Assassin in White

Ten

"Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without."

"Your Imperial Majesty, this humble servant knows you... like the Imperial Consort, but you really must think about an heir." The Right Minister looked at the Emperor with a respectful gaze and Jun Li was hesitant to reprimand the old man. He meant well, as one of the few Ministers that did. Since they were alone in his study, Jun Li answered him.

"Minister Zheng, We do not like the boy. We love him. It is good that Our younger brother shows such promise, do you not think?" The Emperor smiled at the old man who looked at him in surprise. The minister bowed to him with great respect.

"Your Imperial Majesty, this humble servant understands. My deepest apologies if this humble servant overstepped." Minister Zheng said with a glint in his eyes and a wistful smile on his face.

"No, not overstepped. You have always shown Us the sincerest of wishes for Our happiness. My father chose well for his Right Minister and We have found your council to be valuable. Please, help Us to protect My Imperial Consort." He looked at the minister seriously and was gratified when the old man nodded and then bowed.

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. This humble servant will do so. Your brother is progressing very well in his studies for one so young. This humble servant will see to it that he has the best instructors to guide him in your footsteps." Minister Zheng replied with a faint nod of satisfaction.

"We know you will. If We are done, there is someone waiting for Us." The Emperor rose from his desk with a mischievous grin and an air of one who had purpose.

"Of course, Your Imperial Majesty." The minister took the completed documents and the Emperor swiftly left the room. "Ah, to be young again."

On the way to his rooms, he was stopped twice along the way. The first was an annoyance and quickly sent away. The second was a delivery that had arrived and he nodded in content at the contents of the small chest.

He had the servant follow him to his quarters and place the chest on the table, before quickly kicking him out. He then cautiously made his way further into his Sanctum to find his delicious 'wife.' The man he looked for was yawning widely as he sat delicately perched on the edge of the bed.

"Hello dearest." He said to the tired figure.

"Hello your mother..." Was the growled reply. Jun Li laughed with a rumbling timbre and swiftly moved to embrace the man on the bed.

"Aww, is that any way to talk to your beloved husband?" He complained as he hugged Kai to his chest.

"What beloved husband, huh, you bully?" Kai complained as he whacked the Emperor a couple times on the back for good measure.

"What do you mean?" Jun Li looked at him innocently, but his eyes were too wicked to believe.

"I told you I was going for a ride with my brother and cousin today. I told you! I even arranged for the guards to come with us. You... you were too rough last night!" Kai scolded him. The Emperor tucked his face into the crook of his neck and smiled as he kissed the tender skin.

"Okay dear, I am sorry. I will be gentle next time." He tried to placate his wife.

"What next time? Your mother next time!" Kai gave a great shove and the Emperor fell off the side of the bed on a heap on the floor. Jun Li smiled up at him, so proud of his dearest's strength that he couldn't find it in him to be angry. "What are you smiling at, idiot!"

"You my love. You have gotten so strong with your training. I am so proud of you." He replied honestly. Kai blushed until he was redder than the Emperor's robes and huffed in anger.

"Sh-shut up." He growled, his face letting on that he was rather pleased with his husband's words. Jun Li stretched out casually on the floor and looked up at Kai slyly.

"It also means that you could have pushed me away last night... if you wanted to." Jun Li said with a lascivious grin. Kai's jaw dropped and he gave the man a glare.

"As if I could. Anything you say. Remember?" He looked away from the tender gaze that had come over the Emperor's face.

"I remember." He got up from the floor and pulled Kai into his embrace. "I am sorry, Kai. I forgot. Let me make it up to you?"

"How?" Kai asked softly, looking up at Jun Li with a pout that somehow didn't look odd on him. The Emperor bent down and kissed the plump lip that jutted out at him, not able to resist.

"I got you a present." He responded to his lover. Kai looked intrigued and hummed. Jun Li swept him up in his arms and carried him into the sitting room, sitting gently down on one of two carved rosewood stools with his love in his lap.

"What is it?" Kai asked as he looked at the pretty lacquered chest.

"Open it." Jun Li urged him. Kai glanced over his shoulder at the Emperor and then slowly tipped the lid open. He gasped in surprise at what lay inside.

"Ah, so beautiful." He murmured as he lifted the lacquered bowl from inside. He traced the gold spider-webs that crisscrossed the sides of the dish with a caress.

"It is a form of art from our neighbouring kingdom. They call it 'kintsukuroi.' When I saw it, it made me think of you." He smiled at his wife as Kai looked at him curiously. The still-lovely-yet-masculine tilted head, the no-longer-so-innocent eyes, and the eagerly-inquiring expression still moved his heart.

"How is that?" His wife asked quietly, staring again at the pretty bowl.

"It is not perfect, at least some may say it is not, but that is what makes it more beautiful to me. You are strong and unique. A treasure, my love." Jun Li saw the gentle smile and wet eyes of his wife turn to him for a split second before a salty kiss was pressed to his lips.

"I love you, Jun Li." Kai purred into the Emperor's ear as he pressed his body against him and wrapped his legs around the strong torso.

"As I love you, my sweet little assassin." 

Kintsukuroi – "to repair with gold" – the belief that an object can be more beautiful when it has been broken 😏

1087