'Love'

"It does make a huge difference. If anyone did as little as to only even think of harming him, they will be facing me first. That goes for you and Father as well, Brother."

"Look Yibo, I'm not your enemy. You don't have to fight me-"

"Or so did I thought. Do you still remember the promise brother?"

"Promise? What pro-"

Hai Kuan gulped anxiously and looked down as he remembered the 'promise'

"Promise me you'll always choose him over me even if it meant that I will be facing severe consequences... You promised brother. That day you broke it by choosing to protect me. You knew what Wen Chao intended to do. He was never going to bring Zhan here... Yet!.... Yet! You allowed all this to happen! He suffered because of you! If only you weren't my brother-"

"Yibo!!"

"Not today Brother! Not to-"

"Yibo..."

Yibo recognised that voice but he didn't want this person here right now.

"Princess Yanli? How did you-"

"I called her."

Yibo looked up at his brother with a raging look that was mixed with disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Yibo. You know it better than anyone else here! You grow selfish to protect the people you love! I can't let you die-"

"You...ARE KILLING ME!!!"

Everyone in the room were still as if someone paused the time. The young Prince was boiling in rage as he glared at his beloved brother.

"Why don't you see it!! By letting HIM die you are actually killing ME!! Why don't you see it! Why! I can't.. I-I.. No.. No! I don't want to live without him!! Why don't you understand!! I can't imagine going back to that life. It hurts to even think about it! I don't. I don't wanna- no.. Arghhh!"

There was no stopping Wang Yibo as he smacked the vase on the table. The sound of the vase hitting the ground and shattering was so in sync with everyone flinching and stepping away from Yibo. Everyone was affected by his actions in one way or another except for the human who slept through all this with ease. It was as if someone had pulled out his plug to let him finally have all the pending rest.

"I'm telling you brother! I will not hesitate to burn down not only this Palace but the whole world if something happens to him! You are No exception to me, if you are also gonna hurt him. Intentional or not!"

Yibo looked terrifying as he finished his little warning. His piercing gaze still resting on his brother but Hai Kuan could not find any doubt or waver in his brother's statement. Now, Hai Kuan knew that the end of this was gonna get nasty. Nastier than the history has ever witnessed.

Yibo was jerked around as Yanli grabbed him by his collar and shook him with horror stricken eyes.

"What's wrong with you!? How are you talking to Kuan! Yi-Yibo.. My little brother-"

Yibo hesitated but shook off her hands and stepped away leaving Yanli in shock as she looked at her empty hands with hurt washing over her features.

"Yibo?"

Yibo looked at her with skeptical eyes and shook his head rejecting her approaching figure.

"You will do the same. You will also do what Father and Brother did. I won't let this happen again. I won't let anyone hurt him anymore."

"Prince Yibo I think you should calm do-" Alex said getting anxious as he sensed the tension between the siblings but was instantly cut off by Yibo.

"Out."

"Yibo listen-"

"OUT! GET OUT RIGHT NOW! ALL OF YOU! GET OUT OF HERE!"

Hai Kuan walked past him and grabbed Yanli by her arm.

"Kuan? B-but he.. He!? What's happening here! Will anyone tell me!?"

"First let's go. I'll tell you everything."

Alex was quick to leave the room not wanting to stay with the young royal who was emitting a not so positive aura.

Yibo staggered a little before holding the nearby pillar to save himself from falling. He shook his head violently as his vision kept getting blury. His hand automatically went to his chest as he grunted in pain. He let out a yelp before falling to his knees and coughing. He immediately covered his mouth to muffle any sound but was horrified as he removed his hand. His hand was covered in blood and he could feel something twisting inside him. It felt so ridiculously painful as if someone was turning a metal spatula inside his body squishing and churning his organs. He wanted to vomit out his organs. It was so painful he wanted to spit out his organs. He clenched his blooded hand into a fist as his gaze moved to Xiao Zhan. His face shimmered in the sunlight seeping through the slit in the curtains of the big windows. His features were highlighted because of the faint light and he looked ethereal. Yibo silently laughed at himself for having the power and guts to admire the human amidst his deteriorating condition.

"You said I'm so pretty that you don't wanna leave me?.. Tch you are so beautiful that I don't want you to leave so soon even if that means I don't get to stay."

He pulled himself up with a bitter and painful expression and stammered towards the bed. He didn't get the chance to get on the bed and his legs gave up on him. He once again fell on his knees right beside the bed. He smiled as his eyes were parallel to Xiao Zhan's sleeping face. More to add in his happiness the human completely turned to him still in very much unconsciousness.

