259: 6.19 Chase Me Down

6.19 Chase Me Down

Ouin's execution was one of a kind occassion that spread like wildfire all throughout the country. One wouldn't even go through one day without hearing it being talked about in the market, inns, tea shops, restaurants, literally everywhere. So it was no wonder that the barbarians had caught wind of the news a few days later. Knowing that their secret plan to infiltrate the country had gone down the drain, the fragile stalemate they had maintained for nearly two months instantly shattered. Jillia began to receive news of small villages being ransacked and taken over. The opposing villagers were brutally massacred, leaving blood to flow under their feet.1

The battle horn was blowing, signalling the start of another war.

The Duke's manor had been surrounded by a tense mood for the past few days. Starting from the anxious and jittery soldiers, the restlessness even spread to the servants and gardeners. They were worried that the barbarians would succeed in laying a siege on the country one day. On the other hand, Bassil was only worried about his Young Master.

He knew that it was a General's duty to stand in the front line of the war but no matter how many times it had happened, he still couldn't get used to it. When the Imperial Edict from the King finally arrived in the manor, demanding the Duke's presence in the barrack to lead the troops, Bassil couldn't help but fuss over Jillian more than usual; checking and double checking his belongings despite knowing that the General wouldn't bring more than bare necessities.

"Go back, Bassil." Jillian was sitting in front of the fireplace and kneaded his forehead. "Everything's ready and I will depart tomorrow."

"Are you sure? Don't you need to bring—

"I am sure." Jillian affirmed. "It's not like this is my first time. Stop panicking, everything will be okay, Bassil."

"Still," Bassil heaved out a long sigh. "What if something happens?" The weather had been gloomy for the past few weeks. Let alone fight, one couldn't even walk properly amidst the thick snow! The more Bassil thought about it, the more anxious he was. He couldn't help but feel that something would indeed happen this time.

"Nothing will happen." Jillian answered in a nonchalant tone.

Bassil knew that it was the cue for him to scram before the Duke lost his temper, but when his eyes landed on the doll on the bed, he couldn't resist asking. "Will you be bringing Master Regius to the front line?"

This time, Jillian didn't answer and merely stared at the fireplace with a thoughtful look. Bassil silently bowed and excused himself, closing the door behind him with a soft click. As soon as they were left alone, Lu Yizhou exerted enough strength so that his voice could be heard.

"You aren't planning to leave me behind, are you?"

"I don't know." Jillian answered after a beat. Lu Yizhou disliked how he didn't even turn around to look at him, opting to stare with a faraway look at the crackling fire instead. "Should I bring you with me, Regius? I told Bassil off earlier for being fussy but ironically, I am no different when it comes to you. On the battlefield, nobody has the capacity to care for others, not even someone like me. We are all too busy to survive. What if you're lost, injured or worse, broken? What should I do if something happens to you? Won't I really lose my mind by then?"

Lu Yizhou quietly showed himself and went to crouch down in front of Jillian. It wasn't often that he took on human form these days as he wanted to save the points for emergency time. Jillian only knew that he was often weaker than not thus he had never fussed about wishing to see him again like he did for the first time. Lu Yizhou was simultaneously disappointed and proud of how understanding his lover was. 

It was clear to see that Jillian still hadn't gotten used to Lu Yizhou's human form and maybe, he might never will. His pupils were dilated and faint blush rose in his cheeks, lips slightly parted in awe and blown-out gaze darted across Lu Yizhou's face, seemingly uncertain where he should focus his eyes on. 

It was weird how just having Jillian's eyes on him was enough to make him feel so content like someone had smeared a pool of warm honey all over his chest. As he lifted his arm, Jillian subconsciously grasped his hand midair and brought it to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss on the inside of his wrist. Lu Yizhou resisted the shiver at the sudden sensation of vivid touch he hadn't felt for days.

  "Jillian," Lu Yizhou said seriously. "If you leave me behind, then expect my arrival in your tent in the middle of the night."

Jillian blinked slowly and then burst out into a fit of hearty laughter. "Really? You will chase me down to the battlefield?"

Lu Yizhou maintaned a somber face to let Jillian know that he meant every word he said. There was no way he could stay here idly, unaware of how his lover was faring outside. What if Jillian was hurt and he wasn't there to protect him? He would definitely go crazy before Jillian could. "Yes, I will."

