My Unique Emperor (Part 2)

Father meets Zhou Keung

Two years ago

In the kingdom of Adarlan, the King embarked on a journey to visit the palace of the Emperor of Wisteria. Traveling in his grand royal carriage, he marveled at the beautiful green fields that stretched out before him during the day-long journey. The lush landscapes brought a sense of tranquility to his mind, temporarily setting aside the weight of his responsibilities as a ruler.

As they entered the capital city, the King was taken aback by the sight that unfolded before him. Numerous people with tall and muscular builds and tan skin tones crowded the streets. However, his attention was quickly drawn to a disturbing scene unfolding before him. Several women, wives of peasants who had failed to pay their taxes, were being publicly humiliated by a lord.

Shocked and troubled by this sight, the King turned to one of the Emperor's guards who had been assigned to accompany him.

"What's happening on the streets in broad daylight?" the King inquired, unable to hide his concern.

"Your Majesty, please do not strain your eyes by witnessing such atrocities," the guard replied. "That lord is punishing the wives of peasants who have failed to pay their taxes."

"Does the emperor know about this?" the King asked, his brow furrowed in disbelief.

"It is one of the princess's family members, Your Majesty. No one dares to complain about such a trivial matter," the guard explained, his tone filled with resignation.

The King nodded, troubled by the injustice he had witnessed. "Let us proceed to the palace quickly," he said, his voice filled with determination.

After a two-hour journey, the King's carriage arrived at the grand palace of the Emperor of Wisteria. He was greeted with a magnificent welcome and an extravagant banquet.

The air was filled with the enchanting melodies of dancers, their graceful movements captivating all those in attendance. The King indulged in the feast laid before him, savoring each bite.

As the meal concluded, the Emperor addressed the King, his smile bearing an unsettling charm. The King's heart skipped a beat, sensing an underlying tension.

"King of Adarlan, I would like to discuss something with you. Shall we talk inside?" the Emperor proposed, his voice laced with an air of intrigue.

The King composed himself, returning a polite smile. "Yes, of course," he replied, his curiosity piqued.

They settled into a private chamber, the King taking a seat while the maids served him tea. As he sipped the warm beverage, he found nothing amiss. However, the Emperor's next words shattered any semblance of tranquility that remained.

"Would you like another cup, father?" the Emperor asked, his gaze fixed on the King. The word 'father' hung in the air, causing the King to choke on his tea in disbelief.

"What!" the King exclaimed, his voice filled with shock and confusion.

The Emperor maintained his composed demeanor. "I wish to marry your third daughter and make her my empress," he stated bluntly.

The King's astonishment was evident. His love for his daughters knew no bounds, and the thought of sending even one of them to an empire where the Emperor himself turned a blind eye to the misdeeds of his own relatives was unbearable.

"No," the King declared firmly, his voice laced with determination. "She is just fourteen years old this year."

The Emperor sighed, a hint of disappointment crossing his face. "I am aware of her age, but she has stolen my heart," he admitted.

The king's worry grew, and he couldn't help but wonder what his daughter had done to capture the emperor's affections. Trying to lighten the tension, he chuckled softly and asked, "May I ask what she did to steal your heart?".

The emperor, with a hint of informality, extended a cup of tea towards the king. "There is no particular reason. I just want her," he replied, his voice tinged with a mix of longing and desire.

The king declared "Still, no. I have seen how you rule your empire".

This time the Emperor didn't tried to deny it. He brought his hands in front of the king's face and said "Look at the empty page of this book and you'll know who your daughter is..".

All of a sudden a book appeared in his hands and the pages turned on their own and stopped at the last page. The king was scared and dumbfounded. He saw the goddess of light appearing out of nowhere.

Trembling with fear, the king gazed at the empty page, which soon transformed into a vivid image of his daughter, the goddess of light standing beside her. The Emperor's words resonated through the room, revealing a chilling prophecy.

The goddess declared with an ethereal voice, "Demon lord... You just need to kill yourself. Exactly five thousand years later, she will be reborn as the third daughter of Zhang Yong. Her appearance will be just like the previous Mingue. Hair like shining rubies...".

The king's heart sank as he realized the implications. Memories of his past life, where he had lost his love and made a pact with the goddess, flooded his mind. In a desperate attempt to preserve that memory, he used his powers to create a moving image of the goddess.

Summoning his courage, King Zhang said, "Even if you say so, my daughter has the right to choose her own destiny. She should have the freedom to decide her path."

The king pleaded with the emperor to wait for three years, allowing his daughter to mature and make an informed decision. Surprisingly, the emperor accepted the request, perhaps recognizing the value of choice and time.

As the story unfolded, King Zhang recalled how the conversation had gone when he first met the Emperor of Wisteria. He realized that behind the Emperor's cold and calculated exterior, there was a glimmer of longing, a desire to protect and possess a love that transcended lifetimes.

In that initial meeting, the seeds of an unusual bond had been planted, one that would ultimately shape the fate of both kingdoms and the lives of those who resided within them.

As the years went by, the relationship between the emperor and the king deepened. They found solace in each other's company, sharing their triumphs and tribulations, their hopes and fears.