Chapter 59: Interstellar / 7.8 : Secrets and delusions
Shangyu was fighting in his training room at home when he received a message. He stopped and tapped on his watch. A holographic display appeared and he frowned when he saw his father yell:
"Come into my office now!"
He closed it and left for his office. He’s already in a bad mood so his father better be careful. He knocked and entered when he was allowed. He stood before his desk with a raised eyebrow. Zihang asked:
"Guessed who just called me?"
Shangyu lifted his shoulders uncaring.
"It was Shian, Eden’s mother."
At that moment Shangyu’s impassivity was gone and he immediately asked:
"Is everything okay? Did something happen to Eden?"
Zihang frowned at that leak of emotion from his son.
"He is fine."
Shangyu relaxed. Zihang frowned deeper.
"His mother called to end the engagement."
Shangyu’s face fell and he asked with difficulty:
"Why?"
"Because he doesn’t believe that you and Eden are compatible seeing that you believe he should be nothing more than a stay-at-home wife."
Shangyu felt like he had been slapped. He covered his face with his hands. Zihang looked at his son stunned.
"Do you love him?"
Shangyu nodded his hands still on his face. ZIhang ordered:
"Look at me!"
Shangyu put down his hands and met his father’s eyes. Zihang asked angrily:
"If you love him why would you say that to him when you know he’s been going on missions with his father since he was a kid and how much the army means to him?"
Shangyu felt even more guilty at that. Even his father knows that Eden has wanted to be a soldier since he was a kid when he only found out two months ago. This is all his fault, if he would’ve tried to get to know him better he wouldn’t be in this situation right now. Shangyu implored his father:
"Please fix it, father. He’s the one I want to marry."
"I can’t fix it you’re the only one who can. Use the ball to talk to him since you’re going."
Just a couple of days ago he was excited that his son was going to the ball with one of the crown prince’s close friends, he thought that thanks to their proximity he would be able to talk to the king and do business with him.
Shangyu nodded. He left for the training room feeling worst than he’s been feeling since he’s been home. At least at the academy, he could see Eden. He already hated that Haoxuan had invited Eden but now he is free to hit on him since he is single now. He won’t let it happen, he is sure Eden has feelings for him. He’s seen the way he blushes and it never happened with Haoxuan. He just needs to prove to him that he sees him as an equal. He needs to make a grand gesture. After thinking Shangyu’s eyes lit up.
Eden admired himself in the mirror, he had on a suit.
"I’m not sure about this one."
Eden looked toward the changing room.
"Come out I can’t see."
Dawei came out and stood next to Eden in front of the mirror.
"I prefer the first one you had on."
"I do too but... I can’t buy it... I’ll just take this one."
Dawei looked away uncomfortable.
Eden said:
"I’ll get it for you."
Dawei looked at him stunned then immediately shook his head.
"No, I can’t let you it’s too much."
"It isn’t. Aren’t we friends?"
Dawei nodded.
"Then you’ll let me get it for you and you better get used to it too."
Dawei hugged Eden and he hugged him back with an affectionate smile. Buying him a suit is nothing compared to what he’s done for him in the original timeline. He’s missed out on their friendship the first time but he wasn’t planning on doing it again this time.
Haoxuan knocked and entered when he heard someone on the other side. Xiaoming closed the holographic display.
"Sit."
Haoxuan took a seat. He looked at his father, and Xiaoming smiled playfully.
"Did you come here to warn me about something?"
He knows his son by heart, he could feel that he’s been nervous about the royal ball. He didn’t ask him why he was waiting for him to be ready to talk about it, it’s just how his son is.
"I want to introduce you to Ning Eden."
Xiaoming tilted his head.
"Ning as in the last supreme commander?"
Haoxuan nodded.
"Eden is his son."
Xiaoming isn’t surprised that he joined the army, the supreme commander would take him on all his missions except the last one.
"How is he?"
He doesn’t know much about him but if his son wants them to meet that means they’re friends.
