Chapter 15 — The day I was left behind in the abandoned temple, the Princess kicked in the door to welcome me home

It is the sound of officers and soldiers arresting people. It is the final sound of destiny ending. We take each step forward. The sky on the horizon was gradually brightening. The first sunlight of the morning penetrated the clouds and fell on the green stone steps in front of the gate. The crowd gathered around had not yet dispersed. But when they saw me coming out, they all unconsciously moved to the sides. No more chatter. No more pointing. The way they look at me is completely different. From pity. From contempt. Turned into awe. I don't pay attention. Just quietly walk down each step. Until I saw a person standing under the tree opposite. A black robe. Tall body. His eyes were calm. It's Tieu Canh Hanh. He's been standing there ever since. It feels like I've been waiting for a long time. Just like knowing for sure we will come out of this door. I step forward. He looked at me. I also looked at him. For a moment, no one said anything. The morning wind blew. Bring the cold air left after the night rain. A moment later. Still he spoke first.

"Done?"

I nodded slightly.

"Done."

“Do you regret it?”

I burst out laughing.

“Regret what?”

“Regret sending my own father to prison.”

We were silent for a few beats. Then looked up at the sky.

“I did not send him to prison.”

“It was he who walked in on his own.”

“If he hadn't harmed his mother that year.”

“If he doesn't dig the grave.”

“If he doesn't open that box himself.”

“Then there wouldn't be an ending today.”

“The one who harmed him.”

“From beginning to end, it was only him.”

Tieu Canh Hanh's eyes flashed with approval. He nodded.

“I think so too.”

I look at him.

“Are you standing here just to ask me that?”

The corner of his lips curled up slightly.

“I came to ask another question.”

“What?”

“That day at Huyen Giap Quan.”

“She told me to cancel the marriage.”

“After that, I just agreed to postpone it and continue performing this play.”

“It's all over now.”

“So I came to ask.”

He stopped. His eyes looked straight at me.

“So our marriage.”

“When do you plan to reschedule?”

I was stunned. Rarely are people asked questions to the point where they don't know how to answer. A moment later. I just burst out laughing.

“Your Highness.”

“Do you still remember that?”

"Of course."

He answered very quickly. So fast that it's like I never had to think.

“You are the first person who dares to consider me as a negotiating partner.”

"And the person who dared to take the initiative to ask for an annulment of marriage with me."

“I'm very forgetful.”

I don't know whether to cry or laugh.

“So what if I really don't want to get married?”

“I will continue to wait.”

“Wait until when?”

“Wait until she wants.”

I look at him. He also looked at me. Don't avoid it. No forcing. Do not use your position as Crown Prince of Tran Quoc Cong to exert pressure. In those eyes. I saw respect for the first time. Really respectful. Not with a woman. But with an equal. A long time later. I asked softly:

“Tieu Canh Hanh.”

“If one day you find out.”

“I'm not like normal girls.”

“I can hold a sword.”

“Could kill people.”

“Can lead soldiers.”

“It can even cause the whole capital to tremble.”

“Are you afraid?”

He looked at me. Then burst out laughing.

“Tham Chieu Ninh.”

“You misunderstood something.”

“What?”

"He wants to make the whole capital shake from heaven to earth."

“It's not just her.”

I'm dumbfounded People. Then suddenly burst into laughter. The first time since my mother passed away. I laugh sincerely. But Tieu Canh Hanh also laughed. The morning sun shines down. Stretch two shadows on the ground. A shadow of me. A shadow of him. Don't know since when. Standing next to each other. (END OF FULL TEXT)