Author's Notes:
1. Mittsu 三つ literally means "Third" in Japanese. Izumo 出雲 is an ancient Japanese kingdom that was annexed by the Yamato kingdom during the Yayoi-jidai (please correct me if I'm wrong). Gong龔 is a Chinese surname meaning "Dragon General".
2. Mark's surname Herschel הֶערשֶׁעל is a Hebrew name meaning "little deer". Also, the concept for the Lord Yi 易 ("Amiable") is the Korean actor Lee Seung Gi. I love you, oppa! 3
3. Lord Morgan is the personal butler of King Nasubi Hui Guo Rou who explained to Tserriednich the significance of the "Pot Ceremony" on Hunter X Hunter Chapter 349. His name is still unknown in the canon. Using Hunter X Hunter lore, the Kakin Empire is located in the Azian Continent. The Yorbian Continent is also a real continent based on the same lore.
4. This chapter tackles the concept of reincarnation, how actions from a past life affects the present.
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Chapter 8: Earth (地)
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Twenty Eight Months Later
The entirety of the Kakin Empire celebrated once more as the Crown Prince wedded his third wife Lady Mittsu of the Izumo Gong Clan.
His first wedding was sanctified through the Eastern rites and wreathed in red for strength and fecundity. Last year's second wedding followed Northern customs and used blue-green motifs symbolizing continuing growth. This time, the third wedding followed the Southern style and adapted the yellow color of stability and good luck.
Such displays of reverence to tradition genuinely delighted Kakin citizens from all walks of life. It was a call to celebrate the richness of Kakin's culture and the time to feel pride for the beauty and historical wealth of the country itself. As expected, thousands of foreign tourists flocked into the empire, bringing more revenue for the royal treasury and cancelling out the weddings' expense.
Many political analysts interpreted the Crown Prince's marriages as a pursuit for national unity in a benign manner. Upon marrying Lady Hana of the Cheongju Kim Clan, Tserriednich unified the feuding Eastern bloc. With Lady Dul Song Er of the Jinjong Ye Clan as his second wife, he halted the brewing rebellions in the North without the need for peace talks. And this time, with the Lady Mittsu of the Izumo Gong Clan, he gained support from the empire's agri-financial sector. However, the prince publicly claimed that he had chosen his wives for love thereby making the theories only theories.
As the newlyweds were paraded around the Capital, sweet-smelling flowers rained on them from the hovering helicopter.
And as the prince and his lovely bride greeted the exuberant crowds with a smile, Mark's en scanned the perimeter in tandem with Ling, the guardian beast by the prince's side. He had detected a few hostile auras but they were easily liquidated by Theta and the rest of the Royal Guards.
Upon arriving at the palace gates, all the preparations for the Bedding Ceremony were already in place.
Mark sneezed. The Eastern style had been heavily ritualistic and used a lot of incense. The Northern style was much less elaborate in appearance but used dizzying, high-pitched melismatic music and ringing bells. Now, the Southern one used a fuck ton of flowers which triggered his allergies.
Sensing his predicament, Tserriednich discreetly sent him some aura to dissolve the pollen.
Mark immediately understood that the prince would need him afterwards. The prince always grew tired of his women no matter how attractive or intelligent they may be.
He sighed contentedly. If this trend continues, then it wouldn't matter if Tserriednich married a thousand wives. As long as the prince needed him, Mark was more than happy to oblige.
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True enough, it wasn't even dawn yet and Tserriednich was already in Mark's arms. The prince was fast asleep, quite tired. Mark chuckled. Sex could be pretty funny at times. Or perhaps it could just be the prince himself being funny.
"Let's do it again," Tserriednich breathed. As usual, the prince was lying on his back with Mark on top. They have changed positions many times but this was the most comfortable for the prince who disliked exerting too much effort for so mundane a task.
Mark chuckled. "I'd love to but aren't you already sore, my prince?"
Tserriednich's expression was that of indignant bewilderment. "You dare to mock me?"
No matter how hard he tried, Mark couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"Listen closely." The prince's voice was as serious as a judge pronouncing a death sentence. "If you don't want to do this anymore, just say so."
