The memories I carry

The next morning, Xiana got ready and left to sweep the yard. It was tiring work no doubt and the dust would fall into the nostrils which made her sneeze a few times. After what Licheng told her the previous day, she did not go near him nor did he come to see her.

'Why am I upset about it? It is good for me that I do not have to stay around him after my work is done. He said I saved him in my last life.' She thought in her head. "I wish I hadn't done that," she murmured and stopped sweeping. She had gathered the dust, the dry leaves in one place. Getting on her knees, she put them into the wooden duster and then threw them into a bin. She lifted her head to go ahead when her eyes landed on Licheng.

They both looked into each other's eyes, but he was the one who averted his gaze first. He turned his back to her while Eunuch Jize stood next to him. Xiana got annoyed and she clenched her fists. She could not stop herself this time and threw the broom at him.

The broom hit Licheng's back and he fell forward. Eunuch Jize widened his eyes in shock and looked at Xiana. "Why did Princess Xiana do that?" Eunuch Jize asked in anger and asked Licheng if he was alright.

The maidservants surrounded the Crown Prince in worry.

Xiana huffed as she felt better. Licheng turned to glance at her and then looked at the broom on the floor. "Why did you do that?" Licheng asked her, trying to not lose his temper.

"Forgive me, Crown Prince. My hand slipped," Xiana said and turned to go away.

"Stop there!" Licheng said. "Put the broom and the duster in its place," he asserted.

Xiana turned around and walked to him. She picked up the broom and turned to the room where she had to keep them. Licheng went behind her. Before leaving, he told Eunuch Jize not to let the word go out.

Xiana put the duster on the shelf and the broom on the lower shelf. She turned to leave when two arms caged her.

"What was that outside?" Licheng asked as he bore his gaze into hers.

"I already told the Crown Prince," Xiana replied.

"You did that intentionally. Also, since when did you start showing respect toward me?" Licheng questioningly glanced at her.

"Since yesterday. I was foolish to think I could befriend an arrogant person like the Crown Prince," Xiana stated.

Licheng lowered his hands and turned to walk out when he heard Xiana say, "It was an accident. I didn't intend to kiss your neck. Why are you so angry about it?" Xiana could not stay quiet and ignorant about it anymore. Everything was going well until that happened.

Licheng again turned around and closed the distance between them. This time their faces came dangerously close. "Because it was not an accident in my eyes. Every action has a consequence, Xiana," Licheng stated. His breath fanned her lips.

"What consequences could there be from an accident? It is called an accident for a reason," she affirmed.

"You know we both are related from the past. I don't want a terrible fate with you. I am already broken because of the memories I carry," Licheng said. Xiana knitted her brows at those words and it made her curious to know what he meant by that.

Eunuch Jize came to the door and cleared his throat. "Your Royal Highness, Princess Xiana's father is here. His Majesty has asked for both of your presence," Eunuch Jize informed them.

Licheng took a step back and then walked out, followed by Xiana. She silently walked behind him and they soon reached the King's manor. As they were ascending the stairs, Xiana asked him, "Will you say to my father what you told me yesterday?"

Licheng did not answer her.

"It is about my life, Licheng. You have no right to play with it. I swear, I will kill you if you change your decision later," Xiana stated after she got no response from him.

"You cannot kill me," Licheng stated.

"Don't underestimate me," Xiana asserted.

"You have to marry me if I change my decision," Licheng affirmed. Xiana halted and so did he.

"What did you say?" Xiana frowned at him.

"I will make you my wife if you force me to change my decision. Do you want that?" Licheng queried her.

"Never," Xiana answered and went ahead of him. Licheng walked behind her and they both soon arrived outside the Emperor's chamber.

Licheng and Xiana stepped into the chamber together. They greeted Emperor Zhenji first and then lowered her arms.

Xiana looked at her father, who rose to his feet upon seeing his daughter. She hugged her father tightly and whispered, "I missed my Father."

"Me too, my daughter," Yu Xiangkong said as he put his hand on her head. He caressed it and they soon pulled away.

"Why don't we take the seats before initiating the conversation?" Emperor Zhenji suggested them.

Xiana agreed with Emperor Zhenji and sat on the broad chair with her father. Licheng sat to the left of the Emperor on a separate broad chair while Zhi Yawen sat on the right of Xiana on another broad chair.

Xiana and Zhi Yawem exchanged gazes with each other. "Princess Xiana does not look good," Zhi Yawen said.

Licheng looked at her and then at Yawen. "You need to check your eyes then," Licheng stated.

"Crown Prince Licheng," Emperor Zhenji interrupted and cleared his throat. Licheng glared at Xiana, who told Zhi Yawen that she was fine.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince of the Su Empire has done a great favor for us. However, keeping my daughter with him for eternity is not something I can do," Yu Xiangkong put forward his opinion.

"It was a deal between Xiana and me," Licheng affirmed. "I was very clear about it. Even your daughter talked to you about this," he stated.

"I am ready to do anything the Crown Prince wants me to do, but my daughter cannot stay with him. She was supposed to marry that day," Yu Xiangkong stated.

Licheng gazed at Xiana, who spoke this time. "Father, I cannot go back with you. I must not forget what Licheng did for me and the Yu Kingdom," she asserted.

"Princess Xiana, we will find another way to tackle this situation," Zhi Yawen stated.

"Tell me, Zhi Yawen what way do you have?" Licheng asked.

"I will serve—"

Licheng asked him to stop speaking. "I want only Xiana," he affirmed.