When Heaven Hesitates
Dawn crept over Bunei Garden, pale and cold.
The bodies of assassins lay scattered among shattered stone and trampled flowers. Imperial soldiers stood in tight formation, weapons lowered but ready, their eyes filled with unease. None of them spoke. None of them dared.
At the center of the garden, Prince Xae Rin knelt on the bloodstained ground, his cloak discarded, his hands stained red as he pressed them against Xiao Xing's wound.
"Stay awake," Xae Rin said firmly, though his voice trembled. "You will not die here."
Xiao Xing's lips curled faintly.
"…You speak like someone used to giving orders."
"I am," Xae Rin replied.
Bai Li knelt beside them, his expression grim. He tore strips from his own sleeve and bound the wound tightly.
"The blade missed the vital organs," Bai Li said. "But he has lost too much blood."
Xae Rin looked up sharply.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"For Heaven," Bai Li answered quietly.
The words unsettled him.
The Emperor's Arrival
The sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence.
The Emperor and Empress entered the garden, surrounded by guards. When the Empress saw the wounded youth cradled in her son's arms, she froze.
Her eyes fell upon his face.
So similar.
So painfully familiar.
Her knees buckled.
"Your Majesty," she whispered, clutching the Emperor's arm. "That child…"
The Emperor's gaze locked onto Xiao Xing.
The scar at the base of the boy's neck was unmistakable.
He said nothing.
But his hands shook.
Xae Rin rose slowly and bowed.
"Father," he said, his voice controlled. "This man saved my life."
The Emperor swallowed hard.
"I know," he said. "Because he is your brother."
The Empress covered her mouth, a broken sob escaping her.
"My child…" she whispered, stepping forward.
Xiao Xing stirred.
"…You look… like her," he murmured weakly.
The Empress fell to her knees.
Judgment Deferred
The Magistrate Commander stepped forward.
"Your Majesty," he said quietly, "the High Priestess has fled. Several of her assassins were captured."
The Emperor closed his eyes.
"Nae Yi will not be executed," he said at last.
Shock rippled through the ranks.
"She acted in the name of Heaven," the Emperor continued. "To strike her now would fracture the realm."
Xae Rin clenched his fists.
"Then justice means nothing?" he asked sharply.
The Emperor met his gaze.
"Justice without stability is chaos," he replied. "And chaos kills nations."
Xiao Xing laughed weakly.
"…You sound like him," he said.
Xae Rin turned.
"Like who?"
"…An emperor."
A Dangerous Decision
Later that morning, Xiao Xing was moved to a secluded chamber within the palace.
Physicians worked in silence. Bai Li remained at the door, unmoving.
When the room finally cleared, the Emperor entered alone.
He stood before the bed for a long moment.
"You were not meant to return," the Emperor said quietly.
Xiao Xing opened his eyes.
"Neither were you meant to abandon me," he replied.
The words struck harder than any blade.
The Emperor bowed his head.
"I failed you."
Silence stretched between them.
At last, the Emperor straightened.
"You cannot remain here," he said. "The court would tear itself apart."
Xiao Xing smiled faintly.
"So I disappear again."
"Yes."
"But this time," the Emperor continued, "you will not be alone."
Brothers Apart
That night, beneath a sky heavy with clouds, Xae Rin met Xiao Xing in secret.
They stood facing one another, uncertain.
"You saved me," Xae Rin said. "I owe you my life."
"You don't owe me anything," Xiao Xing replied. "Blood already paid that debt."
Xae Rin hesitated.
"If the prophecy is true," he said, "then only one of us survives."
Xiao Xing's eyes hardened.
"Then we change Heaven."
They clasped forearms — not as princes, but as equals.
From the shadows, Bai Li watched, knowing this was only the beginning.
Closing Omen
Far from the palace, Nae Yi stood before a burning altar.
"Heaven hesitated," she whispered.
"But Heaven never forgets."
She raised her dagger to the flames.
"Only one will stand when the sky finally chooses."
Thunder rolled.
And in Cheng, two brothers walked separate paths —
each carrying the weight of Heaven's doubt.