Mark's laugh subsided a bit as he shook his head. He knew of only one way to prove the prince wrong but if he did it, he would never be able to hold himself back. Looking at Tserriednich's angry aura however, he was left with no other option. He pressed his erection hard on Tserriednich's opening making the prince gasp.
"Believe me, I want to keep doing it, my prince." Mark knew that he was sincerely very near his limit. Even so, he tried his best not to sheath himself to the hilt just yet. "I just don't want to hurt you, so please."
"Please what?"
It was a challenge. Mark clenched his fists, his self-control slipping. Very well, then. His Royal Highness was asking for it.
Without preamble, he slammed hard into the prince.
Mark snickered at the memory and kissed the prince's lips. Even in his sleep, Tserriednich was so beautiful that Mark couldn't stop himself from pecking him here and there. He ran his fingers gently on the prince's hair and pressed another kiss on the tip of his nose and his eyelids.
Tserriednich didn't stir, his aura remaining stable. Now, that the prince was sated, he was in deep slumber like a lazy cat. Mark was still aroused but seeing his prince satisfied made him already satisfied.
Mark knew that his relationship with the prince could be discovered anytime. He was prepared for the consequences and had been conditioning himself for the inevitable death sentence. In all honesty, the only regret he would have in the end was that if he were executed, he wouldn't be able to serve his prince anymore.
Pressing one last kiss on the prince's cheek, he gently adjusted the covers.
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A few hours after, Mark was unpleasantly surprised upon receiving royal summons. To be called upon by the King entailed both feelings of honor and horror. However, he calmed himself down immediately. He had no need to think of anything else – his only concern was the prince and the prince alone, no offense to the King.
As he walked into the Throne Room, he saw his uncle, Lord Morgan, the King's own Chief Lord of the Bedchamber. Mark sighed. The old man's face and mood was as sour as his armpits and he avoided crossing paths with him even if they were close relatives.
Moments later, Mark bowed, paying respects and giving thanks to the honor of being in the presence of His Most Excellent Majesty, King Nasubi Hui Guo Rou. The monarch stared at him without any visible expression, his own guardian beast grunting at Mark. There were no signs of danger but Mark activated his en as his prince had previously instructed.
"Lift your face, hoi," the King commanded.
Mark obeyed, his posture relaxing a bit. Even if he wasn't directly looking, his aura could see that the King eye's had a sparkle of fondness therein. That's weird.
The King only nodded at him. "You do look like your late father. Hoi!"
Mark bowed in acquiescence. What the King said was true but he couldn't comprehend its significance.
The King then gestured Lord Morgan to hand over something. It was a scroll tied with a red ribbon. Whatever it could be, Mark knew that red meant something important.
"Lord Mark Herschel of the Yong Jiu Hua Clan," the King announced, "you are hereby declared hundred-twenty-first Duke Herschel and Head of your House. Thus, you are entitled to marry up to five wives to further your bloodline. Hoi!"
Huh?
That was quite unexpected. However, Mark knew better than to express discomfort and so, he only bowed and accepted the decree.
"You are also entitled the Spring Palace and the traditional fief of your clan near the south-western border. Hoi!"
This time, Mark stared dumbly at the King. His uncle standing beside the King glared at him, signalling him to bow lower. He obeyed.
"From this day forward," the King continued, "you are no longer required to personally serve the Crown Prince, hoi!"
Hearing that, Mark's world seemed to collapse. A life without Tserriednich was worse than being tortured to death. Gathering his wits however, he understood that 'not required' simply meant a choice. And so, he kowtowed to the King.
"Your Most Excellent Majesty," he uttered, "I am deeply thankful to receive such an honor. And so, to express my gratitude, I hereby choose to continue serving the Crown Prince from this day to my last day."
If he would be allowed to scrub his face on the floor's tiles to gain the King's approval, he would. He was given a choice and he had chosen. There was no way that the King would deny his choice. There was no way…
"Hoi!" The King massaged his fat chin, face still not showing any hint of what he could be thinking. "Your loyalty has been noted. You may remain in the prince's service. Hoi!"
When he was finally outside the Throne Room, Mark sighed with relief. However, that relief was cut short by a sharp jab to his butt.
