A Flower Without Rain

Chapter 19

Arriving to the palace training grounds, Ru Mingyu walked on with a stern expression as the men he passed greeted him. He simply nodded as he too returned the gesture.

Just ahead was the office of his father, Clan Leader and General Ru Yan and there he noticed a familiar face leaving the building. Once he reached that individual, he bowed as he spoke. "Greetings, Your Highness."

A chuckle, the man had him stand straight. "Greetings as well, Ru Mingyu." it was Prince Ren Huiliang of the Ra Nation.

The Young Master gave a short nod, "What brings you to the General's office?" he always addressed his father as such before others on the palace grounds except for those he knew well.

Ren Huiliang kept his cheerful expression, "I wanted to shoot some arrows and decided to ask for permission before I am to lay hand on it."

"Well, that's great. I heard that a hunt was scheduled in the following weeks to welcome your arrival." it was a sport that many enjoyed.

Here, high ranking nobles along with the royal family and special guests took part in hunting wildlife. They consisted of wild boar, deer, rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, and many more.

The prince's smile widened, "Then I must practice. I haven't shot an arrow in quite a while due to the journey here."

A bow, Ru Mingyu said his goodbyes, "I shall see you another day, I must meet the Crown Prince." as he then left.

Standing alone, Ren Huiliang raised a brow before going along his way. "Seems like something is coming." as though he knew.

Rather than go to the Vermillion Palace of the Crown Prince's chambers, Ru Mingyu made his way elsewhere. This place was one where he knew that man would always be as long as Lian Song lingered on his mind.

Once he arrived, there he saw the Crown Prince who stood at the bridge of solitude.

He wasn't exactly indulged in the sorrow of Lian Song, but was thinking about those words his dear friend Ren Huiliang said. They made him question everything as to if he even knew the woman he claimed to love.

Walking on as he got closer and closer, Xin Hua soon noticed his presence. Turning to face his now personal guard, he spoke. "You're finally back I see."

Now by his side, he stood with eyes that looked over the lonely waters. "How is Your Highness?" his first words to the Crown Prince upon his return.

Xin Hua gave a frowned smile, "Great......" it didn't sound sincere. "How about you? What was the purpose of your mission?" he asked.

"Quite the hassle if I'm being honest since I had to check on the border cities of each kingdom, but other than that I am alright." it was tiring.

The Crown Prince's smile turned subtle, and eyes lowered. "Actually, can I ask you something?"

A short nod, Ru Mingyu awaited his next words.

"It's about Lian Yu," Xin Hua spoke.

Raising a brow, the personal guard turned his gaze to the royal. "What about her?"

A frown, Xin Hua continued. "Did something bad happen to her?"

"........." Ru Mingyu seemed to hold his breath at that question and Xin Hua noticed.

"Did her mother do something to her?" his voice turned worried.

Lips pressed together, the Young Master's eyes opened and shut a couple times before looking away and to the side. This was a horrible, horrible history he knew all too well about. They were the memories that Lian Yu wanted to forget, to be free of. However, she couldn't as she was forever tied and forced to carry them.

An awkward laugh, the Crown Prince tried to brush off his words as his gaze went to the still waters. "Forget what I said." although he wanted to know the reason.

It became silent not too long after.

Xin Hua simply kept his wandering thoughts to himself despite wanting to say something. He knew it was not his place to go into unknown territory.

"I trust you, Your Highness." those words were sudden.

Looking to his friend, he waited for the story of her.

Sighing, Ru Mingyu couldn't believe he was going to voice those horrid memories he never told anyone until now. The only ones who knew her true suffering were the children of the Three Great Noble Clans.

Forgetting about formalities, he simply addressed her by her name as he always would. "It's rather strange to say this but Yu was I guess.....the odd one of the Lian children." he didn't know why exactly but all he knew was that she was different.

This, Xin Hua kept in mind.

"I believe it began when she was maybe just six years of age. At first it was the yelling then it became......physical....." he gulped as words went quiet towards the end. "Madame Min Jie always belittled and blamed her for things that weren't her fault. There was a time where Song accidentally hurt herself and Madame Min Jie made Yu responsible." that was something Lian Yu relived in her dreams and awoke to in fright.

"Blaming her, Madame Min Jie shouted relentlessly before beating and confining Yu to her quarters........" Ru Mingyu bit the inside of his lip. "The whole time she was in there, all by herself she only said the same three words. 'Have mercy mother.'" A short pause, "......I believe she was only nine years of age."

Crown Prince Xin Hua was speechless. He couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth. "Why didn't Clan Leader Lian Gen do something? He must've known right?!" he was frantic.

Ru Mingyu couldn't look at him speaking these words, "Madame Min Jie always did it when he wasn't around causing him to not find out until Yu was a teenager. By that time, the abuse became less but even now he still protects her. They all do."

"Did her siblings ever try to defend her? At all?" Xin Hua questioned.

Lips shut, Ru Mingyu went silent before speaking. "Sometimes, they just watched as they were too afraid to go against their mother." the power she held over them was staggering. "Now, they feel guilty and are very protective of her."

His expression fell apart as a hand came over his face and a deep breath. "Is that why Lian Zhong was so overridden with anger? I hurt her, likely reminding her of her childhood." It was like time stopped marching forward. He was now stuck in the memory of his misplaced anguish thrown at her, who was already in chaos.

He blamed himself. "It's my fault....." Xin Hua's voice was low.

The guard shut his eyes for a brief second, "It's not your fault, you didn't know." taking away only a part of his guilt. "However, you should've never thrown your anguish of Song's death towards her. She too, was suffering."

He felt the agony of her dread.

"What have I done....."

It was hours later as the Crown Prince sat alone in the bathhouse of the Vermillion Palace. There was no one besides the quietness that engulfed him.

Hands covered his face as though he were crying, and voice shook. "I'm horrible for hurting someone who's already bearing scars from long ago."

Never forgotten.
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