Fresh Embers of Love

Chapter 13

Runyu, the Emperor of Heaven, sat at the desk in his office at the Empyrean Cloud Palace, reading a book formed out of wooden segments laced together. It was very late at night. Runyu preferred to work at this time, when the world was empty and quiet. It was much easier to concentrate with no noise and distractions.

Most of the year he would be at home in Zifangyun Palace at this time of night, but Spring was near. His Empress, Guihua, had left for the Flower Realm that day, in order to prepare. His bed was too empty to sleep in. He'd rather work.

The candle on his desk was burning low, and his eyes were growing heavy. Getting back on a nocturnal schedule would take some time for adjustment. He heard his door open, and looked up curiosly. Who would be here at this time of night? Of course, it was Kuanglu, his Royal Consort and the Night Immortal.

"Your Majesty, I saw light coming from underneath the door, and came to investigate" Kuanglu said.

"Hello, Kuanglu" replied Runyu. "Are finished ordering the stars already?" He asked politely.

"Yes, of course, Your Majesty" she answered. "Can I get you anything? Some tea, perhaps?" she asked worriedly.

"Actually... I'd love a glass a wine right now" Runyu admitted. "Have a drink with me" he offered.

Kuanglu beamed a smile at him and bowed. "I will bring you some wine immediately, Your Majesty" she offered.

She closed the door quietly behind her as she left to fetch the wine. Runyu turned back to his work, assessing what needed to be done before he could wrap it up. He preferred to keep his desk cleared when he wasn't working. He was tidying the surface when Kuanglu returned with a tray.

As she slid the tray onto his desk, the scent of Osmanthus wafted towards him. The wine was flavored with it, but also it emanated from her hair. She had adopted the custom of washing her hair in Osmanthus oil at some point, after Guihua had come to the Heavenly Realm. Guihua was an Osmanthus Spirit, and always smelled of that flower. Kuanglu seemed to both admire her, and resent her, very much.

Runyu closed his eyes, breathing in deeply. The scent of Osmanthus was his favorite. His chest compressed, he missed Guihua so much it hurt. He reached for a cup of wine and dumped it into his mouth, swallowing the wine quickly. The warmth of the liquid soothed the ache in his chest. He reached for another.

"Have something to eat as well, Your Majesty" Kuanglu prompted him, offering him a tray of fruit.

Runyu nodded at her, and waved her to the seat across from him. She sat down obediently, and poured herself a cup of the fragrant liquid, sipping at it delicately. Runyu picked a piece of apple from the tray she had proffered.

"How is Fuzang?" Runyu asked her, relaxing back in his chair with a third cup of wine.

"Oh, you know, moody... secretive" she answered with a wry smile.

Runyu gave a small laugh in surprise. "I guess he's at that age" he mused. The time had gone by so fast. It was hard to think that his daughter had just come of age, and that his younger son would soon follow her. He took a small sip of his drink.

"I'm a bit worried about Nuwa" he confessed, staring into his cup.

"How so, Your Majesty?" asked Kuanglu.

"She's been very down since she returned from her Mortal Trial. She's always been such a lively girl, the difference is conspicuous" Runyu informed her.

"Your Majesty, you know that the Mortal Trial affects most Immortals very strongly. Nuwa is a sensitive girl. It must have been hard for her to see all of the suffering in the Mortal Realm and not be able to do anything about it" Kuanglu told him reassuringly.

Runyu nodded, but still felt worried. There was something he couldn't put his finger on. Kuanglu must have seen that in his face, because then she said,

"That Yuanji did seem to be hiding something. Do you want me to interrogate her? If something remiss happened to Nuwa during her Mortal Trial, I'll find it out!" she said with narrowed eyes.

"No! No!" Runyu held up his hand to ward Kuanglu off. "It's fine" he said. The last thing he needed was Kuanglu on the warpath, alienating his subjects.

"Well, what does Guihua think?" Kuanglu asked curiously.

"She had to leave this morning" Runyu told her with a sigh.

"Ohhhhh" Kuanglu replied. "Nuwa always gets sad when her mother leaves for the Flower Realm" she pointed out.

Runyu nodded, and downed the rest of his wine.

"As do you" Kuanglu said softly, wearing a pained expression.

Runyu closed his eyes against the ache in his chest. He wobbled a bit in his chair.

"Shall I take you home, Your Majesty?" Kuanglu offered.

Runyu thought about the large empty bed awaiting him. He couldn't face it.

"I'll just lie down on the couch over there" he told her.

She helped him to stand and walk over to the couch, and then lowered him onto it, placing a pillow under his head. She sat down next to him, and held his hand.

"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep" she reassured him.

Runyu smiled at her gratefully, and patted her hand.

"Thank you, Kuanglu" he said with sincerity. He really did not want to be alone. He closed his eyes, and sleep soon overcame him.