"Hey!"
When he turned, he saw his uncle and hastily bowed. He opened his mouth to utter the usual ceremonial greeting but the old man only punched him again. Holding the scroll tight in his hand, he pouted. He was sure that he would be scolded again.
"So you're the hundred-twenty-first Duke Herschel now," Lord Morgan started. "Shouldn't you start living up to your title and behave honorably for once?"
Mark shrugged. For all he knew, he had always been behaving honorably. And despite the titles and whatnot, he had always regarded himself as the prince's servant first and a Kakin nobleman second. His uncle seemed to have read his mind and sighed.
"You know, it was me who requested the King to pass on my title to you. I know it is too early but I have no choice. Our House is in a deep crisis and only you can remedy it."
The old man's stare softened.
"I was too consumed with my official duties to the King that I forgot to produce heirs. You, me and Theta – we are the last descendants of our House. As you know, I'm too old and quite impotent. Theta has taken the vow of chastity as a Royal Guard. You are the philandering one and therefore, the most qualified."
The glare was there again and Mark gulped.
"I can't believe that our House's survival would rely on the likes of you. I don't like it one bit." The old man's sour face grew sourer than ever. "I know this might be just a joke to you so come with me."
Ancient customs dictated that the young defer to the old so Mark knew better than to contradict. He was surprised upon finding himself in the west wing of the palace. It was off limits to many people, even to the lesser members of the Royal Family, and rightfully so for it was the oldest part of the building where many sacred artefacts and portraits were displayed.
Among the many faces within the hall, Mark's eyes lingered on that of a young man in his twenties. He had the look of a pure-blooded North-Eastern Kakin nobleman - fair skinned and slightly slender, with almond-shaped black eyes, full lips, and black hair neatly swept up. He sported a wide-brimmed cylindrical hat with a string of large wooden beads hanging down like a long necklace, indicating that he was a married man. On his chest rested his right hand holding a dried herb, symbolizing that he had been a physician. His left hand was slightly raised and holding a sword, showing that he was a warrior as well.
Even with the radical difference of their features, Mark couldn't help but feel the presence of the Crown Prince Tserriednich with this man and his heart began to beat fast. In an indescribable surge of emotions, he held out a hand to touch the man's face but held back at the last second, not wanting to damage the ancient painting.
Mark was so enthralled with the picture that he was startled when his uncle spoke.
"This is Lord Yi, Eighteenth Chief of the Hui Guo Rou Clan. He ruled as the Head of his House during the Middle Era of the Thousand Kingdoms Period. He is the main reason why we Herschels have become the Yong Jiu Huas that we are today." The old man smiled. "I know that you hate history most of all but like always, I'm asking you to endure listening to me."
This time, Mark was interested, his eyes still trained hard on the portrait.
"As you know, we Herschels are not Kakin natives. Our ancestor Arthur Herschel was the twenty-fifth son of Lord Armand Herschel, a viscount from the now extinct Yorbian kingdom of Penumbria. Because of his lack of prospects in his home country, he became an adventurer and sailed to the Azian continent to change his destiny.
"During the Old Ages, slavery was still rampant and young Arthur was captured and sold as a galley slave. During his years of bondage, he experienced unspeakable cruelty which crushed him, body and spirit. When he finally became so weak due to the abuse he suffered, his master threw him out to the Frozen Sea to die. In a stroke of luck however, a nobleman from the Thousand Kingdoms fished him out of the ice, nursed him back to health and gave him his freedom. That man was Lord Yi of the Hui Guo Rou Clan."
Mark held a hand to his chest to calm his erratic heartbeat.
"Because of Lord Yi, Arthur and the Herschel clan survived. That's why despite the subsequent genocide of the Penumbrian people and the eventual extinction of the kingdom, our family still lives on today. And just as Arthur Herschel pledged his life to Lord Yi, we and our descendants will pledge our lives to the members of the Hui Guo Rou clan and their descendants for all time.
"Even when the entirety of Kakin was swept by the many dynasties and the now-gone socialist ideology of the past, our House quietly continued to serve the Hui Guo Rous as our lords from one generation to the next. That cycle has never been broken for more than a millennia and there is no way we will allow it be broken. Do you now understand how important it is for you to get married and have children?"
