Chapter 8 — I was once traded for, then became someone they couldn't reach for the rest of my life

Everyone thinks that I am about to become the Crown Princess. Only we know. This is not the day we return to Trieu Viet. I raised my hand to gently stroke the brocade embroidery on the sleeve and said softly:

“Trieu Viet.”

“You think I'm back.”

“But actually, I'm just taking you to the end.”

The news that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince used the highest ceremony to welcome Ly Trieu Ca's wedding quickly spread throughout the capital. Outsiders all think this is a beautiful anecdote. They said, the Crown Prince had finally found the person he had been in love with for ten years. They said, Ly Trieu Ca went from being a woman who was toyed with by fate, but eventually returned to the position that belonged to her. Only those who have witnessed the night of the palace feast know. That so-called return came at the cost of so much dignity and tears. During the days of preparing for the big wedding, Trieu Viet seemed to turn into a different person. He is no longer with Giang Nguyet Bach every day. No longer put all your thoughts on an imaginary picture. He started to find out everything related to me. He asked the palace man who served the Queen when he was young:

“That day, what flowers did Miss Ly like?”

He asked people in the general's palace:

“What food do you like the most?”

“When reading books, what kind of scent do you usually use?”

One question after another. As if wanting to make up for all the missed years. Just a pity. The things he was trying to remember, he should have known ten years ago. Very soon, countless strange treasures were brought to the general's palace. One day there was a precious flower cart from the South. One day there are famous breakfast dishes only available in the royal palace. Another day is a golden fragrance that is hard to find. He even ordered the best craftsman in the world to make me a set of brooches made of white jade, with an almond flower engraved on it. He remembered the almond tree in the picture. So I think I will definitely like it. But he doesn't know. I love that almond tree not because it is beautiful. But because under that tree, at the age of thirteen, I once saved a strange teenager. It is a memory that belongs to a living human being. Not a stroke of ink on paper. So, all the gifts he sent were returned. Not one item is missing. Do not open a box. Do not save a message. On the first day, Trieu Viet thought I was angry. He smiled and said to the eunuch next to him:

“It's okay.”

“It's because I owe her too much, it's the right thing to do if she has some temper.”

Day two. All the offerings were sent back. The smile on his face gradually disappeared. Day three. He went to the general's palace himself. This was the first time in many years that the noble Crown Prince entered what he should have considered his future maternal home. But with the identity of someone asking for forgiveness. I am sitting in the courtyard looking at letters sent from the border. Thanks to the departure of military supplies, his father's situation was temporarily stabilized. But the fighting is not over yet. One day my father did not return. One day my heart still cannot be at peace. When I heard the servant announce Trieu Viet's arrival, I did not stand up to welcome him. He entered the pavilion. See me. His eyes were still the same as the first time he saw my face clearly in the Eastern Palace. Along with a little bit of late pain. He sat down opposite me and asked in a low voice:

“Trieu Ca, I have prepared so much for you.”

"Because Why are you still not happy?

I raised my head to look at him. His eyes were as calm as a lake without any ripples.

“The one who once starved someone for many years.”

“Then bring a table of delicious seafood.”

"Ask that person again why he's not moved."

“Don't you think that question is very funny?”

Trieu Viet's hand placed on the table trembled slightly. This is the first time. He couldn't find a rebuttal. Because he knows. I'm right. For the past ten years, he has hung my paintings in his study. For the past ten years, he said he missed the person in the painting day and night. But he never asked a question. What does the person in the picture like? How do the people in the painting live? Are the people in the picture happy or not? Even the day I actually appeared in front of him. He can still coldly use me in exchange for someone else. What he loves. From beginning to end, it was not Ly Trieu Ca. It's the perfect image he imagined for himself. After a long while, he said in a hoarse voice:

“Trieu Ca, can you really forgive me?”

I look at him. Suddenly remembered that night. In the dark, I heard him hug Giang Nguyet Bach and gently comfort him. Remember the saying:

"If you exchange her for Giang Nguyet Bach, you won't lose."

There are wounds, although they are no longer bleeding. But the scar will stay with me for life. I gently put down the tea cup.

“The goddess doesn't hate you anymore.”

Hearing that, Trieu Viet's eyes immediately lit up. But my next words made his face turn completely white.

“Because you died in the goddess's arms a long time ago.”

"The Crown Prince that I once imagined would be with me for the rest of my life."

“And you now.”

“Just a stranger.”

I stood up and left.