Chapter 3- "The Emperor of Xing"
Mei noticed I wasn't as cheerful. I was more distant. I wasn't returning her kisses. This was a few weeks after being in Xing. I was supposed to be having fun and be excited but I just wasn't.
"Alphonse." she got on my lap. "What's wrong? You seem so sad. Your chi is sad."
"I nearly killed you." I managed to get out. "Why do you want to be with me?"
"Alphonse! You're being so hard on yourself!" Mei replied.
I laid on the bed and faced away from her. Mei got on the other side of the bed and faced me as I looked away.
"Should I call the local Xing doctor?" Mei replied. "Maybe some medicine will help."
I shook my head. "No, Mei. Thank you."
Mei buried herself in my shirt. "Alphonse, I want you to get better. I'm so sad when you're so sad. I would do anything for you."
I turned to face her. "I'm sorry. I'm just going through a lot emotionally."
"Was it too fast?" Mei looked at me. "Did we go too fast?"
I looked at Mei. "No. I think we're doing really good. I'm just not at my best."
"Someone has to be there for you at your worst." Mei replied. "Someone has to be there for you for every emotion. That's what we are taught in Xing."
Mei was so dedicated to me. She got closer as she brought some soup in for me. She was a bit nervous because she made it herself.
"Here, Alphonse..." Mei set down the soup. "I made it for you."
I smiled. "Thank you. I'll try it right now."
"Ok. I hope I did a good job." Mei sat on the bed with me as I ate. "Is it good?"
"Yes." I smiled.
Mei began playing with her fingers. A sign she was nervous about something. We've gotten to know each other really well. I told her she could tell me anything. She seemed like she was afraid to say something.
"Alphonse." she replied. "We need to have a serious discussion."
I put down my soup. "Yes, Mei?"
Mei looked at me sadly. "Daddy is doing worse than before. It was so scary." Mei looked up at me. "Alphonse?"
"Yes?" I answered.
"Can you come with me to see daddy? He has granted an audience with you." Mei gave me a paper but translated it for me.
I choked a bit on my soup. "He wants to see me?!"
"Yes, he's been wondering about you for awhile. Ling Yao will also be there." Mei replied. "Daddy would like to see who's making his princess happy."
"Wow. I get to meet the emperor of Xing..." I stopped short.
It was too bad I would see him such a terrible condition but I couldn't ignore the request. Mei took my hand and guided me to where her father lived. Mei told me not be nervous but to smile a lot and talk to the emperor.
We walked a path past some gardens. They were beautiful. The Xing people were so friendly and they took their time. No one was in a rush to get things done. A couple of them waved as we walked by.
We came up to a big building. It was very nice, I could tell it was where the emperor lived. Ling came out to greet us as he came running down stairs.
"Hey!" Ling came up to me. "How are you?! How is your brother?"
"He's good. He's back in Resenbool." I replied. "He's not travelling much these days."
"I'm glad he's good." Ling replied. "So, you're here to meet our father?"
"Yes." I replied nervously.
"Don't be nervous!" Ling assured. "He's been looking forward to company all day!"
Mei guided me up the stairs as we entered a very large room. It was very regal but with an oriental touch. It was very peaceful. The emperor laid in bed with servants attending to him and a local Xing doctor giving him medicine.
Mei ran up to the doctor. "How is he doctor?"
"He's a bit better. He should get lots of rest." the doctor replied. "I gave him some medicine that will help with his pain."
"Thank you, doctor." Mei replied. "Alphonse, you can come over to see him."
I walked slowly over as the emperor's eyes focused on me. I was a bit hesitant. I got closer as the emperor sat up in bed a bit more to see me.
"Hello, emperor." I bowed in respect. "I'm Alphonse Elric."
The emperor smiled a little. "Ah yes, the one who saved my daughter. You have our deepest thanks."
"See, daddy? Isn't he amazing? He's perfect." Mei beamed.
The emperor agreed. "Yes. He has a very big heart. Very courageous as well."
"Thank you, emperor." I replied respectfully.
The emperor coughed and began coughing a lot. "I'm not in the best of health now...you'll have to excuse me."
The emperor drank some water as he smiled. He seemed like a very wise man and very nice. Ling was at his side attending to him. Mei and the emperor began talking as they looked at me. Mei nodded and pulled me aside.
"Daddy would like to have lunch with you, Alphonse. Aren't you lucky!" Mei smiled. "Don't be afraid, Alphonse."
"Ok. That sounds good to me." I replied.
Ling went to go get the servants to help the emperor get out of bed. We went out on the balcony as the emperor was seated across from me. Lunch was brought to us as Mei looked at me.
"I'll be back soon, Alphonse." Mei replied. "Don't be afraid, daddy wants to get to know you."
Mei and Ling left us to ourselves as the emperor began eating and drinking tea. I couldn't wait to tell Edward about this. I felt so honored to be in front of the Xing emperor!
"So, Alphonse. What brings you to our beautiful Xing?" the emperor coughed a little.
"I was interested in Alkahestry and learning about the culture." I replied as I drank some tea.
"Ah yes, Alkahestry." the emperor smiled. "Mei has perfected it well."
I looked at the emperor. "Does everyone in Xing know how to fight?"
"Yes. I taught my children young." the emperor replied. "You see, gaining the throne to emperor is very dangerous especially for Ling. Others want it too."
"Oh, I see." I replied.
