'Cornered'
Yibo couldn't keep up with everything that was going down around him. He simply couldn't. He was never interested in the politics of the Palace and never showed any kind of interest towards the ownership of the crown. He always believed that the crown was rightfully his older brother's, he didn't have the right to order these people around because he didn't want to. He'd never been interested in power and authority.
Yibo groaned in annoyance as one of the ministers kept going on about how they should prepare to attack the humans.
"They are killing our people! We have to do something!"
"Minister Jung is right, we have to do something"
Yibo could feel the pressure as all the ministers were siding with Jung Wu Lian.
"We must attack before they do!!"
Yibo pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
"Yes, yes we must!!"
"Second Prince we have to-"
"Enough!" He blared not having any of the bullshit.
"Be seated and stay silent unless you are allowed to speak" He said sternly making the older man sit down but his face was turning red because of the rage and embarrassment.
"Pri-"
Yibo glared at the man who was about to speak up. Silence fell over the court room once again. He stood up and pushed the chair behind creating a loud creak.
"Issue the order of curfew as per the order of The Elder Prince and alert the people and small villages around the boundaries of realms. Don't do anything on your own and that's an order."
He said stamping a paper with one of the Royal Seals with the emblem of 'Er Wang'. The decree was handed to one of the Royal guards who immediately left after bowing. Yibo turned back to the boiling ministers.
"As the current head of the Palace I forbid anyone to spread absurd rumours about anything related to this situation. None of you are allowed to speak a word of what happened in the regiment camp." He stared at each one of them. He was indeed an intimidating person. Even though his position as the Prince wasn't as strong as it should've been but all the people feared him a lot if not respected.
"And...."
He continued dropping his gaze at the next paper of decree.
"......if I heard that any of the humans who are residing in our state were harmed... You all will be charged with felony and I will personally execute each one of you"
He said each word as clear as the sky. He knew they weren't listening to him out of their free will but because they were obliged to. Now that both the Emperor and the Elder Prince were not present, it was natural for him to take control of the Palace. That was in a way something he didn't like. Soon there will ba all kind of rumours that he tried to kill his own father and brother to snatch the thrown. People love these kind of stories and he knew it better than anyone else.
He started walking back to his room but hesitated a little before entering. For a fact he knew Xiao Zhan would never betray him but at that particular moment he couldn't control the rising anger in him. He frowned seeing Xiao Zhan sleeping on the floor with his back against the bed.
He crouched near him and stared...stared and stared for God knows how long. He felt a weirdly calm as he kept looking at the face. He could feel the rush of blood in his body and even the dryness of his throat. He slowly raised his hand and there was this excitement bubbling inside him. It wasn't the first time he was going to touch the human but he felt a surge of excitement and enticement. He was so close to touching him when he opened his eyes. The room was silent but now it felt like a graveyard. They felt trapped in the eye contact. Xiao Zhan was the one to blink and look away.
"Are you ok?" He said as he looked at the expression of the vampire. He didn't look alright.
"Hm. When did you-"
"Since you entered the room"
"What?"
"Yeah... How come you didn't figure it out..... It was getting difficult to act that I was sleeping when you were staring at me like that"
"..."
"What? You aren't going to deny?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and amusement on his face.
"There's no point in lying"
Zhan smiled and moved to sit in front of Yibo.
"It wasn't me and I'm not going to prove it. If you still doubt me, throw me out of the Palace. It's not like I can fight your royal army to stay here"
"Where will you go?" There was this coldness in his statement but that didn't mean Xiao Zhan would give in.
"What do you mean? Back hom-"
"To those who deem you a traitor. Who've labelled you as a vampire's partner. Who call you a man on the run" Yibo said staring at him with an accusing glare.
"Well well. Looks like I'm not the only one who figured it out. Glad you already know because my braincells are already going extinct"
"We overlooked some points. We underestimated them" He wasn't angry at Xiao Zhan. If what they think is the truth, the human had placed a bet with a high price without even knowing it.