Mark nodded.
"Lord Yi gave our ancestor a new home, a new name and a new life." Now Lord Morgan eyes had the same unshed tears as Mark had. "Arthur still retained the surname Herschel in honor of his own family but the name he was given was the one he was formally referred to."
When Mark turned to his uncle, the old man was holding a white bagua. Embedded on it was the carving of what looked like an herb he couldn't quite remember.
"This is the Yong Jiu Hua, the Immortal Flower. It was the name bestowed by the Lord Yi to Arthur Herschel due to his seeming inability to die despite being thrown into the Frozen Sea."
Lord Morgan looked up at him with uncharacteristic expression of pride.
"As hundred-twentieth Duke of our House, I pass this crest onto you, hundred-twenty-first Duke Herschel of the Yong Jiu Hua Clan. May you fulfill your duties to your prince and future King by siring many heirs to serve his children."
For the first time in his life, Mark felt profound respect for his uncle. He received the bagua reverently and bowed. "I shall fulfill this duty with all my heart."
The moment was ruined by his uncle punching his butt again. "You rascal! I know that you are devoted to your prince for a completely different reason." The old man glared at him. "Why am I still surprised? You have always been an impudent child."
Mark ignored his uncle and secured the bagua and the scroll on a decorative box.
"The King knows what you and the prince had been up to lately," the old man drawled. Mark was afraid for a moment but his uncle simply carried on. "But what can he do? Old scripts say that Lord Yi's relationship to Arthur himself had been quite ambiguous. It is inevitable that you and your prince would be the same."
Blinking, Mark looked at Lord Yi's portrait again.
"Anyhow, the King wanted to tell you that even if no one else has noticed, you still need to be discreet because it could be used against the prince. Do you understand?"
There was no need to confirm it. Mark agreed wholeheartedly. He would protect his prince from anything and anyone through any means necessary. If that meant siring many heirs and being discreet in their bedroom affairs, he would do it.
Seeing his determination, Lord Morgan nodded in approval. "Well, you may now return to your prince. Never forget, he comes before anything and anyone else, even before your own life."
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Upon arriving at the prince's quarters, Mark was surprised at the sudden formal atmosphere and at the respectful bows thrown at him by his subordinates and even from the Royal Guards. He sighed. This was the reason why he disliked telling others about his noble bloodline. It made people too distant and too awkward for his taste.
"Come on, guys. It's just a title." He scratched his head. "I'm still the same as before."
Then came Theta's usual punch to his shoulder. Her face was still as formal as ever but with a naughty glint to it. She bowed to him. "Will Your Lordship forgive us for roughing you up in the past, the present and the future?"
The Royal Guards laughed lightly and Mark silently thanked his cousin for her antics. "No. It will be the death sentence for you all."
With that she and the bodyguards laughed louder. Congratulatory slaps landed on his back and he smiled, relieved. "Seriously guys, come on. Don't be formal on me. It's still me, you know."
Sarkov threw an arm around his shoulder. "We know, Your Dukeness. Still, you're a Duke now so you owe us a fine dinner."
Danjin sighed, ashamed of their antics, but Muhan's eyes lightened up. "Yeah! You've grown richer now so it ought to be first-class dinner, you hear? It would be nice if we went to some topnotch resort with white sand beaches and hot babes all around!"
"No way!" Danjin interjected, all his shame gone. "We've got to try the pink sand beaches! I've never been to one!"
"Nah. Purple sand beaches are better because it's supposed to be medicinal."
"Or a theme park! A theme park would be nice."
"Oh, come on! What are you? A kid?"
Their noisy rabble suddenly quieted down when the door of the inner chamber opened. Everyone bowed as the prince stood before them. Mark bowed as well.
"Congratulations, Duke Herschel," Tserriednich said holding out his hand which Mark shook in gratitude. Mark wanted to hold that warm hand forever but he knew he needed to let go to avoid the others getting funny ideas. "I assume you will now be moving to the Spring Mansion?"
To that, Mark bowed low. "Your Royal Highness, I chose to remain in your service."
