A Plum Blossom

Chapter 33

That voice was ever so sweet and filled with grace just like her.

Those once casted down eyes met with hers as they became filled with life hearing her voice.

"Miss Ha Lee," his voice soft at the sight of her.

"What brings you here outside the palace?" she asked him.

Even now, he still decided to hide his face. "I.....I won't be back for a while." hand rubbing his nape.

"What do you mean?" turning worried.

"Well....." he sighed. ".....I've been drafted to leave to the frontlines."

She seemed to freeze upon hearing those words. The Young Miss didn't know how to accept the feeling of him going away.

A deep breath, he looked away for a second, "I'm sorry."

A frown fell upon her as brows pressed together. Her eyes then came to him with droplets beginning to form.

"Why is that this time you're saying sorry?" a crystal spilled without her knowledge.

Yusheng's chest tightened once that piece fell from those lovely eyes that already shedded so much. He only wondered why she'd cry for him.

All his life, he wasn't regarded as anyone important really.

So why was she crying for him?

Walking towards him, she wrapped her arms weakly around his waist and head against his chest.

"I'm supposed to be saying sorry......." her voice broke.

The prince couldn't even close his eyes for a moment as liquid still poured.

Those arms of his that fought against others and held a blade, became gentle to her and only her.

"I won't be back until the war is over." the worst part of it all. "It was a final order made by His Majesty......I really wish I could stay."

Sniffles escaped her lips and released her hold on him. Those hands then began searching her pockets frantically for something.

"What're you doing?" he asked with a red nose.

She exhaled deeply, breath showing in the cold weather when finally, she found it.

Pulling it out, it was the same box her mother gave her. His eyes just scanned it, not knowing what it was.

Her hands grabbed his and placed it on his palm. A smile came onto her, a rather sorrowful one that pierced your heart.

The prince didn't say anything but waited for her words to come.

"I want to give this to you." deciding that special someone to be him.

"When you are on the battlefield and believe all is helpless with no hope, I want you to look at this." voice shaking. "Once you do, I want you to know that I am here. This, I want you to remember me as someone you knew, someone you stood by, and someone you saved."

His calm demeanor tore apart slowly hearing her. A quaking breath came from him before finally falling apart. Bringing that gift closer to him, he held it as if it were his greatest treasure.

"I won't ever forget your words, and I swear to the heavens and on my life that when I return, I'll find you. Once I do, you won't ever have to cry again." his hand came over her cheeks that flushed against the harsh winds, and wiped away her tears.

Her's then came over his that rested on her cheeks, "I'll wait for you and only ask for one thing. Please, please come back safe." almost begging.

Without another second to spare, he pulled her back into his arms and hugged her tightly.

"I will."

For a while, the longest, they were in each other's embrace. Their last, before they will meet again as who they truly are.

Having been gone for a long time, he waved her goodbye for the last time. As he walked away into the night to meet with the others, he couldn't help but look back every second.

Every time he did, he saw that she was still holding back those tears.

Getting further and further, he muttered a promise to her and himself.

"I'll come back."

His silhouette then vanished.

Ha Lee stood there at the entrance doors of her family Manor, until he disappeared.

"I'll be waiting." and she will.

Another couple of seconds, she then turned away and entered the residence. Stepping in, she slowly walked back to her bedroom.

Reaching there, she felt as though something wasn't right. It was too quiet, even at night and every winter servants would still be bustling about and her family would be seated outside under the roof of the patio drinking hot tea or playing a game of chess.

Only then, did she finally hear someone, but one she'd never thought she'd hear.

A blood curdling scream came from the servants' quarters situated not too far from her room.

Swords clashing came about only to stop, then come again.

The moment they came to a halt, her mother suddenly rushed out of her room with Xueqin in her arms, and her father with his unsheathed sword.

"Take our children and get to safety!" Sir Ha Ru urged.

As he ran away towards where those screams and cries of battle, she couldn't help but also move towards that direction.

Although she and her father weren't the closest, she didn't want him to leave them.

Her movements however, were stopped by her mother. "We must run away! You won't stand a chance." she yelled in horror.

Pulled away by her mother to the entrance to escape, she screamed, calling out to the man running to save those lives that have already fallen.

"FATHER!!!"
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