"It's my fault. They used me. I should've picked it up when they didn't even question my authority and allowed you to leave with me. I thought it was because of my Uncle"
"Your God father?"
"Mmhmm. Stupid move I guess. Now I am a traitor in the eyes of the humans. What will they do to me-" He wasn't scared as Yibo cut his speech short. He seemed to be genuinely curious as to what would happen to him if he was going to be the bait and the target of the humans.
"Nothing"
"Wh-"
"Nobody's allowed to hurt you." It's not like the words could reassure him but the way the vampire was so confident in his words. The determination in his voice felt the most promising thing in the world.
"What about you?" It was a mischievous question with no other intention.
"Not an exception"
"Then if someday you decide to hurt me, what should I do?" He let out a small string of laughter thinking about what he just said.
"..."
"Are you seriously thinking on it? I was just kiddin-" The expression on Yibo's face said something else.
"Kill me"
"What! What are you even-" Xiao Zhan moved back a little. He was startled. His little joke could be twisted like this. He didn't even think about it.
"I'm telling you to kill me if i decide to hurt you one day"
"Yibo-"
"I'm tired. Can I sleep here tonight? I don't wanna go to brother's room. This huge Palace is scaring me. It feels like a hunted house without brother and father"
The young Prince was stunned would be the least to say, he blinked a few times as he processed what just happened. Did the human went as far as to pull him in his arms and had the audacity to pat his head?
"You touched me without my permission"
"Hm"
"That's a felony"
"And?"
"Do you want to die?"
"No.....Not anymore"
"..."
Yibo gulped as he slowly raised his hands and stuffed his hands with Xiao Zhan's shirt as much as he could possibly hold and collect in his cold hands.
"Just this once"
"I'm not one of your people. You have no command or authority over me whatsoever Prince Wang Yibo"
"I don't like that" his voice was strained as if he was fighting the urge to close his eyes.
"Sleep. You are tired. It's alright"
"Hmm"
When was the last time someone held him to sleep. When was the last time someone brushed his hair so lovingly. When was the last time someone stroked his head to ease him. He didn't remember and he didn't even made an effort to remember. It didn't matter.
Yibo had the best sleep of his life that night in the arms of the human who claims to have fallen in love with him. Absurd. His own mother didn't love him. She abandoned him just like everyone else.
'Yibo, my little Prince, mother loves you the most in the world'
Lie. He hated liars.
Yibo slowly opened his eyes and frowned. There was a faint sound of something. Something his head was firmly placed against. He looked up and couldn't take the next breath. Xiao Zhan was holding him against himself tightly even in his sleep. He could faintly hear the heartbeat of the human and it gave him tranquility. He didn't dare to move.
He cursed as the guards knocked on the door.
"Second Prince you are required in the court room"
Another knock. Yibo knew that the protocol was to enter after the third knock but nobody had dared to enter his room even if they died knocking on the door. But circumstances have changed. He was the center of commotion, they weren't going to let him off the hook. He cleared his throat. Good hearing is one of the best qualities of vampires and this was the best opportunity to praise it. He stayed in the human's warm embrace and let himself get comfortable.
'It's alright. He said it's alright'
About fifteen minutes later Xiao Zhan opened his eyes and looked down at Yibo who was still sleeping in his arms.
"Did we? Like this? For the whole night?"
"Yes" Yibo said sitting up properly and looking at Xiao Zhan who seemed to be a little dazed.
"Well- uh wow" There was a weird kind of astonishment decorating his face.
"What's with the wow?"
"I- no, nothing. I meant like if you are ok and don't want to throw me across the room, then it's well and good"
"Was that an attempt to make me laugh?"
"Did it work?" He moved closer with a face that dripped with expectation but a little bit of mischief too.
"You're a horrible mood maker. Nothing is good about you"
"Oh yeah?"
