19 Day 18: The Scum Is Cautious (1/2)

The king is already old. But, despite having many heirs, he still hasn't appointed his successor. That's why, despite the stable military standing of the A country, the political standing is very rocky.

Many ambitious heirs are plotting against each other that's why, from 10 heirs it reduced to three. And everybody already knows who killed who just for the throne. And even though now, he's only have three heirs to choose, he still hasn't. That's because the king's legitimate heir, the one who was born from his beloved queen, his only son died because he was eaten by monsters.

The typical drama. Cang Sheng thought. I already know that the rightful heir will have his grand appearance at the end of this damn bloody business against the monsters. He thought, obviously now full of hate because of his traumatic awakening in this world.

”Officer Cang.” The king called.

Cang Sheng stood and bowed. He looked at the king.

”I remember you still don't have a wife, right? And you're not getting any younger...” he said and smiled.

Cang Sheng held himself not to raise his brow. I'm already old? Like what, 30's? he thought. ”Yes.” He just answered.

The king brushed his beard. ”Among my three heirs... who do you find beautiful?” he asked and motioned his three daughters.

Now, Cang Sheng's brows raised. This kingdom, unexpectedly, only has daughters as heirs, never been a son – except the one that died. And the successor should get married so that she could claim the throne. That's why, the king, he's the husband of the late previous successor.

The three princesses blushed and covered their lower face with their fan. Cang Sheng, needless to say, is handsome.

With his sharp almond eyes, chiseled nose and pouting lips... one must be blind not to say they wouldn't get attracted to him. Among all the military officers, Cang Sheng is the most handsome.

Aside from Officer Su.

Cang Sheng glanced at the silent officer who's still kneeling on the floor. If one were to choose between Cang Sheng, the gentleman – looking, and Officer Su, the fierce – looking one, it's obvious whom should they pick.

”Well...” he said and looked at the three beautiful and shy princesses.

But he knows better. From 10 to 3... of course the ones that're left are witches. And the one that'll remain and would succeed the throne... needless to say, is the most wicked.

”Your Majesty.” He called, then bowed. ”I apologize, but I must decline.” He said and looked straight at the king.

They all gasped, shocked. ”Youngest...” his fellow officers called, sighing.

The king remained calm. ”Why?” he asked. ”Isn't this your chance to be the king?” he asked. Obviously, he's tired.

Everyone nodded, including the three princesses.

Of course I already thought that. Cang Sheng thought, frowning inside. But... he thought, his face went serious. That monster has still price to pay! He thought, gritting his teeth as he remembered the monstrous bird. ”My sense of duty is stronger than my ambition.” He answered.

Their eyes went wide.

”Once, I vowed I'd kill every monster until none of them remains. That oath is still in my heart.” He explained. ”Also, I have an amnesia. But...” he said and looked at the king. ”I still remember I already have someone I love.” He said, then bowed.

The princesses gasped.

”I may have forgotten their name... their face... but my feelings towards them, that I'll never forget.” He said.

The king smiled. ”Very well.” He said, then sighed. ”Then I'll count on you to protect the kingdom.” He told him.

”Yes!” Cang Sheng answered and knelt, then bowed.

Everybody clapped.

”Youngest... that was really a waste...” his fellow officers said and sighed. They're now walking back to their headquarters. ”You could've become a king, and have a beautiful wife...” they sighed.

”A king, I may accept. But wife?” he said, then stopped. They looked at him. ”You all know those princesses' nature, right? They may be beautiful, but anything that's beautiful has a poison laced in them.” He said and grimaced.

They grimaced, then nodded.

”Also... only through a marriage with the princess successor can one become a king, so being a king is impossible.” He added.

”But, you still want to be a king?” it was Officer Su.

They all turned to him.

”No...” Cang Sheng said and smiled. ”I'd never ever think about it.” he said and shook his head, grinning.

”Why?” Officer Su asked.

The corner of his lips curved up. ”Since I'm not the rightful heir.” Cang Sheng answered, full of confidence. ”So instead of taking the throne and get cut by the rightful heir when he appears... I'd better just sit on the side line and watch the drama unfold.” He said and shrugged, then left the confused officers.

He left, just in time Officer Su grinned and watch him walk away, amusement and adoration on his eyes.

