22. It Is Over...

The ride to the small palace was awkwardly silent. After Meng Huo's heart-wrenching statement, Han Xin was lost for words and Meng Huo had already said everything he needed to say.

When they finally arrived at the palace, Meng Huo rushed inside in order not to bother Han Xin more, but only after an incense stick of time, Zhu Lei came into his room and told him that the prince was calling him for dinner.

Meng Huo dragged his reluctant feet to the dinning hall with a growing anxiety. He genuinely thought it was better to avoid Han Xin for a while until the latter would calm down a bit and see the things from Meng Huo's perspective. However, his plan came to nought as Han Xin called him less than two incense sticks of time.

"My prince," Meng Huo greeted Han Xin softly as he stood at the door. He was pretty sure Han Xin just used dinner as an excuse to say something to him, not because he really wanted to eat with him.

"Sit," Han Xin ordered after guzzling down his sixth cup of alcohol. Although he was still under the initial shock of the happenings, he had to talk with Meng Huo about their next move.

Obediently, Meng Huo sat across from Han Xin and the maids filled the table with dishes. Meanwhile Han Xin filled himself another cup, waiting for the maids to leave them alone.

"First of all, I want you to know that I will never lay a finger on you or let anyone hurt you. Therefore, please stop asking about it," Han Xin said reassuringly as he felt so sad for the miserable slave in front of him.

Meng Huo nodded slowly with grateful tears in his eyes while Han Xin refilled his cup. Emptying the cup, the prince continued, "your sister will be here tomorrow morning. She can stay here with us for the time being, we can tell she is your half-sister or cousin."

Meng Huo was agape. How could Han Xin be so nice after everything Meng Huo did? A little hope flickered inside his agitated heart; maybe Han Xin really believed his words and could forgive him one day. As long as Meng Huo could stay by his side, he would devote each day to seek Han Xin's forgiveness and prove to him how much he meant to him.

This thought brightened the blinding darkness in his heart and in order to show his gratitude, he filled Han Xin's cup as he was used to doing. In a daze, Han Xin raised the cup, but before it reached his lips, he put it back onto the table with a strange expression.

With that, Meng Huo's all hopes shattered to pieces alongside his heart.

There were lots of words he wanted to tell Han Xin. He wanted to ask if the prince didn't trust him any... if he didn't believe his actions... if he... didn't love him any... But the words stuck on his throat, refusing to go out. Meng Huo tried to push them down as he couldn't pull them out; he took a deep breath, but it wasn't air what he inhaled... it was thorns, a lot of sharp thorns that were stabbed into his heart and tortured him cruelly, being supported by Han Xin's cold eyes.

Now he understood how unavailing his begging, how useless his crying was... With the confession, he lost Han Xin... completely.

Tears welled to Meng Huo's eyes again, but he fought them back and cracked a painful smile. How stupid he was to think Han Xin would feel the same after learning everything, especially him being a slave. Now he was a nobody in front of a mighty prince.

A worthless being...

As there was no use of words, his shaky hand grabbed Han Xin's untouched cup and guzzled down the liquor in one shot.

"I would never hurt you or anyone willingly," Meng Huo spilled his words painfully and stormed out of the room without giving Han Xin a chance to say anything.

It was over.