Loving You Untimely

Prologue

(Kai Hua Kingdom, under King Han Li Hun's leadership.)

Blood is all over the palace. Walls and floors are painted with blood. The place that was once filled with joy and laughter was in dead silence. Dead bodies and corpse are seen in every part that your eyes can reach. Blood were dripping in the swords and arrows. Those who are left alive were devoured by fear of the men in masks who had taken the lives of their families. They all have the same questions in mind.

Are they going to survive?

Are their relatives and families still alive when those murderers came to kill them?

If they could still see the sun in the morning?

Meanwhile, in a small and hidden room of the vast palace, a group of five people can be found. Two of them were the king and queen. Together with the royal guards' Captain Guo Yang and the king's right hand, Jie Yu Shi. The other two were the queen's personal maid and her young son. The queen is pregnant and was about to deliver her child soon. Pain is visible to her face as she hold the king's hand really tight.

"My beloved king, I-I can't take it anymore," the queen panted, sweat all over her face.

The king embraced his wife. He has never felt this useless his entire life. He is a great king and is admired by many. Envied by many. But this time he could do nothing but to hold his wife's hands and embraced her tightly. He is also wounded by the assassins. They could do nothing but conceal themselves in the four sided room because the enemies were just outside ready to take their lives when found. The king is a great fighter, so as Captain Guo Yang and Jie Yu Shi, but they are all injured and the assassins are increasing their numbers. They could say that those devils from outside has a great swordsman leader because their fighting skills are the same level as the king and Captain Guo Yang.

They are feeling weak already because of tiredness and the cold night was even worsening it. Considering that the queen and her child's life could be in danger anytime. Their worry for the queen and the king's first born is making them unable to think. Making them unable to move.

"Just hold on tight, my queen. You can do it, I'm just here, I won't leave you." The king embraced his wife making her feel that she's not alone, giving her strength.

The three felt pity for the king and queen while the child was just watching the adults with his innocent and big eyes. Captain Guo Yang is looking very manly and physically built but he can't avoid the feeling of hopelessness. Not for himself but for the people he wanted to protect. He can't think of anything to help the king and queen because he only knows that he should protect them with all his will no matter what. To fight until death.

While Jie Yu Shi, the king's right hand feels the same as the Captain. Though he is not the kind of person that likes to know anything about other people when not needed and not wanting to care about his surroundings. Though he's not the kind of person who wants to intervene when not needed, in this situation he knows that he can't do anything even if he wanted to.  He can also feel that he's getting weaker because of his wounds. All he can do is sigh and hope that the is a miracle that could happen.

"I can't take the pain anymore, my king," the queen mumbled, feeling exhausted. The maid went near the queen and wipe her forehead.

"Your Majesty, the queen is going soon," said the maid, Lu An.

Although feeling worried, the king can't help but to feel the excitement and joy knowing that he could finally see his first born at any moment. But in this kind of situation, his fear is greater because he knows that his child and wife is in the pit of danger.

"M-My k-king, I really c-can't take it a-anymore..." the queen screamed as she felt the pain that means another life, her child's life.

"Hurry up, Lu An, help the queen to deliver the heir safely," commanded Guo Yang. The maid did as she was said.

"Your Majesty queen, breath deeply and try to relax so you can deliver you child easily," Lu An instructed the queen, she did as he maid said.

"AHHHHH!" The king held his wife's hand making her feel his support.

It is a punishment for him to see that his wife and queen was having a hard time giving birth to their first child but he can't also hide the joy in his heart that he would be able to see the child very soon. He is aware that the people who wants to take their lives were just outside but he isn't scared for his own life and safety. He is most afraid that the two most important people in his life, his beloved queen and their child that is about to be born will be hurt.

"One more time, my queen, you're almost there!"uttered Lu An, the queen followed the maid's word and tried one more time.

"AHHHHH! I can't take it anymore!" the queen screamed, tears streaming down her face.

"My dearest queen, you need to be strong for our child, you need to deliver our child safely." The king tried his best to encourage his wife.

To all the God's out there, please don't let anything happen to my wife and child. The king pleaded in his mind.

"Could see the child's head now, you have to try harder, my queen, you have to try harder," the maid smiled causing the queen to gain strength.

"AHHHH!"

Captain Guo Yang was carefully guarding the door because he knows that only one mistake and they could be all in danger. The assassins could find their whereabouts. His wounds are bleeding heavily but he swore that he will give his life to do his duty and to protect the king who he considered as his friend.

