RAGING FATE (Hiatus)

CHAPTER 2

THE MOON FLOWERS

Following his command, Hei vanished into thin air like an assassin, and another person appeared as an illusion on top of Hei's black horse.

"Stay outside with the others to check the perimeter for any suspicious activities, and if you see any, twist them to dust immediately," Emperor ordered the man who wore the same clothes as Hei and had the same body size.

"As you say, your majesty," the man nodded, then proceeded to the front with eagle eyes pointing through every tree, looking at all ten people who silently stood to each branch like a raven bird, each wearing a fully body covered black cloth that only the eyes could see outside the rose pavilion.

After letting go of his words, Emperor Fen exited the palanquin and entered the rose pavilion alongside his servant, tailing at his back like chicks following their mother hen.

The full moon shines above them as they stride across the nara tree-made wooden bridge with no roof; after three minutes of walking, the emperor and his servants have arrived.

He motioned his left hand, signaling his servant to remain outside and observe the surroundings. After conveying his point, he went further inside the pavilion rose, unfolding the red silk curtain that hides the true beauty of the place, only to see the two shamans who help his wife give birth to their two sons in a healthy manner.

The two female shamans were startled when they noticed a careful and familiar step behind them. They turned around, only to be surprised to see the emperor; both hurriedly bowed in respect and exited the room to give the couple some privacy.

When the Emperor heard their footsteps leaving the room, he looked around and noticed that it had already been cleaned. 

The scent of blood and sweat had faded and been replaced by a Lavender scented candle, which was lit up in every corner of the room, emitting a refreshing and relaxing fragrance. Emperor Fen moved deeper inside, where he noticed his two sons and empress sleeping soundly on a comfortable bed.

This made the emperor's lips formed into a thin smile. He felt blessed just looking at them, until his eyes noticed a lotus mark on one of his son's forehead. 

His smile faded and his mood soured; he felt pity and sadness for his second son, but he quickly dismissed all his grievances as he took a light step closer to the bed, hoping not to wake them, but his wife still woke up, calling out to him in a hoarse and tired tone of voice.

"Dear,"

The emperor approached her and sat beside his wife on the right side of the bed, smiling warmly.

"I'm here," he said calmly, leaning closer to his wife's forehead and giving her a quick but gentle peck kiss on the brow.

Empress Vie closes her eyes for a brief moment, feeling her husband's warm touch on her before mumbling words that ache the emperor's heart.

"I'm sorry, my love," she says.

Tears are streaming down her cheeks from her eyelids, and her eyes are wide open, filled with fear, disappointment, and despair. Seeing her like that, the Emperor couldn't help but pull her deeper into his embrace and kiss her cheeks while whispering back comforting and sweet words to ease her worries.

"Shh... it's all right. Everything will be all right. Don't be sorry, they're my son's, our son's, and no matter what they become, we will raise and protect them. They were a gift from heaven. Do not think further and just rest, you did well, bringing them into this world safely, I'm so proud of you,"

Emperor Fen kissed his wife again on the forehead and continued to embrace her in his arms while only listening to her words.

"I'm scared, my love. For our sons and for our people," Empress Vie began to express her concerns, but the emperor simply caressed her back gently and kissed her forehead soothingly again, not allowing her to say anything else.