542 Epiphany(Part One)
Hang Zhao had been grood his entire life to be the head of his family’s main branch, and knew that his future wife wasn’t fully his choice. But he wanted to have final say on the selected candidates. So i had not been his only proposed match, but she’d been the one that he had picked himself..
At first, it was because she seed like an easy-going and agreeable woman. i had always answered him sincerely, never raised her voice, and never demanded anything from him like the other candidates. In truth, it almost seed like she had no intention of seeking a marriage, but their families had other plans.
i was an ideal daughter, and did everything that her father had ever told her to do. While any other girl would’ve been ecstatic when the Zhao family ca knocking with a contract in hand; i looked liked she was going to be sick. Senator Lei had taken her into another room, but that hadn’t stopped their voices from carrying over, or the rest of their present family from following.
She pleaded with her father not to sign the contract, but another family mber had stepped in, and berated her for being disobedient. When the Lei family had erged again, Hang had offered to rip up the contract. But their families were adamant, and eventually i signed it with unshed tears in her eyes.
It was at that mont that Hang realized that she wasn’t a simple, obedient little girl. That there must’ve been a reason she didn’t want the marriage. The next ti that they were alone, he asked if she loved another..
i had broken down, and told him that she did love soone else, but they could never be together anyway. Agreeing to the marriage was her only choice, no matter how she felt. The heartbreak in her expression tugged at his heartstrings in a way that Hang had never felt before, and found himself wishing that he could pull her into his arms, and comfort her.
Considering what they had just been talking about; Hang knew that he couldn’t be so brash with his future wife. But recognizing the urge had granted him a realization.. ‘Do...Do I actually care for this woman?’
Before Hang had known it, he’d started to look forward to visiting i. She was a tranquil reprieve from the mind-numbing tediousness of his daily life. Every day was the sa, except for the ti that he spent with i..
They talked about mundane things that they liked, and the conversations had always evolved into smiles and laughter. Hang imagined coming ho to i daily, having children, and spending their lives together in that warm companionship until old age claid them. Hang’s heart surged at the epiphany, and he swore that he would do everything he could to make i happy.
.....
Their wedding day had quickly shown Hang that i was barely willing to be touched by him. He had insisted that night that they wait until she was comfortable, but she had drank herself into a stupor, and pushed her tempting body onto him. Feeling an uncontrollable attraction for the first ti in his life: they had consummated the marriage.
The months that had followed were filled with i falling into a cycle of depression and self-loathing that had nearly cost them their first child, as well as herself. Rukia was born two months early, and dangerously small. It was a miracle that she’d lived, and i as well.
She had co out of her state, and imdiately jumped into her old mindset of being as amicable as possible. It seed like she was back to her old self, but those closest to her knew better.. Especially Hang.
It took him quite a long ti to realize why she’d been so distraught, and why she had miraculously recovered. After he had found out what was truly making her happy, Hang distanced himself by burying himself in his work. It all eventually cumulated into a hefty promotion, and a chance to step into the role of a Senator.
The seat had been his the mont he’d accepted it, but Hang’s high status was slowly applying pressure to a very sensitive subject: an heir.
While Zhang was more than happy to na Rukia the heir to his title of head of the Zhao family, and his pending title as head of the Lei family, their families refused to accept their daughter. n had always been the head of their families, and they refused to break tradition.
The subject had been weighing on Hang for months. He didn’t want to force i to his bed, even though it was his right as her husband. And it wasn’t because he didn’t want her. Hang knew that he was in love with his wife, but understood that her feelings were not the sa.
Forcing her was the sa as rape to him, even though she was his wife. But his need for her pushed him to side with their families. He had convinced himself that it was necessary, and had been trying to approach it as callously as possible.. ‘If she’s going to hate , then I’ll make it easy for her..’
This was Hang Zhao’s fra of mind as they dressed and left for the banquet...
************
On the surface, the diligent Senator was all business, and rarely showed a pure emotion. Every expression always seed hollow, like it was a barely concealed attempt to care. However, the extre apathy displayed in his usual personality didn’t show in his treatnt of i, or in his work.
At least not that Tidas could see.
While the whole of the Internal Revenue Departnt for Sai was in controlled chaos, the files and papers themselves were ticulously organized. The haphazardly-stacked docunts had been out of order, but the contents of each case file were thodically written out. Including copious notes, and updated addendums.
