Chapter 168 - Old Relief (2/2)

Lei Xing's gaze softened and without thinking, she gently laid her hand on the hand on her face and softly asked, ”Are you alright?”

”En” The Emperor lightly responded.

{...You don't seem okay...}

But Lei Xing kept that thought to herself and just stood there, not knowing what more to say or do. With her fingers subconsciously gently stroking his hand, in an effort to soothe.

They stood there like that for a while until the Emperor finally opened eyes to see Lei Xing's eyes gently looking up at him. He smiled, kissed her forehead and then stood upright, softly caressed her cheek and said, ”I'm sorry.”

Lei Xing pursed her lips and then said, ”It's fine.” She studied the Emperor's face and he seemed more like himself now, smiling and calm. Except for those bruises and cuts, Lei Xing knit her brows. Then she grabbed his hand on her face, brought it down and held it as she carefully asked, ”Did you brawl with your brother?”

The Emperor's smile faltered but he maintained it as he offhandedly responded, ”A little.”

Lei Xing frowned and irritatedly asked, ”And you let him do that to your face?” She found that she really expected better from the Emperor and apparently underestimated Prince Yi.

{...He better be on that stretcher. Bed bound for fifty years!... Okay, maybe not fifty years, but at least a month...And maybe a scar or two or three, on the face -_-)...}

The Emperor lightly shrugged but did not respond.

Lei Xing brought up her other hand and lightly touched his bruised cheek with a finger and winced as if she were the one in pain. The Emperor quickly caught her hand, kissed it and then brought it down, squeezing it tightly to reassure her as he said, ”It's nothing.”

Lei Xing searched his face for a bit, despite the fact that he was smiling, she still felt that he was odd. She inwardly sighed and then said, ”I'll send for an Imperial doctor.”

”There's no need.”

Lei Xing frowned and informed, ”No, head injuries can be very serious even when they seem like nothing. You could have a concussion or maybe not but there could be internal bleeding or something. Anyway, you have to get checked.” She finished narrowing her eyes at him.

The Emepror's smile widened for a brief moment before it diminished and he said, ”Later.” said in a weary voice.

Although he was still smiling at her, Lei Xing felt that he still did not seem himself. It was odd, but she also felt as if he were looking through her and not at her. She looked down at their hands with a pout and then decided to leave the topic alone for now.

{...Was it the fight?... They already didn't seem to be on the best of terms...I wonder if... *sigh* This sucks...}

Again, they stood there holding hands and unmoving for a while. Finally, at her wit's end, Lei Xing took a deep breath and said, ”Let's sit.” Then she proceeded to pull him to the low seats in the corner. She sat him down and then asked, ”How about some water? Or tea...anything?” The Emperor simply shook his head in response.

Lei Xing stood there scrutinizing him for a bit, then she let out a sigh and sat down next to him. Opting for the elevated board where the seats were constructed on rather than the seat on the other side of the table. She glanced at the Emperor and he was no longer looking at her or smiling. He was looking down at his hands with a frown on his face, and he seemed to be in a far off place.

Lei Xing sighed as she drew up her knees and rested her head on it. He was clearly troubled but he did not seem inclined to share and nor did she feel she had the right to ask. So she just stayed there next to him... It was the least she could do and it was all she could do.

{...It seems today has really been a long day for a lot of people...}