RAGING FATE (Hiatus)

Chapter 68

WHITE CROWS FEATHER

The two of them continue inside, walking side by side through the path when Wei feels a sudden pang of discontent.

Somehow not having his childhood friend by his side right now, suddenly made him feel unsettled and bothered.

Perhaps it's because he'd recently lost their people and the person he trusted.

But none of the reasons he could think have satisfied him, leaving him feeling befuddled.

Maybe he's grown accustomed to having his childhood friend always nearby. Exactly like in the past.

No, it still didn't fit his dissatisfaction. Forget about it. It's pointless to overthink such trivial matters.

He can only hope Lan Zhan is unharmed and will return to him. Emperor Fen's second son could not bear the thought of Lan Zhan dying as well. He couldn't imagine life without him.

Wait, why are my thoughts becoming strange? Why does it sound so odd now? It's as if I'm yearning for my childhood friend.

Wei felt a loud thumb on his heart out of nowhere, confirming his internal suspicions.

This caused him to abruptly stop walking, causing Sizhui to stop walking beside him as well and look at him in confusion.

"Prince Wei?" Sizhui calls out to him, questionable of the other person's behavior beside him, who now has a speechless expression.

No! It's untrue! I can't! It's terrible! That's not good! It's not possible! No... No! I don't yearn for him. It's impossible... NO!

That's right, I'm probably just tired, hungry, and concerned about his safety, because who wouldn't be concerned about their friend's safety? That's right; I'm just concerned. That's all.

Wei deeply finds excuses through his words, anxiously finding satisfaction in his messed-up thoughts.

Meanwhile, Sizhui, who had only been watching him the entire time, becomes concerned when he notices him standing there, silently wearing the same expression, prompting him to ask the other if he was truly okay.

Emperor Fen's second son is startled awake from his world and stares at the youth in a daze for one second before returning to his senses.

"Uh, I'm sorry, I... I just had some thoughts, don't worry. I'm fine," he said, his face relaxed and a simple smile, assuring the others that he was all right.

Yearning, my ass! How could my heart have thought of something so heinous? Aish, forget it, forget it, forget it. I'm just concerned, that's all. I shouldn't dwell on it any longer since it serves no purpose for me.

Later this evening, I'll meet my parents and older brother. I can hardly wait. Nothing is more important to me than my family.

But I'm afraid of seeing their disappointed expressions when they learn I didn't do enough to protect our remaining people. Aiya, I'm overthinking again.

Wei let out a heavy breath, finally satisfied inside, and relieved.

"That's good to hear; if something had happened to you, I'd be scolded by Brother, Hanguang-Jun; I'm glad you're okay,"

Mentioning the name of the person who had recently caused his chaotic thoughts caused Wei to look straight into the youth's eyes with the same smile engraved on his lips and respond as if nothing had gone wrong with him earlier.

"Yes, yes, I apologize; come on, let's go,"

Sizhui nods and they continue their journey.

Arriving in the previous chamber he had stayed before, the second prince of the Yao clan was briefly left alone by Sizhui as he went to get him some clean water to drink and food to eat.

Being alone in a quiet place. Wei's thoughts about Lan Zhan circulated once more, but he ignored them this time and went on wandering around his chamber until he stop in front of the open wooden window.

Ten steps away from his chamber, there's a Higan tree with a healthy pink flower, reminding him of the HenDu residence where all of the children and their people peacefully stayed inside alongside Jui.

This pricked his heart with heaviness; the silence no longer brought him a relaxing sensation, but rather a sorrow.

The grief he had suppressed earlier had slowly consumed him, pulling each string of the unsatisfied emotion he felt after learning their people were slaughtered without mercy.

An image of those people who placed complete trust, respect, and importance in him, alongside images of innocent children running around the HenDu residence filled with joy and untouchable happiness, as if nothing could harm them, made Wei's heart even heavier. To the point where his eyes misted until tears clouded his entire vision.

The unsatisfied rage slowly infiltrated his mind and heart.

Why must the world be so cruel to all the weak and low-ranking people? To strengthen them?

Are suffering and pain the only way to build character? But why is death also necessary? What is the goal? To make us all even tougher?

In what way could a person's death make one stronger? All I can see at the end of reasoning is an endless journey of questioning.

Is that how life really works? But those people, those children, are innocent... 

Those children should have many more years of happiness ahead of them. Why...

Emperor Fen's second son takes a deep breath, clenching his teeth and both hands to contain his anger and frustration, as well as closing his eyes, allowing unsaid sorrow to fall freely to his cheeks, swallowing all of his unexpressed wrath and agony deep within him.

I will bring your entire life to justice.

I vowed with my life. I'm not going to let your death go unnoticed.

I will make whoever did this to you all pay.

Whomever that person is, I will make certain that person feels the pain and suffering that you have all experienced.

That person will never be reborn into this world again, I guarantee it.

I will take away everything that person possesses in this world, just as that person has taken away your entire life.

I will not let that person know what peace and freedom feel like. Not while I'm still alive.

"Prince Wei?" Sizhui's voice drew him out of his reverie.

Wei exhaled, calming the unbearable tide inside his mind, and opened his eyes again, wiping away the moisture with his hand from his eyes and face.

He took one last look out the window before turning around and smiling at the young man who was now carrying the food and water he had requested earlier.

"Thank you very much, Sizhui," he expressed gratitude.

They then went to his chamber's dining room, where they relaxed and enjoyed each other's company.

Wei would occasionally ask the youth some relatable questions, and they would both laugh, making the atmosphere inside the room more soothing and warm, as if the thunderstorm that had occurred earlier inside the prince of the Yao clan had never happened.

He was now at ease.

This young man he was with made him feel that way.

So, strange.

To be continued.