A Wuxia Tale: Union

Discussion of Rights

(CAPTAIN WANG)

I told Dayu that I intent to marry him.

I expected shock and protest, but what my heart gave to me was outright refusal.

"No!" Dayu said in a hard tone. After that he started stacking bowls and dishes even though we haven't yet touched the pears soaked in special sweet wine for dessert. I specifically asked for that dessert because my heart is partial to pears and apple desserts.

"Dayu ah," I tried catching his arms but my lover evaded my touch and instead continued to clear the table. Pulling a tray closer so he can put the stacked bowls and dishes there.

This is a habit of Dayu when he is stressed or if he doesn't know what to do. As a methodical assassin, my lover was used to always having a plan or at least plotting one.

But ever since living with us at the Wang Estate, Dayu sometimes finds himself with an hour or two of free time. Usually when the children are taking their naps and every estate ledgers are tallied and compiled neatly.

When Dayu have a free time, he usually look lost and worrying about what to do to fill his time. He will then take a rag and start wiping surfaces in the house, even though they are spotlessly clean.

The servants came to me about that. They were worried that they are not pleasing my lover with their cleaning methods. I asked Dayu why he would resort to cleaning when he has free time. He said...

"I have to do something to keep busy and cleaning is quite easy..."

That is why aside from thinking of looking for nannies for the twins, I am also thinking of things that can fill my heart's time when he is not busy with the our children.

Maybe an orchard or a poultry farm can keep Dayu occupied.

I have to think of something...

But for now, my problem is Dayu's dismissal of my proposal to marry me.

"Why won't you marry me?" I stole the tray from my lover, put it on the side and grabbed Dayu on his waist to pull him close to me. I held him securely so he cannot move away.

"Why? Because it's against the law, Captain!" Dayu snarled at me. "In HanZong, we were not frown upon because having a male lover was the norm in the military base, but in the Capital...you know people will talk. That is why we have tall walls around our estate, so they cannot peer into our privacy and yet now, you want to marry me..." Dayu struggled against my hold, "Your senses are leaving you. And I will be as insane as you if I will say yes to this madness..."

"Dayu ah," I refused to let him go. I let him tire himself with struggling but I am exerting my power so I know there will be no escape for my lover. Soon, Dayu realized that he is up against my strength and he stopped his futile attempt at escaping. Instead my lover adopted a mulish look in his face with his eyes avoiding my gaze and his lips tightly clamp together.

"There are times that I really don't like the fact that you are strong. This is one of those times..." Dayu grumbled annoyedly.

"I'm sorry. Stop trying to get away so you won't get tired." I kissed his temple. Dayu groaned and burrowed closer to me. "Captain..." there is fear on his tone.

"I love you, my heart. And I want to bind myself to you..."

"But other people..."