In A Particular Way (IV)

I was surprised with his answer,

The response I never wanted to hear,

I'll still be here,

No matter the dust differs.

***

THE YEAR 1904, a century away from the present time.

"Is that so? Does that mean the only time I get to see you is when Chinese New Year happens?" Althea blurted it out unnoticeably. It was the only question she wanted to ask earlier, but it turns out that the situation was jointing with what he was indicating. Qing Long was taken aback by that question.

His breathing rapidly coursed through his veins as he pursed his lips. It was not exactly like that, because he could only turn to a human whenever the calendar predicted. But he doesn't want to hurt Althea's feelings, and he doesn't know why. Althea anticipated his answer and waited.

He sighed and lied, "Yeah. You will see me every Chinese New Year happens."

But it was not. He could only be a human every time the year of the dragon happens. He could only see her face when that time comes, and now... from this day... he will be counting off the days before the year 1905. He will transform into a cursed dragon again, and will not be able to be a human after those years.

How long would that be? He doesn't know.

"Hmm. How long would that be? Days, months, or a year?" Althea was still puzzled but she knew she had to know what was the truth. Qing Long was nervous about the words that were tumbling in her mouth. It was like she was asking that filtered the questions in a critical way, and he doesn't know why he had the urge to answer it all.

"I don't know... it just... happened. I still don't know how could I control it. But...," Qing Long was stammering with his lies. He was lying to her, and he hadn't done it in a while. The Six Healers that died, trying to save him, never heard of these lies. The part of him was broken as he was pretending to be a human after all, even if he knew that he was neither alive nor dead.

The reality was, he could not be a human even if Chinese New Year happened again, the only thing that could help him was the Lunar New Year's calendar of Dragon signs. It's the Year of the Wooden Dragon, and if he counted on his fingers, it will take another 12 years before he could be a human again.

How old would Althea be at that time?

"You are living for thousands of years, it must have been tiring to hear countless accusations from different sides, saying, you were the one who could bring bad luck to everyone when you were showing off your true colors," Althea said as she looked down and put on an apologetic look on her face.

She knew it would be a humiliating act for now. She shouted at him when he was trying to ask what people think about him at the present time, she bantered, she tripped on the guilt and dumped it all to him. She even blamed him for her grandmother's death and was raging to ask if he was a monster or not.

"By the way, I wanted to apologize for what I said earlier. The time I... said so many things to you, and... I do think I need to explain everything after you finished your story, I would be glad to listen to every word you say," Althea was looking down while saying the first part of her statement, but she slowly looked up as soon as she finished it. Qing Long was taken aback by her generosity and genuine words, the only thing that he could compare to everyone.

"You see, I am a writer at the present time, and I think this would be an inspiration for me to be the top author," Althea tiptoed at that corner while she tilted the corners of her lips. She felt her heart thumping softly on her ribcage, the wonderful feeling that was surfacing on her body.

She doesn't know what was the cause, but she doesn't want to admit that it was the love language, creeping up in her veins, telling her mind that she was now falling in love.

Qing Long looked at her with utmost sincerity and swallowed while scolding, "I didn't mean to interrupt with your blissful statement, but you are a destined Queen here, Althea. You need to fulfill your duties and don't get yourself killed by your own family. I know... that the living soul of Fang Ying Yue was still inside you, so don't let it take you, hmm?"

Qing Long reminded her as Althea pursed her lips and processed everything. Althea stated, "The Crown Prince must have been obsessed with the love she had to Fang Ying Yue. I just wake up earlier and find myself..."

Althea was woken up from the reality of what she had to say and widened her eyes. She covered her mouth as Qing Long smiled at the corners of his lips and thought that Althea didn't know a single thing about Fang Ying Yue. Qing Long turned to the side and shook his head while he walked, leaving Althea behind.

"C'mon! I want to show you a special place where we could watch the lanterns in the night sky!" Qing Long happily shouted and Althea was quivering her lips. She caught up with Qing Long and punched him playfully on his arms. Althea looked at the other side as Qing Long wanted to have some time to enjoy.

He ran so fast, with his feet after feet stepping on each other, and Althea shouted, "Hey!"