Five: The Emperor

"Vernon.. wake up. "

I stirred when i felt a hand touch my cheeks.

I slowly opened my eyes and i saw the most beautiful man I've ever seen. I held his face and caressed his cheeks with my thumb.

"Wait why are you standing already? Are you okay? " I asked.

"Don't worry, I'm fine now that you're here with me. " He replied.

I smiled at him "i love you ShanShan. " I said.

He returned the smile. "I love you too, now get up.. Mikhail's men are out side. "

"Why? " I asked. I sat down the bed, Shan was already standing.

"They said they're going to take you to the Emperor. "

"No, I don't want to, I'll stay here with you. " I stubbornly said.

Shan shook his head and chuckled "do you want me to get punished? I don't want to keep you inside this place.. i won't forgive my self if anything happened to you. "

"Same for me, they'll taste my wrath if they laid their hands on you again.. " i said as i grabbed him to sit on my lap. I put my forehead in his and i held his waist with my one hand, while i caressed his face with the other.

"I'll never forgive anyone who hurts you, I'll punish those who put you inside here. " I whispered while closing my eyes. I felt his fingers traced my hand that caresses his face and held it firmly.

"Does that mean.. you'll accept it? You're going to fight for the throne? " He asked.

I looked at him straight into his eyes.

"If that's what it takes to protect you, i will. I can bet my life on the line so that i can protect you. If they want to harm you, they have to kill me first. "

Shan hugged me "but I don't want you to get hurt or die, i know how Mikhail's mind works, he's cunning and will do everything to get the throne. Can you just... Don't? Please I don't want you to suffer because of me, I don't want to hold you back and not get your freedom. "

I looked at him " isn't this what you wanted? For me to take the throne? "

He shook his head and sighed " not until i fell for you.. i only want you safe. "

I frowned "then what do you want me to do? Give up? Leave you here and enjoy my life? "

Shan nodded after a few seconds of contemplating.

I closed my eyes shut to calm my self. "No I can't do that. " I Growled. Anger slowly rose within me.

I can feel Shan looking at me. I kept my eyes closed, not wanting to look at him because i don't want to pour out my anger at him. I felt his hands held my face.

"Vernon.. look at me. " He pleaded.

I remained stubborn and still closed my eyes. I heard him sniff.. then a soft, wet lips crashed with mine.

I opened my eyes and met his, his eyes were full of tears. I cursed myself within my mind. I made him cry!

"S-Shan.. " i uttered between our kiss.

" Alright.. I-It doesn't matter anymore, if you die fighting for the throne, I'll die with you. But you'll be successful, i know you will.. I'll help you and stay by your side, always. " He said, i can see worry in his eyes but he still looks determined.

It hurts to see him crying, it felt like a million needles pierced through my heart. I held his face and used my thumb to wipe his tears away.

"I will make sure to successfully take the throne, not just for us but for all the people who hoped to make this country a better place. I'll fight for all of us.. "

He nods and smiled.

"I will always be at your service, My king. "

I kissed him once more, then i told him my plans when he asked what made me change my mind.

Of course it's about him, but i also thought that if i were to take the throne, i can change the lives of so many people.

I don't have a proper training but I'll do my best. After all, there's still some things that i haven't told anyone, not even Shan.

An hour passed before i went out of the cold palace with Shan.

He protested at first because he said that being in the cold palace was his punishment for being with me but i just laughed at it and told him to trust me, So he did.

Mikhail's body guards halted us- or rather Shan.

"He cannot pass through the gates. " the captain of the guards said. I learnt that the guards are divided into each palace. Shan's father is the captain of the royal guards for the Emperor while the princes have their own too. And these bastards that dare to stop us are Mikhail's.

"And why should i obey you? " I looked at the guard sharply.

"This is an order from the crown prince Mikhail. " The guard replied.

