A Flower Without Rain

Chapter 64

With everything needed done, the three kings of the other kingdoms readied for departure. At the palace gates, everyone paid their respects and goodbyes, whereas Crown Princess Lian Yu was not present since she is resting.

Now at the last person to say his parting words, Crown Prince Xin Hua bowed. "I wish you a safe journey, Your Majesty." he said to King Fei Yongnian. The path would be dangerous, considering that winter is already here.

"Thank you, and Crown Prince Xin Hua," calling him.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"No matter what, you must stay by the Crown Princess's side throughout and after her pregnancy."

The old king's words surprised Xin Hua as a brow raised. "Of course I will, Your Majesty." Was it not obvious that he needed to do such a thing?

Fei Yongnian frowned, "You don't understand, she needs you more than ever."

Only confusion filled him, but the Crown Prince nodded. "You have my word."

Watching as the three carriages surrounded by guards left, those words lingered on the Crown Prince's mind.

Lady Yuan Li had already given birth a few weeks prior, and finally she was able to introduce her son, Lian Liwei. It was tradition within households of the Xie Kingdom that when a woman gives birth, both the mother and child cannot leave the premises of their home for 30 days. This is so that the mother can regain her strength and also bond with her newborn.

"May I hold him?" Crown Princess Lian Yu was excited as she too would be expecting.

"Of course," Lady Yuan Li responded.

Handing her infant to the royal, Lian Yu took him into her arms with a hint of hesitation. This was her first time holding a baby and seeing her trouble, Yuan Li laughed as she helped to position her arms to hold him.

As the Crown Princess's gaze lingered on the child, she couldn't help but to smile with joy. Lian Liwei is her first nephew and the first child of Clan Leader Lian Zhong. Then, she laughed when he began scrunching his brows. "Oh my, you have your father's angry brows." she commented.

This caused Lady Yuan Li to laugh as well. "I said the same thing to Zhong but all he would say is that it isn't true." recalling her husband's words. "Anyways, how are you doing with your pregnancy?" she asked.

Lian Yu sighed, "I'm always tired." she chuckled. "But I've never been more excited." Yuan Li could see just how happy her friend was.

"Well, I'm excited too," the Lady spoke.

"Why so?"

"Because you found someone who treasures you." She responded. "At first I was quite worried because of how much the two of you were avoiding each other; and his ignorance!" Yuan Li absolutely hated that part of him.

A deep breath, this seemed to have somewhat calmed the Lady. "But the night that he chose you over me, changed my view of him. It showed me, everyone that he truly cares for you." The Lady was never mad nor held any sort of ill feelings that the Crown Prince decided to save his significant other. Instead, she was glad that he wasn't afraid to show a part of his vulnerable self before everyone.

The Crown Princess never really thought back to that night, but hearing Yuan Li's words, she couldn't help getting emotional. Liquid filling her eyes, she began to sniffle with a laugh. "I don't even know why I'm crying," wiping her tears. "Maybe it's the pregnancy."

This caused Lady Yuan Li to laugh as well as she grabbed the handkerchief in her sleeve pocket and moved in closer to wipe the crying woman's droplets. However, inside she also wanted to cry for her because of the history behind those tears.

"Yu, you are so loved you know that?"

Time passed, and now it was nearing sunset bringing the colder temperatures. The two women have been talking on and on about the things they've been wanting to speak of. One of these things were how Lian Zhong would pick flowers himself for Yuan Li, yet also deny the fact that he does and instead say that he asked the servants to do so. Another would be how Xin Hua would often forget his destination the moment he stepped foot outside.

Then, the servant at the door spoke. "Your Highness, the Grand Guard of the Crown Prince, has come to see you."

Conversation coming to a halt, the Crown Princess responded. "Allow his entrance."

The door opening, Ru Mingyu entered and made his way towards her. "What brings you here?" the pregnant woman asked her friend.

A light frown, his eyes looked to the side then her. "I need to talk to you." His attention shifted to Lady Yuan Li. "Alone."

This made Lian Yu also turn to the woman before looking back to Ru Mingyu. "If it's not a big matter, then it's alright to say it with Li here." said the Crown Princess.

"No, just you and I." he insisted.

"It's okay," Lady Yuan Li said as she stood from her seat. "Liwei is sleeping in the other room, so just be sure not to wake him."

Making her way out of the room to wait outside, it was now just the two of them. "What is it that you need to talk about?" the Crown Princess asked as she stood to face him.

".....Is there something wrong, Yu?" there was hesitation in his voice.

Hearing that question, the pregnant woman seemed clueless. "What are you talking about? I'm fine."

His frown returning, it was bigger. "Something about you does not feel right, and I know that you are lying."

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT." her voice suddenly raised.

"Then why is it that whenever I talk to you, I feel as though there is someone else listening!" he yelled.

"There is no need to worry at all." Her tone became demanding.

But taking a closer look at her face, Ru Mingyu noticed that something was different. Coming forward, Lian Yu looked away, however; he had already seen it and quickly backed away in fear. Her eyes, they were brighter than usual and something about them sent shivers down his spine.

A scowl he spoke. "I don't know what you're hiding but I know for a fact that it is wrong." he couldn't shake off the feeling even if he wanted to. "There's nothing to hide unless you're so defensive about it." And with that, he stormed out of the room.

Once he was gone, the Crown Princess broke into tears. And entering, Lady Yuan Li quickly came to her side having heard their argument. "Don't mind what Mingyu said. He is likely not right in the head to say such things." she didn't want her to be stressed in anyway considering that she was pregnant.

But despite her friend's words, the tears wouldn't stop.

Days passed since then and it was the mid-afternoon in this cold weather. Crown Prince Xin Hua was nowhere to be seen as he has been preoccupied lately with matters to return order to the Four Kingdoms. The remaining followers of Han Yinjie are still being found even in places they've checked many times over.

As he did this, Crown Princess Lian Yu laid on her bed, resting. Her eyes only looked to the ceiling, thinking about whatever it is that was on her mind. And as minutes passed, she then pushed herself to stand and stood to go to her desk.

A short frown, she pulled out a piece of paper and prepared her brush and ink. Dipping her writing tool into the liquid, she lowered it to write but stopped in hesitation. Her frown deepened, and eyes shutting tightly for a second she finally pressed her brush against the paper and wrote the first words that came to mind. With every stroke, her expression became more distorted and eventually tears as a sorrowful smile filled her.
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