Arc 1.4: The Emperor's Beloved Tutor

The pen engraved with ancient words upon the wooden handle softly scribbled upon a piece of parchment paper. Each stroke filled with gentleness and detail. The words that soon appeared on it like magic were gorgeous, just like the male writing it.

The pen stopped to be re inked in the midnight liquid. The sun shone delicately on his figure as if welcoming him warmly to the new day.

He placed the pen down gently before taking out a small wooden box and placing the letter along with some other items within. An array of  gorgeous fake roses and a single cherry blossom. All so they would stay with the gifter forever. After placing them gently within it was securely locked up.

He sighed as he stared up into the sky.

A single tear traced his lips but not a sound was uttered.

He placed a gentle kiss on the box before hiding it away.

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The sound of loud chattering and laughter sounded through the bustling palace. Today a grand banquet was being held for the birthday of the king. Nobel's from far and wide gathered presenting exquisite gifts along with their beloved daughters and sons to gain more power.

The food was called up in a banquet of colours celebrating a birthday. Nian tried some meat that bursted with flavors. He seemed distracted and nonchalant in the eyes of the guest but his eyes glinted with danger.

The fan in his hand clicked open. On it various flowers were painted intricately. It had been a gift from his cute little student. Well he saw the child like that in his eyes even though he was.

When thinking of his filial disciple he saw the male on the throne, his piercing eyes meeting his own.

Said male tilted the cup in his hand higher, drinking the entire thing in one swig, and wiped the remaining red liquid from the bottom of his lips. His eyes were blood red, a seductive smile remained on his face as he twirled the empty silver ware in his hand. His black and red robes draped lazily on his lean muscular body. His sword like eyebrows furrowed. 

Both females and males stared at him enchanted. Many trying to strike a conversation but failing miserably. There was currently only one person occupying his mind. His eyes trailed to the man in question who sat quietly, smiling warmly at him.

Nian chuckled his mind striking up with his system.

"I've gotten quite attach to him. It would be sad to leave him if this goes as plan. (◡ - ◡)"

[Host shouldn't hold any strong feelings or else you would be reluctant to leave. If you like I am able to provide you with a 'forgetful potion'. For free. If you like?]

"No thank you. I rather remember everything. I just feel like...it's difficult to say. I'm not even acting anymore. I truly do want to help him now. Silly ain't it. It feels like I'm raising my brother all over again."

[It's not silly host! Beware host the assassin will strike soon! （ ;'Д｀]

"Don't worry it's under control."

Nian eyed the weapon with bleak gray eyes, the eyes of a hunter framed in the passionless face of an executioner. His delicate hands were steady as they lifted, holding up the gorgeous fan. He nodded to himself. He was ready. 

He stood up slowly. The robes fluttering behind him as he carefully sauntered towards where the bathroom was situated.

His eyes never left the hand of a maid. It seemed as if time stopped. He notice the female taking out a sharp object which glinted within the light of the palace. That was when he threw the fan he was holding.

The dagger fell too the floor with a loud thud on the marble floor. The female looked horrified and quickly shot another one in which was tampered with and laced with poison.

Nian's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected the woman to have another weapon. He was to careless. He cursed himself for his idiocy. He turned on his heels. Darting to the direction of the emperor. All of this unfolded within a mere seconds.  sat forward in his throne, shadowy faces appeared in the folds of his black robes, faces of torment,as if the garment was stitched of trapped souls

Li's eyes were opened. He sat forward in his throne, words leaving his lips to late.

A male dressed in a simple robe of white satin appeared before him like a celestial. His skin was admired for its velvety softness; his hands and arms were of surpassing beauty, all the poets of the time singing them as incomparable. His eyes, which cast the brilliancy of emeralds, were perfectly beautiful, and yet were at the same time full of sweetness and majesty. His mouth was small and rosy; it was eminently lovely in its smiles.

The young prince eyes trailed to his father. He saw his beloved on the floor. His once pure white robe stained in deep crimson blood. His lips blood red. Gorgeously contrasting with his pale face.

The whole palace was filled with screams.

The male who had been hurt managed to utter,

"Don't look sad my prince. It is but a stab..."

"Why are you asking that when your the one in pain..."

