Chapter Text
"Your Majesty! In order to keep your position under your thumb you must need a powerful family to back you up!" A minister said through the echoes of whispers inside the hall where they held their daily, morning meetings on. The man who was sitting on the throne had a displeased look as such a matter was uttered in this palace he so called his.
"I understand you all, truly my worried ministers; but I am on no rush for my marriage." The king said and ended their forum.
He was pissed at such a minister for even bringing that subject up as early as being king for a week. "I think I do need sometime for myself, am I right? Liu Gong."
"Indeed, you must not rush as it is important. But I believe that his Majesty will understand the ministers soon. And hopefully, you are able to find such a person to marry before they can force marriage upon you." His most trusted servant said. He hummed as he agreed, taking note that he'll be forced soon. So he rushes back to his palace and writes a letter to his one true love, Shi Mingjing.
A few days pass and he received a letter, contaning;
To My Dearest King,
I apologize for writing a little late than usual, I know that you are busy. But My King, I am to be sent to another kingdom to be educated more on my family's business. I am tasked to learn medicine from the greatest of healers out there. It will take time before I can go back and be with you, will you... wait for me till then? My King? But before I leave, will My King meet me in the place we called ours by night? Please meet me for I'll miss you, throughout all my nights.
Sincerely Yours,
Shi Mingjing.
The king was in heartbreak that his secret lover will go on with life without him by his side, but he understands that it is not their time yet. But unfortunately, he must put a stop to the requests of ministers and agree to marry one, but the condition, "Let it be a Man."
The ministers were in audible shock but was happy that his Majesty agreed himself to such a long-term request. They soon tried to find a man perfect for his Majesty. But the feat, they need to be as powerful as they are beautiful.
A man of his word, he slipped out of the royal palace to go to a big haitang tree just a little outside of the main city. He called this place his, as he vaguely remembers that during the massacre of his family, he was saved by a man in white, the man gave him his warm and white coat that smelled of haitang. He felt as if he's relaxed beside such a tree because he was always reminded of his hero, the one who saved him and promised him. "I shall be in your disposal soon, Your Majesty."
He was only a child back then, not fully knowing what it meant. But he felt like he, was Shi Mingjing, the hero he wanted to meet again, resembles that of Shi Mingjing.
He walks towards the tree as he sees no other than Shi Mingjing. "...Shi Mei, I'm here." He said, voicing a tone of sadness. "A-Ra-, My King. I am in great joy thst you came." He smiled the way he always did. He then pats the seat beside him, naturally; the king sits there immediately. But this time, it felt like he didn't want to.
"Shi Mei, come here. Let's walk while we talk." The shorter man then clinged into Mo Ran's arm, like the loving couple they are. Shi Mingjing was clinging lovingly while Mo Ran was staring at his lover's beautiful figure.
"Shi Mei, when will you leave?" The King asks. "Tomorrow. My family wants me to go there as quick as a lightning. But I don't want to abandon you."
"You are not abandoning me." The King protests. "You shall go in your own path, learn and get what you are tasked to. And once you're back, we can have the marriage that we've always thought of." Mo Ran adds as he wraps his arms around Shi Mei's waist and pulls their bodies closer together, initiating a kiss that would soon be their last. Shi Mingjing kisses back as his arms snakes around Mo Ran's neck.
The kiss was full of passion and love, Mo Ran then pulled away, "Can we... Push into something more rather than just hugs and kisses, Shi Mei?" The man in his arms gave his permission through a nod and they kissed again, this time with more love than they can give, tongues circling and exploring each other's as they both knew they'll miss the other with such distance.
The rising sun hit their faces as they kiss for the last time. The pain of distance slowly creeping up to Mo Ran to fully chew on his heart later on. "I have to go.." Shi Mingjing pulls away, "Alright then, take care, Shi Mei." Mo Ran then gave him a warm smile, showing his dimples and slowly opening his eyes; the sun's rays gave his face a boost and he looked like a god who has descended for love.