"Does it make sense that this world no longer makes sense to me if you are no longer a part of it?"

He tilted his head as if expecting an answer.

"You want me to live because I have people who care about me?.... What about me? Do you think I want to live? Have you wondered why I wasn't a part of this place to begin with? Why was I living in the human's world amongst your kind? Because I've seen, I've known.... That I don't belong here. I don't belong anywhere. There's always this anxiousness and something...something horrible trailing behind me....wherever I go but...but once I met you it disappeared. That horrible feeling was no longer there."

Yibo gently held Xiao Zhan's hand and placed a soft peck on the back of it. He squished his cheeks against Xiao Zhan's palm and continued rubbing small circles around his wrist where he could feel the blood flowing through his vein emphasising the life of the human.

"I didn't mean to hurt you by saying all those things when we first met and when you kept showing up around me. I was just so...so scared. I was afraid of falling for you. Oh how stupid was I. I had already fallen for you, I just refused to admit to it. Why am I so stupid? I couldn't protect you again and again... But the guilt that I feel now is so big that it is consuming me alive. My own family, my own people, my own blood wants to hurt you. They want you to disappear from my life. That very life you've given meaning to."

"I find it amusing that you want me to live for others. You think you don't have anyone to stay back for so you can easily give up on life? What if I say I have no one to stay back for except you?"

"You want me to live for others and I want you to live for yourself. You have to see your worth. Know how important and meaningful your life is and how many people are attached to it."

"You and I both found the meaning of life in each other but without you this life of mine.... It.. It will become meaningless just like before. With you the meaning of my life will stay forever. Its not the same for me. That's the only difference we have. You have a beautiful soul that can be redeemed unlike me. It won't be fair if I snatch that chance from you."

"I-"

"Haa"

Yibo's eyes widened as Zhan sighed loudly before sitting with an annoyed expression. He turned to the shocked and confused young Prince and glared at him.

"You- you? Y-you-"

"What you you? What?"

"You? How long-"

"Does that fucking matter?"

"It- why are you coming down? Stay in bed, you need res- what are you doing!?"

A panicked Yibo said as he moved back from the advancing human who was looking at him as if he was something he could eat. Zhan continued moving towards him leaving no space between them as they were huddled against the corner right beside the bedside table. Yibo pressed himself against the wall in an attempt to break the wall and escape to the other room but failed as Zhan held him in place by his shoulders.

"Don't you dare! Don't you fucking run away from me!"

"I was not-"

"Shut up! Everyone is scared of you huh? Well that's not the case with me Mr. Wang Yibo. You better fucking listen carefully because I'm gonna say this once."

Yibo simply nodded seeing such a drastic change in the human's temper and stance. He was really resembling a kitten cornered against the wall.

"Prince or not, I don't fucking care. Human or vampire, I don't fucking care. Living or dying. I. Don't. Fucking. Care. Promise me you won't do anything stupid for me. You have nothing to be guilty of! Stop blaming yourself for everything! You did not choose this, ok?"

"Ok"

"Listen Yibo I don't blame you. I've never blamed you for anything. And I will never blame you for anything-"

"Wait! Wait! Wait! From where is that coming? Huh?"

Yibo said suddenly pushing him away and glaring at him.

"Uhh.."

"tch! The way you said it... It sounds like you are the one planning on doing something stupid for me? Are we even being honest here?"

"L-Listen-"

"No. I respectfully deny your request. I won't listen to your bullshit. You know it very well how to use your words and eyes to convince me... So no. Not this time."

"At least let me fini-"

"No.. Nope.. Nah. Negative. Not listening. Blah blah.."

"Stop acting like a child!!"

"One of us has to when the other one is being a dumbass. No?"

"Are you calling me a dumbass?"

"You're the one who called me a child first. It's fair"

"Fair my ass! Ughh! Nevermind we're gonna end up with another unending arguments."

"Because you never listen!"

"Same goes for your arrogant royal ass" Zhan said through gritted teeth.

"I-"

Yibo was about to continue the argument but stopped as he felt a sting of pain squeezing his chest. His hand automatically went to hold his heart and he soon started wheezing as no air was passing through his lungs.

"Yi-Yibo? Yibo?"

His vision was getting blurry and he couldn't raise his hand to hold onto Xiao Zhan's anxious figure no matter how hard he tried.