"Except for that face of yours" Yibo smirked a little and walked away.
"I thought you didn't have any interest in me...."
Yibo could practically feel the smug look on Xiao Zhan's face, even when he wasn't facing him.
"... Or my face"
"Get changed and go have breakfast. Or they can serve you here if you want"
"I'll stay here"
"Don't wander around without me. This is not the Palace you visited before. With brother and father gone I can't guarantee what will happen next"
"I won't"
"Only if I could trust you on that one" Yibo said with an exaggerated sigh and left the room.
Yibo sat in his father's chair in the court room. He didn't like it, he didn't have any rights on it. But if he displayed any kind of weakness or hesitation. Things will get nasty. He gestured the guard to let in the man who wanted to meet him.
Yibo stopped himself from rolling his eyes as he could sense that the man who entered wasn't a human or a vampire. It was a Werewolf. He held his disgust back as the man approached him and bowed.
"Greetings Prince Wang Yibo"
"What's the purpose of your visit?" He said tapping on the table to mask his annoyance.
"We heard that the Emperor was missing so our leader sent out one of his best hunting- ah! pardon my language...best searching teams to look for the honourable.... missing.....Emperor"
"I'm waiting"
"We found him"
"Where is he?"
"We don't know"
Yibo stood up in anger as he grabbed the man by his throat.
"My patience is running out. Speak!" He released the man who fell on his knees.
"Our team went missing. Only one of the men returned and he was severly injured. I think the humans are really prepared to start the war. We could only find out the general location. We need your help to retrieve our men and the Emperor"
"Why should I believe you?" He looked down at the werewolf with distane.
"This might help" He said pulling out a piece of clothing. It was a seal of the royal family. A stitching from the royal robes in particular.
"Father..." he hushly muttered under his breath.
"Guards! Tell General Lee that we're leaving for the forest near the werewolves territory. At once"
The guard bowed and left immediately. Yibo looked down at the werewolf who was still on his knees.
"If I found out that you lied. You won't have a chance to explain yourself"
The room was silent but now it felt chilly as if a blizzard will start any time soon. Yibo immediately left the room and went straight back to his room.
"Zhan! Xiao Zhan!"
Xiao Zhan immediately rushed out of the bathroom with his head stuck in one of Yibo's dress shirts. Yibo stopped himself from laughing as he stepped forward and helped Xiao Zhan.
"You look good"
"Weird but ok... So???"
"uh?"
"Why were you screaming? Yelling my name on top of your lungs?"
"Oh that! I have to leave for a bit. It won't be long though. I just wanted to say that don't walk around carelessly. The guards will accompany you wherever you g-"
"Why can't I go with you?" He said moving near to Yibo and rolled up the long sleeves. Yibo glanced at the exposed arms and gulped dryly.
"I'm not going on a date" He said focusing on Xiao Zhan's face.
"If it was a date, you'd take me"
"No time for your lame jokes. Just stay away from trouble, ok?"
"Don't give me that look as if I walk straight head first into troubles"
"..."
"OK maybe sometimes but it's mostly intentional"
"That's why I'm saying, don't try to be a genius and stay away from trouble"
"OK fine fine. I won't. You can leave without a worry"
"I doubt that but ok"
"Yibo!"
"What?"
"You said you'll be back soon, right?"
"Yeah"
Xiao Zhan nodded but it didn't feel right. Something didn't feel right. Somehow Xiao Zhan's gut feeling was never wrong. It didn't help him at times but whenever it did it was spot on and right now he didn't like the fact that Yibo was leaving the Palace.
He stayed in the room for most of the time. The Palace was less cheerful. There were no guests or cousins of Yibo or anyone except for the guards and the staff. It felt weird staying at a place where there was no normal person one could talk to.
Xiao Zhan stood up from the chair and walked out of the room. As per Yibo's orders the guards were following him closely. Even though he didn't like it, he couldn't much about it and even if he could, he wouldn't.
