. 

He could only hear his heart, it was screaming in pain like something was tearing him apart. The tears under his melancholy eyes welled up. 

"...R-Ruru"

***

"Let me go!!"

Ru Xian's voice roared at the hallway, five palace guards were outside of his room. They have been there since the time they went back. 

He was helding unconscious Wuwu in his arms when Ru Zhen approached them at the entrance. His father quickly ordered his personal soldiers to separate the two, dragging Ru Xian back to his room away from Wuwu.

He was surprised because Ru Zhen already knew that Wuwu had given him the bid. 

"We are very sorry Young Lord, but the King ordered us to watched over you" one of the guards said, you can see the pity on his eyes

"Tch!" Ru Xian clicked his tongue as he slammed the door closed. 

It was a happy night for him and for Wuwu, he was very flattered and still reminiscing the time they kissed. He couldn't explain how excited his heart was at that moment, but this is not the right time to think of that.

Five palace guards were outside and another five guarding his room down the window. He took a peek and saw them roaming around, so jumping from the window will not be an easy technique. 

But none of them will stop him. 

Ru Xian set up himself after thinking something. He peeked outside once more and then without hesitation, he lit up the lamp beside his bed. The lamp swiftly took the fire while Ru Xian poured some powder in it. This caused the smoke to thicken.

Meanwhile, the palace guards under the window quickly dashed inside to report the happenings at the Prince's room. Two of them jumped up for rescue, but it was too late. Ru Xian was already running away from his room. The thick smoke covered him as he jumped from the window.

Ru Xian's heart was beating so fast that time, like he was going into a mission to save someone. He knew that it was his father's doing, and he will never let him do what he wanted again.

His feet led him to the dark side of the Palace, wishing that he would find the man he was looking for. 

The dungeon was dark and stuffy, he took one torch as he entered. 

"Wuwu?" He called out, only his voice echoed back.

He went further and at the very corner side, he saw a shadow running away. He quickly dashed towards it the moment he heard some metal clangs.

Ru Xian froze when he saw a dashing guard away from him. He yelled with all his might "You!!!" It caused the guard to stop.

The Prince walked towards him as he kneeled down and bowed his head "Pardon my rudeness, Young Prince" he said with a shaking voice.

"Where is he?!" Ru Xian got no time to say another word, he knew that the male kneeling down got the idea from what he was asking.

"T-This is t-the only thing I c-can give, pardon me my grace" the guard slowly lifted up his fingers containing a cell keys. The Prince grabbed it and vanished quickly.

As he was walking towards the depth of the dungeon, his heart was also skipping faster and faster. His palms were sweating in so much nervousness, Ru Xian is only hoping to see one person. 

The person he was longing for.

He reached the very end and saw a single cell, he quickly slipped the key to it's lock. The door creaked open.

He saw a fragile man, chained side by side. He was glued from his stance after seeing the situation but taken aback the moment he felt a little prick inside his chest.

He crouched down while unlocking every chain. Wuwu fell onto his shoulders, weak and in pain.

Ru Xian embraces the male, sharing his own warmth. "Wuwu.." his voice was mournful

Wuwu moved, he managed to lift up his head the moment he felt Ru Xian's fingers caressing the back of his head. His eyes met the Prince's eyes.

They share the same sadness under the dark, stuffy and cold cell. 

Wuwu showed a languid smile, indicating that he was still okay so that Ru Xian would not worry so much.

"I k-know you w-would come…" he uttered

Anguish leaked on Ru Xian's eyes, he bit his lower lip as he let Wuwu rest on his shoulder. He closed his fist, very tight. "I'm sorry...I'm very sorry.." he mumbled in grief

The heaviness on his heart deafen his other senses, his eyes sore like something was blown inside it. It was painful that he might cry. He sniffed, but quietly; making sure that Wuwu would not be disturb.

His arms crawled towards Wuwu, enveloping him fully. He leaned his head near the other male's ear. 

He used all his remaining strength to avoid his voice from cracking down, the words he uttered were loud and clear.

"...Wuwu, let's escape together"