Chapter 45 - Friendly Warning

Ren left the room quietly, closing the door silently behind him so that he wouldn’t disturb Rin. He knew that Rin was deeply upset about his approach to reign. However, her words did not shake his resolve in the slightest. He had learned firsthand through many tough years of experience that war was indeed the only way to maintain peace when every party was power hungry and out for blood.

Through perseverance, Ren had stood beside his father as they united the lands. No once did he regret the lives that he had taken. Everything was for the greater good. Everything he did was necessary. Ren was certain that the people of every village, town, city, or small nation that he took over had a better life than before. He personally made sure of that.

Ensuring that his empire was strong and feared throughout the land was the surest way to deter other empires from attacking. Fear was the best way to deter war.

Not that he expected Rin to understand.

Everyone had their own role to play, and Ren had already decided how he was going to best play his role.

“Why are you up so early?”

A familiar voice greeted Ren teasingly. Ren turned around to see Shin sitting on a chair in the sitting room and his eyes narrowed.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Ren replied flatly.

“True. Care to join me? This tea is freshly brewed…” Shin suggested.

Ren sighed silently to himself before he sat down on the chair opposite from Shin. Shin smiled and since they were alone, he poured Ren a cup of tea.

“Thank you,” Ren said before he started sipping his tea.

“How is Rin?” Shin asked casually.

“It’s Lady White Lotus for you. Why are you asking about her?” Ren replied, without bothering to hide the hostility in his voice.

Shin chuckled at Ren’s defensive one.

“You two were…pretty loud last night. So, I was wondering if she’s…” Shin said before trailing off as he was sure that Ren had gotten his point.

“I just disciplined her a little last night. There’s no need for you to worry,” Ren replied flatly.

“I guess I’m partly to blame for her punishment?” Shin teased with a small smile.

“Stop messing around in our business, Shin. I know that you’re here on the emperor’s orders,” Ren warned.

“Does that mean that you knew that there was nothing going on between Rin and I from the start?” Shin asked, amused.

“Why else would your head still be intact to your neck?” Ren asked as he smiled coldly at his friend.

“Ohh…scary,” Shin said, faking a scared face as he rubbed his neck as if to check that it was still intact.

“I don’t know what you have planned but I truly suggest that you leave us alone,” Ren continued with his cold warning.

“You say that, but you still used the excuse that I offered to conveniently punish Rin…not that I’m complaining…” Shin said with a small laugh.

“What are you really doing here?” Ren asked.

“Whatever will help move you two faster towards producing an heir will benefit the empire and everyone that lives in it. I’m merely doing my job as a noble citizen of this empire,” Shin replied proudly.

“Say it however you will but I will produce an heir when I see fit,” Ren said seriously.

“Rin, she’s special to you, isn’t she?” Shin asked, equally seriously.

“What makes you think so?” Ren asked without surprise.

“She’s the person you went looking for, isn’t she? That day, during the war at her village…” Shin asked, but it wasn’t a question.

“So, what if she is?” Ren replied as he met his friend’s gaze.

“Ren, perhaps you have not noticed this so I’m going to warn you as a friend, the more you delay impregnating Rin for your own selfish reasons, the more danger her life is in,” Shin warned.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about and neither do I care,” Ren said casually.

“Rin is not the only woman in your inner court. How long can Rin maintain her status as Lady White Lotus if she doesn’t produce an heir? If the emperor believes that Rin has too much of your loving attention and that prevents you from bedding other women, what will happen to Rin?” Shin pleaded his case desperately.

“Enough, Shin,” Ren said firmly.

“Ren!” Shin called his friend’s name in protest.

“Report whatever you see fit to the emperor. Our conversation ends here,” Ren stated firmly, signally that he wants to hear no more from this conversation.

Shin stood up and bowed respectfully to his crown prince as he bit on his lower lip to prevent himself from uttering another word. He knew that his warning had not fallen on deaf ears, but he wasn’t sure how seriously his words are being taken into consideration.

…

I didn’t remember when I had fallen asleep. The last thing I remembered was Ren silently leaving and me crying my eyes out. Did I cry myself to sleep? Probably…

I woke up with a slight headache. I slowly got out of bed and made my way towards the mirror at the dressing table. Just as I had thought, I looked like a mess and not a pretty one at that. I sighed loudly. I didn’t want to leave the room and most of all, I didn’t want to face Ren.

I couldn’t imagine what I would or could say to him when I meet him. Realistically, I knew that I couldn’t avoid Ren forever so I would have to sort out my feelings and figure out my next more. However, that was a lot easier said than done.

When I opened my room door, a few maids were already there waiting to serve me. I silently let them do their job of bathing me, dressing me and making sure that I looked presentable.

“Thank you…” I thanked them politely when they were done.

--To be continued…