Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

There had been no assassins, however. General Bao, despite the minister's doubt of him, took his job quite seriously.
    It was how Chien had met him, patrolling along the path that led from Chien's rooms to the main hall, his dark eyes not missing a single thing. Especially not the sight of a prince busy training when all should have been asleep.
    Thinking on it, he could nearly recall the sound of Bao's boots against the stone path. He was being stupid allowing himself to become distracted like that. He should have been meditating in hopes that the Dragon would help him calm his mind and find the answers. Instead he was letting his thoughts once again bring him down the dusty forbidden path.
    After a few seconds though, he realized that the sound of boots upon gravel was not simply in his imagination. His eyes opened and he took in the sight of Bao, that damnable half smirk upon his face, steadily approaching him.
    The man seemed so damned confident in his reception that Chien grew more determined to sit right where he was and allow Bao to come to him. If anything, Bao's smirk widened. Could he hear Chen's heart pounding even now? "Prince Chien," Bao greeted him with a bow once he drew close enough.
    "General. Have you paid visits to my cousins in such a manner as well?"
    Bao laughed and stood, "I would have, but I believe I made a promise to a particularly spoiled prince."
    "You forget your place, General."
    "I much prefer you like this." Chien's eyes widened in confusion. "In front of the Empress and the princes, you play the fool. But here in the rising dark you are filled with haughty pride. It suits you." Bao stood close enough now that he caught Chien's chin in his calloused hand.
    "Is that so, General?" But Chien could not think of any witty response, not when this man's presence seemed enough to cloud his thoughts until he could not remember a whit of his master plan. All he could think of was the tragedy that would inevitably unfold when Bao broke his heart. At that thought, he yanked backward and stood to his feet, "I would prefer to continue this conversation inside."
    "Of course." Bao followed him peaceably inside, shutting the door behind him and securing it before turning back to Chien.
    Chien had taken care to ensure that everything had been hidden. The Everbloody sat safely in his chest, hidden amongst the silks of his robes. The poison that Minh had sent hid in an elaborate thin box beside his bed. Unlike his cousin, his room was simple. He could not decorate it in the manner he preferred: in the bold colors that had characterized his mother's homeland or the black and gold that had characterized his father's reign. So instead he had chosen an austere look. Nothing to distract him, nothing to do in his room except focus.
    Bao looked around for a moment, a frown on his face before his eyes settled onto Chien. He began to take off his sword when Chien interrupted him, "Is that necessary? I had assumed your business would be quick."
    Rather than being put off by Chien's sharp tone, Bao seemed merely amused. He stared Chien in the eye and purposefully unhooked his sword from his belt and sat it to the side. "Perhaps we could sit and talk, Prince."
    "Why bother calling me by my title if you have no intention of respecting my position?" Chien sat beside the table as Bao instructed.
    "Because it suits you in these moods." He set the long box he had been carrying onto the table. "You showed interest in my journey before. I thought you might want to hear of it."
    Chien was curious. He had not been allowed beyond these walls in years. Not that he had not made his way to the village just outside the palace's walls from time to time. But that could only be done so often without raising suspicions. "Did you find what the Empress searched for?"
    "Not at all," Bao frowned, "It appears that whatever source she had heard was incorrect."
    "I wonder what she searches for."
    Bao gave him a look, "Sometimes I wonder just how much of you is the role you play and how much is the real prince."
    "Is that so? Have you found the answer then?"
    "Not quite. But if I never find the answer, it will not be for lack of persistence."
    Chien could not help himself from snorting in laughter, "Do let me know then, General, when you find the solution."
    "Do you know the story of the Sword of Heavens?"
    "It was granted to the first Emperor by the Dragon. It is the history of my family. Of course I would be aware." Chien answered when Bao