He crossed the court room when something caught his eyes. A pair of a black shinny shoes on the table. That's all he could see from the small window. But the court room was supposed to be empty. He walked right in and didn't notice the guards stopping outside the door.
There was indeed a man sitting on the Emperor's chair with his feet on the table of the court room.
"Who are you?"
The man who had been sitting on the chair playing with his dagger looked up a bit shocked but soon his expression changed to relief.
"I can ask you the same...who are you? Permission is required to enter the Royal Court room"
"You are sitting in the Emperor's place. Please get up"
"OH! I'm really sorry, I didn't notice"
He said as he stood up and kicked the chair towards the wall. Zhan glared at him as he started walking towards him. He turned around as the man walked past him. He frowned as he saw the man talking to the guards and his frown deepened as the guards walked away.
"Hey!"
He was about to go and stop the guards but the man stood in his way. Suddenly he didn't seem harmless anymore. He was smirking down at the human and stepped forward forcing Xiao Zhan to retreat and step back.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Move"
"Are you the Prince's special guest they are all talking about?"
"I don't know what you are talking about. Move out of my way!"
He said trying to walk past the man but stopped as he was grabbed by the shoulder and pushed back.
"What the-"
He yelped in pain as his back hit the cold table. He didn't even get the chance to fight back as the man held him down by his throat. There was a loud thud as his head striked against the wooden table. His legs were dangling as he looked up at the man who was pinning him down.
"L-let g- ah"
"If you really are the special guest. I don't think you will be special anymore. That brat isn't returning"
Zhan bit the inside of his lips as he made a fist to deliver a punch. He smirked as the man's eyes moved towards his punch. He immediately kneed him in his guts and kicked him back with both his legs, sending him flying back to the other side of the room.
He coughed and tried soothing the burning sensation around his throat.
"Fvck! THAT'S GONNA LEAVE MARKS YOU DUMB SHIT!"
He said as he staggered towards the door only to be tackled down halfway. He was on the floor, face pressed against the ground and both hands pinned above his head. A not so favourable position for the human.
"How dare you kick me!!"
"Stop screaming in my face! You can do whatever you want and I can't even defend myself. Ain't that a bit too much?"
"I hate humans like you"
Xiao Zhan let out a gasp as the statement settled in.
"Whatever little trick you played to mask your scent won't work on me, you filthy human. I am a werewolf my senses are stronger than the vampires"
"Let go of me you bullhead! Let fucking go!"
"Shut up!"
He yelled turning Xiao Zhan on his back and glaring down at him. Now he could see it, he hadn't kicked him on the shoulder. It was his face Xiao Zhan had kicked his freaking face. There was nasty bruise forming but there was something else that had changed as well. The man looked more bulkier and his teeth were barely fitting in his mouth. His eye changed colour too but it wasn't a fierce change.
"Get away from me! You smell worse than shit!!"
Xiao Zhan said in an attempt to piss off the man even more and surely he succeeded. But he didn't do as Xiao Zhan had planned. He didn't throw him across the room in rage. Instead he grabbed him by his hair and pulled him up.
'There goes my hair. Pity'
He chuckled even in the face of getting ripped. He let out a muffled scream as smelly breath shoved his head back on the floor. He was about to repeat the same action and pulled Xiao Zhan up by his hair when the door was pushed open with rumbling sound as if it was ripped off the hinges.
Since they were near the door, Zhan looked up straining his neck. His eyes slightly widened seeing Yibo. The young vampire was covered in blood from head to toe. His hair fell over his eyes and blood trickled down the side of his face. All in all his appearance sent chills down the human's spine.
Xiao Zhan had almost forgotten about the man on top of him when he felt a jerky pull. That man was trying to use him as a shield but it was too late. Xiao Zhan felt his eyes widen as his head flew across the court room painting half the walls in red. Xiao Zhan screeched as his limp headless body fell on top of him.