He was clutching his sword tightly, pointing it at the door. He would sometimes glance at his back where both of te Majesties are lying. He would listen to the queen giving birth to the child. But he never look directly at their direction as respect to the queen's status and femininity.

While the innocent child is silently sitting in the corner of the room, embracing his knees. Him being just four years old, his innocent mind couldn't understand anything. His young and innocent eyes have witnessed such devilish crime but he couldn't understand it at all. Only his fear and confusion is flashed on his angel-like face. He was watching the queen give birth through his mother's assistance.

A smile curved on their faces as they sighed in relief when they heard the newly born cry.

The king kissed the queen after giving birth to their baby boy. Happiness is seen on his face as tears drop from his eyes. But as the infant gave his loud cry the queen's strength was slowly leaving her body.

"It's a Prince! Hail to you, Your Majesty," Lu An greeted happily.

"The Majesties first born is a boy..." Jie Yu Shi talked for the first time since they came to hide in the room.

"We congratulate you, our king," said Lu An, Guo Yang and Jie Yu Shi while bowing as an act of respect.

Despite of blood covering her body, joy and happiness is visible to her face as she looked at her first born son. A Prince. It's really feels great to see you. She's already looking forward of how the baby prince would be like when he grow up or if her child would be as great as his father when he grow up, in spite of being newly born. Despite of the queen's body being weak, she managed to smile. She feels happy watching her husband and son because at this moment she was already aware that her life wouldn't take any longer.

Though she doesn't want to leave without watching her son grow she knew that she can do nothing about it. She only have a very little time left and she wanted to spend it all by staring at her beloved son and her beloved king amd husband. She doesn't want to forget their features until she enter the afterlife.

"My beloved queen, we have a Prince, you gave birth to a son," the king said with teary eyes, the queen smiled with her eyes open halfway because of losing all her strength. 

With all of her strength left, she managed to utter. "C-Chunhua...I-I want to n-name him Han Chunhua...l-let's name h-him...b-because he h-has the scent of a blooming f-flower in spring..." the queen stretched her hand and hold the little Prince's hand weakly. "...G-Guo Yang...I w-want you...y-you to...bestow our s-son his c-courtesy name..." the queen turned to Captain Guo Yang. Despite of Guo Yang being confused about the reason why the queen wanted him to bestow the little prince a courtesy name but he still thought of a name that would suit the little angel.

"Han Haoxin...Han Haoxin will be the courtesy name of the crown prince, your Majesty queen,"  Guo Yang kowtowed, the king gave a smile.

"What a beautiful name. Han Haoxin...it means good heart, am I right, Guo Yang?" The king stared at his son, smiling.

"You are right, Your Majesty."

"H-He is my l-light in this time of d-darkness...where ever I will be, I will watch you from above...m-my son...I-I love y-you so m-much." After uttering those words, the queen finally closed her eyes and rest for eternity.

"M-My queen? My queen!" the king swallowed as he called for his wife but even though how much he calls for her, the queen never opened her eyes again. "My beloved queen!!!" on that very moment, the king shred in tears, Jie Yu shi walked near them to feel the queen's pulse but he only shook his head while looking at the king, the king could not do anything at all but embraced his wife as he silently cry. "My love!! Yang Xiao!" the king called as tears stream down his face.

The maid also started to cry. Jie Yu Shi and Guo Yang could also feel the sadness about the passing of the queen for they knew how good she is. They could also feels the lamentation and pain of the king for his beloved queen's passing. There is one life that has been added but one life was also deducted. I hope that you will have peace ascending to the afterlife, your Majesty queen. They both sighed sadly in unison.

"What? Did you find them?"

"Not yet!"

"They aren't here!"

"Search all over the place, even if you have to turn this palace upside down, do it! I'm sure they will never get far!"

"Understood leader!"

Guo Yang became alert again after glancing at the deceased queen as he soon heard the bad guys' voices outside the room that is serving as their protection. He knew that it won't be easy to fight with those people outside but he is willing to give his life to protect the new heir of the kingdom.

"Your highness king, we have to leave this room and seek for a safer place. I'm pretty sure that it won't be long and those people who wants to kill you will find us soon," Guo Yang suggested but the king didn't even move while hugging the queen's body and his newly born son.

