The Emperor's General (ON HIATUS)

Chapter 12

"Your Majesty..."

He gave me a quick glance and lightly nodded me to continue.

"My Imperial Jade was stolen." I confessed watching closely as he raised his head, his eyes unreadable. I gulped unconsciously, suddenly feeling remorseful and negligent in protecting the jade.

"I'm sorry... I was irresponsible, Your Majesty." I sincerely apologized looking right into his eyes. But as always he just watched me for awhile, making me slightly frown, wondering what he was up to. Putting the brush to aside he leaned against the chair, muttering something incoherent to himself. He seemed to be contemplating on something.

"When did this happen?" He asked while getting up from his seat.

"...I just found out this morning." I answered, my gaze following his tall frame heading towards the windows. He shut them down, but before he could take another step, I helped him close the set of windows at the other end of the room.

"Anything else?" The deep voice was soothing yet cold like always. He was already seated at his desk while I had shut the windows. Moving away the paper he was currently working on, he picked up a blank sheet of paper, ready to write on it.

I couldn't help but gaze at his face, since this was not the reaction I had expected. With how severe this case was I thought he'd have a more apparent reaction. But this was way worse than Du Xi's response!

It's not like he would jump into me like an outraged wild cat whenever I made mistakes. He would only get upset, direct sarcastic remarks at my face and later give me some light punishment at most.

It's those eyes and his sharp blade-like remarks that made it unbearable for me. And wouldn't it hurt when I was the only person who'd get a negative reaction from the usually unresponsive Emperor?

Even those petty ministers weren't given as much of a glance or a word of repulsion. However, they'd be six feet underground before they even know it. Its similar to how he didn't even question me before locking me up, and sentencing me to death. I had to say that was the most reckless decision he'd ever made. While those petty ministers deserved it, I knew I didn't. This time I wouldn't let things fall out of favor for me. I had already thought of plan to escape the dungeons if I felt things didn't go as I had wanted it to.

Wearing a detached expression, his deep stare was directed at me, who felt self-conscious at the way he was looking at me. I couldn't help averting my eyes feeling a little nervous.

I was trying to focus my attention on something else, but ended up stealing a glance at His Majesty who was still scrutinizing me. My brain was already malfunctioning at this point.

"What's the matter, General?" The clueless Emperor, who had no idea about my internal struggle questioned. His large, rough hand grabbed onto the brush and dipped it's bristles into the little ink pot at the side. The black inked bristles were about to touch the paper but stopped mid-way as he did not receive my reply.

"Was not the reaction you were expecting?" He asked again, an almost invincible curve forming on his lips. His eyes were so dark, penetrating my soul.

My heart couldn't help but tremble. My lips parted lightly.

He seemed so confident right now. As if he knew exactly what was going on in my head.

"I-I..." I was flabbergasted. Since when did I learn to stutter?

"I thought you didn't trust me, Your Majesty." I managed to say it to my surprise. It was already too late when I realized I had spoken something I shouldn't have.