The sun peered from the mountains, yet n.a.k.e.d Ming and Xinyi were still in each other's embrace, in bed. They didn't bother to get up early, as if today was their honeymoon day. It was almost noontime that they got up after another round of a steamy love making. They had a hearty brunch, no more breakfast, afterward.
But while they were eating, Zhai came in and whispered in Ming's ears. And Xinyi watched Ming's face turn sour while his brother was speaking. Let him in and bring him to my study."
"What happened?"
He fed her a small chunk of beefsteak. "Eat. You need more meat to gain a bit of weight. You're getting skinny."
She placed her chopsticks down and frowned at him. "What? Are you picking up a fight? You made me travel to the snowy mountain and fight beasts and heal spiritual landforms. Who won't lose weight with that much responsibility?" And curtly bit the steak straight at his chopsticks.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. That's why I'm taking the responsibilities off your shoulders and feeding you. You need more fats for our baby."
Her eyes widened when he brought up the word 'baby' and her cheeks turned pink.
"No need to get shy now. At our rate, you'll get pregnant soon." He teased, but her face told him she didn't think it was funny.
"What now? Don't you want us to have a baby soon?"
"It's not that. It's just… I still have a lot of things to do, as a Chief Guardian. But what did Zhai tell you?"
"Don't think too much now. Rest and let me do the work for now. Here, eat more. I'll go to my study now and attend to my duties. And stay here and rest."
Xinyi understood something was wrong. "Ming, are you hiding something from me? What did he tell you?"
"Nothing important. Just plain Governor work. I have piles of work waiting for me in my office." He got and kissed her forehead. "I need to feed you more but gotta go. Bye, see you later." And left before Xinyi could ask more.
He left her frustrated but only called Kuaille, her bird, to follow Ming.
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When Ming arrived in his study, Prince Zelmer was already there, waiting. Prince was amiable as he could be and smiled at Ming, but he didn't stand up to greet him.
Ming saw that 'royal treatment' attitude the prince showed, but didn't take it to heart. Royalties usually acted that way. He took his seat behind his desk while he eyed Xinyi's 'Uncle', but he was still doubtful with that claim. Mostly Lifen didn't tell them what happened when she was in the prince's domain. Instead, she made herself scarce, spending more time in her garden in Anjing.
"Good day, prince? I think we haven't introduced ourselves well."
"The fault is mine. Please, call me by my given name, Carthmel. But my people call Prince Zelmer. That's my title as the second prince of the Kingdom of Cendarth in the world Platanna, the biggest kingdom in that world."
"Nice to know you, Your Highness. I'm flattered for this visit. But I'm sorry that I still need to comply with the royal protocol since we hardly know each other."
"I see. I understand. You're still in doubt that Xinyi is my blood-related niece. I can't blame you. Even I would act the same if I were in your shoes. Nevertheless, I'm not here to cause any problem. I just want to express my purpose again. I'm willing to pay every ounce of wealth I have brought to buy the rights to mine the caves. Beside the golds, I can also leave some of my knowledgeable men to assist in the advancements of your mechanisms..."
He explained the advanced technology they had. And talked about the walls of Fengfu, where they could make it as strong as steel with cannons and armaments hidden within it. He also offered his men to imbue powerful defense and offense spells on it. Then he mentioned about the streets to make it into solid cements that would last longer than the present red bricks, and more. He said it in a more enticing way than usual. He needed to convince Ming.
The listening Ming was wide-eyed to hear such explicit armaments and techniques that the prince's world had. He believed, if they invaded, they would capture Chiji without a fight. But there was an issue that was in his mind after their talks yesterday that remained unanswered.
He fiddled with his newly shaved chin, in deep thoughts. "I can't believe your world has reached such heights in terms of construction and armaments, but…" Ming raised his hand and added, "despite such advancements, why are you coming here and taking our precious stones?"
This was the topic that intrigued him most. What was in these stones that these people were after that they missed? If he could decipher this, then he could use it efficiently for Fengfu City or for Youshi in whole.
"We need it to keep a certain machine working."
"What machine?"
The prince was hesitant but gave in for his world sake, hoping he could touch Ming's soft spot and sell the rights to the calves to him.
"Our world's existence depends on this machine. I already said that yesterday. And that machine couldn't run properly without the power stones. ," the prince said, sighing. "Our ancestors tried to make it run by using men with strong magic powers, but it was not enough. Thousands of men died to keep the machine moving."
"And you discovered our power stones and used it as a substitute to those people?" Ming finished it for him.
"Exactly, so I can say, my world's existence is in your hands."
"What will happen if you can't get the stones?"Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click /book/the-sorceress-blossoming-power_14314881306034205/prince-in-control-(1)_51085509870540922 for visiting.
The prince shut his mouth and grew weary. "We have no other choice but to sacrifice our lives…" His voice quivered and looked down.
Ming became quiet too. It seemed the worlds were treading in troubled waters. It seemed Chiji was more blessed because they didn't lose men to keep the world alive, although it would die soon if they wouldn't power up the power chain.
"Prince, is there really no other way than the stones? I've heard stories when I was a child that the Great Creator created the worlds in perfect balance. This world I'm living now is also depending on those power stones, and it will also die once you take them away. So, I believe something imbalance has happened in your world to make it dependent on such a horrible machine."
"I see. So you already know that Chiji is also relying on the power stones," the prince sadly said. "To be honest with you, the balance that became imbalance is of no importance now. We have to live on what we have. So, are you willing to sell the rights now? I won't own it, but maybe we can come up with an agreement for me to rent or to pay with every stone we get."
"I'm sorry. As you said, we are also relying on power stones. I hope you understand. We have little advancements like yours for us to rely. So, we have to stick on what we have." Ming stood up and was about to dismiss the prince when...
"You made the wrong choice, boy. I was trying to reason with you, but it seems you don't understand the predicament you're in. I'm sorry, but from now on I'll be in control here."
Suddenly, Zhai, An, and Qinfen ran to the study. "Brother, brother, Ma and Xinyi suddenly disappeared."
Ming hurriedly looked at the prince. "What have you done?"
"I won't hurt them. I will return them to you once you sign these papers, certifying we can mine those caves."
"If I won't?"
"Then I will keep them and put all of you under my power."
"No, you won't. I won't let you." Ming pulled his sword from the wall and pointed it to the prince. "Release them now. Don't think that I won't kill you."
"You give me no choice. Do you want to taste a sample of my power?" And the prince snapped a finger and Lei An, Zhai, and Qinfen eyes became white. They stood erect silently on where they were. "Watch your family. They are under my powers. Kill me and they will remain like that for the rest of their lives." Without looking at the three, he said, "Show me the mines." And Zhai turned and walked on his own. "Stop and wake up!" The prince softly said, and the three woke up, and acted as if nothing happened.
"Last warning, Governor, while I still have mercy." After speaking, he left.
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