Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

Bao had come to him with his suspicions, threatened to tell her.
    "Then how else might she know?"
    "She knows?" At Chien's nod, Bao stated, "And you believe it was me. The problem with treason is that it relies on so many things, so many people who you may not be able to trust."
    "I'm aware. And I trusted the wrong person. Weren't you satisfied? Did I not hold my end of the bargain?"
    "Your end of the bargain?" Bao asked, his tone dangerous, "Are you implying that last night was about bargains?"
    It was clear that whatever last night had been, it had not been simply a bargain to him. "Were you not the one who told me that you may not tell if I satisfied you?" Chien had not believed him when he'd stated it, but at this moment his only desire was to hurt Bao until he felt as broken as Chien himself felt.
    Bao's mouth opened a few times, his face growing steadily pale. "I see." He stated at last. "You may continue to believe whatever you wish, but I broke my oath that night with you."
    "And you may continue to believe whatever you wish as well. Cling to your delusion that the Empress is doing the right thing."
    "I have never once said that what she has done is right."
    "Then why continue to support her?"
    "Of all people, you should understand best. Have you not been speaking constantly of your honor? While I am here, I can provide for my family. I can send food to my home. After she conquered us, all the Empress demanded in return was my loyalty."
    "You sold yourself."
    "Don't pretend to be self-righteous," Bao raged. "It is easy to sit there and judge, but you have never gone hungry or watched your people starve. You can sit here all you like and talk of how the Empress is starving her people, but you will never understand it the way I do."
    "And you can bring up whatever just causes you would like. Would your people be happy knowing you've killed innocents so that they can eat?"
    Bao seemed to deflate. When he spoke once more, his voice was nothing, but a harsh whisper. "Don't pretend this is about an empire. Don't pretend that you do this for anyone more than your own selfish desires."
    "Regardless of the truth, the fact stands that she would see our Empire bathed in blood. Already she has weakened us to our enemies."
    "And you believe that you can do better? You believe that you are not at all like her? She stole the throne from your family and now you seek to steal it from her. She began her reign in a hail of blood and you would do the same."
    "Look at her sons. Look at what they have done and tell me that it is not justice."
    "I question your path, Prince." Chien winced at the distance Bao's use of his title invoked. "But it is your path to walk."
    "Once I have defeated her, you will be freed from your oath. You can return to your people and help them."
    Bao did not acknowledge his words, instead turning and starting toward the door. "I would have helped you." Bao's words caught him by surprise. "If you had trusted me enough, I would have helped you. We could have run somewhere."
    "Life has taught me that those you trust are often the first to betray you."
    "I did not betray your trust." Bao repeated once more.
    "Even so, it does not matter. It's better it ends this way before I am forced to face you." Chien's hand subconsciously rubbed over his heart, "I suspect you could hurt me far worse than my aunt could ever dream."
    "Because you love me." It was not a question. Bao already seemed fairly confident in his answer.
    And the worst part of it was that he did. Love was not this wondrous thing the poets spoke of, but a miserable and painful thing. "It is a weakness that I shall deal with."
    A short snort of derisive laughter escaped Bao, "It is a pity that you have allowed the Empress to corrupt your beliefs until you are blind to the fact that love is never a weakness. It can only be the greatest of strengths." He stepped close then and kissed Chien. Unlike his kisses before, this one was soft and sweet. This was not goodbye. This was hope.
    Bao pulled away, "I cannot follow you along this path, but I will pray to the Dragon that you survive." He lingered for a moment, his hand on Chien's shoulder, and Chien had the half mad hope that Bao would kiss him once more. But he pulled away instead. "Take care to prepare for your fight. The Empress will not fight fair."
    Chien watched as he left, the guards outside of his room bowed to show their respect. Bao did not look back, his stride confident. He watched until Bao