46 Treasured Love

'Love you'

The words resonated within her being. She was familiar yet estranged to such words.

She missed them?

No, she craved for them. She always did.

She bit her lips to prevent from anyone seeing them tremble but as she spoke, she couldn't prevent her shaky voice from revealing it.

It was a whisper, so soothing and almost imperceptible but still heart wrenching and present.

"W- why…."

One word was all it took for her to break down into suffocating gasps.

Her small sobs resonated in the air as she fell to her knees and as her defenses slowly shook.

She trusted them but never fully. Her heart couldn't bear to because betrayal seemed to always follow.

'Thump'

The sound of her knees hitting the floor put the little Fan Ming out of his shock.

His stiff body finally regained its senses as he rushed to her side.

The world lacked in comparison to her beauty.

Now, seeing her I tears, an indescribable rush of anger exploded within him. He wanted to destroy the people that caused her insecurity, her sadness, her trauma, and her tears even if he had to flip the whole world upside down and even if he had to sacrifice his life for her again.

[Again?]

The thought was as confusing and peculiar as his irrational feelings were. They hadn't known each other for long but he already felt the need to protect her tender heart. He felt the need to become possessive of her and ensure her happiness.

He threw all rational thoughts out of his mind and blasted to her side.

Each tear that fell down her beautiful face tore his heart to pieces in a continuous cycle.

He clasped her arm and slowly patted her back.

Her eyes focused on the rope with a blank look. He caressed her face and made her face him.

"Sister, why do you cry?

My heart aches in pain seeing your tears.

I know I'm still young but I'm not stupid like my twin sister."

His eyes stared deeply into hers.

Those eyes that were always tinged with sadness but always shone brightly like stars were dim and hollow, devoid of much emotion other than helplessness.

"I love you because I do. I wish for your happiness because I love you. I have no reason to love when it comes to you. Time proves loyalty and they proved their love to you. Can't you see their love is true and so is mine?

I won't fall behind since you've known me all my life."

That was all it took.

He kissed her cheek and the last bit of defense she had crumbled away.

-Fan Daiyu-

He was right.

I wanted to grow strong for my parents. I wanted to make them proud. I wanted to give them the world but one didn't want it and the other was taken by death.

One took me as an obstacle while the other disappeared.

One hated while the other loved.

For the one that loved I decided to make her proud. I would spread her name with mine. I would return the results of her love.

That was all I wanted but I was caught up in the past.

It was always so simple but I could never see through it.

I blinded myself with the concept of protecting those I loved but that only deviated me from my true goal.

I wanted to love. I wanted to be loved. I wanted to return the love that was given.

My mother love too much. She loved me until the end.

How could I return all that love?

All I could do was fulfill her last wish.

All I could do was grow strong so that I wouldn't break again.

But I still did.

….

"I see… It was entirely my fault… I blinded myself…but… it won't happen again.

You will all grow strong to protect yourselves so that I won't have to protect you. You will all be by my side to repay the woman that took us in. You will all be my most trusted because my walls have broken and you guys have stormed in. Soon they will return but you will still be there.

I want to spread her name and bring her glory.

Afterwards, I want us to disappear leaving behind the life of hardship.

I want us to have peace.

I want us to live well.

I want us to have happiness.

I trust you all."

A deeper unfamiliar voice rang through the room.

"And we trust you."

They all looked up to see bright golden eyes that looked as if they were made of the finest liquid gold. They were full of warmth and love towards the kneeling girl.

Slowly he walked to her and lifted her up. He sat her down on the bed and cleaned her knees gently.

The necklace hidden within her robes glowed red and vibrated for a few seconds before silently placating over her chest.

Hearing the response, a small smile emerged on Long Wei's face as his eyes glinted with possessiveness.

This time he wasn't going to let her get away. Before death, she had revealed her love to him now he wouldn't give up so easily anymore.

....

Fan Daiyu could feel a change in him. It wasn't only his eyes and voice that had changed but there was something about him that she couldn't figure out.

For a moment, she mistakenly thought he was shining. However, it must have been his sudden appearance along with the light reflected behind him.

She shook her head before settling her heart.

The feelings that had rushed into her slowly disappeared as his soothing voice echoed.

She looked at them, engraving them into her heart and strengthening her determination.

She wouldn't be blinded again.

She wouldn't be like this ever again.

She trusted them.

Slowly she stood up but immediately gave a cry as she clutched her head.

The pounding pain came so suddenly that she fell to the ground as her body curled up.

She could see them rushing to her and through her pain she still smiled.

She was happy she had them.

Warm arms embraced her ad she finally closed her eyes feeling secure. She knew this was a problem she had to face herself but the warmth of this embrace gave her more strength. The sight of Long Wei blurred illustrating his worry and panic.

The world faded and everything became dark.

She felt the cool table underneath her and the ropes biding her arms and legs.

At that moment, she understood that this was the most painful moment that she had actually lived before losing her memory and being tossed into the streets.

This was her true life.

The one she had actually lived.

Not the first one which she felt she didn't live but her second.

It was the life she considered hers.

It was her nightmare.