18. A Dreadful Message

After the ominous incident, the king and the queen didn't want the duo to go back to the small palace, believing it was safer to stick out together. As the wedding day was approaching fast, they could use that time to plan it properly.

Two birds with one stone.

Interestingly, Han Xin didn't kick a rumpus for the first time and agreed to stay there. Now, he had a person to protect and he believed the main palace was safer for Meng Huo than the small palace. Although he didn't utter a word about the wedding preparations, the queen didn't fail to see the little smirk when the topic was mentioned.

With that, the duo was placed on the second floor, in adjacent rooms so that Han Xin could check on Meng Huo better. Although this setting brought extra pairs of eyes on Meng Huo, he kept his mouth shut, showing silent obedience as usual.

As he was on tenterhooks after the incident, it wasn't surprising that he couldn't sleep at night. Tossing and turning all night long, the poor slave gave up on sleep. He got rid of the quilt covering him and stood up. Ignoring the cold, he opened the window to take some fresh air as he felt suffocated.

However, the little crack voice caused by the window echoed in the silent room and reached to the ears' of the awake prince. Shortly after, a knock was heard and Han Xin came into the room without waiting for Meng Huo's positive answer.

"Can't sleep?" the prince asked softly, his gaze stuck on the lonely figure under the moonlight.

Meng Huo just shrugged as his mind was busy thinking how come Han Xin knew he was awake.

"It is cold," Han Xin grabbed the quilt and walked towards the lonely man with fast steps before dropping it on his shoulders.

"Thank you," Meng Huo said with a half smile before looking out of the window again. He didn't want to talk as it would lead to more lies and he really didn't want to lie to Han Xin more than he already did.

Han Xin didn't fail to grasp the silent message, but he had no intention to leave Meng Huo like that. It was obvious that he was still under the shock of the previous incident, so if he was alone, he would ponder on the topic all night long. No, Han Xin wouldn't let that happen.

"I won't open my mouth, so let me stay here," the prince said with honesty.

Hearing the empathy in his voice, Meng Huo shifted his gaze on Han Xin again, and saw nothing other than understanding. At that moment, Meng Huo resented Han Xin because he was making it so hard to resist his charms. If Han Xin treated him badly, then his conscience would feel better.

As the poor slave was drowning in his thoughts, he didn't notice when Han Xin dragged two cushions in front of the window so that they could sit. Gentle hands held the quilt around his shoulders and directed him on the cushion silently. Once done, Han Xin also sat cross-legged on his cushion and they continued to watch the dark sky as if there was something interesting there.

Initially, Meng Huo thought he would be tense to have Han Xin in the room, but soon he realised how calming it was to feel his warmth next to him, to hear his steady breaths. Like he promised, the prince didn't utter a word and before long the slave's tired eyes gave in as his head dropped on Han Xin's broad shoulder. Expecting such a thing to happen, Han Xin just let out a silent chuckle and let the injured man sleep to his heart's content.

Next morning, when Meng Huo opened his eyes, he found himself leaning on Han Xin's shoulder. With horror, he lifted his head and the movement made Han Xin awake as well.

"Good morning," the prince greeted the shocked man as normally as possible.

"M-Morning," Meng Huo just mumbled and jumped on his feet, "I will take a bath," he found an excuse and rushed out of the room, dragging his embarrassment behind him.

Interestingly, when he was done with the bath, he found Han Xin in his room again, sitting in front of the table which was set for breakfast.

"I thought it would be more comfortable for you if it is only the two of us. My lovely relatives are still here, you know."

Don't be so nice to me, Meng Huo begged inwardly as he sat across from Han Xin helplessly.

After the plain breakfast and a pot of herbal tea, Meng Huo's mood was better and the sizzling pain on his throat was almost gone although the purple mark was still there. Therefore, when he heard Wu Xin's grumpy voice, he wanted to check on the younger one.

"Oh ge!" Wu Xin greeted Meng Huo warmly, "maybe you can tell me when my celebration will be held because no one tells me anything!"

Meng Huo and Han Xin exchanged a glance, then Han Xin said "let's wait a bit longer, but we can give your gift if you want."

"My gift?!" Wu Xin jumped on his feet excitedly, "give it to me, give it to me!"

"Okay, you go with Meng Huo, he will give it to you while I talk with the king," Han Xin passed his over-excited brother to Meng Huo to deal with and almost ran off.

Helpless, Meng Huo took Wu Xin to his room where the elegant wooden box was waiting for its owner.

"Here," Meng Huo put the small box on the table in front of Wu Xin.

Impatiently, the little prince opened the lid and took out the hand-made dizi. "It is so beautiful! Did Han Xin ge make it for me?" he asked with sparks in his small eyes.

Meng Huo nodded with a warm smile, this little prince was really cute.

"Do you want to listen to me playing?" Wu Xin asked with anticipation and of course, Meng Huo nodded. Getting the assent, the little prince started to play a beautiful melody, but when he saw a falcon on the window frame, he stopped playing.

"Ge, look! A falcon!"

Meng Huo froze on his spot, too afraid to look at the animal. Falcons were used in the East for sending messages, so it must have brought one for Meng Huo.

"Ge, there is a paper tied around his leg!" Wu Xin exclaimed again, unaware of the poor slave's terror.

Taking a deep breath, Meng Huo rose to his jelly feet and approached the falcon. He gently took the message off and the falcon flew away immediately.

"Wu Xin, can you do me a favor?" the terrified man asked with a hoarse voice as he stood in front of the little prince.

"Yes ge! Tell me."

"C-Can you read the message to me?" Meng Huo passed the yellow paper to his small hand as he was illiterate.

Wu Xin gave him a funny look, not understanding why he didn't read it on his own. But still, he didn't comment on it and flattened the small paper to read its content.

How dare you disobey me, you worthless bastard! Your sister will pay for it!