264: 6.24 Jillian's Prayer

6.24 Jillian's Prayer

Lu Yizhou screwed his eyes shut and counted until three before opening them again.  0

"Regius?" Jillian's piercing eyes took in every change on his expression. "People praying to you can make you stronger? Then, does it mean that you're a…" His pupils trembled as he finished the sentence hoarsely. "...a God?"

Lu Yizhou grimaced inwardly. He had planned to tell Jillian someday; maybe the day when the system judged the mission completed, maybe the day when winter had passed and the air was warm with the sweet scent of flowers in the air. Whenever it was, certainly not now. Not when tomorrow Jillian was going to the war, not in this dirty and narrow tent and certainly not when Jillian was already exhausted after enduring a long discussion with those old willful Generals who thought that their opinion was above others. 

Jillian must have seen something from Lu Yizhou's face because his face morphed into a scowl. Oh no, Lu Yizhou's heart thudded. He had made his lover upset, again. "Jillian, I—"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jillian asked in a placid tone. He might have fooled everyone with his exterior but not Lu Yizhou. The dimming light in his eyes, the faint quiver of his eyelashes, and the way he focused on Lu Yizhou's nose rather than his eyes; all those signs told Lu Yizhou that he had truly screwed up. "Haven't you known me from our short time together, Regius? Am I that untrustworthy in your eyes?"

"No." He snapped harshly, the words torn off from the depth of his throat, almost like a growl. Untrustworthy… that was ridiculous. How could Jillian think of himself like that? Lu Yizhou just… just… He sighed. Alright, everything was his fault in the first place. He shouldn't have hidden something so important from his lover. When he spoke again, his voice had softened; placating, coaxing. As if talking to a spooked kitten. "Whatever you're thinking now, it's not true, Jillian."

Jillian retorted with a twist on his lips. "Oh, and how do you know what I am thinking about?"

"I—" Lu Yizhou glanced down in time to see his hands fading away into thin air. He cursed inwardly. His daily time was up as he had only used the power he got from the soldier's prayers. Was this an emergency time where he should use his points? Fuck yes. Lu Yizhou unhesitatingly bought one Transformation Pill and his flickering form once again solidified. 

He moved in haste to cup Jillian's cheeks and force the man to look into his eyes. "Jillian, I don't have much time to explain everything to you but please… trust me, sweetheart, when I say that I know you. I know you much more than you think. It's my fault for hiding such an important thing from you and I regret it. I didn't mean to upset you…" Lu Yizhou brushed his thumb against Jillian's flushed cheeks and tried to show what he hoped was an apologetic smile. "...well, it's your right to get angry. I just don't wish to see you depart to the battlefield with these ugly thoughts. Later on, I promised, I will tell you everything. But can you do me a favor?"

Jillian raised a brow, inquiring.

"Don't," Lu Yizhou stressed out. "Don't tell anyone yet. The fewer people who know of my existence, the better." He was still uncertain whether Jillian's fate would get back on track as in the original plot if people started praying to him. He didn't want to take such a risk, not when it was Jillian's safety on the line.

Jillian's mouth opened and closed without a word, seemingly unsure where he should start first. However, before he could even ask anything, Lu Yizhou's figure abruptly dissipated in front of his eyes and in his place was the doll. 

For a few seconds, Jillian sat in the wooden bucket in silence, a deep frown marring his face. Then, he brought one wet hand to rub his face roughly, sighing. "Alright, you owe me a thorough explanation, Regius." Jillian hastily wiped himself, stepped out of the bucket and took out spare clothes from the trunk before he reached for the doll and brought him to his eye level. A smile was playing on his lips, to Lu Yizhou's relief. "Come to think of it, it's the first time I have seen you talk so much. Are you that scared that I will get angry? Well, indeed I am a bit upset but I trust you, Regius…" He dropped a kiss on the doll's forehead. "...and I hope you can trust me the same."

The shadow of doubt vanished from Jillian's eyes and he was back to his curious self. "So you're a God, huh? It's not like I never saw it coming. I thought you were an angel or a forest fairy at first. Why are you even stuck here with me? And you're— wait." Jillian's eyes twinkled. "You told me not to tell anyone but you didn't forbid me from praying to you."

"I am going to pray to you everyday." He declared and then after a second pause, added in a sly tone. "Come on, say something if you don't agree."

Of course, there was no reaction from the doll. Lu Yizhou could only look on helplessly as a smug grin spread across Jillian's face. He looked so gleeful to take advantage of Lu Yizhou's weakened state. "I will take that as a yes, then." True to his word, Jillian closed his eyes and in the next second, Lu Yizhou heard his voice inside his mind.

[Can you hear me, Regius? I have never prayed before so let's see… what should I wish for? I hope that Regius will regain his strength soon. I hope he can show up in front of me more often in the future. I hope he will be safe and unharm.] 

The force of Jillian's prayer swirled around him, echoing loud and clear like a ringing bell. Lu Yizhou was struck with a surge of heat stronger than anything he had felt before, almost as if his blood was boiling and his veins sparked with electricity. He couldn't help but gasp. Holy… Jillian's prayer was a hundred times stronger than any other people. Was it because the wish was directed to Lu Yizhou's well being? Or was there any other reason?

As it turned out, Jillian wasn't done yet. Pink dusted his cheekbones as his mind turned sharply into a more dangerous area.

[Honestly, I want to keep kissing you. It's just not enough. Every single time, you got me all excited and then left me to cool down by myself. What am I supposed to do, Regius? I want you so much that it scares me sometimes. I want to lay down with your arms around me all night long. I want to feel your skin on my lips, your perfect hair between my fingers, your divine gasps in my ears. I want to undress you slowly… planting my kisses on every inch of your body so that everyone knows you are mine.  Am I too greedy to wish for that, Regius? Am I allowed to yearn for such a thing?]

Of course, you're allowed to… you are allowed to wish for everything there is in the world, Jillian… 

Lu Yizhou couldn't help but lean in to hug this foolish man. Never had he felt so helpless as of now, to exist as nothing more than the breeze that caressed Jillian's cheek, to have his words blended into the air Jillian inhaled. He wanted to say through his own lips that Jillian should ask for more and Lu Yizhou would personally see it happen, no matter what it was. Well, he could only settle to prove his conviction through action, then. Lu Yizhou had no idea whether Jillian could sense his presence, but the man let out a content sigh and his shoulders drooped down minutely.

Jillian lay down with the doll tucked close to his chest. And as he'd wished, Lu Yizhou wrapped his arms around him all night long, watching as Jillian's breathing even out and a small smile pursed upon his lips. Lu Yizhou slowly closed his eyes alongside him and whispered his own prayer, I wish you victory. 

In that exact moment, a flash of blue light radiated from the tent, so brief that nobody noticed it. 

The next day, when the sky was still dotted with streaks of purple and blue, thousands of soldiers had lined up along the border, clad in gleaming steel armor and swords, their expressions determined as they set their eyes far in the distance where the barbarians troops had been waiting. 

Jillian held onto the horse rein on the very front, the doll Regius was safe within the cocoon of his armor. He pointed his sword forward and under the thickening tension and snowflakes floating in the air, hollered loudly. "CHARGE!!!"

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