Book 10: Chapter 19


    Ling Yue


    I sat on the edge of the bed and held Ling Yues hand lightly. Ling Yue wrapped herself tightly with the nket and looked at me with a lifeless gaze. I looked at her and softly apologised, Ling Yue It was all my fault It was all my fault I I shouldnt have done that I I On full-moon nights


    Its fine


    Ling Yue shut her eyes and looked away, seemingly not intending to say any more to me.


    No, no, no, listen to me, Ling Yue, you might be misunderstanding something!


    I said, its fine!!! Ling Yue suddenly turned back around and shouted at me. Dangerous fangs in her mouth revealed themselves. Her tail quickly came out from the nket with all her fur standing up. She stood up and looked at me with her infuriated eyes. She clenched her fists and shouted, How much more must you shame me before youre happy?! What else do you want from me?! Every time you open your mouth its sorry!! I dont want your apology! You betrayed me! You betrayed me!!


    I looked at her and loudly tried to exin myself, I didnt betray you! Ill definitely do what I promised you. Ill definitely help you get your revenge! Thats what I promised you right from the start!


    Ling Yue snickered, and then threw the nket away, in front of me, revealing her perfect body. I was frightened. She looked at me and walked over with big strides. She shouted, Its because of this, isnt it?! Its because of this, isnt it?! Youre feeling guilty now, arent you?! You actually went and did <em>that</em> to a girl! I guess its only normal for you! I have nothing to give you anymore! Ive stooped low enough to betray my body! Im not longer an esteemeddy of a tribe! Im just a whore now! Im just garbage now!!!


    Ling Yue shouted as her tears coursed down her face. She wrapped her arms around her body and slowly squatted down. She looked at the ground and cried. I stood up and picked up the nket by the side, then draped it over her. She knocked my hand away with annoyance and continued crying with her gaze fixated on the ground.


    I crouched down in front of her. I watched her shed tears and quietly asked, Ling Yue, I dont understand why you came to me tonight. I really dont understand This wouldnt have had happened if you left Im not trying to find excuses for what I did; I just want to know why you came onto me back there.


    She wiped her tears. She then looked up at me with rage. She whipped her hair then looked at me again to thunder, That woman is there. That female guard said the Queen could give you the entire North. She could help you coordinate things in the North to support your n, and even give you a precise map. You looked so greedy when she said that. You dont need me anymore, do you?! You dont need me anymore!! I cant provide you with more, so you want to abandon me. I had no choice but to do this. I have nothing else to give you besides my body! Youve taken my body now, so you can focus on getting my revenge for me, right?!


    Ling Yue cried in front of me. She looked at me and shouted as she cried with despair. She ridiculed herself and her despair for this world.


    I didnt suspect what she said at all. She was a girl who was loyal to her marriage.


    She wanted to be with her loved one into old age and give him her most cherished treasure. Thus, she was unwilling to even hold my hand right from the start. I touched her tail twice before, and I got pped heartlessly both times. Ling Yue always kept her distance from me during our interactions the same way Karana did.


    However, after that girl from yesterday came, she mustve felt that her position was threatened. We were using each other for our own ends at the start. I promised to avenge her, while she promised to share all her knowledge with me. She was fearless, because I needed her. She knew that I needed her knowledge and information to reach the North, and therefore wasnt worried about me abandoning her.


    That changedst night, though.


    The Queen and her guard could give me what Ling Yue could give me.


    In fact, the Queen could give me what she couldnt. In addition, if I needed time to appease the people, the Queen could be of use, but not her.


    <em>Did I look that greedy yesterday?</em>


    The appearance of the Queens bodyguard caused Ling Yue to panic. She didnt know if she could stay at my side. From her perspective, we were just using each other, but that rtionship crumbled. She perceived it as me wanting to abandon her, for she couldnt do anything without me. As a matter of fact, she could end up dying here. So ordingly, she used this self-destructive method that destroyed her dignity and future.


    She destroyed her own dream and goal. She destroyed her final shred of dignity as an esteemeddy. She destroyed her dream that she had since she was young just so that I wouldnt abandon her.


    I looked at her teary eyes and hesitated for a moment. I pulled her into my embrace, but she pushed me away with one arm. She desperately backed off as she looked at me with an expression of despair and fear.


    I sighed gently. I stood up and said, Sorry Ling Yue, Im very sorry about this. I ruined you and even yourst shred of dignity. Im really sorry sincerely very sorry


    I dont need your apology!


    I meant that I wont abandon you. I told you that Im your knight. You gave me everything you have, so Ill never betray you. Perhaps I do want everything they promised me, but that doesnt mean that I intend to abandon you even if you cant give me anything. You apanied me at my side through so much; youve gone through so much danger and difficulties with me, so how could I abandon you? I dont know what you think, but I genuinely view you as my friend. I promised you that Id avenge you; therefore, Ill do what I promised even if theres nothing left.


    I looked at her. I reached my hand out with a helpless smile and continued, Ling Yue, Im sorry for destroying everything you have. I know that you wanted to give everything you had to the one you loved, and I know that Im not that person. We havent known each other for long, and you carry so much on your shoulders, yet I stole away your most precious treasure. I cant return it to you


    She looked at me while trembling. I kept my gaze on her and sincerely said, I made a promise to you, Ling Yue, did you forget? Did you forget that I swore an oath to you? I said I would avenge you, so Ill see it through to the end no matter when or what happens. I stood in front of my people, so I can fend off danger thates your way, too. If you still want to give yourself up to your most beloved person, then maybe one day youll realise that I can also


    An empty tin zipped through the air and smashed me in my face. Ling Yue looked at me and fumed, How could I possibly like you?! Pervert! Bully! Opportunist! Creep! How could I possibly like you?! Dont tell anybody about what happened between us! Just remain this way! Once our goals have been achieved, just pretend we never knew each other! I dont want to see you now! Get lost!!


    All right, all right, all right! Ill leave, so calm down. Calm down.


    I turned around and exited the tent. I let out a heavy sigh. I looked at the sun that just came up, not knowing what to say.


    Your Majesty, she is different to the previous Princesses.


    Shes not my Princess! I dont intend to do what you think but, Philes, whats with the strangle mark on your neck?


    No No Nothing Nothing