Theta, the rest of the Royal Guards, the lesser Lords of the Bedchamber and the regular servants looked at Mark like he was crazy. What kind of Duke would want to stay as a servant doing tasks that most sane people would shy away from? Tserriednich however only smiled and nodded.
"Thank you for your loyalty." There was no surprise on the prince's face. It was as though he had expected this and Mark was thankful that he did not disappoint his prince.
When the light from the chandelier struck the prince, all of a sudden, a man stood before Mark. He was clad in billowing robes, with smiling almond-shaped black eyes and his head covered by a hat with wooden beads.
Mark blinked again and there was the Crown Prince Tserriednich in a black suit, his hair combed back.
Huh?
He looked around and saw the guards laughing at something the prince had said. Danjin raised a fist in the air in victory while Muhan shrugged. Mark shook his head a bit, still disoriented. He only snapped back into reality when the prince addressed him.
"Will my Lord Herschel please come with me?"
The words rolled off the prince's tongue like – like the sweetness of the prince's tongue. Fuck. Confusions aside, it couldn't be denied that Mark was getting aroused. However, he tried his best to calm himself. He couldn't possibly fuck the prince now in front of the entire entourage.
After taking a deep breath, Mark managed to carry on with his usual tasks – opening the door to the inner chambers for the prince, closing it, and waiting at the prince's side.
However, as he raised his head, the prince was gone. Right in front of him was no other than the man in the painting, Lord Yi. As he looked around, Mark saw that he was no longer in the palace but at the edge of a waterfall.
"I haven't told you about it." It was Tserriednich's voice but the man speaking was Lord Yi. "I made a very foolish bet and lost. Ten days later would be the promised day that I must fulfill my part of the bargain. This is a burden, I know, but I trust no one else but you. Will you take care of it for me?"
Mark stepped back, still confused. But it was the prince's voice he heard. Tserriednich had spoken and he must obey. "I will do it."
At that, Lord Yi had vanished and it was Tserriednich standing in front of him again. The prince smiled gently at him and Mark, even if he was confused by what had just happened, was enthralled as always.
I shall serve you from this day to my last day.
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A few days later, news outlets all over the world reported the honeymoon of the Crown Prince Tserriednich and Lady Mittsu. Sources said that the couple enjoyed frolicking together on the pink sand beaches of a private resort in the West Coast State of the United States of Saherta. The sources didn't reveal anything about the prince's entire entourage frolicking as well, with some of the Royal Guards losing a lot of bets on a nearby casino.
As the news circulated, in a palatial villa owned by the Nostrade Family three hundred fifty miles away from the resort, Kurapika, last living survivor of the Kuruta Clan, sat face to face with the most dangerous man he had ever met.
As they had agreed three years ago, the prince indeed brought the eyes of the Kuruta tribesmen including the severed head of Pairo, his childhood friend. And as agreed, he only brought one companion with him, a blond man even taller than Tserriednich and just as sophisticated.
Oito, former eighth queen of Kakin who had supposedly died on the Dark Continent, held her baby in her arms. She stared at the prince's nen beast nervously.
Surprisingly, the prince and his companion were in full zetsu. So much so that the nen beast looked blurred even with gyo. Even so, all the nen-users on Kurapika's side including Kurapika himself couldn't shake away the feeling that they missed something. But whatever it was, no one could say.
Tserriednich formally gestured to his companion. "My Lord Herschel will speak on my behalf."
Kurapika could sense that the wary Bill was thinking over what could possibly be going on in the prince's mind. They had expected that the prince would renege on his promise. There was no reason for him to fulfill it at all.
"My prince understands your feelings," Lord Herschel started. "Personally I understand you too, Mr. Kurapika. As a Penumbrian descendant myself, I do relate with your suffering. My people had also been wiped out due to our religious beliefs."
At that, Kurapika realized the familiarity that Lord Herschel inspired in him. He emanated an atmosphere of warmth and simplicity akin to Leorio. He could be an Emission-type nen-user but there was no way to confirm.
"Unlike you however," Lord Herschel continued, "I have no scarlet eyes to hold on to. In that respect, you are more fortunate than I am. That is why my prince wishes to give you everything you asked, not only in sympathy for your people but for taking good care of his beloved sister as well."