"L-lex.. A-Alex.." Zhan wanted to scream but it came out as a whisper. He felt like he was experiencing the same pain the younger was going through but he had to keep it together.

"Al....ha...Guards!! Someone help! Please!! Anyone!!"

The door was pushed open and a gaurd barged into the room in a panic.

"Prince!"

As the gaurd tried to approach him Yibo instinctively grabbed Xiao Zhan's hand and bared his teeth defensively at the gaurd.

"G-get Alex! Go!"

The gaurd was quick on his feet. Zhan grunted in pain as Yibo squeezed his hand harshly. Zhan gulped as he noticed that whenever Yibo went into such a condition he'd grow overprotective of him. He won't let go of him. Won't let anyone near him. Can and will hurt anyone who approaches them not caring about the intentions at all. Will even kill if needed. So when Alex entered the room and walked over to the two in a hurry, Zhan quickly stopped him.

"Stop, He'll hurt you."

"What? What are you-"

"He's not in his senses! He will hurt you. Don't come here"

"How will I help him!"

"Uh er.. Tell... Tell me what to do."

"What you- um ok.. I need you to calm him down first. He's panicking more than needed. He's fine. He's just scared. Tell him.. Tell him that it is fine."

Zhan nervously turned to Yibo who was glaring at Alex.

"Um.. Uh.. Yibo listen to me... Hey... It's fine. Y-you are f-"

"For fuck sake! You are no better than him! How the fuck are you gonna calm him down when you yourself are a mess!"

"Zhswakshk Don't yell at me, he's gonna strangle you with how he's looking at you."

"Fuck he's scary-"

"Yibo!" "Yibo!!"

'Shit! Shit! SHIT! DON'T COME HERE!!' Zhan mentally screamed as the concerned voices barged into the room. It was the Royals in full panic mode seeing their youngest who immediately pulled Zhan closer seeing more people approaching. Once all of them were in view Zhan couldn't help feel embarrassed by their position and with the looks he got from the Royal Family especially Yibo's elder sister Yanli who was glaring at him as if she wants to chew his bones and burry him alive.

"You! What did you to my brother!!"

Yanli said anxiously and was about to step forward only to be stopped by both the royal aid and Xiao Zhan's loud scream.

"STOP!!!"

Yibo glared at his father and brother and gritted his teeth. It felt like he wanted to kill them. He was about to get up and attack his own family but Xiao Zhan held him back.

"OYE! Don't! They are family!!"

It was fair to say Xiao Zhan was having a very hard time holding him back. With how much force he was using to hold the vampire back a normal human would have broken a few bones. His arms were tightly wrapped around the vampire's torso and his face was squished against his back.

"Don't hurt them! Don't hurt them! Please! Please!"

"Emperor Wang I think you all should leave."

Alex said looking down and sighing as he counted how many offenses he had made in a single day. He was sure to get beheaded if any of the Royals get angry.

"How dare you-"

"No offence but like... Get the fuck out of here! My limbs are falling apart holding him back!"

'That was a total offence but sure' Alex thought to himself as he partially hid behind Hai Kuan. The amount of rage and hostility Yibo was showing against literally everyone scared the living lights out of him.

As if on cue Lucifer entered the room.

"Looks like I chose the wrong time to pay a visit."

"Lucifer?"

The way Yibo turned to Zhan and glared at him startled the human to the extent he loosened his grip on the vampire who immediately sprinted in an attacking stance towards the people in the room. Zhan's expression went from shocked to scared to terrified as he witnessed the scene unfold. Lucifer restrained Yibo whose hand was covered in a dark and thick blood. But the thing that shocked everyone was that Yibo did not attack Lucifer at all. He was hostile towards him but he didn't hurt him. Instead he went for the throats of his own brother and father. He was only successful in hurting Hai Kuan near the shoulder whereas Wang Jian Hao effortlessly dodged his attack. Hai Kuan was shocked as he stared at his brother while holding onto his injured shoulder.

Zhan's eyes wavered as Lucifer raised his hand to potentially harm Yibo in order to stop him from his little fit of madness.

"Don't hurt him Lucifer!"

Yibo broke out of Lucifer's hold and walked over to Xiao Zhan who looked at him in a daze not knowing what to do. He visibly flinched as Yibo crouched down and engulfed him in a bone-crushing embrace... Quite literally bone-crushing.

"Mine." The younger said firmly.