Months passed by and the king's health isn't getting any better. The king's attendant is getting restless until one day, he got a slip of the tongue and that shook the whole kingdom.

”The prince is alive?!”

”How?!”

”Why?!”

Obviously, it's the three princesses. They're in the royal pavilion, plotting. The attendant has already been taken care (killed) of them. The reason the three of them didn't kill each other is because they're full blooded – sisters (also have the same mother, one of the concubines).

”That ghost half – brother of ours should never appear.” One of them said. ”Considering father's condition, a high chance he'll break the rule of having a princess succeed the throne. So, when our half – brother will appear it is likely father will make him the king then and there.” she said, mad.

”What do we do?” one of them asked, worried. ”We still don't know who is he. Even the dead attendant doesn't know, too.” She added.

”It'll be fine.” the leader of the three said. ”We'll just have to beat him to it.” she said and grinned. Their eyes went wide. ”We have to be the successor before that ghost bastard could appear.” She said.

”You mean...” the two said, wide – eyed.

”Yes.” The leader said. ”I'll have to make Officer Cang marry me.” she said, then grinned evilly. ”I'm going to seduce him.” she added.

The said man is happily fishing on the riverside in country C. The First Division was sent here personally by the king when they heard that the missing-for-many-years prince is alive.

This is where the king and the late queen lost the prince.

Cang Sheng yawned and waved the torch when a mosquito flew towards him. The mosquito was burned.

”Sleepy?” a voice said behind him.

Cang Sheng almost jumped. He turned. He saw Officer Su. ”Where's your torch?” he asked when he saw the other is not carrying one.

”I'll just share with you.” Office Su answered and sat beside Cang Sheng.

Cang Sheng looked at him. This is the first time he saw this man up close. Sharp deep dark eyes... pointed nose and thin lips... his skin is sun kissed because of their job as military officers.

”Feasting your eyes?” Officer Su said and turned to him, his lips curved up in a smile.

”Yes.” Cang Sheng answered.

Officer Su froze.

”There's a woman waving at me.” Cang Sheng said and looked over the man. He looked at the first princess smiling at him, not far from them.

Officer Su's smile disappeared and turned to where he's looking. Sure enough, the princess is walking towards them.

”Good evening, Officer Cang. Officer Su.” The first princess smiled sweetly and did a curtsy.

The two gentlemen stood up and bowed respectfully.

”First princess. May I know what are you doing here?” Cang Sheng asked, though he already know the answer. ”The night is deep and we don't know when will the monsters will appear.” Though one already appeared, and that's you. He didn't say the last line, of course.

She just smiled, then glanced at Officer Su. ”I want to talk with Officer Cang. May I have a moment with him?” she asked him, then looked at Cang Sheng.

Officer Su's eye twitched. ”We're doing shifts. Officer Cang and I don't have a second to spare talking.” He answered. ”If the first princess would, you could talk to the officers inside the ship. I'll call them for you.” He said and before the princes could answer, he already called the others.

”Y – Your Highness!” the officers said and bowed. ”Why is Your Highness here?” they asked, puzzled.

The princess just forced a smile. She glanced at Cang Sheng, then back to them. ”No... I just went out for a breather. I'm going back now.” she said and bowed. ”Good night.” She said, then walked away, frowning and pissed.

Cang Sheng almost laughed when he saw Officer Su's frowning face.

”Youngest. Su.” The officers called, still puzzled by the princess. ”Sorry to trouble you.” They said, referring to the patrol.

Surprisingly, Officer's Su smiled widely as he turned to them. ”No worries.” He told them, then pulled Cang Sheng away.

Another added to the puzzlement of the officers as they went back inside the airship, then prepared to sleep.

”Where are we going?” Cang Sheng asked when Officer Su led him to the forest.

”Don't worry. No monsters will appear.” He reassured him and held his hand tight as they went deeper to the forest. ”I'm here.” He called out when he stopped.

A second later and a snake appeared. Cang Sheng almost jumped when Officer Su held his hand tight, reassuring him.

”This is my mother.” Officer Su said, his face sad.

”'mother'?” Cang Sheng said and looked at the white as snow snake. True enough, the snake is docile.