"He’s sweet, thoughtful, caring and he always put everyone around him first."
Xiaoming’s eyes flashed with amusement and he clarified:
"I meant soldier wise."
Haoxuan said slightly uncomfortable:
"Oh hmm... He is even stronger than his father."
Xiaoming looked at him surprised.
"His father was 5S isn’t Eden an Omega?"
"He is but he is 5S and triple-A like his father was."
Xiaoming was stunned.
"Like father like son."
He asked:
"Are you two good friends?"
"We are but..."
When his son seemed to be unable to find the words he asked:
"Is there more than friendship on your end?"
Haoxuan nodded. Xiaoming smiled.
"Does he feel the same?"
When Haoxuan looked down he frowned.
"Doesn’t he?"
Haoxuan looked up.
"He’s engaged."
"Oh."
"It was an arrangement made when he was little."
"Like yours?"
Haoxuan closed his eyes a few seconds, when he opened them he said determinedly:
"Father Eden is the one I want to be with. I know that I said I wouldn’t mind marrying the prime minister’s son 3 years after I become the supreme commander but that’s only because I never thought I would fall in love."
His father asked for what he wanted in a mate early on but seeing that all he ever cared about is the army he said he would agree to whoever he chooses 3 years after being the supreme commander when he is settled and he agreed. But that was before he knew that love was real and he met Eden. Before him, he was sure that no one would be able to make his heart beat. He knows that his father has talked about it with the prime minister and his son but they only had an oral agreement so it can’t be broken easily. Even if they would’ve spent millions he would never go through with it. Xiaoming raised an eyebrow:
"So you want to cancel your engagement to the prime minister’s son for Eden who is engaged as well?"
"I know he’ll end his engagement too, he feels the same as I do."
Xiaoming narrowed his eyes.
"You and Eden certainly play dangerous games, you’re both engaged yet you supposedly love each other."
"Father..."
"Just go get ready for the ball the guests will be here soon."
Haoxuan stood up and left. He understands why his father is upset but no matter how much he cares about his approval he’s not going to marry someone other than Eden.
Xiaoming looked at his son leave. He isn’t upset because he wants to end his deal with the prime minister but because he waited until an hour before the ball to say it. The kingdom and the army are in his charge so it’s not like he needs an alliance, he just proposed the prime minister’s son because he is a respectful young man from what he’s seen. He’s happy that Haoxuan finally fell in love, that’s all he ever wanted. He just wishes he wouldn’t be so messy. Seems like he and Eden are a match made in heaven seeing that they’re both engaged. He sighed and grabbed his cellular.
Shangyu came out of his house and walked to the hovercar. He opened the door and took a seat. He smiled.
"Hey. Thank you for picking me up."
Yanzhao smiled.
"Of course. You look great."
"Thank you so do you."
Yanzhao smiled cheerfully. He still can’t believe he is going to the ball with Shangyu. The fact that he agreed to go with him when he found out Eden and Haoxuan like each other means that he wants to move on from Eden.
He looked at Shangyu and noticed how happy he looked. He asked:
"Are you excited about the ball?"
Shangyu had a radiant smile on his face as he answered:
"I am I can’t wait to be on the dancefloor."
Yanzhao looked at him with shiny eyes, he even can’t wait to dance with him. He’s so happy Shangyu isn’t the type of person who gets hung up on someone forever. He sat closer to him and looked out the window.
Shangyu looked out the window too with a placid smile. He already has a plan for this evening and he’s sure that by the end of it he’ll have what he wants. He’s been on edge preparing everything but now that today is finally the day he feels this sense of calm because he knows that they want the same. He put a reassuring hand on his pocket again. When he felt it his smile broadened.
Eden coughed uncontrollably. Dawei and Shian immediately tapped on his back, their worried eyes on him. When Eden’s cough started to die down they stopped and Shian asked worriedly:
"Are you okay?"
Eden took a breath and looked out the window of the ship at the royal palace. He narrowed his eyes and said threateningly:
"You’re dead."
