Prince Dudo's view

I stayed another week, and that week, I observed the household closely. Not many people were in that household, considering it was such a large manor, but what were in there were highly skilled and highly trained. Even the servant family was taught the General's martial arts style, and they practiced for an hour each morning and evening.

I had not observed this when I was incapacitated, and I was glad I had stayed. I even took part in the training session to try and regain some of my strength and control in the arm I was now forced to rely solely upon. Needless to say, I was awkward - my flaws very apparent.

I did my best still. As a Prince of this nation, I was responsible for succeeding in everything. At the end of the week, I managed to defeat the weakest of the retainers and decided that was enough for me. I needed to find my own retainers and carry on with the task assigned to me by Taiji, my brother.

I headed off at the end of the week, found my retainers, and went on to complete my task, despite my noticeable handicap. When my duty was complete, I returned to the Fang estate with my most trusted guards. I told them of my plans, and they had no objections to them. 

It had been a year and a half since I had seen Xinye, and I was looking forward to reuniting with her. It did not matter to me that she was the famous general's wife. As a Prince, I could take what I wanted, and there were very few that could stop me.

If I wanted this to succeed, there would be little point in announcing that I was here. So I headed to the hills behind the manor and watched over it daily.

It was two weeks later our chance came. Xin had gone to town. The retainers were in the fields, being directed by her son Fergus. Her son's name had been burnt into my brain with the indignities that man made me suffer when I was healing. The only reason I did not go after him was I was healed, so I should be thankful, not spiteful.

The only people left in the house were the maid Ying, her grandmother, the two children, and Xinye. I thought it was time. 

"Let's go," I said to my retainers, "Remember, you are to take the woman to that place I set up. I will follow." I was putting myself on the line for any unexpected situations, as over the past year and a half, my martial art skills had improved to what they were on my dominant side. I felt the only people in that house that I could not defeat were Xin and Fergus, and as they were both busy, I thought it was safe.

They nodded, and we got ready to strike.

We moved silently and quickly. I entered the bedroom and saw Xinye resting on the bed.

I could not help myself. I leaned over and kissed her. She responded initially, taking me by surprise at how sweet she was.

"Stop!" she said, pushing me away, "You are not my husband."

"Not yet," I agreed, "But you will be my wife."

"Huh?" she tilted her head adorably in confusion, "What are you on about? I will not marry you, ever."

"That is where you are wrong, my dear," I smirked at her, "IF I say you are my wife, you are my wife. We do not need a ceremony to say so."

"How are...." she did not finish the sentence as I used the medicine on her to knock her out.

"Quickly, take her," I instructed my men.

As we took her, we were accosted by a furious Bao, "What are you doing? You cannot take the mistress!" and he proceeded to attack us.

I was not expecting him. In fact, our scouting had not shown him present at all. That he was here was a surprise, "What are you doing here, Bao?" I asked him, "Did you not leave to go back to your work?"

"This is my job, protecting the mistress," he said.

We found we had to put the lady down and defend ourselves. "Knock him out," I ordered my men. I did not want to take such a talent away from Xin. He was incredible.

He had no such qualms, though. He was trying to kill whoever was trying to take his mistress.

"Why are you trying to kill us?" I asked him as we fought.

"Because many people have tried to kill her since you left," he said, "Though this is a new one, taking her away to kill her."

"I am not taking her to kill her," I said.

"Then why are you taking her?" he asked.

"To make her my second wife," I said. Bao paused then, surprised by my admission. Unfortunately for him, in that same instant, he was successfully knocked out by one of my men.

"Thank God," the man breathed, "Let's get out of here before this one wakes up. Unless you change your order, Sir, we have no hope of succeeding a second time."

I agreed with his assessment, and we picked up the sleeping Xinye and left. Each time she started to stir, I reapplied the sleeping formula until we arrived at my second palace. I took her to my second palace for three reasons.

The first reason being I did not want her to come into contact with my first wife or children. If she, as they had said, were a target for assassins, it would be better if they were not exposed and unnecessarily killed.

The second reason was my palace was isolated like Xin's was, except it was even more isolated. There were no towns nearby. Food was grown by the people serving that palace there, like at Xin's, so they would not starve. The palace was on a permanent river, so there was no lack of water either.

The third reason was I did not want her to run away or be found. This palace was the best place for her in that regard. It was even away from the war that Taiji had been raging. I also trusted everyone in that palace. They were my best and most loyal retainers.

When we arrived, I summoned everyone and sat the sleeping lady on my throne as I had noted she would sleep sitting up quite well. 

"This is your new mistress," I said to them, "Treat her well but do not let her escape. I have taken her as my second wife from another, so be on your guard against anyone. If anyone from the military or ex-military comes here, seclude her immediately in the hidden room. Do you understand?"

"Yes, master," they bowed, "Will you be here long?"

"Yes, I will be for the next month," I stated, "I have a lot of wooing to do."

The retainers smiled, "Yes, master, best endeavours to you, master!" they wished me sincerely.

I then asked my strongest man to take her to my room, which he did.

I stayed by her side until she woke again.

When she opened her eyes, she looked a little confused, "What? Where am I?" and sat up in a panic.

"You are in my palace," I said to her.

"Why? Why did you bring me here?" she asked, I could see her anger in her eyes, but her voice was calm.

"I told you, you are my wife now," I stated.

"You saying so does not make it so before my God," she said, "I am still married to Xin and will remain so as long as he is alive."

"Then I will have to kill him," I stated, "For I cannot have my wife look at another man again, regardless of who he is."

"No, do not kill him," she said with alarm, "You will cause an even greater sin on your soul if you do that."

"I do not care, as long as I have you," I said, kissing her.

"Don't," she said, pulling away.

"I will give you time to adjust to your new situation, but do not think my patience will last forever. You are MY wife now. Get used to the idea. Now come, I will show you the palace grounds," and I held my hand out to her to balance on.

"Will you get me a wheelie chair like you were carried on?" she asked.

"If you so desire," I agreed, "But for as long as I am here, call on me to help. Alright?"

She nodded, she still looked angry, but it was as if she consented to her situation.

"Good, now let's go," We had a pleasant rest of the day, walking, eating, and drinking.

🍀A/N If you enjoyed this chapter, please take the time to vote by pressing the star. If you see any errors, please let me know as this is unedited.🍀