"Argh! Y-yeah! Yours! Yours!" He said almost immediately not wanting his bones to turn into dust because of how lovely the embrace was. "Now look at me.. Yibo look at me!"

Yibo moved back and his gaze softened as if he walked out of a trance.

"You're ok, Love. I'm right here. Your Zhan is right here hmm."

"Em."

Yibo took a deep breath and closed his eyes before putting his head on Xiao Zhan's shoulder and wrapping his arms around his waist. He was like a baby bear who refused to let go of Xiao Zhan no matter what.

"A little help please?"

"Um no we don't want to be shredded." Alex said backing away.

"Damn that was terrifying"

"Come on? If it was terrible for you we should probably die of heart attacks because of how hostile he was towards everyone except you."

The situation was kinda weird right now. Zhan was coddling Yibo in his embrace like a child having no other way around since the younger refused to even move. The whole Royal Family was still standing in shock. Alex was getting a bit too comfortable as he argued with Zhan and treated Hai Kuan's wound at the same time. Yanli sat down on the bed near the two boys who were huddled near the bed and Emperor Wang stared at Yibo with concern, worry and rage all mixed together.

"He was acting like a lion who was out for blood."

"Seems like you have the leash of this lion." Alex said smirking to himself knowing he triggered the Royal family somehow.

"Alex what's wrong with him?"

Alex turned to Zhan and crouched down after he was done taking care of Hai Kuan's injury.

"In theory and from what I've observed and collected... Our little Prince becomes hostile towards everyone once his condition is triggered. The thing is he is never hostile towards you. I think because of the special bond you two share he recognises you all too well. He does recognise other people as well like his brother and father-"

"That's nonsense! If he recognised us he wouldn't have attacked me-"

"I never said he recognised you as his brother. He indeed recognise you but as a mere threat to his precious Xiao Zhan's life. Both you and your father, no offence by the way, did not leave a good impression about the human on your brother's mind so when he loses his senses and control over his wreck of an emotional state. He only sees you as a threat to Xiao Zhan and he can only see one solution to that. Eliminate both of you."

"..."

"But then again I have nothing to prove it. Um this could be just all in my head and all of it could be nothing but nonsense."

"For a whole lot of nonsense, it makes a lot of sense." Lucifer said with an amused expression seeing how horrified the Royals were. He snickered before walking over to Xiao Zhan who was being strangled by the lion cub. The human was trying his best to collect him in his arms but was failing miserably.

"Let me give you a hand." He said grabbing Yibo by his collar and pulling him away from Xiao Zhan forcefully.

"Be gentle with him."

"Tch He's not a doll."

"Lucifer." The tone was that of a warning one gives to a kid to stop them from any mischief.

Zhan glanced at Yanli who stared at her brother with tearful eyes. Soon after that she stood up and dragged Hai Kuan out of the room. She was most probably crying. When only Alex was left in the room Zhan crumbled down on the floor holding himself trying not to scream. Alex was quick to rush to his side and hold him.

"What was this? He.. I- He's dying? Is he dying!? Tell me!"

"I-...I don't know."

"I felt it. I felt it... It was s-so painful.. All those times he was enduring all this pain? How can he? How!"

Alex wanted to comfort the human but was too scared to cross the boundaries knowing the second Prince was more than capable of skinning him alive if he touched the human without his permission.

"I think you should eat something first. It's not good that you two are taking turns to take the bed."

"Alex."

"Hm?"

"What can I do to save him?"

Alex turned around with a horrified look. The devastating and pleading look in the human's eyes was mortifying as if he was ready to jump into a pit of fire to save his beloved boyfriend.

"Don't be like this. Wait-"

"How much more do I have to wait! Till he dies?"

"Then what about you? Are you prepared to die? Why are you so ready to throw away your life for someone else?"

"I-... I am not. I want this life. I want it more than anything right now." He said looking at Alex with pleading eyes.

"I want this life so desperately because I want to stay by his side.... Why is life so unfair? I've never complained! But it hurts! It hurts so bad!!" He said crying hysterically not caring if he looks like a kid stubbornly asking for a toy.

Alex was about to say something but stopped as the door was opened and someone entered. He knew it was someone from the Royal Family since only they can enter wherever they want, without permission. He immediately stood up and moved away from Xiao Zhan.

When the man halted a few centimetres away from Xiao Zhan, he looked up. He was met with a furious glare but he could not even get mad at the man for he was only scared and worried for his son's life that was in Xiao Zhan's hands.

