One Tail at a Time

Trial of the Spirit - 11

Two days later....

Pacing the forecourt of his private residence, Mo Yuans face was set in a grim line and his fists were clenched tight, but that wasn't what his father was honing in on.  Mo Yuans eyes might have looked bright and his demeanor ready for a fight, but he had been crying.  HIs eyes were red rimmed and not only was his face bruised having tried to fight the guards off that woman, but it looked as if he might actually attack him.

"Mo Yuan, inside now!" his father ordered softly enough, but he was in no mood for his sons antics 

"Father.  I need to see her." he replied and not moving anywhere.  

Huangdi, knew he had pampered his son far more than he should have, only his temper was flaring and it seemed that Mo Yuan had not noticed or he had chosen to ignore it.  Either way, the sudden sharp slap across his face, had his son dropping to his knees at his feet in tears.

"We can either continue this conversation inside, or out here for the entire court to hear.  The choice is yours." Huangdi said softly looking down at his son with immense disdain which the advisors and court staff behind him could feel while also hoping that Mo Yuan would take it inside.

Being a pampered only son, Mo Yuan had never had to fight for anything, and nor was he prevented from saying what was on his mind.  In fact, to most who were closest to him, he got away with far too much like now.  To their minds, his actions were disrespectful but having been allowed to openly express himself in the privacy of their Palaces, even towards his own father, it was little wonder the boy was looking rather shocked at having just been struck.

"What is so wrong with her?  I know she has a past father, but she is the one I have chosen.  I refuse to let her go, I love her." Mo Yuan whispered up at the eyes that were red with anger and though his hand has risen to strike him again, Mo Yuan did not flinch.

"Do you have any idea what you have put this Empire through?" He asked suddenly bending over him and striking him again which sent everyone behind him to their knees.  "For almost three months I have had to listen to your mother and grandmother wailing at all hours of the night and day.  And not only that, but hundreds of lives have been taken in my frantic search for your body having thought you had died!" is father suddenly screamed and forcing Mo Yuans head down as the tears rolled.

"I am sorry father.  I really am.  But that woman is mine.  We are fated.... I want to see her." Mo Yuan whispered hoarsely through the choking sobs while completely oblivious to his fathers pain and anger.  

All he could see in his mind was her face the moment she was dragged off the ground.  Her nose was bleeding, one eye had been blackened and she had looked like death had taken her.  Her skin had paled and in amongst the eruption of tears, was a look of fear so great, that Mo Yuan had thrown himself at every guard there to get them off her, only like her, he too went down, when his father belted him sharply against the side of the head to bring him under control.

So to hear that his mother and grandmother had cried, meant nothing to him, all he wanted was his woman and he didn't care how many times his father hit him, he was going to have her.

"No war scavenger will ever become the next Empress, and if you cannot let her go, then you will be imprisoned until you do." his father said softly before straightening himself up.  "Is it not enough that you turned this Empire on its head and embarassed us all?  You were born to greatness Mo Yuan, and no woman should ever come between you and your duties to the people.  She can never be one of us, she will never be accepted nor acceptable.  And let me make myself clear right now.....  your duties as the Crown Prince, commenses today." his father added before a scroll was thrown at the dirt in front of him.