A Great Plan... Or Maybe Not 1/3

When he heard that phrase from Prince Chu Jinyan's lips, first of all, he panicked and in doubt, he preferred to eat more nuts and chuckle, trying to deflect that question as much as possible. If they had become friends, perhaps, there was a better chance of following him closely and studying his steps! But, still he wasn't convinced: if he had become fond of him, as he usually does, it would have been disastrous when he would have had to go.

Chu Jinyan laughed about it. The shyness that was born on the other face looked very cute and funny at the same time. Surely, if he kept waiting, no answer would come to him, so he proceeded as he pleased. He stole the bag he was holding in his hands, causing him to irritate and protest. He smiled as soon as found himself on his feet and, while he nibbled another of the nuts taken from that bag, he said only one sentence: «I'll take this bag as a yes. Sweetdreams, Liuyuan».

Song Liuyuan: «you-! Come back here immediately, Chu Jinyan!»

He snorted, slamming his foot on the raised wooden floor under his feet.

Song Liuyuan: «my beloved nuts...».

Prince Chu Jinyan had long ago arrived at the room that was supposed to house him for those few days and, as was his routine, before going to sleep, he was reading a few pages of some book that had struck him. The envelope he had taken from the boy was just a short distance away from him on the table. Inside was a few other walnuts left.

Someone knocked on his door and, once the boy had given him access to enter, he took some steps forward, closing the doors of the room behind his back. Chu Jinyan remained focused on reading even after he heard the snort of this person: Rong Xuan, if not the deputy general of the troops who, shortly after his arrival, had already befriended the young third prince. Rong Xuan was a boy opposite to Song Liuyuan; he was blunt, energetic and playful. He had a very good way of thinking, and was very open-minded: «ah, look at you: every time you seem like an old man who has to keep busy while waiting for his wife to return».

He was one of his faithful guards, a figure that he counted on to have beside him. For this very often, in addition to General Qiu Gong, he also brought his new friend.

Both from experience and from safety. The boy, who at the time was wearing light brown clothes and some gold trimmings, sat down in front of him, who laughed at that sentence without, however, detaching himself from his task.

Chu Jinyan: «What did you come to do, ah?»

Rong Xuan: «I was bored! Ah, I had the opportunity to have the company of a beautiful girl but, I think she didn't like my compliments»

He pouted as he brought his elbows to the table, making sure to hold his face with his hands. There was a small red shadow on it, a sign that it had been slapped for some strange reason that the third prince wasn't curious to discover. He looked up at his friend and then, on the bag of nuts, smiling immediately.

Rong Xuan: «ah? Are those nuts? Eheh I was really hungry»

At the same time he stretched out his hand to be able to take some inside it but, at that gesture, Chu Jinyan slapped his hand so hard that the poor boy had to withdraw his intent. Later he brought even closer to himself, and away from the hands of his best friend, the usual envelope that had also caught the attention of the young deputy general.

Chu Jinyan: «these are mine! If you wanted nuts, you went to buy them instead of hitting on the girls!»

Rong Xuan, pouting: «Aish, you're so credulous...»

Chu Jinyan: «and you're ashamed»

He stared at him in a frightening way according to his friend, who started stroking the affected part of his hand.

Rong Xuan: «They're just nuts... Tsk»

Chu Jinyan: «for you! For me... For me they're special!»

Rong Xuan frowned. He was confused by that sentence... Special nuts? Ah, nuts are all the same! Surely his tiredness was having a bad effect on the boy he had in front of him. He snorted again.

Rong Xuan: «as you like Mr. Prince!».

When the light of the next day made itself felt in the windows of every single structure, it was a sign of waking up and starting a new morning full of surprises! All Song Liuyuan wanted, however, was to stay in bed buried by the blankets and pillow he had placed over his head in the night, while his face was pressed onto the mattress. He didn't want to open his eyes, he didn't want to get up!

Zhang Chen made his entrance into the room and, as he now does daily, had brought the tray with the hot and ready breakfast to his young lord.

Zhang Chen: «ah, my lord: good morning. I brought you breakfast»

All the man got from the boy was a asleep moan. He hadn't moved, something that made his servant blink quickly.

Zhang Chen: «young sir, are you not feeling well?»

No reply.