Oito held her daughter closer. In her surprise, Woble held out her hand to the prince, her own nen beast flying placidly around the prince's nen beast. When Tserriednich patted the child's head affectionately, she uttered, "Brother."
The transaction was concluded without incident. When the prince and the Lord Herschel had gone, every nen-user left was still struck with wonder.
"Perhaps he is really a good person just as Halkenburg once said," Oito said with a nervous smile. "I never knew him personally but he had never once tried to attack us. He only acted in self-defense during entire journey, didn't he?"
Kurapika was still confused. He had used the Judgement Chain on the prince once and then removed it after they had escaped the Dark Continent. The prince had protected both Oito and Woble then. When Tserriednich promised that he would give back the scarlet eyes, Kurapika did not expect him to really do it. There was no reason for him to endanger himself by exposing himself to Kurapika again.
Then Melody spoke softly. "Sorry for not saying anything. I didn't want to cause a ruckus but – " She took a deep breath. "Lord Herschel had been using en the entire time."
"What?!" Basho and Bill exclaimed in unison.
"They were in zetsu." Hanzo crossed his arms together. "You can't use zetsu and release an en at the same time. It's impossible."
Melody shook her head. "It was a camouflage. Everyone, we have seen the prince's original aura first-hand and we know how terrible it was. The nature of Lord Herschel's en cancelled it out. Thus, they looked like they were using in." She didn't look terrified at all and was interested instead. "That was the first time I've seen anything like it."
"How did you see it?" Kurapika didn't see anything and he was using gyo.
"I didn't really see it," Melody told him. "I heard it." She moved her fingers in the air in her own peculiar way. "Two auras melding into one in tandem with the soft melody of their heartbeats. It was the most unique thing I have ever witnessed." Melody smiled at the lot of them. "I guess you don't have to worry about them anymore."
Biscuit Krueger pondered about everything. "I still can't believe we were all caught off guard. I didn't notice a thing and I'm the most experienced one in this room. If what Melody said was true, those two were more dangerous than anyone else."
Kurapika nodded. "That's correct." He turned to Oito. "We need to sell this place and move away. We can't let them see us like this again."
She nodded, trusting him wholeheartedly.
When Kurapika turned to Woble in her mother's arms, he could see no trace of any foreign aura in her. He smiled. He had taken it upon himself to protect this child and her mother. Now that the scarlet eyes were all in his possession, he didn't want anything else but their safety.
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Everyone was still on festive spirits when the jet took off. Theta and the female guards and servants chattered with the down-to-earth Lady Mittsu. They giggled about many things that only women could possibly understand. The gentlemen also chattered and ate their fill of the exquisite food they bought from the West Coast.
When Mark turned to his sleeping prince, he noticed that his pillow was askew. He adjusted it to make the prince as comfortable as possible. The prince seemed tired and rightfully so. Their secret mission had used quite a bit of aura but they had succeeded so it was alright.
Mark knew that only the short dark-haired woman had noticed what they had done. But even then, she had not noticed that the prince had inserted his aura on three-year-old Woble's body.
The prince didn't harm the child. He only adjusted her brain and some organs to render her unable to reproduce in the future. With that, no one else but Tserriednich's heirs would be the only future of the Hui Guo Rou Clan.
The prince had also effectively disposed the last items in his art collection. With him freely giving the scarlet eyes to the mafia, the last evidence of the prince's bloody escapades was effectively erased. Indeed, with that transaction, the prince hit two birds with one stone.
After a while, when the jet had finally landed, the energetic Lady Mittsu expressed her wish to stroll some more. Tserriednich then went to the palace first with Mark and a few tired guards and servants in tow.
Ever since Mark had learned nen and used en frequently to monitor everything around Tserriednich, the servants and the guards had grown to be more relaxed around the prince. Theta had said that it was thanks to him but Mark only shrugged it off. He understood that objectively speaking, the prince's undiluted aura was a terror to behold. But to him who loved the prince more than anyone and anything, it was a beautiful thing that he wished to see and feel every second of his life.
