THE WHITE CHILD 6

"The madness" as it been called by the high rank circle of the imperial's court officials. It's the term being use to reference to those who hearing the "whispering". Those who affected by "the madness" will either drop dead on the spot when they get infected by the grey fluid, or they will deteriorate overtime and could die in any moment. Or if they managed to survive, they'll eventually go mad like Prince Suk Toa. Lord Wu is crushed by this learning, and ask if anything can be done for his daughter. Seeing the father is devastated by the ill fate had befallen his daughter, Empress Aucelen overwhelming with ruefulness, yet she hesitates to tell lord Wu, that there is a way to save lady Hue. Not from jealousy, no, but something else, something that had happened long, long time ago, something that no Elvas wish to remember. After a few moments, Empress Aucelen finally decided to reveal the way to help lady Hue, but she warn lord Wu, that this method had never done to human and the side effect it may cause to human is unknown.

"I don't care. If there is a way to save her then please, Your Grace." Lord Wu kneeled down

"Very well, I will contact my people to tend to lady Hue." Empress Aucelen said

"Thank you, Your Grace." Lord Wu overjoyed and kowtow to her.

After they return to the main hall Empress Aucelen proposed, that by tomorrow the infant Li will be send to the Imperial Arcane Academy and be tutor by Empress Aucelen herself. Her reason is, Li magical potential is too powerful if she not to be educate as soon as possible, her power might cause danger to everyone around her. Then, Empress Aucelen has discovered, when she minds probe lady Hue, she saw a man in lady Hue memory, that man matched exactly to Li's description of the person she thinks is her father. And also according to lady Hue's memory that man did have something to do with Li's conception. Lord Wu completely stump at this revelations, before he can make sense of any of these, a servant came to the hall and inform them, that lady Hue has regained her consciousness. When they came to her room to check on her, they can hear lady Hue is sobbing nonstop and kept apology for something. When seeing Emperor Lam step into her room, the Downer woman fell to her kneels, asking for punishment in tear. After a while comforting her, lady Hue finally speak the truth. It turns out the Downer woman is genuinely in love with Emperor Lam, and prior to Li's conception, lady Hue had met and befriended a man named Liu, a scholarly, smooth talking and charming man. They quickly became friend, and one day she unburdened herself to him. The man sympathised with her and offer her his help. Liu said, that he can make her bear Emperor Lam child, and from that can make him pay more attention to lady Hue more. The offer seems odd to lady Hue as first, but it's had been known throughout history, how love can blind a person. Lord Wu was furious to say the least, and he might had kill his daughter for this humiliation has not Emperor Lam intervened.

"Lady Hue, tell me, exactly how did that man made you bear His Majesty child?" Empress Aucelen broke her silence.

"Is it? You lay with that man is it? You stupid, stupid girl." Lord Wu grinding his teeth

"No, father, I swear in front of His Majesty and Her Grace, I swear in honour of our ancestor, in the name of Quelas'Airuth and the Five. I did not lay with him." Lady Hue affirmed "it's just… I… not sure how… but, all I did is just gave him a strand of hair of His Majesty, then all I remember is some strange magic ritual, and… and… I was in a haze for days. And... and a few weeks later I starting to have sign of pregnancy. I swear! I didn't lay with him!"

"I... at first can't believe it, nor do I think the child is His Majesty blood, I was scared, but… but then, somehow, I don't know how, I… I heard voices… in my head… whispering… and… and the voices… claims the child is His Majesty… I…" lady Hue broke down in tear again.

Heard that, Empress Aucelen silence for a few seconds, then she abruptly changes attitude, claimed that lady Hue is just a victim who had been took advantage of, and mandate lord Wu have to take care of her. Then suggest to her husband that they return to the palace.

"Talk to me Aucelen." Emperor Lam asked his wife, when they're in the carriage. "What're you up to?"

"Am I that obvious?" Empress Aucelen smile, then show her husband something in her handkerchief, a strand of hair she plucked unnoticed when speaking with Li.

"You plucked that from the infant? Are you plan to use your tests to verify if she's my daughter?" Emperor Lam sigh "Are you sure? Had her confession just now not enough? Beside how can you convince anyone that your tests are valid? No one understands how your tests work, even me. I only trust your test result because I trust you."

"Lady Hue did say she do not know how the man name Liu can make her bear your child, without she lay with you, right?" Empress Aucelen said, put her handkerchief back into sleeves pocket

"Well… I'm not so sure what she means by that… uh… maybe that man is just lying to her to… I mean… with her?" Emperor Lam shrugged

"There is a way." Empress Aucelen said

"What!? Are you sure?" Emperor Lam surprise

"Indeed, I will tell you more when I had the test result." Empress Aucelen sigh. "I am so hope I was wrong."