Laughter echoed from a corner of the building, prompting Kai to hurriedly retreat into his room and softly close the door behind him. Nervous energy filled the air as he slipped back under the covers, feigning sleep.
A gentle knock broke the stillness, followed by Jie Yan's soft voice asking for permission to enter. "May I come in, my lord?" she inquired, her tone gentle and caring.
With a sigh of relief, Kai rose from his bed and opened the door, allowing Jie Yan to enter. "Are you feeling better, my lord?" she asked, concern evident in her gaze.
"I am fine," Kai replied, though a hint of nervousness lingered in his voice.
"Lord Thor wishes to speak with you in his room," Jie Yan revealed.
A knot of apprehension tightened in Kai's stomach at the thought of facing Lord Thor, but he nodded in acknowledgment. "I will go after I finish preparing myself," he said.
After Kai dressed, with Jie Yan's help, they both headed to meet with Lord Thor.
Navigating the lengthy, ornate corridors of the Thor Clan stronghold, Kai and Jie Yan's footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors until they finally arrived outside the imposing chamber of Lord Thor. Guarded by stone-faced sentinels, the entrance radiated authority and power.
The guards, standing tall in their armor, nodded in acknowledgment before announcing Kai's presence to Lord Thor.
As Kai stepped into the vast, lavishly decorated chamber, he was immediately struck by the opulence surrounding him. The room was adorned with intricate tapestries, gilded furniture, and shelves lined with ancient artifacts. These were all testaments to the wealth and influence of the Thor Clan.
"Father," Kai greeted respectfully, though the tension in the air was thick.
Lord Thor, seated at a polished wooden desk, poured himself a cup of steaming tea. The fragrant aroma filled the room as his cold, unyielding gaze met Kai's with disdain.
"Why did you do it?" Lord Thor's voice cut sharply through the silence, tinged with disappointment and anger.
Confusion clouded Kai's features as he struggled to understand his father's accusations. "What do you mean, Father?" he asked, uncertainty in his voice.
Lord Thor's expression darkened and his frustration boiled over. "You think you can just do as you please? Flirting with Lady Song during the flower viewing. Who gave you permission to step out? Didn't I tell you that you are to stay inside this household until you die!"
Kai's eyes widened in shock. The tension in the room escalated as Lord Thor's voice grew angrier, his words sharp and accusatory.
"Your second brother is about to marry Lady Song. It is a union that will strengthen our position in the region. But you, with your reckless actions, threaten to ruin everything. Do you have any idea how important this alliance is? Do you want to make us the laughingstock of the entire Yi Province?"
The marriage was more than just a union of families. It was a strategic move to increase the Thor Clan's wealth and influence. The Thor and Qing clans stood as pillars of power, and this alliance was crucial to maintaining their dominance.
This thought only fueled Kai's bitterness. He remembered his memories of Xing Li. As far as he knew from those memories, all Lord Xing Li did was pick up Lady Song's dropped handkerchief. Yet, that seemingly insignificant act had led to chaos, and now everything was riding on the fragile balance of family politics.
Kai realized he had to find a way to escape this oppressive family. A plan was forming, an opportunity to break free from the grip of the Thor Clan.
"Father, no matter what I say, you will not acknowledge the truth," Kai finally said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. "Therefore, I would like to make a proposal." His words hung in the air, a flicker of defiance shining through.
For a moment, silence reigned. Kai's declaration was bold, a desperate attempt to break through the walls of anger and resentment. In truth, he knew his father's fury was not driven by fear or any concern for control, but purely by hatred and disdain for him.
Lord Thor's fists clenched tightly on the desk. His face was a mask of restrained fury. The disappointment in his eyes was almost worse than rage, a silent punishment that cut deeper than words.