Past

"It's not possible. He was dead. He died 15 years ago. Father killed him..." YiJun says, shaking his head.

"Darling, he was not dead. He was changing. I caught him and made him entertain me." She winks at YiJun.

YiJun sits there speechless. 

In the cage is his uncle, his mother's brother, who had been killed by his father. For, YiJun's father, the then king, suspected him of having a relationship with the queen, his wife. 

His father had not been aware that he was the queen's brother. To avoid being judged for killing an innocent man, his father had let rumors of his wife being unfaithful continue. 

Not many knew that Shen was indeed the queen's brother.

YiJun stares at his uncle, who he was sure had died when he was around twenty-eight, but apart from the horrible condition he was in, Shen looked not a day older than 25.

"Uncle... " YiJun mouths, but Shen shakes his head.

'He doesn't want me to speak.'

"Shen here, is what I would like to call... Ummm... I guess he is my personal- "

She stops when a soldier arrives.

"Excuse me, princess, you are needed outside."

"Mn. I will be right there. Go."

She looks at the two captive men before turning towards the door, "Behave yourselves. I will be back soon."

Princess leaves, closing the door behind her.

"YiJun... " Shen whispers.

"Uncle, is that you?"

"Yes, it's me. YiJun, has she done anything to you? Has she bitten you?" Shen asks, keeping his voice low.

"No."

"She is a creature of the night with the power of persuasion. Listen to me very carefully, as the sun sets, her powers will grow. She must be waiting for the sunset. I think she wants to make you her slave and rule this kingdom. Once you are under her control, she can make you do whatever she wants." Shen waits to catch his breath, but before he can continue, YiJun asks, "Uncle, you haven't aged a day. How come?"

"We are not human. I mean, our bloodline is special. Your dad knew about it. That is one of the reasons that he married your mother. He intended to have strong children."

Before Shen can say more, YiJun interrupts him, "Uncle, mother died of a broken heart. After father killed you, she took ill and slowly perished. I saw it with my own eyes. She was human."

"Yes, she was, that is because her blood remained dormant till she died. Once we kill another of our kind or a human, the condition activates." Shen pauses as if searching for the correct words.

"When I fought with your father, I attacked him, but a soldier took the sword to his heart instead, and died. The curse activated, and I grew weak. In my weakened state, your father overpowered me. My heart stopped for a few minutes; your father thought I had died. But I was merely transforming. He told your mother what he had seen. That is when she found me and caught me."

"How did you end up with her? If you too are not human, then what are you?" YiJun asks, surprised at the information.

"I am a wolf. I mean, I can turn into one, and I have more strength than an average human; my senses are stronger too."

"Then how come you didn't escape?" YiJun wonders.

"She occasionally puts silver in me. I am allergic to it. Once inside my blood, I can't change my form. It also weakens my body, so I can't break the cage. But over the years, I have started to build a resistance to it. It wears off faster now. That is how I escaped a day ago. I had almost left this city when I heard that she is planning to do to you what she did to me. I wanted to warn you. I followed you, intending to warn you but got caught again as her men were already tailing you. I am sorry, YiJun. The only reason she didn't kill me is because I told her that I wanted to kill you to take revenge. That's why I pretend to hate you."

Then something comes to YiJun's mind, "Uncle, did she use her tricks on you?"

Shen goes quiet. Shame, anger, and embarrassment flash across his face; he turns away from YiJun.

"YiJun, the things I have done...that she has made me do... I wish I was dead, but I can't- I won't- Not till I kill her. She is too powerful. You need to make sure that you don't look at her eyes. I will help you- "

Suddenly, Shen falls silent.

'My senses are stronger' His uncle's words come to him. YiJun realizes that the princess must have returned.

Within seconds the door opens once more.

"Did you guys catch up? Well, I know he hates you, and you hate him. And once I have turned you, I will not need him anymore. You can kill him then." She says, walking towards YiJun.

"Prince YiJun, I never thought I would find anyone so perfect that I would want to marry him. But alas, you betrayed me. So now I will just use you to pleasure myself. Just like him, I will make you my slave, instead of my husband."

The princess steps right between YiJun's legs and bends down. With a finger on YiJun's chin, she lifts his face.

Shen understands what is happening. "He is not that special. You have me; you don't need him." He tries to dissuade the princess, but as expected, the woman doesn't even acknowledge his presence.

"Prince, look at me." She whispers. Her voice is smooth like silk, seductive, and calm.

YiJun looks and then blinks.

"You are mine now." She says, smiling triumphantly.

Present

*****

Looking for Singers

(Lan Pharmaceutical Private Ltd.)

Are you over eighteen? 

Do you think you have a magical voice and a charming smile? 

Do you want to earn good money? 

If your answer to the above questions is a big YES, then you are invited to show your skill at 'The Lan Pharmaceutical' Educational and Cultural Hall on 8th February. 

Those wanting to audition, please be at the venue by 7 am to enter your name and receive a token. 

Token allocation: 7 to 9 am. 

The auditions will start at 10 am.

The winners will receive cash prizes along with an exclusive contract to perform on the Emperor's Smile live stage for six months. 

*More details available at the venue 

*

****

"A Xian, I don't think it's a good idea to audition for a position at a Night Club," Yanli says, looking at the flyer Xian had just handed over to her.

"Shijie, you know things are not as good as we thought they were. The stocks have fallen, and neither of us is qualified to run the business. Cheng still has at least five years until he can take over the company. Moreover, we are in debt. All three of us are students. We need the money." Wei Xian pauses and looks at Yanli, with pleading eyes. 

But Yanli doesn't look convinced; she continues to look at the flyer disapprovingly.

"Shijie, I have looked into this club. It is known for its beauty and grace both in management style and the type of crowd it attracts."

"But A Xian..."

"Shijie, trust me, I will be careful. And I haven't even given the audition yet. Maybe I won't even get through. Please, at least let me try. Please, Shijie."

"Ok. Give the audition. But whether you can join or not will be decided by me. Fine?"

"I promise. I will leave that matter to you. Thank you, Shijie. You are the best."

Wei Xian hugs his sister and gives her his trademark heart-melting smile, "I promise you won't regret it, Shijie." 

Wei Xian has a lot to do: he needs to prepare for the audition, he needs to finish his homework, and he needs to help his Shijie with the home chores. But it's nearing dusk, so first and foremost, he needs to keep his appointment with the setting sun.

{Note:- Word count 1376

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