"Yes, since my health declined...more people are fighting for the throne." the emperor replied as he ate slowly. "As much as I'm respected they can't wait for me to be dead."
The emperor laughed and began laughing more. He settled down and looked at me. I continued eating more food. The emperor smiled at me as I smiled back.
"Oh, I didn't realize how serious being emperor was." I replied.
"It's a big title in Xing. It's like what you would call a King." the emperor replied. "It's very exhausting work."
The emperor and I talked about many things after that. It was very interesting. The emperor also brought up dying. He seemed to have a very good attitude about it. He seemed optimistic but I could tell he had some sadness about leaving his children.
"I know I don't have to worry. Ling will do fine as emperor and Mei will be happy with you." the emperor smiled.
I blushed a little. "Yes, she will."
"I can tell you, she was born smiling." the emperor replied. "She has filled my life with happiness."
"Yes, she's always so positive." I replied.
The emperor began coughing a lot and wheezing. "I'm sorry, Alphonse. I have to return to bed. I'm getting sick again."
The servants came straight to the table and helped the emperor walk back to his room. It was really sad to see him in such terrible health but he manged it welll.
The emperor turned back. "Alphonse...please visit again soon. I'd be happy to talk more about your adventures. Sorry, we couldn't talk more."
The emperor was led back to his room and laid down in bed. A servant came out to get me as I was walked into the emperors room.
"Thank you for making my daughter happy." the emperor replied.
I smiled as I was lead out of the room. It was time for the emperor to rest. I left as Mei caught up with me. She was out doing some gardening.
"Hi Alphonse!" Mei replied. "How was your visit with daddy?"
"It was good. We talked about a lot." I replied. "He would like to see again."
"That's really good!" Mei smiled. "I'm glad he got to meet you!"
"Mei." I turned serious. "How much time does he have?"
Mei sighed. "The doctors aren't very sure. They say a month maybe two."
I turned to her. "Is it ok, if I help out with him too?"
"Oh, Alphonse..." Mei's eyes widened. "You want to help with daddy?" Mei suddenly busted with emotion. "You're so kind! Of course you can!"
I decided I wanted to help with the emperor. Edward and I helped with mom when she became ill. We were always by her side. We were always helping and trying to make things easier for her. So, I had experience with caring for the ill.
I decided to ask Mei how she felt about her father dying. "Mei, how do you feel about this?
"Well..." Mei paused. "I feel terrible but I know it's going to be better off. He won't suffer anymore."
"Oh, I hope I wasn't intruding..." I stepped back.
"No, Alphonse." Mei hugged me. "I trust you."
"Ok." I said softly.
"Alphonse, death is just an end." Mei replied. "It happens for a reason or sometimes no reason at all."
I nodded. "Yeah, it is an end."
Mei and paused for awhile as she held my hands. It was a really serious conversation we were having about death. It was nice I could talk to Mei about anything and she could do the same with me. I really liked our conversations.
"Yes, we didn't know daddy was sick until he collapsed one day." Mei replied. "He didn't want people getting in uproar but that still happened."
"Yes, our mom hid hers too. She hid it well." I replied. "I think she didn't want Edward and I to worry."
"Yes, she was to protect you Alphonse." Mei replied. "Daddy did the same. He didn't want everyone worrying."
"I can see it's a lot on everyone." I replied.
"It is a huge deal, that means we have to get a new emperor." Mei replied. "All clans want their son to be next but Ling is next in line."
"Oh, is he heir to the throne?" I asked.
"Yes. He's of the Yao clan and it's their turn." Mei replied. "That doesn't mean the rest of the clans agree."
The emperor talked about this earlier. He said there was a lot of heated competition for the throne now since he was ill. I didn't realize it was such a huge deal in Xing. Back in Amestris, the military ran everything and we had a Führer. If the Führer died or stepped down then someone else would be appointed that position.
"Im so worried about daddy." Mei replied as tears formed in his eyes. "He's always in so much pain. There is only so much the doctors in Xing can do. Was it like that with your mom?
"I nodded. "Yes. The doctor couldn't do much after awhile."
I didn't realize how much Mei and I had in common. I was going to help her get through this tough time with her father. I was happy I could do something so nice for someone who needed a lot of help.
Death wasn't an easy thing to deal with. It caused Edward and I to do the unthinkable, It caused Teacher to do the unthinkable, it caused Scar's brother to do the unthinkable, and it hurt a lot of people we know.
Mei grabbed me tighter. "Don't leave me...Alphonse..."
"I promise I won't." I kissed Mei's forhead.
Mei suddenly began weeping. I think she didn't want me to worry so much about her dealing with her ailing father. Mei felt like she had to be strong. She seemed so happy but at the same time she was conflicted on the inside about this. She had a lot of emotions just like I did.
Mei wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, Alphonse. I didn't want you to worry about me."
"You can cry about it." I replied. "I cried a lot when mom died."
"What was your mom's name?" Mei asked.
"Trisha." I replied and smiled. "She was the sweetest mom you could have. She loved being a mom."
"Oh, Trisha is a pretty name. I'm sure she was pretty." Mei smiled as she wiped more of her tears.
I closed my eyes and imagined my mom. "She was."
Two servants of the emperor came running towards our direction. Mei eyes widened. The servants told us that the Xing doctor had to be called immediately. The emperor developed a new symptom. Mei was so frightened.
"Alphonse, we have to go check on daddy!" Mei grabbed my hand.
I have never seen Mei so upset. I ran behind her as the servants ran with us to the emperor's house.