As the prince lay down the bed, Mark stayed there to watch him sleep. It had been a ritual between them for almost three years now. Mark knew that had it been anyone else, the prince would dislike his privacy getting breached. But since it was him, the prince didn't mind.
He leaned down and kissed the prince's forehead fondly.
All of a sudden scenes began to flash into his mind.
A nobleman lay down on his bed looking sick. Even with his long wavy hair down, Mark still recognized him as Lord Yi.
In a flash of light, Mark was looking into a circular mirror. But looking back at him was not himself but a distinctly Penumbrian man with reddish-blond hair and purple eyes. He was dressed in ancient armor and looked battle-worn save for the tears in his eyes.
"It pains me to leave you alone," Lord Yi breathed, "but it is the way of the world."
He sobbed, holding Lord Yi's hand tight. "You won't die, my lord. You can't!"
Lord Yi smiled. "Even if I'm gone, your children and mine will live on. Worry not."
He turned to the physicians at the side. "How can you just stand there and look?! You're healers, are you not? Save him or I'll kill you all!"
He was about to pounce on the physicians when the Lord Yi's hand stopped him. "It is my time. We cannot do anything about it."
"My lord –"
"In a thousand years, we shall see each other again." Lord Yi closed his eyes. "Wait for me as you have always done. I shall come back and be with you again, my immortal flower."
Tears fell on Mark's eyes as his heart constricted painfully. When he gathered his breath again, he glanced nervously at the sleeping Tserriednich. Even with the prince obviously breathing, he was too anxious to follow common sense. He shook the prince awake. When Tserriednich angrily opened his eyes, Mark couldn't help but hug him tight.
"You're alive!" he sobbed. "Thank the gods, you're alive!"
Tserriednich laughed tiredly, all his irritation gone. "Of course I'm alive, you idiot. Did you dream of something bad?"
Mark shook his head, still crying. There was no way he could explain himself now with all of his emotions wrecking his head. All he could do was cling on tight to his prince. Tserriednich embraced him back.
"It's fine now." Tserriednich patted his back. "It's fine now."
After a while Mark calmed down. Tserriednich was still embracing him. He realized his impertinent behavior and gently disentangled himself from the prince. He then bowed and hastily apologized. "Please forgive me for acting discourteously, Your Royal Highness."
Tserriednich only laughed lightly. "You're still afraid, aren't you? Come, sleep beside me."
Mark obeyed. However, he couldn't bring himself to sleep just yet. He was still very nervous and listened to the prince's heartbeat. Tserriednich noticed him as always.
"Say," the prince started. "Did I die in your dream?"
"Not really," Mark admitted. "It's quite complicated."
Tserriednich looked at him meaningfully. "Very well. You may explain it comprehensively afterwards. For now, try to rest."
When the prince closed his eyes once more, Mark laced their fingers together. Whatever he had seen earlier only strengthened his resolve. He would protect his prince and fulfill all of his duties to him.
As he closed his eyes, he felt the prince awakening.
"You really are annoying." Tserriednich frowned. "Now I can't sleep anymore."
Mark grinned. He understood what the prince meant quite well. "My deepest apologies, Your Royal Highness," he said playing along. "I recognize my errors and shall take full responsibility for everything."
The prince chuckled. "Well said. Will my Lord Herschel please oversee the commencement of our regular exercises?"
Mark could smell the musky scent of arousal in the air which drove him harder than ever. He pulled the blankets aside and leaned down on Tserriednich until their noses were almost touching. "As it pleases you, Your Royal Highness."
When he kissed his prince, Mark was drowned by the intoxicating feelings in his heart.
As a wise man once said that being deeply loved by someone begets strength while loving someone deeply begets courage. At this very moment, Mark could feel both strength and courage flowing into him, strengthening his resolve even more.
For he knew that this love was an undying love that will last for all time.
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おわり o-wa-ri
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おまけ o-ma-ke
His Most Excellent Majesty, King Nasubi Hui Guo Rou regarded his son quietly as the Crown Prince Tserriednich presided over the 2nd Quarterly Imperial Meeting with the Prime Ministers of the Mainland, the Commonwealth, and the Protectorates of the Kakin Empire.