Because of the queen's death, it seems like half of the king's world fell into an avalanche though his son in his arm was serving as his light. He was aware that protecting the little prince would be hard if they will escape together from that place. He also know that Jie Yu Shi's enchantment won't be enough to let them escape from those devil outside. In his mind, after losing his wife, he wanted to make sure that his son is safe.

Guo Yang may not be aware of what was running in the king's mind but he doesn't feel good about the way he was staring at his son.

"Guo Yang," the king faced his direction then walked towards him. The king handed him the infant, he took the prince with confusion.  "...you and Shi, I treat you both as my confidant and only you two aside from my queen are the people I trusted the most in this world," the looked two in their eyes. "...I want you to protect my son by all means and never let him be in danger,"a tear drop from the king's eyes.

"Your highness—"

"Listen to me, Guo Yang! What ever happens, take good care of my son! Promise me!"

"Your highness, why do you talk like that?"

"I want you to promise me, Guo Yang!"

"I promise, your highness king. I will give my life to protect and take care of the crown prince Chunhua!"

The king smiled as he kissed the baby's forehead. He's happy to have the chance to see his son's face. He's a carbon copy of his mother. On the first glanced, he would be mistaken as a girl because of his long lashes, red lips, and his big and deep dimples. After staring at the child's face he took Guo Yang's sword by surprise causing the Captain to be shocked.

"Your highness!" Guo Yang and Jie Yu Shi shouted together, feeling worried.

"Both of you listen to me carefully, Guo Yang...Shi. Save my son. Go with Shi, he'll bring you to a place and go to the world where no one has ever been. Take care of my son, teach him everything you know.You are the greatest swordsman in Xingguang Dalu and I know that he will be safe in your care, Guo Yang," stated the king and then he walked towards the door opening it. "My friend, I know that you will never neglect my son, watch him grow for me and tell him everything when the right time comes." The king smiled but he couldn't do anything but feel sad because he won't have the chance to watch his son grow up. "If I survive and you'll have the chance to go back here, I'll be happy to be with my son. But if not, I'm still happy that I get to see my little angel's face on the last moments of my life. Shi, bring them now!" the king shouted as he walk outside and fought with his life.

"NO! YOUR HIGHNESS!" 

Before Guo Yang could catch up, he was grabbed by Shi immediately.

Jie Yu Shi knows that the king is no match with the assassins who wanted to kill them but the crown prince's safety and the king's order is the most important this time. Using his chuansong mofa or teleportation magic he was able to bring Guo Yang and the baby into the innermost part of the Forest of Mystery. Shi immediately bring out his necklace and positioned it upright facing a big tree. Guo Yang stood in place just watching what the other is doing.

"Enchanted door that connects the future and the past, I am entreating for you to open up for us!" after uttering those words, a light came out of the tree and a portal opened up. "Hurry up! Go in now, Captain Guo!" Shi turned to Guo Yang.

"But I can't leave the king just like that, Shi!" Guo Yang said shaking his head, Jie Yu Shi sighed.

"The safety of the heir is very important. You need to bring the prince in a safe place, Captain Guo," said Shi.

"But—"

"Don't worry, I'll be back for his majesty to help him. You need to hurry up now so I can return immediately to where he is," Guo Yang hesitated for a while but he knew that the king wouldn't like it if he disobey him.

"Brother Shi, don't let his highness be in danger or in peril," Guo Yang lastly pleaded his friend, Shi nodded in assurance.

"I promise with all my life that the little prince will have his father on his return," Guo Yang was convinced when he felt the assurance on Shi's voice. "I will risk my life for the king's safety that's why you should also do everything for the crown prince, Captain Guo Yang!" shouted Jie Yu Shi.

He glanced at Shi one more time after turning to his back and entered the portal while embracing the innocent prince on his arms. As he slowly could see the other part of the portal, everything that happened was playing inside his mind. The attack in the palace. The slaughtering of the people inside it. The death of the queen giving birth to the heir. Until to the promise he had given the king.

I will do everything for the prince, your highness. I will teach him everything that I know. I will make sure that he will not disappoint you someday that you will meet again. I hope that you will remain safe until that day for your son to have a chance to meet you. He uttered in his mind repeatedly while emotionally looking at the infant.

When they finally came out of the portal, a whole new world, so different from what he used to see welcomed him. He doesn't know where to go. He doesn't know where he is. He embraced the child tightly and continued walking without a definite destination. He could see nothing but high buildings and weird things with round feet and fastly pacing back and forth.