684: Lies And Deception

Lies And Deception

Lu Yizhou held his breath. Nervousness and anticipation began to build in his heart, almost turning his palm damp with sweat. He knew exactly why he was so anxious to hear Zeke's answer. Because all this time, the only reason he had not confessed that he was the very person who had overthrown the monarchy by killing every single person in the royal family, was exactly because he was afraid of Zeke's reaction. But if… if Zeke had already known everything, then what did he keep hiding this matter for?!2

Seconds ticked by as Zeke mulled over the question. Lu Yizhou could see the obvious hesitation and struggle in his beautiful eyes. Why? Was it something that was very difficult to talk about? 

That day, Lu Yizhou was certain that he had overturned every crook and cranny of the Imperial Palace, not even leaving a single soul escape unscathed, and he had not seen either his lover or the former Crown Prince anywhere. He just could not figure out how Zeke could say that he was with him that time.

"Tell me." Lu Yizhou gently held his lover's face in his broad palms and pleaded softly. "No matter what the truth is, I want to know… please…"

Zeke peered at him with an unfathomable look, one that was too complex for Lu Yizhou to discern. Then, Lu Yizhou saw hesitation recede from his golden eyes and was replaced with calm resolution. "Okay, I will tell you. But, don't be too surprised…"

Not giving Lu Yizhou any time to react, he gently leaned over until his lips brushed against the shell of the man's ears, then mewled in a tiny and almost coquettish tone,

"...Miw."

***

Zeke grew up to be a child who imitated the emotions of the people around him. Even though he always showed a cheerful and lively demeanor, he actually had no idea what happiness meant. Just like a robot who was stranded in the human world, he strived to make himself look as normal as possible.

Despite being a Crown Prince, he lived in the most desolate area of the Imperial Palace. Almost nobody would pass through his residence, and the number of servants who served him could be counted with two hands, all skillfully trained and tight-lipped. 

So long as he felt the slightest bit of discomfort, even if it was only a mild flu, everyone would fly into panic as if the sky was going to collapse soon. Royal doctors would keep watch over him 24/7, and his Imperial Father would be beside himself with worry, asking them with palpable fear in his tone, "How is it? Nothing is wrong with him, right?"

On the other hand, his Imperial Mother would sit by his bedside and cried herself hoarse, almost washing her handkerchief wet with tears. "Please…" she pleaded softly, yet it was unknown who it was directed to. "Please don't let anything happen…"

He was not actually that sick, it was only his throat that felt a little sore plus his nose was blocked, making him unable to breathe properly. He did not even need royal doctors to examine him. Just taking cold medicine for two or three times, then he would be as fit as a fiddle again. Yet the Imperial Mother acted as if… as if she was already preparing for the worst. If outsiders were to chance upon this scene, then they would have assumed that he was going to drop dead at any moment from how hard she was grieving. Even though Zeke did not understand emotions, he could discern that everyone's reaction… was not quite right.

It was not until he met the boy with the same name and appearance as him that he began to connect everything. That year, he was seven when he found out that… he was only a 'replacement' to the real Crown Prince.

It was not difficult to guess the truth, especially when the Crown Prince was so eager to rub the fact on his face, only short of writing it on his forehead. Every time they met, he would mock him with the same sentence again and again, "Oh, the replacement is finally here. How does it feel to take the place that's supposed to belong to me?"

Zeke was smart. He had spent years analyzing and mimicking others' emotions to know that the hatred and resentment the Crown Prince had for him was genuine. And then, there was also… the lie the Imperial Father had often told him. 

"Don't listen to him," he'd said while patting his head. "He only resents you because he can't be compared to you. Zachary, you are the real heir to my throne." 

In his impression, that was the only time the King had acted fatherly, almost affectionately toward him. Every single time, it was to make him believe in his lies. A very well-crafted lie. 

Zeke had no idea why he was not fooled either. Sometimes, he wondered if it would be better if he were easily misled by the deceits. By then, would he have turned out to be the perfect heir Imperial Father had envisioned? Would he have learned how to be resentful, to hate his so-called 'brother' for occupying the position that was supposed to be his? Would he have… become a little more normal that way?

Alas, such thoughts were fated to remain as delusion. No matter how hard the Imperial Father tried to make him resent the Crown Prince, tried to arouse the competitive spirit in him, he just could not bring himself to do so, even when the other boy held nothing for him but insults and contempt. He only felt… conflicted. He had no idea why the Crown Prince hated him so. Everything he had was real – his name, his parents, his home, his emotions, his relationship with others… so why would he hate Zeke, whose entire life was based on lies and deception?

Growing up, Zeke incessantly felt as if something within him became more and more empty, as if a large black hole had occupied the place where his heart was supposed to be. 

The competition between two Crown Princes had gone stagnant, half because of the real Crown Prince's frail health and the other half was due to Zeke's lack of interest. He really could not care less about the throne. If the Crown Prince wanted it, then he could take it. Alas, such disinterest and apathy could not escape from the King's keen eyes, and it made the man displeased. Very, very displeased.

As such, he sought a way to teach Zeke a lesson he would not forget.

—Try to make him like something, before taking it away from his very eyes.

Perhaps Dr. Feng did not even expect it himself, when the simulator system was still in BETA stage, the King had signed up his own son to become the guinea pigs under secret identity. 

At that time, the system had not become as sophisticated and mature as it was now. There would be error once in a while and the people who BETA'ed for it would experience brain failure, convulsion and even death. But fortunately, Zeke was always able to emerge unscathed. He fleeted back and forth between reality and simulation and experienced every type of farewell there was in the world, yet his emotions remained unperturbed just like the surface of a century-years-old freezing lake. 

During the royal assassination three years ago, it was a total coincidence that Zeke was in a place far from the Imperial Palace, undergoing another 'lesson' prepared by the King. And then… his luck finally ran out and a mishap occurred midway. 

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