The sound of heavy breathing pierced through the room. Yibo slowly brought his hand down, which was dripping with blood now.
Zhan made a disgusted face because of the blood that splattered all over his face and body. He pushed the headless body off and tried pulling himself up, all the adrenaline from before settled down and he realised he couldn't even lift up his body anymore.
"A little help, if you may?"
Yibo slowly stepped near him and gently pulled him up. He staggered a little because his legs were almost crushed under that man. Yibo helped him towards the table, picked him up and put him on the table as if he was handling a rag doll.
"Thanks"
"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"
"I'm fine. He did play with me like a dang basketball but I'm fine. And you could've warned me."
"That I was going to kill him"
"Kill him? His body is lying there and his head all across the room over there. And that's not even the main point. The thing is, his blood is all over me. My clothes are ruined and his blood stinks just like him!"
"Werewolves don't have the best blood. Not in taste, not in aroma"
"He's a Werewolf?"
"A low ranked one. They take time to change into their original forms. He was half way done changing"
"It wasn't my fault this time ok. You can't blame me"
"I know"
"Boy if you had been just a little bit late-"
Zhan gasped as he felt arms engulfing him. He wasn't scared even a bit. Even when that man was this close to killing him, fear was the least thing he could think of. He realised something. It wasn't him who needed comfort. He wasn't scared, Yibo was. He was scared and this embrace ensured him that he was able to protect someone.
"I won't leave anymore. You won't be alone anymore. They won't hurt you"
"I'm alright. I'm right here and I'm not hurt. And nobody's taking me away, don't worry."
"Is this how it felt?"
"Hm?"
"When you couldn't find that little girl, that human child. Is this what you felt? A constant dread of not wanting to find out what will happen next"
"Don't think about it. You'll find your Father and Brother will come back safely"
"Are you sure you alright?"
"Now that you've asked... Ow... My head, he was really going to turn break it open to check the brain juice"
"Too bad. It's empty up there"
"Haha very funny... Yibo this blood on you-"
"Werewolves.... It was a trick to get rid of me"
"I hate the politics of this place"
"I know... They didn't think that I'll be able to take care of them." Yibo snickered and almost rolled his eyes "Wow everyone really thinks low of me huh."
"What are you gonna do now?"
"He sent letters to the ministers saying that they found the Emperor and if I don't return that means the humans have killed me as well"
"I- what again?"
"They are using their chance to turn the vampires against the humans to take advantage of the situation. They'll be able to overturn the thrown if all the three right full heirs to the thrown disappear"
"I- I need to time to process all this"
"Take your sweet time" He said with undertone of annoyance.
"Are you being sarcastic?"
"No, it's not like there's a risk of war breaking out and soon the humans and vampires will be at each other's throats? Not at all.. We have all the time in the world. What do you say about going on a date? I even have splendid spot in my mind"
"Ouch- so passive aggressive. You don't have to be so bitchy for everything you know."
"Xiao Zhan"
"Ok ok... So the humans are trying to instigate a war"
"Umhm"
"And it's a coincidence that The Emperor went missing and your Brother, the Elder Prince can't come back to the Palace"
"Not really a coincidence but yeah" Yibo said frowning a little.
"And so it happens that I ended up being a traitor?"
"You were a sour thorn. They had to get rid of you at some point" He said suppressing a chuckle and that surely annoyed the human.
"But why me? It's not like I can do much even if I wanted to" Xiao Zhan replied throwing his hands in the air getting annoyed.
"It's because of me. They used you because of me"
"You mean they already knew who you were... I was set up since the beginning?" Something dropped from a fair height. It dropped and caused a ripple in the thoughts of both the men in the room.
"Hm"
"I-I did become the reason for all of this at the end. Intended or not... They handed me your case. It was a way of keeping an eye on you and use me to take advantage of your position" Xiao Zhan uttered more to himself than the other, as he slightly gripped on his hair.
