Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Shin Tinming stared at the file. His forehead, having the line of worries, anxiousness and guilt while his eyes continued to read the conclusion of the file again and again. "Mr Cao, your loyalty is to be honest with me, the King of Chiboa. So, be honest and tell me. Was I to be blamed?"

Silence shrouded the room. Moments passed but no words were uttered. The air became more heavy in the darkness of silence until finally, the butler decided to break it with his words.

"Your Majesty, you are not to be blamed. What happened years ago was not your fault. But …" The aged butler paused. He has been in the palace even before His Majesty was crowned as King. The secrets and mysteries of the walls in the palace were not hidden from him. He knew all well to hear the secrets these walls whisper every day, silently in the air. "But Ms Li Xue is also not the one to be blamed."

The streaming wave of anxiousness in the man's eyes halted at the latter part of the Royal Butler's words. His eyes lifted to look at the old man. And in those aged eyes, he found no doubt present.

"Your Majesty, you have asked me to be honest. So, my words have come out all truthful without any restraints. If you feel like I have committed an offence, I am ready to take the punishment. But sorry, the words I have stated, I cannot take them back".  The words came out all in a polite tone but the sharpness that the old man has built from all these years of service did not get hidden.

The old man very well knew that the way the King was presenting himself against the young lady, Li Xue, was not the same. He has seen him taking the news about her from time to time. He has seen him suppressing his anger when came to hear how roughly she has been treated since childhood. He has seen the rage brewing in the depth of his eyes when today someone reported to him the happenings of the mall.

The care that the man was hiding behind his biased attitude and sharp words was not missed by the old butler. He could read everything all well to know how the roles and righteousness of father and husband was dwelling inside the single personality of the Kin

Mr Cao dipped his head down with utmost respect as he continued. Though there were words of wisdom on his lips, his attitude and tone never left respect and courtesy. "I request forgiveness in advance, His Majesty. But getting older with all growing years; I have drawn a lesson from my life's experience. I know it's not my place to let Your Majesty listen to my words, but still, I would hope if His Majesty could spare some consideration to hear my words".

The man did not say anything. In front of him, the old man was not just a butler serving the Royals for ages but also, the man, who was a well-known advisor in his father's reign. Of course, belittling a wise man was not in his attitude.

When didn't hear the king restraining him, the old butler continued his words. "Past should remain in the past, one should not hold it dear in his or her present to ruin their potential future from coming. There may come the fear of losing in the way but when did any fear have served a good purpose? Without giving a chance to the things, none would come to know exactly what their future beholds".

Shin Tinming understood what the old man was intending to explain through his words. The old man has perfectly noticed his worries and fears and has also directed the way that could most possibly go right in his stance.

His lips tugged a little at the corner to give a smile as he nodded his head to his words. "I got your words, Mr Cao but it's easier said than done. But I will try to get that on practice after giving some consideration."

The butler politely bowed in the acceptance of honour before saying, "I would feel honoured if this simple butler's advice could be effective enough to ease some of His Majesty's worries".

Shin Tinming nodded before putting the file back in the drawer from where he had pulled it out and then locking it back with the key. Returning to the desk, he leisurely pulled the cup up to sip the tea. "Mhm – Hmm! This feels refreshing, Mr Cao. Thank You for taking care of this. Now you can leave. I will stay here for some more time and will then head back to sleep".

He said, gesturing the old man to leave but something still kept the aged man rooted at his place. Seeing him like that, the king's brows scrunched a little with askance as he questioned, "Is there something, Mr Cao? Any more updates for me to know?"

The butler nodded before saying, "Yes, Your Majesty! After you asked, I searched for more details about Ms Li Xue. And there, I found that months back, Ms Yun has visited Ms Li Xue at her workplace, Sweet Delicacy"

Tinming's frowned. "Yun Yuchun visited her before!" he repeated the words as a memory flashed from the back of his mind. Her meaningful hints during the conversation the other days. Both at the hospital and also at the palace.

Did she know something?

"Where has she been these days?" he asked. His expressions, getting a little clouded. Suspicion about the things were clear in the depths of his orbs.

***

At the same time in some hotel's private conference hall, a group was sitting harmoniously around the table and discussing the business. A lady among them, elegantly explaining the things, getting herself, all composed in the professional demeanour, while the other men and women around the table listened all carefully to her words.

In the midst of all of them, she was looking like a pleasant flower that was beautifully capable of charming everyone with her words and making them give in to the things she wanted.

Just when her words got completed, a smile covered everyone's lips as everyone exchanged satisfied glances among themselves. One of the foreigner heads from the other team stood up from his chair, before extending his hand forward to shake.

"We are really happy with your collaboration plans, Ms Yun. The terms looked quite satisfying to what we were searching for and now that we have found that in your hands, we are looking forward to signing the contract with your service company. So, when are you sending us the contract papers?" he said, maintaining the cheerful smile on his face.

"Oh, that's really great to hear, Mr Derek. Believe me, we are no less excited than you. But as you know, right now I am here, out of the country. The contract signing will take a little time. We could only get the chance to do this meeting because you people were ready to hear us and our plans. And believe me, we are really grateful for that. But for the contract signing process, I would have to urge you to give me some time, until I return back".

The lady Yun said, her sharp eyes looking all confidently into the eyes of the person at the front, while her hands, matching the enthusiastic shake of the man's hands.

"If you find a problem in that then I would only feel selfish holding you back for our project. You can go for the other service team. We won't put any complaint forward". The woman purposely said, knowing all well that the terms she was providing was something no other team could match and neither anyone would want to forsake.

"No, no, there is definitely nothing like that, Ms Yun. We can wait for you. After all, patience always bears the fruits sweeter" The man said, getting a little panicked at the woman's words.

The woman smiled, all knowingly before nodding. "Oh, then we are really happy with the plans of collaboration, Mr Derek"

"We are the same, Ms Yun. But still, I would like to ask, how long will it take on your side".

The woman's eyes turned a little meaningful before she said, "I am not sure yet, Mr Derek. But this time, I am here to make sure to complete some of my unfinished works from the past".