"Lesson 77, never let your guard down your highness....."

Nian had already became unconscious. Li kneeled down his body shaking in anguish, regret, guilt and anger. His eyes were fil led with absolute fury. The people in the palace cowered in fear never seeing the usual calm and prince so furious.

The assassin trembled in fear before darting off.

Li yelled,

"What are you waiting for! Call the doctor! And apprehend that maid! I wanna see her in the prison."

He hugged the body in his arms ever so tightly. He stroked the males cheek. The physiscan darting over to check the males pulse.

He shaked his head.

"Spit it out."

"It seems the prime minister's son has been poisoned by some mysterious poison in which is unidentifiable even with my knowledge.

"What do you mean! Aren't you mean to be the best doctor in the kingdom."

The emperor and queen dowager looked on sorrowfully staring at their distraught son.

The queen bent down hugging her son tightly.

The rest of the guest were dismissed.

The palace was quiet with the occasional sound of rushing maids. The prince stood up abruptly startling his parents before he rushed off into the garden. The place in which he could confine in.

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"Nian loves flowers..."

The lake-side air was pungent with the fragrance of jasmine. Li stepped closer to the edge and crouched down. From six feet up the surface was an opaque green, but from just two it was clear enough to see the plants and life below the surface. Within the water swam fishes of all shapes and sizes. He gazed across the wind-ruffed surface to the lily pads in bloom, their white or magenta petals catching the breeze. He inhaled slowly.

He continued and walk in quiet.

The lone male walked passed the various species of flowers.  Each symbolising and representing a new lesson that he was taught. The sweet, almost sickly, smell of flowers cut through the soft scent of the morning's dewy grass. Every flower held a meaning, no matter how sad or happy it was. Same were ones he had gifted while others were ones Nian raised. 

The memory of his gently smiling tutor brought a single tear to the stoic male. He picked up an almond blossom that had fallen to the ground. Chuckling at the fond memory.

"Lesson 12. Hope will always be before you. So never give up no matter how small it is."

On this particular day Li had failed his exam given to by the imperial school. He had studied so hard only to fail. He sat in the garden. His body slumped on a on the cut grass situated in the middle of the garden. The sound of crunching grass soon broght him out of his trance.

A male dressed in light blue sat next to him.

"What's going on. You don't look to happy?"

The child crosses his arms, his eyes watering as if he was about to burst out into tears. His tutor always stayed later then he had to just to help the boy study and it was all in vain. Guilt found it's way to him.

"N-Nothing..."

The teenager chuckled softly ruffling his students hair.

"I won't force you to tell me. But just know I'm proud of you."

His long hair fluttered in his wind, his long eyelashes fluttering shut as he enjoyed the gentle breeze.

"How can you proud of me if you don't even know what happened."

The black haired male hummed.

"Well you work so hard. I'm proud to have you as my student. I don't care what you get, I just want you to be happy."

At this the young prince burst into tears.

"Well I-I *hic* failed the imperial exam."

"So?"

The teenager dressed in blue cocked a brow.

"A-Aren't y-you mad."

"Why?"

"Since you w-wasted so much time helping me..."

The tutor laughed heartily as he ruffled the head of the male beside him.

"Why are you *hic* laughing at me."

"Silly child. Why would I be mad? There's always next time."

He sobbed into his chest unceasingly, hands clutching at his robes. He held him in silence, rocking him slowly as his tears soaked his chest.

The weeping child began hitting the males chest.

The male just allowed it be, waiting patiently. The child soon calmed down. Sniffing occasionally.

The young teenage tutor picked up a branch in which small white flowers had began to bloom on it. He handed it to the smaller male.

"This is a flower named an almond blossom. Gorgeous isn't it?"

The child sitting upon teenagers lap nodded.

"It symbolises contemplation and hope. Don't give up. I don't care whether or not you fail. You have a whole lifetime and I have much more to teach you. Learn not to give up easily even if you feel like your at your breaking point. Promise me you'll think not only for youself. But for your people. I will be proud no matter what you begin."

The tutor kissed the child on the forehead earning a giggle. A smile soon blossomed on both of their faces. Like a blooming flower in spring.

"That's what I want to see my beloved prince."

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"I'll hope for you Nian..."