"Follow me."

Two words. Merely two words made Xiao Zhan gulp and sink down as his stomach churned at the unsettling feeling. He glanced at Alex who simply looked away before sighing and following the Emperor. He was walking a few steps behind the Emperor and he could now see the difference clearly. The Emperor was passive towards him, very defensive and a bit hostile as well. To some extent it felt like it wasn't just because of what was going on between him and Yibo but some other grudge... He can't blame the man. His mother literally killed his wife. Of course he'd hate Xiao Zhan's existence to the core. Xiao Zhan stopped outside the grande room. He felt uncomfortable stepping inside seeing it was the Emperor's bedroom. A very private place and it felt like he was intruding.

'God! He couldn't pick some other place to talk? Like seriously? The Royal Emperor's fucking bedroom. This feels and looks so wrong for so many reasons... And why is no one here to attend to the King? Where are all the gaurds!!'

He fidgeted at the door step with no intention of going in.

"What are you doing standing there like a statue?"

His voice was thunderous and somewhat filled with malice as he glared at the human who still refused to budge.

"I- uh... Where are the guards?"

'Fuck! I screwed up! I screwed up! What the fuck You dumbass! That doesn't sound suspicious at all~~ Good going! Even if he didn't wanna kill you before, he must be thinking about it now. Hahaha.. I hate myself!!'

Jian Hao raised an eyebrow before smugly rolling his eyes and smirking. Xiao Zhan took a few steps back seeing the air thickening. Damn he could finally see the similarity between the father and the son. The way the Emperor was eyeing him reminded him of how Yibo had treated him in the beginning. The mocking stare, the smug look and the degrading smirk that was screaming who's got the upper hand made Xiao Zhan very uncomfortable. He wanted to run away from here. The thing that was different about the stare was Yibo used to look at him either with indifference or curiosity, it was never hatred or threatening but the way Emperor Jian Hao stared at him was saying something else. His smug look literally spelled 'Run while you still can'

This man's duality was insane just like his son. Zhan could barely recognise him as the man he hid behind in fear of Yibo. Oh how the tables have turned.

"Won't you come in?"

Zhan frowned at the mocking tone and stopped moving back.

"What? Are you scared? That's a bit disappointing considering you are the son of Lilly and Yang."

The frown deepened as he stepped forward. He needs to stop getting triggered whenever someone mentions his parents. But it's not in his control. He is very prideful no matter who he stands against.

"I'm not scared Sir." He was. He was scared. Very scared. That's the worst part of realising your life's worth. You'll start to cherish it. He was scared for his life since it was connected to the life of the person he loves. He promised himself not to be reckless as this life is also Yibo's now.

"Then step forward. Come here. Stand in front of me without fear."

'That rhymed. Fuck! What the hell am I thinking. Wait... I am not- ughhh. Get it done with Xiao Zhan. It's not like he'll kill you or something.. Right?...'

He took a deep breath before walking into the room towards the Emperor who chuckled before walking to the other side and sitting on the bed.

"Bring some wine for my guest."

Xiao Zhan blinked in confusion as a woman walked out of the room from the other side. His eyes slightly widened as he saw some servants standing on both ends of the bedroom waiting to attend to the King who was staring at Xiao Zhan with a bit of remorse.

"Come, sit down. Make yourself comfortable."

Xiao Zhan clenched his fists as he started to get annoyed at the elder who was smugly patting the empty side of the bed. He walked over to the bed and kept standing near the older.

"Make yourself at home. I don't mind. I told you to get comfortable."

Damn he knew how to make someone extremely uncomfortable. But Xiao Zhan wasn't one of them. He'd seen these kind of scenarios multiple times on his missions and his duty. It reminded him of the time that old geezer had tried making a move on him but Hao Xuan had crushed him to bits. He still thinks Xiao Zhan is unaware of what he did. Cute..

"Getting too comfortable is a bit risky. Isn't it, Sir?"

"Fine by me.... Oh the wine is here. Do you wanna make a toast?"

Zhan simply grabbed the wine glass and stared at the man who was looking at him skeptically.

"To Second Prince Wang Yibo's health."

Jian Hao's smirk immediately flattened at Xiao Zhan's brazenness. He soon got his composure back and raised the glass.

*Cling*

The glass' touched but neither of them drank the liquor. Jian Hao frowned as Xiao Zhan raised the glass to his lips. He involuntarily grabbed the boy's arm stopping him from taking the sip.

