Chapter 343 - Shattered Illusions~ (1/2)

Prince Yi was having a good day, not at all bothered by the fact that Imperial guards were ”guarding” his residence. Although he did not expect that turn in his conversation with the Emperor in the main hall, he reasoned that it was inconsequential. After all, that conversation had nothing to do with the matter at hand, which was a foreign pregnant Princess.

As Prince Yi had expected, the Emperor placed him on house arrest but he was not bothered at all. After all, it was not like Prince Yi had anywhere else he actually wanted to be. Princess Nalan was stuck in the palace so it was not like he could go see her, not that he actually felt inclined to at this point. Moreover, she was already pregnant which even made this house arrest seem more pointless since there was nothing this was preventing. Prince Yi surmised this whole house arrest episode to simply be the Emperor showing off his power to soothe his bruised ego.

The Emperor had no other choice, they had to marry, otherwise he, the Emperor would appear unreasonable, cruel, or worse and his genius of a brother could obviously not stand to be perceived as anything but perfect and morally imperious.

Prince Yi lightly chuckled as he thought about how rattled the Emperor must be right now. He was honestly feeling sufficiently proud of himself at the moment and was giddy with anticipation for the future. He had been losing for so long, finally, he was feeling like himself again. So now, here he was relaxing in a pavilion in his back garden playing a chess game with himself while sipping on tea, not wine, tea.

It was such a nice day and he was in such a good mood. , in a much better mood than he had been in a long time. He was actually having a leisurely day, playing a chess game with himself while sipping tea, not wine.

{...*Well, someone's in a good mood (¬ _¬ )...}

Prince Yi's hand stopped mid-way to the board and he blinked in pleasant surprise.

{...You're back!...}

Prince Yi laughed at that as he put the chess piece in place. Even he had to admit that it had been a long time since he had greeted the voice with a warm reception.

{...Well, the day is beautiful and... a child is always a blessing to be appreciated...}

{...*Ah, I heard~ I like babies, they're fun!...}

Prince Yi chuckled again as he picked up his cup and sipped his tea.

{...*I hear weddings are also great fun too~ Congratulations! It's been a long time coming, you've finally evolved~ *sniff*...}

Prince Yi slightly knit his brows and then let out a sigh and picked up another chess piece as he offhandedly and less enthusiastically responded.

{... Yes... there is that too...}

{...*⚆ _ ⚆)... I see... I like her... She knows how to have fun ...}

Prince Yi scoffed and put the chess piece in its assigned place.

{...*Reckless can be fun! It's better than being boring (￣ヘ￣)...}

Prince Yi blinked, taken aback and amused again, chuckling.

{...It seems I am really easy to amuse today... You think I'm boring?...}

{...*Among other things... But as I've said before, it's not your fault. You just need better influences around you, fun people... like this Princess. She is good for you...}

Prince Yi had no thoughts or words on that comment and simply re-focused his mind on his chessboard.

{...*You know, you should appreciate what is yours and let bygones be bygones. You are quite grand yourself you know~...}

Prince Yi snorted.

{...Bygones are bygones. I am not looking towards the past, but the future...}

{...*Have you really?...*sigh* I know I'm not exactly one to talk but... letting bygones pass involves forgetting what is not meant for you...}

{...What is not meant for -?...}

Prince Yi frowned as the memory of a certain kiss dealt by a certain woman raced into his mind and caused his heart to skip. He clenched a fist, irritation instantly setting in.

{...Why did you - ?...}

The thought stopped uncompleted as Prince Yi's frown turned to a deep scowl.

{...*Did I what?...}