Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

Victory

(DAYU)

I feel cheated. I don't know why, but I feel cheated of something.

I dislike the feeling.

I glared at Dao who averted his gaze to look at the steamed sweet buns in front of him. I turned my glare to the two guards of the Prince who are eating heartily. We are gathered in the dining area of the house as we gave Hua and the Prince their privacy to talk. Captain Wang is in our room, changing to escort the Prince back to the Palace after his talk with Hua.

I was left to entertain the Prince's guards who sneaked into my house together with the Prince with the help of my own traitorous son.

I glared at Wang Dao again who ignored the looks I am giving him.

"He lied to me too," Wang Dao finally spoke up. "He said he will only say goodbye to Hua. How should I know that he is planning to elope with her?!" He is using his defensive loud tone. The kind of tone he used when he knew he deserves a severe lecturing but wanting to escape it by blaming others.

I am familiar with that tone because I raised him.

I glared at the guards again. The smaller one swallowed the food in his mouth before speaking, "The Prince lied to us as well."

I cross my arms on my chest, "Are you all trying to tell me that no one knew the Prince planned to take my Hua as he ran away from the capital?"

The taller guard raised his hand, "I know about it. Prince Jin loves your daughter, Master Dayu. I guessed it, more or less, that it will not make sense if he will leave without taking Lady Wang with him."

"I see..." at least not all of them are stupid.

"Are you still angry, Father?" Dao asked while wincing.

That made me explode, "Of course I am angry! I should be up there skinning that Prince for hurting your sister but now I was forced to welcome him into our family. I feel cheated! I should be beating someone by now but no, I have to condition my mind that your sister will now be with that Prince! Of course I am still mad!"

I feel cheated of getting angry. I should be storming this place, shouting and ranting and lecturing all of them. I should sat that Prince down and threaten his life but no, I have to sit here, watch the Prince's guards eat like they haven't had a decent meal in a week and glare at my own son who tried lying to me and get away with it.

I felt Captain Wang's presence before he can formally enter the dining room. He put his hands on my shoulders. "Stop being angry," he said.

I look back at him. He didn't don his full military uniform. He just changed into his formal robe and took his sword. "I have arranged a servant to ready your horse, Captain." I informed him.

"Thank you," he sat next to me. "Can you pour me some tea, please."

I poured tea on the cup in front of him and put steamed sweet buns on his plate.

Now, we just have to wait for Hua and the Prince to finish their conversation and then that Prince can leave and go back to the Palace.

                       .......................

(WANG HUA)

"You want us to stay here in the capital?" Prince Jin asked me once again.

I gazed at his face. The Prince's cheeks looked shallower. Worry etched on his handsome face. He wanted to run. He wanted to take me far away from this place that scares him.