If he had gotten sick he would surely have spoken but... Why it seemed like he was a living dead! Then, a light bulb came over his head.

Zhang Chen: «...Liuyuan? Are you feeling well?»

At this point, finally, the boy got up and took a position, bringing his back to the head of the bed, taking his breakfast not before having stretched properly. The servant smiled slightly.

Song Liuyuan: «I'm fine Zhang Chen, Thank you. I haven't slept much this night»

Zhang Chen: «Oh I understand. Do you want me to get you something for a possible headache?»

Song Liuyuan shook his head, sighing shortly after and began sipping what was inside the blue bowl.

Song Liuyuan: «it's not necessary. You're already doing too much for me... Ah! Zhang Chen!»

Zhang Chen was alarmed at that cheer, and then looked at his young lord with concern: «Did something happen? Have you thought about it?»

Song Liuyuan: «ah I- I... No, nothing. Forget everything»

His intent was to ask for instructions regarding the third prince but, not shortly after, he thought better of it. He shouldn't have involved even his humble servant. It was all so complicated!

And let's not forget his bad luck. Surely, even if he would have undertaken to discover every particular secret, the prince would have caught him in the act.

Song Liuhua was in a very good mood that morning perhaps, also due to the presence of her future husband. She was hopping here and there to reach the garden when she saw him: he was wearing a blue dress this time, different from the one he wore the day before. In fact, Prince Chu Jinyan had sent some servants to buy him clean clothes, two at the most, just to keep himself clean in those days of hospitality. He had just come out of his room, immediately overwhelmed by the calm and fresh air that was around it that morning. The girl smiled and then settled down as best she could and decided to go and say hello. She bowing respectfully to him. Chu Jinyan reciprocated, wishing her good morning.

Song Liuhua: «I hope you slept well»

Chu Jinyan: «I did it, thank you»

The girl smiled again, looking left and right in embarrassment. But she decided it was a chance to get close to him.

Song Liuhua: «ah, Jinyan: do you want... Will you keep me company for a walk?»

The boy thought about it.

He wanted to refuse but, after all, in addition to being his betrothed, she was also Song Liuyuan's sister and old friend of him. If the boy had found out that he had turned down such an invitation, surely, he would have put an end, like a snap of his fingers, that finally sweaty friendship, since at the moment his sister was the most important thing. At this point he smiled, bowing again.

Chu Jinyan:«I'd love to»

She wondered in passing if her brother was still in bed, but it didn't matter at the moment. She knew him like the back of her hand and, if it came to sleep, he found who knows how many excuses to stay even one more hour in bed!

Chu Jinyan at this point reached out a hand beside her, as a sign to lead him. The girl walked away, gesturing for him to follow her. They had a few moments to talk to themselves. Chu Jinyan brought his hands together behind him, following her and flanking her in that walk that didn't go unnoticed by the servants and guards who were around the palace, posted in their opposite positions.

Song Liuhua: «ah, why are you wanted to stay here?»

Chu Jinyan: «I just wanted a change of scenery»

Song Liuhua: «Did something happen with your parents?»

Chu Jinyan didn't answer.

He looked at the ground, at his feet to be exact, and then opened his mouth and changed the subject.

Chu Jinyan: «I wish I could visit the Golden Waterlily Pavilion again. The last time in my memories, it didn't end very well»

Song Liuhua smiled shyly again. It was far from the main pavilion where they were, so she thought it was even better! It was a great idea, and hearing it from the boy's lips made it one of the best ideas in the world.

Song Liuhua: «there is no problem, ah come on!»

Chu Jinyan: «mh»

He had to admit that being in the girl's company again after all those years wasn't as bad as he thought... If it weren't for the fact that he would have to marry her. Each time, that exact subject, it always managed to change his mood. As in that moment, in which he tried to remain calm and let himself be possessed by seriousness.

Even though it was daylight outside, there was only darkness in that place. Night had engulfed that place, between hatred and anger, a contrast that had sparked a lot of war in previous years. Innocent blood was shed all over those lands, where even the earth had died with them. When that man fell lifeless to the ground, fear took possession of the remaining present, bowing to the ground before their Dark Lord, who laughed with relish at seeing that red and harsh substance make its way on the rocky floor of his abode. The sky was devoid of any soft cloud, there were only clouds of darkness that were advancing mercilessly.

«That the research... Begin again».