Conquering the Emperor

Chapter 172: Please Don’t Go

Does Ren know about this? freewēbnoveℓ.com

Ren...I need to see Ren!

I was running towards the exit of the hospital before I knew what I was doing. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know where Ren was at that moment. I just had to start moving before my mind would drive me crazy.

“My Lady!” I heard someone call after me, but I paid that person no mind.

I ran past the gate of the Medical Office and out onto the main pathway of the Imperial palace. Where do I go from here? Ren...is he at his palace?

Calm down, Rin...

I tried to control my breathing as my mind raced to decide on what I should do. Everything is going to be ok. All I have to do is talk to Ren about this... ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

...

After being told that the crown prince should be returning soon from his meeting with the emperor, I decided to wait in his work room. I paced around anxiously as I waited for Ren to arrive. Time was passing by so slowly and my chest felt like it was going to explode. I was so worried, and my mind wouldn’t stop conjuring up the worst possible scenarios.

Whenever I closed my eyes, all I could see was my hometown burning up in flames and people running everywhere in the chaos. I knew that this was just my own imagination running wild, but it still made me feel very disturbed.

Suddenly, the door to the room slid open. I turned and ran towards the door to greet Ren immediately. From the look on my face, Ren could immediately tell that something was very off. His calm expression was replaced very quickly with a frown as he slid the door closed firmly behind him.

“Ren...” I called his name.

“Why are you here? No work at the hospital to keep you busy?” Ren asked as he strode past me towards his worktable.

“It’s not like that...” I said as I hurriedly followed after him.

“Why are you here?” Ren asked, getting straight to the point.

Right, there’s no point beating around the bush about this. I sucked in a deep breath...

“Is there a war going on in my hometown?” I asked loud and clear.

“Sit...” Ren said as he gestured with his eyes for me to take the seat opposite him at the table.

I sighed loudly before taking my seat opposite him. Ren’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at me for a while before he sighed loudly.

“Who told you?” Ren asked emotionlessly.

“So...it’s true? There really is a war at my hometown?” I asked for confirmation.

“Where did you hear about this?” Ren asked again.

“Soldiers were talking while they were receiving treatment at the hospital...” I mumbled.

I prayed internally that they would not get punished for this. Ren can be very unpredictable sometimes...

“I see...” he said sounding very relaxed.

“It’s true...isn’t it?” I asked in a whisper.

“I should have known that you’re bound to hear about it sooner or later. I just hoped that there was more time,” Ren said with slight regret.

“Is it true? Ren!” I demanded to know. Why won’t he just tell it to me straight?

“It’s true. There’s a war going on in your town...” Ren confirmed.

“How can that be? We...our town signed a peace treaty...” I said in frustration.

“A peace treaty only holds if the town fulfills all their terms and conditions...” Ren stated flatly.

“I’m here...I was sent here to serve you so that you would protect my town. Why didn’t you protect my town?” I demanded to know.

“What makes you think that I’m not doing just that?” Ren replied curtly.

The fact that there’s a war there right now...perhaps? Ren stared at me, and I stared back. There were many things that I could back down from but not this.

“Which condition did they fail to meet then?” I decided to ask.

“Calm down, Rin,” Ren warned.

“Sorry. I’m just very worried...” I admitted softly.

“I knew that you would be...that’s why I didn’t want you to know anything about it,” Ren muttered.

“I would rather you have told me,” I said, meaning it.

“Why tell you when there’s absolutely nothing that you can do about it?” Ren asked.

“Why is there a war? I thought my people were living peacefully,” I said. My voice full of distress.

“There was an uprising after the townspeople were dissatisfied with paying higher taxes to the capital as part of the agreement,” Ren explained.

“An uprising?” I asked, stunned.

“Correct. The town decided to rebel against the empire,” Ren replied with a shrug.

“That can’t be...” I said in disbelief.

“Your town is small. Why would I order my soldiers to start a war in your town?” Ren said like it was the most ridiculous thing.

“You’re right...” I whispered.

I knew that Ren had no real reason to start a war in my town after it had been absorbed into his empire. However, an uprising just doesn’t seem to fit the picture I had of such a peaceful town. I felt like there’s something that Ren isn’t telling me, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. Just as I was about to ask him for more details, there were firm knocks on the door.

“Come in,” Ren said loudly so that the visitor on the other side of the door could hear.

“Crown prince, the preparation for your travel is completed. Your army is already on standby,” a very old eunuch with long white hair and beard said respectfully before bowing low.

“Thank you,” Ren replied with a nod.

The old man bowed and retreated out of the room. Once the door closed, I turned to Ren in shock.

“Where are you going?” I asked in a panic, although, I already had a very good guess regarding his destination.

“The uprising has been going on for almost a month now and it has escalated in scale. Of course, I’m going there to see it for myself,” Ren said emotionlessly.

“No! Please don’t go...” I pleaded.

I was immediately kneeling next to Ren’s chair as I took hold of his arm. Ren is about to go off to war again. It had been a while since he’s last gone off to battle and I was getting used to the peace and having him with me in the palace. Why did this have to happen? I don’t want Ren to go...

--To be continued...