71 New Name. New Beginnings. (2/2)
”Don't worry. They won't hurt you anymore. Not if I'm around.” He wiped her tears using his thumb. This act made her feel like breaking down but she couldn't. It would be embarrassing to be weak before the almighty general. She wanted him to perceive her as a strong and brave woman who was independent.
He took her into his arms and stood to take her away.
”What are you waiting for? Find those idiots and beat them hard,” he instructed whoever he came with.
”Yes, Grand General!” Feet hurriedly treaded to catch the escaping bullies.
A cough seized her chest and she wheezed as if a frog was caught in her throat. Le-anne faintly held her throat, feeling sorry for being disgusting in his arms. She kept swallowing, but her throat kept clenching.
”Does it hurt?” His head cocked down, gazing at her.
She slightly nodded.
Yes, she felt heavy. The fever was burning her, body and spirit.
”Don't worry. You are Grand Consort Shu's favorite, I will take care of you.” He placed a light kiss on her forehead. It was a gesture to reinforce that he meant it. ”It will soon not hurt anymore.”
She again nodded and closed her eyes. His body was a warm cocoon, so she could as well rest.
”Stay with me,” he gently shook her but it was impossible. She was tired and exhausted.
”You never told me your name.” He posed this with intent to keep her mind busy, and have her conscious for as long as possible.
Her name? What was her name?
”El... Elo...” she began.
”Who?”
No. Her name was not Elora.
”Your name is no longer Elora. Remember that you are no longer her child and if you see her in the street, look the other side.”
She muffled because of the words that were repeated to her over the years.
”Le-an...” She tried to tell him.
”Princess Le-anne? You are not a princess. You are a nameless bastard child.”
Then who was she?
They all did not want her. She was a discard, a nameless bastard, a reject. She had no place of belonging, with no one to care for her. Everyone was busy achieving their own goals, leaving no one to love her. She was all alone. Unwanted.
”Li Lian.” she finally responded.
From here onwards she would no longer be someone they expected her to be and act how they expected her to. She was going to live by her own rules, and to her own liking. Life was too short to live two dreams; someone else's and her own.
”Lian for lotus flower?” She felt him stiffen from beneath her. He slowly breathed out, his voice coated with pain. ”Someone special to me reminded me of lotus flowers and you look like her.”
How was it possible that his special someone would look like her? Le-anne clearly remembered him calling her ugly the first time he saw her.
But his current confession was the most honest than the lies he normally spouted, and she could vouch for it by evidence of the emotion in his voice. Grand General was not an emotional person yet he was opening up to her as if they were friends.
”Wei Li Lian is a beautiful name,” he finished silently.
She didn't tell him her clan name. So he already knew her name and was testing if she would lie to him?
She vaguely smiled and there, she gave in to unconsciousness. She knew that with him she was not entirely safe, but chose to trust that he would take care of her like he said he would.
S.V