"It's not your fault"
"I'm sorry. Because of me your father and brother-"
"I said it's not your fault. Humans have always been manipulative and they don't usually use this ability on other races. They use this brutally against their own people"
"All of this is so nasty"
"More than you can imagine"
"Say Yibo?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think something like this happened with previous generation too?"
Yibo's eyes slightly widened as he clenched his fists.
"I don't know"
"Prince! PRINCE!"
Yibo turned to the guard who looked like he'd seen a ghost. Not that it'll actually scare him but whatever. Zhan tilted his head from behind Yibo to take a look as well.
"What is it?"
"They are...The boundaries... Humans.... The military"
Yibo frowned as he looked back at Xiao Zhan.
"They've got our people and many more vampires... There are kids in there too... They are saying that they want that human back"
"A human" Yibo said and immediately moved a little to cover Xiao Zhan.
"They are saying if you refuse to return him, they'll start killing our people... They've even surrounded the area where the Elder Prince and the General are residing"
'Damn it!'
"Uh I heard you. Leave for now and don't tell the min-"
"The ministers already know."
'Shit'
"Leave"
Yibo gulped as he felt Xiao Zhan holding his shirt from the back.
"They want me"
There was no fear in his voice but something else. Betrayal? Yibo couldn't figure out.
"They'll kill you. You are not going anywhere"
"Yibo listen... Those vampires... They are innocent. He said there are kids-"
"And what about you! Should I just let you die? Just like that!"
"They won't kill me"
"What's the guarantee! They've been using you-"
"And if they wanted me dead. They would've killed me easily. They still want something from me...or they would never put such effort to retrieve me"
"No... I-"
"It's ok... I'll be fine"
"Sometimes I just can't trust you"
"Most of the time... It's ok. I don't trust myself either but at the end I do end up getting out of the mess alive"
"Do you wanna give another shot to your luck?"
"You bet"
"Let's go" He said reluctantly seeing Xiao Zhan's confidence.
"Dang it. I wanted to use that shower in your room one more time"
"You can use it as much as you want when you come back"
Xiao Zhan smiled and nodded before jumping down from the table and clapping his hands to get rid of the dust on them.
"Lead the way My Prince"
Yibo shook his head and stepped forward. Of course the ministers were standing outside the court room and they didn't even tried to hide their distaste for the Prince.
"We need-"
"I know" Yibo glared at them and walked away with Xiao Zhan following behind closely.
Just as the guard had said the military was surrounding the boundaries but it was clear they couldn't cross the realms. That's why their is big ass door with a protector.
Zhan gritted his teeth seeing Director Han standing on top of a military car with a microphone in his hands.
"They've hurt our boy. How dare them!"
Their was loud bang and one of the vampires dropped to the ground. Xiao Zhan felt his whole body shaking in rage as he stepped forward.
"Calm down bitch! It's not my blood."
"Xiao-"
"And it's not like you care about me! Drop the fucking act!! Don't you dare hurt anyone else"
"Walk over to our side Mr. Xiao... Don't be afraid-"
"You're so goddamn loud! Shut the fuck up"
"You- I hope they didn't hurt you badly"
"Thanks for the concern. Only if I didn't have to see your face, I might've believed I was being rescued. God knows what this is..."
He said climbing up the slightly steep hill to get to the people. The boundary disappeared because of Yibo's presence and he was safely (I doubt) escorted towards a car. He turned to look at Yibo for one last time before sitting in the car. As promised the vampires were released and they left immediately after the boundary reappeared.
"I want to talk to my Uncle"
He said as soon as they entered the premises of the city.
"We'll escort you to a safe place first"
"Did you not hear me! I said I want to talk to my Uncle or the chief or even Hao Xuan but not you!"
"Bitter.... I apologise but we're not allowed to let you talk to anyone"
"What am I? A-"
"Traitor"
Xiao Zhan looked at the Director Han as shock painted his face.
'We were right'
°°°°°°°°°°°
December 16th, 2021