Chapter 156 - Third Wheel (1/2)

Lei Xing could feel him standing behind her. Her heart was pounding erratically and she remained completely still as if she would somehow become invisible to him if she did.

The Emperor frowned at her back as he noticed the few red dots on her upper back. ”Xing er'?”

”En.” Lei Xing quietly responded.

”Do you have something you want to tell me?” The Emperor calmly asked.

Lei Xing knit her brow and looked.

{...Now is not the time for a bloody conversation. Go Away! T_T)...}

”No.” Lei Xing swiftly responded.

The Emperor did not respond and the stretching silence made Lei Xing feel even more on the edge. She wanted to turn around but she really could not bring herself to. She also hated the fact that she was being such a coward about this...But this situation was really not ideal.

{...Can you leave already? T_T) Let's talk over coffee or something...Don't tell me he's angry? Angry about what? It's not like I r.a.p.ed him or something -_-)...Did I? No, it was consensual! Seduction isn't - If you mention that seduction thing one more time, I will drown you in this pool! >_

”You should face a person when you speak.” The Emperor calmly advised.

Lei Xing froze for a bit and her eyes darted around. Then she took a deep breath and slowly turned to her side, with one hand over her chest and the over shielding her face. Still pressing her body against the pool's rocky edge, she cast a quick side glance at him and then quickly faced forward.

{...He doesn't look happy...That's definitely a frown, an upset frown even T_T)...}

”You're going to hurt yourself.” The Emperor advised, watching her molding herself to the rocks was irritating him. He took a step back and then he narrowed his eyes at her and signaled for her to move forward. When Lei Xing still did not move, he let out a breath and ordered, ”Forward.”

Lei Xing frowned and then begrudgingly took a little side step forward. Honestly, the rocks were digging into her skin and hurting quite a bit, but that was the least of her concerns. She was between a rock and a hard place, and she chose the rock. She cast a quick glare at the Emperor and then faced forward again.

{...You know having a conversation when someone is n.a.k.e.d can be a form of humiliation...I will ignore the fact that you're also in here, n.a.k.e.d s -...}

”Do you have anything to say to me?” The Emperor inquired again.

Lei Xing gulped again as she quickly recalled the seriousness of her situation. Now was not the time for snide remarks. She thought for a bit and then took a deep breath and blurted out, ”I was drugged...”

”I am aware.” The Emperor responded and she nodded.

[...Of course, he knew that...Obviously...}

She gulped again, prepared herself and then shakily said, ”I-I kis-sed...your brother.” And then she squeezed her eyes shut. She reasoned it was better for her to tell him now than to it a secret. After all, it was a very public incident and she was certain she will be hearing from the conspirators soon.

”I am aware.” The Emperor solemnly responded after a pause. His frown deepened on hearing this and he looked at the water's surface. He had honestly not been thinking about the incident with his brother since last night and this reminder dampened his mood. He obviously could not do anything to her, but he was not sure what to do with his brother yet. He could not publicly reprimand him as that would affect Lei Xing's reputation.

Announcing she was drugged would not help the matter and frankly, that would make it worse. It would create the opportunity for people to question her honor, especially considering there was that period where her whereabouts were unaccounted for. Even if he could attest to the fact that she was not defiled, there would still be doubts. And he would rather not have her name dragged in the mud. The Emperor sighed in annoyance.

{...This matter is quite delicate...}

Lei Xing glanced at the Emperor, feeling confused.

{...You already know? O_O)...Um, then what else do you want me to say?...}

Lei Xing scrutinized the contemplating Emperor, puzzled. Her eyes subconsciously roamed down his neck, across his chest, his shoulders...before she quickly caught herself and looked away. She  shielded her face as she turned crimson and in a small voice went, ”Sorry.”

The Emperor blinked and looked at the top of her head, then he saw her peeking at his shoulder with a sorry expression. He raised an eyebrow and followed her gaze to see the healing bruises on his shoulder, one of the places she had dug her fingernails into last night. He turned back to her to find her shrinking back into the rocks again. He could not help breaking out in a small smile as he watched her, but then he caught himself and frowned.