"Sir?"

"Are you really going to drink knowing there could be potential danger? For all you know I could've poisoned it."

"No matter how big of a grudge you hold against me. I'm sure you won't stoop so low Your Highness. Your pride and dignity won't allow you to backstab a mere human like me."

The grip loosened and Xiao Zhan downed the drink in one go. It was honestly very bitter for Xiao Zhan's preference, he mostly enjoyed sweet liquor. It was kind of strong as the human felt the burning sensation in his chest, his neck felt hot and his ears were burning. As soon as the last sip was past his throat he coughed violently startling and scaring the servants in the room. It was a very rude gesture to cough out the wine the Emperor offered him but he couldn't help it. It burnt him to the core. He turned his back to the elder to show some respect and embarrassment.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm not very g-good with b-bitter things." He stammered still recovering from the aftertaste of that God-awful drink. He felt a buzzing near his ear before staggering and falling to one knee in front of the Emperor. He mustered up all the energy left in him to look up at the Emperors who was looking down at him with indifference but soon it turned into distaste.

"Me too, Xiao Zhan... Me too."

The sarcastic tone gave it away that the Emperor felt the least concerned about him and he was obviously not feeling the way Xiao Zhan was feeling.

'Damn I feel so shitty... Is this my cue to leave and go back to Yibo?... Wait a damn minute! When the fuck did I fucking start relying on someone to save my sorry ass!!'

He glared at the Emperor who was getting his glass refilled by the servant. Zhan gripped the fabric of his shirt in rage seeing his mocking stare and pulled himself up before raising the glass towards the servant. The lady poured the glistening wine with a tad bit of hesitation seeing the boy's condition after one shot. Jian Hao smirked against the rim of his glass as the wine slowly touched his lips and soothed his burning heart. He felt satisfaction coursing through his veins seeing the young boy suffer at his hands.

"Are you sure Xiao Zhan... I don't want you to suffer and this wine is very strong for even some vampires... And you...."

"I'm pretty sure, sir." Zhan stared at him passively...'That I won't be allowing you to humiliate me even if it means drowning in this shitty ass wine'

He downed the second glass and this time forced himself not to cough out any content but that did not sit well with his system as the burning sensation increased. He could feel the bile rising. He wanted to vomit out all his organs, it was that bad. Xiao Zhan blinked to stabilise his dizzy head and blurry vision but it only got worse.

'Fuck! It hurts! Hang in there Xiao Zhan! Don't you dare step back!'

Third glass.

Forth glass..

Fifth glass...

By now Xiao Zhan's world was spinning right before his eyes. He could hardly focus on anything but the burning sensation was gone. It wasn't painful anymore. On the contrary he felt lightheaded and somewhat blissful. The wine was making it hard for him to think straight or even think for that matter. His head was pretty much blank. The only thing he was worried about was defeating the Emperor at his own game of humiliation. He was so immersed by the fading sensation of his senses and ability to think that he completely forgot everything around him. Where he was? Why he was here? And was he supposed to leave or not? The alcohol in his system was messing with his head. He only stopped as the door was pushed open and someone barged into the room. The way the expression on the Emperor's face changed made it clear that he did not like whoever interrupted his little game. Xiao Zhan wanted to turn around to see who it was but his brain kept buzzing and his legs won't move. He was frozen and could hardly hold the glass in his hand firmly. As soon as his brain registered that there was something in his hand and he was incapable of holding it anymore, his hand loosened. The glass shattered hitting the floor. Xiao Zhan tried to move his gaze along the trail of the spilled wine but even before his eyes could meet the shattered glass his vision blackened. He was sure he was going to hit the floor but instead of hitting the hard floor his head hit the soft mattress and that was the last thing his brain registered before he blacked out.

Lucifer stared at Xiao Zhan's limp figure on the bed. His face painted with shock and concern before it turned into rage as his eyes moved to Jain Hao who sat beside the unconscious boy sipping on his wine with indifference.

"What the hell did you do to him!!"

"He did it to himself." He responded calmly taking yet another gulp of the wine.

"Wang Jian Hao-"

"Lucifer!"

As they both stood against each other in rage, one of the servants started walking towards them. Jian Hao's attention went to her as he never allowed her to move in the first place. Both of the vampires stared at the woman who was walking towards the unconscious boy on the bed in a daze. Lucifer's eyes widened as she crouched down and held Xiao Zhan's ankle. He immediately grabbed her by the arm and yanked her away from the human.