"Hmm, then I guess I have no choice but to take you with me." Jillian tugged him up by elbow, his touch searing and Lu Yizhou let himself rise until he was looming above his lover, his hair forming a dark curtain around them. Jillian gently reached out to tuck the luscious lock behind his ear, his eyes dark with intent. "Kiss me." 

Lu Yizhou was helpless but to lean forward until their lips gently met in the middle. It was a soft, savory kiss without any lust. Only intending to prolong the tenderness as long as possible and relishing in each other's presence. They kissed and kissed and that was all they did until Lu Yizhou's allocated time for today was up.

***

Despite the cold weather, the citizens had come out to send the soldiers off, framing each side of the road and filling the air with auspicious wishes of luck and safe return. What amused Lu Yizhou to no end was the cries for Jillian and his 'guardian angel' that was interspersed in between the uproar.

The entire army consisted of almost a thousand soldiers finally departed with Jillian leading in front, riding atop of his midnight dark horse. Lu Yizhou had been put into a box, tied securely to Jillian's body. 

They arrived at their first stop five days later; Orun, a buzzing city a few miles away from their destination. The soldiers were free to roam and mingle with the crowds, having a last blast — possibly of their lives — before they continued straight to the border. 

Jillian made a visit to the local magistrate to make sure that the city would be well defended in case of a sudden ambush before he finally allowed himself to step into a boisterous tea shop. His shoulders relaxed minutely when the calm scent of tea washed over him as well as the laughter and joyous conversations. The waiter, who had clearly recognized who Jillian was, enthusiastically led him to the best table by the window on the second floor where he could have the perfect vision of the outside road as well as the entire shop.

Jillian thanked him and ordered his favourite tea. Whilst he was putting the box with Lu Yizhou's doll body on the chair beside him, he couldn't help but notice that the storyteller on the first floor was animatedly waving a tale about none other than him, the deceased Ouin and lastly, the ghost that lingered in the manor that had reportedly stayed by the Duke's side in the form of the doll he had been carrying around. The guests — half of them were even his own soldiers — were lulled by the story, letting out 'ah!' and 'oooh' once in a while.

Jillian scoffed and brought the cup to his lips, sipping lightly. It was no wonder that the news had traveled so fast. With this method, he wasn't even certain what kind of reputation Regius would have in the future. Just thinking about it was enough to amuse him to no end. He turned to stroke the box where Lu Yizhou's doll body was held. "Just bear with it for a little while, okay? As much as I hate to keep you hidden, I'm sure you will dislike it more if you become the center of attention, right?" 

A cold sensation brushed against his cheek and Jillian quietly smiled to himself.

Right as the storyteller reached the part where the ghost turned resentful and cursed Marquis Ouin for hurting the man he loved, the door to the tea shop swung open and waltzed in two maidens dressed in thick travelers outfit; thick cape around their shoulders with hood hiding their faces from plain sight, high boots and long sleeved gown. The waiter greeted them enthusiastically before he proceeded to bring them to their seat. 

[666: H—Host, Host, Host, that… that's the female protagonist, Maia!]

Lu Yizhou's eyes sharpened as he followed the two maidens' backs. 

Beside him, Jillian quietly let out a scoff. "Hmph, barbarians. How dare they walk in here like they own the place? Do they think that I won't be able to recognize them just because they are hiding behind a few layers of clothes?"

Lu Yizhou was surprised that Jillian could point them out in one glance. However, Lu Yizhou was certain Jillian had no idea that one of the women was Maia, the sole daughter of the barbarians' chief tribe as well as the female protagonist. Lu Yizhou furrowed his brows in contemplation. In the original plot, Jillian wasn't supposed to meet Maia at all. Skeptical, he once again flipped through the plot to see if there was something he'd missed.

[666: Host, judging from the timeline, this is supposed to be the scene where Hayden saw Maia for the first time and was enamored by her beauty. Weird… it should have happened later at night, outside the forest when Hayden got lost whilst patrolling and met a beautiful woman who pointed the way back to him. It's their first destined encounter, Host, and definitely has nothing to do with the villain at all! But now Hayden is no longer here…]

Lu Yizhou silently let out a sigh. Now that Hayden was absent, the plot had changed again and he had no choice but to play everything by ear. He only wished that Jillian and Maia didn't have to bump into each other and made everything more complicated.

Alas, it shouldn't come to a surprise that the universe was always set on going against him. 

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