Chapter 224: "So you are in love?"
King Luo gazed at the delicate platinum ring on his pinky finger, a cherished protective charm, the only thing given to him by his mother. Determined to show his love and devotion, King Luo made the difficult decision to part with the sentimental ring and bestow it upon Qie Xieling.
Gently, he slipped the ring off his finger, marvelling at its intricate details, as if it carried the weight of generations past. King Luo’s eyes shimmered with a mix of hope and uncertainty as he held the ring in his trembling hand his heart heavy.
Realising that the ring wouldn’t fit on Qie Xieling’s ring finger, King Luo chanted an incarnation transforming it. In an instant, the ring began to grow, expanding in size until it had transformed into a magnificent piece of jewellery that would fit Qie Xieling perfectly.
As the ring was enveloped with soft, ethereal light, King Luo’s heart skipped a beat. He knew that this symbolic gesture held profound implications for both of their lives. As the radiant light dissipated, King Luo carefully lifted Qie Xieling’s hand, massaging his fingers with tender affection.
Overwhelmed with emotion, King Luo mustered the courage to profess his deepest love to Qie Xieling, whispering heartfelt words into the stillness of the room. With each word, his feelings poured out, filling the air with a sense of devotion and commitment. And as he gently slid the resplendent ring onto Qie Xieling’s ring finger, he knew that they will be together forever. Qie Xieling belonged to him and he belonged to Qie Xieling. He would go wherever Qie Xieling goes.
Exhausted from the rollercoaster of emotions, King Luo lay down beside Qie Xieling, feeling a serene calm wash over him. In his heart, he pledged to protect and cherish their love for eternity. With that conviction, King Luo gradually fell to sleep, with his life force flowing into Qie Xieling’s body throughout the night keeping the poison at bay.
***
King Luo opened his eyes, and to his surprise, found himself in a comfortable palace that was different from the sky palace he was familiar with. That place was long deserted now but this place was different. It was lively and filled with a relaxing atmosphere.
Sitting opposite him was his long disappeared mother, dressed in a beautiful blue gown, her complexion rosy, and her smile radiant.
Confusion clouded his mind, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Am I dead?"
His mother, Bahamut, chuckled softly as she poured out iced tea for the both of them. "No," she replied, calming King Luo’s anxious thoughts. She handed him the cup and encouraged him to drink, assuring him it would be good for him. As he hesitated, glancing at the cup, his mind continued to whirl.
His mother reached over and gently touched his face, her voice filled with warmth as she said, "You have grown so big. You have turned into such a handsome young man."
King Luo was on the verge of complaining. He wasn’t sure if this was a dream and if it was why now? Why have this dream now after all these years? He couldn’t even remember what his mother looked like from memory yet here she was, her vivid image in front of him. Something was definitely wrong with this.
Before he could utter a word, the sound of heavy boots echoed behind him, causing a shiver to run through his body. An overwhelming presence entered the room, suffocating the air around him.
It was his father, the emperor of mankind, walking in with a regal and tyrannical air.
Without acknowledging his son, King Luo’s father picked up Bahamut and made her sit on his lap as if he hadn’t seen his son at all. It was an attitude that his father always had. He was always dismissive to him.
"Can’t you at least say hie to him? If you don’t speak to him you will have to sleep outside tonight," she said her face devoid of the smile she had on before.
Her husband sighed. He glanced at King Luo and said, "How have you been?"
King Luo didn’t even know what to say. If this was a dream it was one that he really want to have. "Good," he replied before sipping his tea.
Bahamut seemed very happy with their interaction. This was more than she could ask for. Her two boys getting along. With a bright smile, she suddenly asked, "So you are in love?"
King Luo choked on the mouthful of tea in his mouth. He coughed several times while his father froze seeming a little confused. The way his son was closed off he didn’t think that would happen. He didn’t raise him neither was he there but he watched him from afar. He looked like a zombie going with the flow. If his son fell in love the world was definitely coming to an end.
"How did you...," he asked his voice fading. Bahamut laughed out loud seeming very happy.
"You think I don’t know you gave away the protective charm that I gave you. You know that is made out of my dragon heart scales and you gave it away to your fiance. How sweet."
King Luo, "..."
This was starting to look too real but Qie Xieling wasn’t his fiancé. It was meant to be Yunning but he broke it off.
"Why do you look confused? You gave it to that kid Eling right? His mother saved me so I gave her the pendant and promised her that her son will marry you... Did you ditch that boy? That poor boy suffered because of me. The least you can do is give him half your kingdom and make him your queen."
King Luo, "..."
"Wasn’t it supposed to be Princess Yunning?" he asked genuinely confused.
Bahamut shook her head seriously. "No... Eling stayed there for a bit. From my knowledge, his mother was going to drop him off at Princess Yunning’s family before going to look for her husband but that’s it. It was never Yunning you were meant to marry."
King Luo’s fingers trembled with a mix of emotions before he clenched his fingers. He had been played. Yunning had played him from the very beginning. The person he was meant to be with was Eling but Eling betrayed him. It was too much information for him to take. He couldn’t wait to drag the answers out of her.
