Emerald stared, attempting to reconcile the image of the first emperor he had built in his mind with the boy standing before him. He had imagined a fierce warrior, a villain from a classic epic, but Zinan was just… a boy like him.
"When Tina said that, I didn't gave it much thought. I just did what she wanted. I tried my best to be a man, a man worthy of the title of father, a husband… but nothing goes as you expect it to be," Zinan said, walking away. Emerald followed him.
"Now it's time you should know who you are," Zinan said, turning with a sharp look. "You're a man who will change what I couldn't. You will live to a point where you need to choose between loyalty and trust. Do what your heart tells you." Tears welled in Zinan's eyes, yet his face remained serious. "You'll never know how short a life can be. Live it to the fullest. Doubting your actions only brings more suffering, and as a piece of advice, never regret something you have done." Zinan turned and told Emerald to raise his hand. Emerald's entire body was restored, not a single scratch on him.
"What is it that you couldn't do, my lord?" Emerald asked patiently.
With a warm smile, Zinan replied, "You don't need to know what I couldn't do. All you need to know is what kind of man I am."
"So what kind of man are you?"
"You already know, haven't you heard about me from the people?" Zinan asked.
"I have, but I don't believe in written history. I want to hear the loser's side, lord."
"Listen, kid, I'm no god to be called 'lord.' I'm just a human being who wanted to be loved by someone dearly. Understanding that might get you to know me more, I guess." Zinan cut his hand, showing the pitch-red blood flowing out. His genuine, heartfelt laugh could make the strongest people feel guilt. The guilt of having been wronged by the perceptions they had heard about this boy they called the first emperor.
Zinan snapped his fingers to get Emerald's attention. "One last thing. Starting today, your days are being counted. As of now, you're indebted to me, which means the debt will be paid in one year. You only have one year to live as you want. After that, your body will be mine to have. It's a small price for protecting you from a world of emptiness." Zinan started to walk out of the domain, and at that moment, Emerald realized how truly evil he could be.
"What do you intend to do by having me?" Emerald asked, frustrated.
Zinan turned back and replied, "You asked me what I couldn't do... The king in me lost, and the man in me won."
Emerald woke up in his body. He looked around; there wasn't a single scratch on him. The ruins were gone, turned to debris, and the two vampires were nowhere to be seen. Emerald got up and started heading back, but a sudden weakness overcame him. He took a couple of steps and fell unconscious.
Emerald's eyes fluttered open in Genna's bedroom. The first person he saw was Genna. "Are you okay? How are you feeling?" she asked, falling over him, trying to cling to him.
"I'm good," Emerald said, slowly pushing her away.
"Thank God you're okay. Do you have any idea how worried I was?" she said, her voice filled with relief.
After a moment for Genna to settle her emotions, Emerald acted up for some drama. "So, how long has it been?" he asked.
"Three days," she stated.
"Three days? That long?" Emerald was worried, remembering his last experience. He looked around for more questions, but Mrs. Mackie, who was there for his medical procedures, entered the room and asked Genna to leave, as she had been called by her mother.
Genna said her goodbyes and left. Mackie looked over Emerald and asked a few questions about his condition. "Any memories of how you got here?"
"Nah," he replied plainly.
"You were found laying on the forest grounds by the scouts." Her eyebrows furrowed, questioning why he was there.
"Huh, so I must have fallen unconscious on the way back," Emerald said, trying to keep the conversation from becoming an investigation.
"It's an uncharted territory. Why did you go there?"
"I saw some ruins there and thought about checking them out. By the way, do you know what ruins they are?"
"I've heard there used to be a castle there, but it's just a rumor. They say the first emperor lived there."
"A rumor, huh?"
"Why the 'huh'? You should be thanking that mark on your hand for keeping you alive all these days." Mackie pointed to the binding vow mark.
The checkup went smoothly, and he bailed out of the castle as fast as he could. His steps were hesitant, but he still wanted to be alone. He walked through the town and remembered the promise he had made to Eva. Emerald started looking for her, following the trails the locals gave him until he reached a cafe.
He found Eva in the cafe, munching down her dinner in an unladylike manner. "Oh, my boy, you really scared me. I guess you're okay?" she whispered with her mouth full.
"Yeah, I'm good." Emerald kept looking at her food.
She noticed and ordered some for him. "I guess you're hungry," she said.
"I'm not. You just promised me dinner, that's all."
"You still remember that? You're really a kid." Eva was speechless.
"A man always keeps his promises," he said, hiding the truth.
"I'm closing the shop, you see. You need to hurry over there to fill that up," Eva said, encouraging him to eat faster.
"You own this cafe?" Emerald was surprised.
"Not just own, I also work here," she said with a straight face.
"Did genna tell you something?" Eva asked.
"Nah," Emerald replied as he finished his food.
"Any memories of why you went there?"
"Nah, I guess it was just sightseeing," he lied. Eva waved him goodnight from the doorstep as Emerald walked into the dark street.
He headed back to the castle. As he got closer, his vision became blurry. He saw a moonlit tree alone in the garden. He walked toward it and crouched down. The snow-tapered grass had droplets on it. He scraped a small piece of bark from the tree with his soft fingers, which had a reddish glow. He sniffed the sandalwood and got up.
As he stood there, lost in a haze of memories and decisions, a footstep approached from behind. When Emerald turned around, he saw Genna's face, but with a masculine expression. Emerald concluded it was her brother. He had heard about him but had never seen him before. Emerald stood there, muted, not knowing what to say.
"Do I know you?" the young man asked.
"I don't think so. I'm new here," Emerald stumbled over his words.
"New, huh? You must be the new chore boy Genna brought with her."
With a calm smile, Emerald retorted, "Sharp guy, but I'm not a chore boy." His genuine innocence showed cracks, signaling a change in him.
"A human who can talk back. You must be a good one." His ego was apparent.
"The name's Emerald. Glad to make your acquaintance."
"Zephyr Embridge, prince. My pleasure." Zephyr found a certain calm in Emerald's introduction. He was innocent and cheerful, without a worry in the world.
"Doing anything?"
"Nah, just taking a stroll, thought I'd just show my face here."
"Glad you did. By the way, any idea why this sandalwood is standing alone here?" Emerald asked.
"Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not really good with tales."
"Guess it'll take some time," Emerald chuckled.
As Emerald stood there having a nice conversation, he was pulled back into the domain. When he gained consciousness, he saw the emperor Zinan waiting for him.
"Don't fall for the lie, boy."
"What are you saying?" Emerald asked, confused.
"He has blood on his hands. Yours, to be clear. If you're so intent on pushing through with him, I might have to interfere."
"How can you be so sure?" Emerald questioned Zinan.
"I've never interfered with the act of fate. You were the one who came crawling to me, boy. Be sure to remember." The emperor's voice became heavy.
"Okay, so if I were to believe you, what do you have to do with all this pulling me into the subconscious?"
"Oh, don't tell me you've forgotten where we are. As I already told you, we are one in soul and flesh. Your existence is also my existence, so I will do whatever is necessary to keep you alive." Zinan took a breath and continued, "Just threaten him for a good cause. Use some arrogant words to make it look like you're bragging. I'm pretty sure that will help you keep things clear."
"What do you mean? I can't say something like that. What if he doesn't like it?" Emerald said, his introverted anxiety showing.
"Stupid brat." With a snap of his fingers, Zinan sent Emerald back. He was now standing in front of the tree alone. He saw a faint blue reflection in the water on the nearby tiles. Emerald sighed in relief and headed back to his room.
(To be continued)