Blue Gold

藍 金『 iv 』the pheonix's tears

The Empress's eyes widened as blood trickled down her mouth, a sword having been stabbed cleanly into her. "You must...protect the...chil...dren--" She got out her last words as she collapsed, the Emperor running towards her and holding her in his arms as he cried out in grief.

General Trach grinned as he held his sword above the mourning Emperor, about to strike when another sword blocked his.

Turning to see the Prince Lóng Qi having done so, he raised an eyebrow confusedly. "Hn? Why did you stop me?" He puzzled over the action.

The southern Prince's golden eyes were blank as he looked down upon the Emperor and late Empress. "This isn't necessary anymore." He spoke simply in a cold manner.

The Tiên Emperor did not even bother looking up as he held his deceased wife, the ends of his heavy robes drenched in red. "I only have one request..." He spoke in a low but steady tone. "Lóng Qi...you must swear to not harm my two children."

The southern Prince did not speak in reply, his golden eyes unmoved, but the Emperor understood his unspoken answer.

"Is this your last decree, Majesty?" General Trach confirmed as his sword raised once more.

The quietness of the hall answered as the once flying banners bearing the royal phoenix emblem fluttered down onto the palace grounds, soaking up the pools of crimson.

━━━━

Liên looked down at her younger brother's tearful and bloody face with an expression of confusion and fear.

"Little Ahn...what are you saying...?" Her voice shook with a strange combination of emotions. Though, were they confusion, doubt or a fear of the truth?

"I saw it with my own eyes, Elder Sister. Prince Lóng Qi was the reason for this!"

"No...that can't be possible! Why would he? He's my..." The Princess bit her lip and stood up, lifting her dress to run towards the palace hall, passing by the dead bodies in the courtyard of nobles, servants and soldiers.

Breathing heavily as she entered the hall, she felt her stomach drop at the horrifying scene. The once lively and decorated hall of pure whites and greens was stained an ugly red and bodies were all over the floor.

The smell of peach blossoms and incense were now replaced with the smell of death and betrayal as Liên forced herself to look at the head of the room, seeing her beloved, gentle fiancé standing over the motionless forms of her parents, holding a sword still dripping wet.

Her head tilted slightly as her glowing blue eyes widened, taking in the scene with utter disbelief. She slowly walked towards her parents, as though she was not even moving voluntarily.

Lóng Qi, who noticed her entry, turned his head away from her.

"Ah? The Princess has arrived." General Trach greeted her in a frighteningly normal manner, holding his clasped hands together and bowing. "It is a shame you were not able to be by your royal parent's side in their last moments. They were terribly worried about you."

Liên stopped walking as she reached just before their figures, collapsing down onto her knees, her blue eyes dimmed and blank in shock and she just sat there, shaking and staring, not comprehending anything around her.

Golden eyes looked down at her with a greatly tormented expression. He tried to place a hand on her shoulder but stopped himself as he noticed his bloodstained hands, clenching them and returning them to his sides.

"Lord Father! Lady Mother!" Ahn ran into the hall as well, rushing to Liên's side.

Upon hearing his small voice crack in grief, Liên woke from her shock and tears started to flow as Ahn held onto her, sobbing at the picture. She bit her lip to prevent herself but couldn't help it and ultimately sobbed just like her brother.

━━━━

【 Two Years Ago 】

"Elder Sister is going to marry Prince Lóng Qi?"

The two white-haired royal siblings were sitting outside in a pavilion overlooking a clear pond with floating water lilies. Small colourful fish swam in the water, visible from above.

"Ho~ Elder Sister is going to be a wife!" He laughed, finding the image hilarious. For a six-year-old, he could be rather churlish.

"Oh, dear. The Princess has turned bright red..." Tuyến, who was standing just behind the princess dutifully, frowned worriedly, though the laughter was obvious in her tone.

The red dusting of the girl's face looked even brighter against her white, loose hair as she looked completely embarrassed. "Why are you two laughing about this so much? Don't you feel embarrassed?"

Ahn turned his head to notice the mentioned southern Lóng prince strolling up the stone path to the pavilion, jumping off the seats to greet him with a mischevious smile.

"Prince Lóng Qi, I'm going to change what I call you!" He announced proudly. "From now on, you are my Elder Brother!"

Golden eyes looked terribly amused at that as he ruffled the small prince's snowy hair. "Oh? I haven't married your sister yet, though, Little Ahn."

Liên felt herself go an even darker red in blush, using her long, wide sleeve to cover her face.

"Ha! Formalities, formalities. You two are already lovey-dovey enough."

Lóng Qi genuinely laughed at that, giving Liên a gentle look, who blushed but smiled back shyly.