31. You Love Me...

Meng Huo didn't even blink the entire night, waiting for the elders to call him to go back to the East. He had cleaned around, put all clothes and the accessories into the chests and sat on the cushion, wearing a plain white robe and the wooden hair slide Han Xin gifted to him. He was indeed still upset, disappointed and angry, but they had no effect on his intense feelings for the prince; therefore, he decided to keep the hair slide as a farewell gift.

After he was ready to leave at any moment, he asked Zhu Lei to bring his sister for valediction. Poor girl, she cried and begged Meng Huo to bring her with him, but he objected firmly, knowing her life would be so much better in the East. At the end, she had to give in as Meng Huo asked her to take care of Han Xin on behalf of him.

Sending Meng Hua to her room and Zhu Lei to the main hall in order to learn the time when the elders were planning to set off, Meng Huo was alone with his tormenting thoughts.

Although he said he would return to the East, he didn't want to leave the North. For the first time he felt safe and cherished, but after all those happenings, he knew nothing would be the same. Indeed, Han Xin claimed that he still trusted and cared for him, but the slave was sure it was just pity what the prince felt. The previous night was the evidence. In spite of the claim, Han Xin didn't tell him about his plan and he was even ready to pretend to be dead. What kind of trust and care was it?

"It is for the best," Meng Huo murmured to make himself feel better. Nothing would be the same and it would only hurt him more. Apparently, Han Xin also thought like him because he didn't come to his room after their confrontation. Still, Meng Huo would be lying if he said he didn't expect a visit from the prince... at least for a goodbye...

"It is for the best," the slave repeated again and decided not to think about Han Xin.

"Ge?" Zhu Lei appeared at the door with an apologetic expression.

"Is it time?" Meng Huo asked with a hoarse voice as he rose to his feet to join the elders. However, Zhu Lei closed the door and leaned on it.

"Ge, I am so sorry, but it was the prince's order."

Meng Huo frowned, hearing her words. Taking a few steps towards her, he asked "what are you talking about?"

Although Zhu Lei slightly fretted, she stood her ground, "the elders of the East had already left."

"WHAT?" Meng Huo was appalled, "HOW?!"

Zhu Lei grabbed his arms, "last night, the prince and the king talked with them in the prince's study and before long, the elders left the palace. As the prince knew about your intention to leave, he told me not to tell you until they left already."

"How could you do that?" Meng Huo saved his arms gently from her grip. What was he supposed to do now? Leave on his own? To where?

"I am sorry, ge, but I told you that I wouldn't let you discard your happiness. The prince loves you, your sisters are here and you didn't commit any sin of your own volition, so why do you want to punish yourself?"

Meng Huo sighed, "you don't understand," he said, but before Zhu Lei could answer, the door was opened and Han Xin entered the room.

"I can handle the rest. You can go now, Zhu Lei," the prince said softly and she left the room quickly.

"Why are you doing this?" Meng Huo asked tiredly.

"Because I don't want to lose my husband-to-be," Han Xin replied honestly as he stared into Meng Huo's eyes intently.

"It was a plot!"

"Not for me!" Han Xin also cried out and held the shorter man's shoulders, "I know what I did hurt you, but I swear I didn't mean to. Yes, I wanted to avenge Lu Ban, but it was not the only reason for my thoughtless behaviour," he paused for a second and took a deep breath, "I wanted to save you from that bastard permanently."

"Why?" Meng Huo asked with a shaky voice, his inner turmoil preventing him from thinking straight.

"To give you your freedom... and hope you would stay with me just because you want to, not because you have to."

"I-"

Meng Huo couldn't finish as Han Xin circled his arm around his thin waist and pulled him towards himself before smashing their lips. He gave him gentle kisses on his soft lips to convey his genuine feelings. Though Meng Huo wasn't that responsive, at least he didn't push the other away.

"Now you know why," the prince said breathlessly when he broke the kiss. However, seeing the swollen lips of the smaller man, he wanted to kiss him again. Damn.

In a daze, Meng Huo put his hands on his lips and looked at Han Xin with his glazed eyes. He was having difficulty believing the kiss was real.

"I..." he said at the end of a long silence, "I am a slave."

"You were."

"You are a prince..."

"Indeed."

"I killed your brother..."

"You were used, you are not a killer."

"Your family will never approve..."

"They already do."

"You will never trust me fully."

"I trust you fully."

"..."

"Do you have any excuses?" It was Han Xin's turn to ask.

Meng Huo looked at him blankly.

"Good," Han Xin announced happily and pulled Meng Huo for another long-wanted kiss. This time Meng Huo was more responsive. He kissed Han Xin back clumsily with his eyes closed, and even let the other explore his mouth when his tongue seeked entrance.

The heated kiss lasted for a while until Meng Huo realised what they were doing. He put his hands on Han Xin's broad chest and pushed him gently.

"What... are... we... doing?" he asked in between his heavy panting.

Han Xin caressed Meng Huo's blushed cheek, "kissing after a tardy confession."

"Confession?" Meng Huo asked with a frown. When did he confess his love?

"Yes, you gave me all those lame excuses, but never once you said you didn't love me. Likewise, I slashed all your excuses because I love you."

"You... love me?" the shocked man asked with his eyes wide open. It was the first time Han Xin used that exact word and it was too good to be true. A prince declaring his love to a slave!

Han Xin chuckled and patted his nose lovingly, "of course I do, wasn't it obvious?"

Meng Huo blushed even more, "but how about the elders?"

"I told them to leave us alone or the North will spread the word about their despicable king to all kingdoms."

"You didn't, right?" Meng Huo was horrified as this situation could end up in a war.

Han Xin shrugged, "I did and they agreed, so nothing to worry about."

Brimming with gratitude as well as love, Meng Huo threw his arms around Han Xin's neck, hugging him tight. There were no more suspicions or questions about the prince's love for him, so he saw no reason to hide his own feelings.

In the face of the impulsive behaviour, the prince could only chuckle with satisfaction. Returning the hug fully, he whispered, "see? I was right about you loving me too."