Fighting is Meaningless

28. My Lover

"I am glad I still have a day here..." Dan Heng smiled a little as he was letting the hand touch some leaves of the North Family's garden plants.

Jing Yuan smiled softly, walking next to him as the Crown Prince asked him to take a stroll with him.

"I have sent all my soldiers back, I am sure the Emperor will take that as my commitment to come back with the Crown Prince just as he asked" the General looked at Dan Heng who nodded a little "It is... nice to see you this lively, Dan Heng"

The Crown Prince sighed "Am I? Do I look... different?" he muttered lost in his thoughts to then smile a little "Maybe you're right, maybe not... Maybe..." he turned for a moment noticing the knights and Blade coming back to the manor from a little expedition "Maybe a change is needed when you decide to hold onto something you don't want anyone else take from you"

Jing Yuan grabbed his hand "Dan Heng... You truly have lived your deaths so many times..." his expression was hurt at the thought "You've been treating me so well since the start... Was I also your friend in the other timelines?"

Dan Heng smiled and nodded "You truly were... and are. I do trust you a lot, Jing Yuan" he said and the general smiled "It's seriously... fascinating how you never changed, no matter the timeline I was living... You always cherished me even when in some timelines I have tried to get you away from me or even hate me"

The General tilted his head "Why would you do that?" he asked and Dan Heng looked down, sad. Jing Yuan flinched a little and his hand laid on his cheek "Have I... overstepped?"

Dan Heng nodded a little, lost in his memories "There was so much blood..." he muttered "The Palace felt... colder... so cold I felt I couldn't breath... That was the only timeline I wished to die earlier... I am... sorry" he muttered and Jing Yuan pinched a little his cheek.

Dan Heng raised his head, meeting the golden eyes of the General, who was smiling a little "Dan Heng, it's normal to die to protect the Royal Prince, I'd rather fight and try to protect you than staying still... This is what all the royal generals feel"

Dan Heng didn't like it.

Why... Why do you all... Why would you die to protect me...?

I don't... want this.

I don't want to stay still and watch.

Dan Heng clenched his own hands to then lock those blue eyes into his with such a cold and serious stare that made Jing Yuan surprised for a moment "I... I won't let you die, no matter what. I am the Crown Prince, how am I supposed to be always behind you when I am the one who should protect my... my people..." he looked at Blade getting off his war horse and leaving the helmet off his head "You're all so strong... I..." the Crown Prince bit his own lips "I will be... stronger."

Jing Yuan ended up smiling softly, Dan Heng was surprised to see the general keeping his gentle and soft composure. His long silver hair tied with a red ribbon, partially they were covering his right eye... Dan Heng still had some awful frames in his mind of the strands covered in blood stains.

The execution was so... terrifying.

"I am sure" Jing Yuan did withdraw the hand to bow a little "Your Highness will indeed become... the greatest Emperor of all the times" he closed his eyes "It will be an honor to witness your incoronation"

Dan Heng looked at Jing Yuan who opened again his eyes, gifting another gentle smile "But forget not" he tilted his head "You have a lot of people who love you, Dan Heng". Dan Heng opened up his eyes, feeling his own body trembling at those words.

It felt like... his own self elaborating, memorizing... printing in his skin, heart, soul, something he always wanted from the wrong people.

"And it is normal to take risks to protect the one you love... Do not look down on your allies, you're not alone. We will protect each others"