The prince led the meeting patiently in a graceful manner. He never argued, never insisted, never spoke out of turn, and most of all, after the long deliberations, he had the final say in everything that was presented.
After the Crown Prince's third honeymoon, the King had started to shift more and more responsibilities on to him. The King understood that if the prince wanted to be an effective leader, he must learn the job as comprehensively as possible. As an absolute sovereign of so large an empire, a King needs to be familiar with the nitty-gritty of every nook and cranny of his territory and all the dynamics on the playing field.
To his credit, Tserriednich had done a great service even without instructions from his father. All of his marriages had exceptionally strategic advantage and solidified the Empire's image as a firmly united nation.
To King Nasubi however, the prince's most outstanding accomplishment was in securing the loyalty of the Yong Jiu Hua Clan's Duke Mark Herschel in a very intimate way.
The King didn't know if the prince had known the importance of the Herschels in the Hui Guo Rou's thousand years of family history. After all, no prince was supposed to know any of that before being anointed as Crown Prince. However, Tserriednich had secured the young generation of the Herschels by making both Mark and Theta his personal aides even before the Succession War began. It was quite impressive.
After a few hours, the gavel was struck.
The meeting was now officially adjourned. In a few minutes, photographs were taken and interviews were made. The King noticed the new Duke Herschel on the prince's side, serving him as usual.
When the prince's Royal Guards had finally paved the way out of the clutches of pesky reporters, the King Nasubi greeted his son. "Well done! Hoi! You have done well!"
Tserriednich bowed as courteously as ever. "I could have never done it without Father's help."
The King laughed heartily. "Well, well, now that your official duty is over, we need to discuss more private matters. I assume you know you need to complete the traditional eight wives. Hoi!"
The prince nodded in acquiescence. King Nasubi surmised that the prince already had his prospects. After all, ever since the Crown Prince was anointed, the Royal Family had received hundreds of marriage proposals from both the local clans and foreign kingdoms. That was a lot to choose from but knowing Tserriednich efficiency, it would be an easy task.
Turning to the Duke Herschel, the King grinned. "You also need to complete your mandate, my Lord. Hoi! You have only wedded one wife and you need five."
The Duke only smiled and bowed.
"You need not worry about not being able to maintain such women," the King jested. "As long as they enjoy their positions and give birth to healthy children in return, everybody is happy. Remember, the first wife is married out filial piety, the second out of infatuation, the third and the rest out of boredom."
At that the King laughed heartily, and the prince and the Duke laughed with him.
"Many wives also ensure than when the first wives are tired of us, we give them enough space for themselves and bother someone else."
The prince shook his head in mirth. "I shall remember your advice with all my heart, Father."
The King nodded. Looking at Tserriednich eyes blinking innocently in the sunlight, one could not help but see him as quite the benevolent man. However, the King knew that his son was the most ruthless of all of his children and thus survived. Only time could tell when Tserriednich would eventually realize that the path to kingship entailed parricide as well.
Even with the Duke Herschel, Tserriednich was quite the actor who was flexible enough to take his chances. The prince had always known that Mark desired him. He had been feeding those desires for quite some time and even risked his own life to secure Mark's devotion. Every little thing was deliberate. His 'mistakes' were nothing more than carefully calculated miscalculations.
The King couldn't say that the prince had no real affections for his lover. After all, he had always known that Mark was the only person that Tserriednich had allowed to come that close to him, to see all of him in his entirety, to meld with him completely in a way that nobody else ever could. However, the prince only allowed the consummation of that desire when he found that Mark had a large reservoir of potential that he could use.
King Nasubi smiled approvingly. Truly, Tserriednich had the mark of a true King. To be like heaven and earth, constant and ever unchanging beyond the seasons and not allowing personal feelings to get in his way to the throne.
He couldn't even tell whether or not Tserriednich was already planning his own father's demise.
What a terrible child.
Now, the King could finally feel secure. With Tserriednich as next in line, he need not fear the future anymore.
おわり
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(^_^)
With this, the full circle of the bagua is completed.
Reviews are love!
Also, let's vote for Tserriednich as King of Kakin! (^_^)
I do hope he lives at the end of the Dark Continent Arc.