"What are you doing!"

The nobel snarled at the maid before pushing her away but frowned as she staggered towards Xiao Zhan again... She kept on trying to get to him mindlessly and...fearlessly.

"Blood... Blood... Ha... Blood.."

She kept repeating as Lucifer pushed her away once again. He turned to check on Xiao Zhan and his eyes slightly widened. A small pool of blood was forming right beneath his right foot and a trail of fresh blood flowed down his ankle dripping onto the carpet painting it crimson red. He was about to grab Xiao Zhan but stopped as the other servants started walking towards them.

"Emperor Wang, I think this is right time to show your authority."

"It's useless, they won't listen to me. That human's blood is way more powerful than any of my commands. The only way to stop them, from touching him or ripping him to shreds to get the last drop of his blood, is violence. Kill them Lucifer... That is if you want to save that boy." Lucifer could clearly tell he didn't mean a single word of what he just said. Jian Hao would never put the safety of his people on stake for anything. No matter what his personal life was. He was a true King to his people... Well most people.

"Don't test me! I won't hesitate to end their lives! His matters to me... Theirs don't!"

Jian Hao wanted to pull out his tongue for talking to him like this but he didn't get the chance as one of the servants attacked him. He was quick to push him away.

"Bloody Hell... I've got his blood on me.! A bane-"

"Watch your mouth Jian Hao!"

"Watch your back dumbass!!"

Lucifer staggered back as Jian Hao pushed him aside to prevent the servant to dig her nails into his back. Both of them were fighting the servants and trying their best not to kill them, it was kind of difficult given the fact that the servants were not holding back at all.

"Hey call your guards!" Lucifer snarled at the Emperor earning a grunt of dissatisfaction.

"If you are unable to use your eyes, I'm in the middle a little something... Like.. TRYING TO SAVE THIS PESANT'S LIFE!" He said holding a servant by his throat who was holding onto Xiao Zhan's limp arm. He refused to let go even when the emperor was holding his throat.

"I SWEAR IF HE'S HURT, IT'LL BE YOUR LAST DAY RULING THIS SHITTY ASS KINGDOM OF YOURS!" Lucifer screamed as some of the servants cornered him against the study table.

"How bold of you to threaten me when I'm the one saving the life of the love of your life!" The bitterness to Lucifer felt like honey to Emperor Wang as he pressed his throbbing nerve.

"Don't call him that!"

"Yeah right.. I forgot he belongs to my son!" Unintentionally he sounded proud of the fact that the human was his son's priced possession.

"He's not a thing! Your son doesn't own him!" Lucifer said as he harshly tugged on the wrist of the maid who was trying to grab his throat. He didn't mean it but he broke her wrist in a fit of rage because the older kept provoking him.

"You're just jealous. Boohoo that human bastard doesn't love me, might as well just kill myself."

"You-"

"Shut up and focus on saving your ass! I won't allow you to die in my bedroom!"

It was getting a little bloody as the servants injured both the Emperor and Lucifer to some extent. In the middle of the fight Xiao Zhan woke up. Now the thing is... He indeed woke up but...not sober enough to understand what's going on.

"I'm going back to my room. Wake me up for breakfast." He slurred out in a daze and staggered towards the door completely ignoring the havoc around him.

"FUCK! STOP HIM FROM GOING OUT!!" Jian Hao screamed as two servants held him down on the bed.

"I'M A LITTLE BUSY HERE!" Lucifer yelled back trying to get the maids to let go of his legs and torso. "IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!" He said kicking a maid in the guts earning a shrill scream. "Sorry that wasn't a very gentlemanly move."

"HOW IS IT MY FAULT!"

"DON'T PLAY STUPID! WHAT WERE YOU GONNA DO WITH THE BOY!"

"OH COME ON! I would never stoop that low! I know I said some harsh things in a fit of anger but I definitely don't want that boy dead. I just want him to get out of my son's life!"

"Your son does not want him to get out of his life!"

"You'll never know how painful it is to hold onto someone's last memory." Lucifer's hand stopped midway as a flash of memories blinded him for a few seconds. He was brought back to reality as he got slashed across his cheek. "Something your loved one left for you. Yibo is the last memory related of Eleanor! I will never allow anyone to harm him!"