Tidas had been impressed by the files, but was quickly disillusioned by the departnt’s general state. Cases were backed up by the years, and at least half of them needed to be reinvestigated due to the ti lapse. The departnt was understaffed and underfunded. Most likely caused by the corrupt senators themselves.
Whether he was brilliant or daft, Tidas wasn’t sure yet. But he did know that Hang cared for i a great deal. They had only t briefly, but the sincerity on Hang’s face when they spoke about her was unmistakable.
‘So why does he look like the whole of existence is beneath him right now?! He has his daughter and wife: what more could he want? ...That’s right...It’s not him pushing them, from what Skye’d said.. But why-‘
“Well? Speak, Nephew, or will you not say because you already know that I won’t like the answer?” Genie pressed, receiving only a stony glare two minutes ago.
The commotion within the banquet quickly died down as the guests turned their attention to the drama unfolding at the front of the room.
i turned paler than a ghost as her head bobbed from her uncle to her husband. A sudden chill claid the air in the room as the two n stared nacingly at each other.
Tidas stood up, ready to act as diator when Hang replied; “Not that it is of concern to you, but my wife is fine.”
His retort was akin to throwing logs onto a crackling fire as others began to gather closer. Seeing how quickly things could turn bad, and how easily irreparable things could be said; Tidas grabbed his glass, and started to laugh falsely, but very loudly..
“Ha, ha! You two! Stop ssing around and eat! There’s delicious food all around! Oh! And I must thank you both for showing around your governnt buildings today! It was very intriguing to see how well the people of Sai can work together towards the good of all it’s people..”
It was a very cryptic way to tell them to shut up, or they might say sothing that would stop their work together. But the two ignored Tidas’ easy out, and began to use targeted phrases to make subtle jabs at each other. Genie’s tone even made Tidas hesitant to break them apart, but the other Senators were beginning to gossip.
Having heard enough of their sardonic threats, Skye calmly stood, then glared at the two in turn before speaking in Saianese; “I beg your pardon, dear hosts, but you are ruining the diplomatically-charged party that you’re currently throwing for us..”
Skye’s deanor shifted, and her tone turned nacing as she continued in a low voice; “Not to ntion that my sister looks ready to faint, and my sweet niece is close to tears.. If I have to lose My temper, gentlen, then not a stone will be left in this castle’s foundation by the ti I’m done. Now-”
After straightening up and clapping her hands, Skye grinned cheekily at them as she added; “I am going to take these two for a bit of air. I suggest you two allow Tidas to help, and disappear from the gathering eyes around us until you’ve settled down.”
Tidas had to force a prideful smile from appearing on his face while he watched two of the most powerful n in Sai cower like rebuked puppies. Skye was like a hurricane when angry, and Genie knew it. Looking at Hang’s forlorn expression let Tidas know that Skye’s words had caused his hesitation.
Seeing that his grip had loosened, Skye grabbed i’s free hand, and started to drag her away with a slightly annoyed expression. Peggy, Klaus, and Kari followed behind them as they cut through the crowds, and made their way out of the banquet room. Hana and several other guards were explaining that Lady i felt ill, so the Alconian Princess was going to heal her when Tidas cleared his throat.
“A variety of gossip is starting to spread as to why the won left, but it will soon be overtaken by the previous events. I suggest that we find a room to calmly speak in, like the won have, and continue your...lively debate, in private.”
His smile was wide and his words sounded helpful, but Tidas’ eyes glimred with silent anger at their behavior. If Genie couldn’t get along with Hang, then it would beco much harder to track down whover was smuggling weapons into Sai. On top of the hurt their issues would cause i and Rukia.
Genie sighed deeply, then led the way to his second office. He was supposed to use it for etings anyway, and this was the perfect opportunity. As they walked out of the room, Hana and Hang locked eyes for a fleeting mont.
A small grin tugged at the corners of his lips as Hana’s face remained stony. As he passed through the doorway and Tidas quickly stepped into his place, the two also locked gazes. What Tidas saw reflected made little sense to him, so he just nodded and continued on as Hana had turned away, embarrassed.
As they strode down the main hallway, Tidas wondered if Hana loved, or hated Hang..
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