I laughed. "And I'm not his subject, Crown prince or not, i will only do what i want, remember that. This person is mine therefore you cannot touch or harm him, if you do, you will all pay with your lives and I'll make sure your prince will rot in hell. Got it? " i said while holding Shan's hands.

I brushed off the guard that's blocking our way and continued to walk towards the car that's for me, i saw Chase watching from afar. Shan saw him too but he looked disappointed.

"Do you want to talk to him? " I asked. Shan looked at me and shook his head.

"I want to gave him time to reflect on his actions first. " He said so i nod, we both got inside the car and the driver drove to the main palace.

When we got there, not just guards were there but also royal knights. Shan saw his father at the front.

We got off the car and walked towards them.

"F-Father.. " he uttered.

Shan's father tapped his shoulder.

"Raise your head son, no matter what you do I'm still proud of you. " His father said. Shan's eyes lit up.

We both smiled at him and he led us inside.

"Your highness. " Shan's father called me when we reached the big double doors. I have to get used to it *sigh*

"Please call me Vernon. " I said. He shook his head and Shan laughed.

"We will get punished if we call you by your name. " Zhan whispered to me.

I almost pouted but i thought i had to look cool in front of my beloveds dad so i apologized and told him that he can call me with whatever he's comfortable with.

"Your highness, can you please hand me the gun inside your pocket? No weapons are allowed inside except for the knights. " Captain Zhao.

I obliged and gave him my gun. Then we went inside the palace, it was spacious and the theme of this whole place was red and gold, it kinda hurts my eyes but also liked the interior.

We walked and walked in between hallways until we found ourselves in front of a large sliding door. Seems like they mentained the old structure of this palace because somehow everything looks modern and yet, vintage. There are two eunuchs guarding the door.

"This is the Emperor's chamber, he's waiting inside. " Camptain Zhao said.

"Please announce the arrival of His Highness. " He told one of the eunuch.

The eunuch obeyed and soon a voice told us to come in.

Us, three went inside. Captain Zhao just introduced Shan and me to the emperor who's sitting on his bed, then he left us both.

"Come closer. " He ordered.

We took several steps forward so we can be closer, but also has enough distance if the emperor suddenly becomes crazy or something.

"Greetings, your majesty. " Shan bowed to him but i did not.

The emperor looked at me as if he's waiting for me to bow to him too, Shan nudged me.

I looked at the emperor sharply. " I don't bow down to anyone. " I said.

The emperor laughed. "I like your boldness. " He commented, i remained silent.

He shook his head and smirked when he saw i was holding Shan's hand.

" You do know that the royal family doesn't allow any cut sleeves to run the empire. "

"And you do know that I'm not part of your family and i will never be. " I snapped. Shan held my arm to stop me.

" You can be punished for talking back to the emperor, you know that too right? Do you have any plans to take the throne? " The emperor asked.

"Yeah i know, and yes i just don't plan to, i am going to take the throne, it should be mine to begin with, I'm just taking back what's supposed to be mine. " I answered.

The emperor frowned from my response, Then a moment later his eyes widened.

"Y-You are his son. " He exclaimed.

"And? " I smirked.

The emperor was shocked. He repeatedly uttered my father's name.

"Don't you think i owe an apology? What would the ministers do if they found out that the real heir didn't really commit suicide to refuse the throne? " I teased.

Shan looked confused. "What are you talking about Vernon? " He whispered to me.

"I'll tell you later. " I told him with a small smile before looking sharply at the emperor.

"I-I... What nonsense are you saying?! " The emperor shouted.

The door burst open and revealed the eunuchs.

"Your Majesty, we heard you shouting, is there anything wrong? " The head eunuch asked.

The emperor shook his head. Still overwhelmed and shocked.

"No, nothing. But please see these two out. I'm tired, i want to rest. " The emperor said and motioned to take us away.

I glared at the guard who was about to touch Shan and me.

"Don't you dare. " I whispered to him while glaring.

The guard retracted his hand and led us outside and we both followed him.