Lucifer grunted as the guards pushed him through the glass window onto the balcony of the room. His back hit the railing and his eyes shifted towards the bed in the room where around 5 to 6 servants were holding Jian Hao. He was bleeding from several places as the servants kept on digging and slashing their nails against his pale and flushed skin. Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the blood smears, it didn't matter.

"L-Lucifer..." He could barely talk because of the strong grip of several hands on his throat. Lucifer's eyes shimmered a dusty yellow colour as he kicked the servants without any care. He walked over to the older and pulled away the servants suffocating him.

"Jian! Jian! Wake up!"

The door was pushed open and several guards entered the room along with Hai Kuan and Yanli who were horrified to see their father.

"Father!!" "Dad!!"

Hai Kuan turned to Lucifer as Yanli checked on her father. "What's happening here?"

"Zhan..." Lucifer's eyes widened as he looked up in horror "Xiao Zhan."

"Lucifer what's going on! And why is half the Palace people going crazy! The guards are having a hard time controlling the situation! Tell me what happened!"

"Xiao Zhan was injured... He was bleeding and the servants- we have to find him!"

"Wang Hao Xuan and JiYang are already on it but his blood and scent is all over the place. It's not easy to find him!"

"I'll find him." and with that said he ran out of the room.

[15 minutes ago]

Xiao Zhan stumbled on his feet for the nth time trying to stay awake. His vision was a blur and he could hardly make out where he was going. His body was aching all over. At this point he couldn't even tell where it was hurting but one thing was sure that his head was about to explode and he couldn't walk without limping.

He sniffed and frowned at the calming fragrance. His brain was only working to the extent that he recognised the fragrance of wet soil... One of the few fragrances that can instantly calm you down. Why the hell is 'Wet Soil' not a perfume. Did no one thought of trying it? That's a question for some other day. This moist fragrance carried by the night breeze soothed his throbbing head and the pulsing of nerves calmed down as well.

As soon as he was out in the open air he felt like he could finally breath but the moment didn't last long as he stepped on a rock and tumbled over landing on the ground. He just stayed on the ground like a dead fish with no intention or energy to move. His gaze was fixed on the night sky that felt so close yet so far. He felt like he could reach out and grab one of the stars but when he tried he couldn't even reach the sky. He slowly closed his eyes and let himself relax a little. His eyes flew open along with a jolting pain near his eyes as he was jerked up on his feet by his collar and thrashed against the ground. Someone just tossed him like a dang rubber ducky. He struggled to focus on what was going on but he could hear some voices. Yelling.... Someone was yelling and there were loud sounds and thuds like a fight was happening.

"I told you we shouldn't have left him! It's all your fault!"

"How the fuck is it my fault that he's literally a death magnet!!"

"Xiao Zhan!! Xiao Zhan!! Get your ass up!! Hey!! Do you wanna die so soon?! Zhan!! I think he's out cold!"

"Damn it! I hate him so much! Can I really not kill them!"

"No!! They don't know what they are doing!"

"They are trying to harm you! That's what they are doing!!"

"JiYang do not kill them. We only need to subdue them for a while.."

'Stop screaming! My head is gonna explode!!' He wanted to shove these words down the throats of the people who were screaming their lungs standing so close to him.

"Ngh..."

Someone was standing close to him. Who is it? Someone was looming over his body? Who are you?... Xiao Zhan grunted in pain as he was pulled up by his collar. He could feel the warm breath of someone on his face... He forcibly opened his eyes and tried to focus on the person... 'Yibo...' even when he was shit wasted by that vomit-inducing alcohol, he couldn't stop himself from reaching out to touch the younger's face but stopped as he felt cold...no icy fingers curling around his throat. Those slender fingers he'd memorised the touch of and that gentle hand that's never been harsh to him, was choking him. His blood was turning cold as his breath shortened. He grabbed Yibo's collar and tried shoving him but he couldn't match the tremendous strength the younger was putting in to hold him. His hand slowly went down to punch Yibo on his shoulders and then his chest to stop him from strangling him but to no avail. He slowly focused on the younger and his eyes widened as he realised that the younger wasn't in his senses. His eyes had lost colour and they looked hollow. As if there was no soul behind those eyes.

"Y-Yibo... S-sto-"

No... No.... He couldn't let himself get knocked out. He had to do something.

'I'm sorry, I don't mean to hurt you' He silently cursed at himself before kicking the younger in the stomach and then on his shoulder blade to put more distance between them. He turned around and staggered...

"Run!! Xiao Zhan!! Run!!!"

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25th May, 2022.