Lin Cheng tried to make the best of a bad situation, finding comfort in thinking, "Luckily back then the king thought I was too young and was worried I would turn out crooked, so he didn't write marrying Karina and inheriting the throne into the agreement in black and white. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to refuse even if I wanted to today."
Then he sighed and looked down at the cat in his arms, using it as an excuse to hide his bitterness as he said softly, "Too bad I still have to get married."
Lin Guli said, "Come with uncle. Uncle will take you away from here. We can leave everything behind and not worry about anything else."
His eyes were filled with uncompromising determination. "Last time uncle was selfish and useless, but this time no matter what I have to take you with me. I can't abandon you again."
Lin Cheng said, "We can abandon everything, but we can't just ignore this. If the royal family really falls into the hands of a bunch of assassins, what will happen to C Country?"
"No matter how unworthy the royal family is, they never mistreated us. If we didn't know then that would be one thing, but now that we know, how can we just stand by and watch them die without lifting a finger to help? It's not that I feel sorry for them, I just can't bear to do nothing."
Lin Guli asked him, "Are you willing to marry Karina?"
Lin Cheng said, "I'm not willing at all. I'm extremely unwilling. But someone has to break this stalemate, so I'll take it one step at a time."
Then he smiled, "Just like little Yin said, they're assassins, so who knows how things will turn out in the end. Maybe I'll get really lucky."
Lin Cheng stood up. "This is my own decision, just like when I originally signed that agreement. Whether I signed it or not, I would regret it. And it's the same now. No matter what I choose, I'll regret it in the end. There are no perfect happily-ever-afters in life."
"I just hope the ending can be a little closer to what I wish for."
In the dim lights, Lin Cheng's figure was elongated as he slowly walked down the long silent corridor holding the white cat, barely making a sound.
He had already walked down every one of these ancient castle's corridors countless times, from ignorant youth to mature adulthood. Neither he nor this castle had changed over the years.
Just like when he was young, he was still alone now.
It seemed he had long become one with the castle, with only his soul still free. But now even that freedom was gone.
When he was little he was fearless and carefree, and choices were so much easier.
But now he clearly understood the consequences of his choices, and the pain was that even though he had options, he really had no choice.
It seemed he really would be staying here for the rest of his life.
The next day,
Lin Cheng still couldn't escape the fate of selling himself.
Qin Hanyue asked, "Has the Duke made up his mind?"
Lin Cheng pulled up the corners of his lips in a half-dead, hopeless manner. "As the saying goes, if I don't go to hell, who will?"
Stroking Fourth Master's dog head, Qiao Ying looked at him.
Lin Cheng resentfully said, "It's better than constantly guarding against you guys pushing me into the fire. I might as well jump in myself."
"I have to say, now that I've nailed myself to the board, I actually feel more at ease." Lin Cheng lightly shook his head. Even with an appearance of going to his death, he was still dignified and elegant. "Meeting you two, I really don't know if I'm fortunate or unfortunate."
Qin Hanyue felt a little bad for him, conscience slightly guilty, and comforted, "It won't necessarily be a road to ruin."
Lin Cheng said, "If it's ghosts lighting the way, let me walk into darkness. I only hope it's the villains who die."
He didn't wish for Karina to die, no matter how much he disliked her.
What Qiao Ying said last night, about Karina dying as cannon fodder so he wouldn't have to marry her, he'd pass on that.
Just then the old butler appeared. "Your Grace, envoys have arrived from the king. Please go to the palace."
Lin Cheng said, "Impatient, aren't they? Tell them I'm not feeling well and will come by this afternoon."
After the butler left to pass on the message, Lin Cheng said, "Suffering betrayal in both love and friendship at the same time, there's nothing more tragic than this in the world. I've got to make it look real." He asked the two masterminds behind it all, "Right?"
"I'm sure the royal family sees me as a hairy, green turtle now?" Just thinking about it, Lin Cheng didn't want to go out. "I just hope when I see them this afternoon, they can control themselves and not laugh in my face."
Qin Hanyue said, "There are things more tragic than this. At least yours is fake. Some people really go through it."
Lin Cheng said, "Alright, that kind of comfort is worse than no comfort at all."
Qin Hanyue said to Qiao Ying, "Let's prepare to go back home."
Qiao Ying said, "Okay."
Qin Hanyue said, "Then the rest is up to you, Duke. Good luck."
Lin Cheng shook his head. Facing life and death, he was indifferent. "There won't be any good luck."
Qiao Ying, who had been silent, spoke up, "Don't worry. Even if only for Fourth Master's sake, we won't let you suffer miserably. Running into us can only be blessings you don't deserve."
At the hospital,
Hearing that Qin Hanyue and Qiao Ying had returned to Hua Country, Lafeier immediately sat up straight. "They went back to Hua Country? Are you sure?"
Seeing his father's overreaction, Lai En said, "Absolutely sure. Kala discovered Qin Hanyue and Qiao Ying's 'affair' and exposed it, so naturally Lin Cheng can't keep up the act."
Lafeier was surprised. Could it be they really just came to act out a play with Lin Cheng?
Lai En said, "I just got news that Lin Cheng is on the way to see the king. Now he has no reason to keep refusing. What if he agrees to marry Karina and inherit the throne?"
Lai En said, "This Kala is really troublesome. I've been dragging my injured leg the past couple days to visit Karina, constantly trying to improve relations with the royal family. Not only did I get many cold looks, now it was all for nothing."
Lafeier said, "None of that matters. As long as she left, everything else is not to be feared."
Lai En didn't understand. "Hmm? Who is Father talking about?"
Lafeier said, "Have people keep close watch on the palace. I want to know Lin Cheng's decision the moment it's made."
After thinking for a bit he added, "Also send two skilled men to keep an eye on Qiao Ying, but remember, don't get too close to avoid her noticing. Notify me immediately if she comes back."
Lai En was confused. "She already left. She's not Lin Cheng's real girlfriend and won't come back to entangle with him. Why keep watch on her?"
Lafeier said, "She won't come back to entangle with Lin Cheng, but she's very likely to return to help him."
Lai En said, "With just her? Even if Qin Hanyue wanted to help, this is royal family business. How could an outsider interfere?"
Lafeier had a profound, distant look in his eyes. "She's much more formidable than Qin Hanyue."
Lai En looked at his father curiously. "Does Father know her? I heard she's no ordinary student."
What ordinary student dares to casually kill, even killing royal guards while outnumbered?
But Lafeier said, "I don't know if I know her or not."
Lai En was even more confused and asked, "Should I look into her background?"
Lafeier coldly snorted, "Look into her background? You mean look into her affairs at school and in Hua Country, or look into what she does in secret?"
Lai En said, "Of course both."
Lafeier said, "I'm afraid as soon as you make a move, she'll have a gun pressed to your forehead already."
Lai En was even more curious. "Just who is she?"
Lafeier said, "Don't be so curious about her. Right now the most important thing is Lin Cheng's choice. If he dares agree, don't blame me for being ruthless."
