bookcurios Chapter 55 Nine Lifetimes of Tragic Fate 3: The Princess's Story
Chapter 55 Nine Lifetimes of Tragic Fate 3: The Princess's Story
Chapter Fifty-Five: The Tragic Fate of Nine Lifetimes - The Third Princess's Story: A Love Across Two Realms, Endless Longing
The Third Princess clutched the jade pendant left behind by Black Wind, its warm touch seemingly still carrying his presence. She pressed it tightly to her chest, murmuring to herself, "Black Wind, where are you? Why did you never return?" Her eyes were filled with sorrow and longing, a gaze that seemed to pierce through endless distances, searching for the one who haunted her dreams. She knew that the road to reunion after this parting would be fraught with thorns, but a sliver of hope remained in her heart, like guarding a flickering candle in the darkness; as long as there was a glimmer of light, she refused to relinquish her conviction.
On the journey back to the capital, her mind was filled with memories of her time with Hei Feng. The carriage jolted, but the jolting couldn't shake her thoughts. "His wisdom, his courage, and those occasional hesitant glances at me—were they all just my imagination?" The Third Princess pondered silently in the carriage, her brow furrowed, her delicate face filled with confusion and turmoil. "But why did he leave behind the jade pendant and the letter? There must be a deeper meaning. He certainly didn't want to sever ties with me, but what exactly is holding him back?" She gently stroked the letter, her fingertips tracing the words as if touching his soul, trying to discern his true feelings and helplessness in each stroke.
Finally back in the capital, the grand award ceremony brought her no joy. When the emperor announced her title as Princess Protector of the Nation, she mechanically expressed her gratitude, her cold voice echoing through the magnificent hall, devoid of any warmth. Below the court, the ministers' obsequiousness and the princes' flattery seemed like fleeting clouds to her. "My heart has long since gone with him; what meaning do these empty gestures hold?" she sighed inwardly, yet outwardly maintained her royal dignity, her noble bearing inspiring no disrespect.
During her time in the palace, the Third Princess became taciturn. She often sat alone by the window, gazing into the distance, lost in thought. The changing scenery outside couldn't diminish her longing. "Black Wind, you promised to come back, I believe you." She clutched the jade pendant tightly, her eyes resolute, her gaze seemingly able to traverse mountains and rivers to reach Black Wind. "No matter how long, I will wait for you. Even if the years are long, my heart will remain unchanged." Every time she went to the temple to pray, she was incredibly devout. Dressed in simple clothes, she slowly walked into the incense-filled temple. "May Buddha protect him from danger and bring him back safely. I would give anything to see him again." She knelt on the prayer mat, hands clasped together, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from her forehead. Her focused expression seemed to be engaged in a spiritual dialogue with Buddha, pouring out all her longing and anticipation.
Meanwhile, in the enemy country, the Regent was busy day and night with power struggles. Standing in the shadows, his eyes coldly fixed on his subordinates, he said, "This uprising must succeed; failure is not an option. We must pave a new path for the future of our nation." His voice was deep and powerful, exuding unquestionable authority, yet a hint of weariness and confusion lingered within him. In the quiet of the night, he sat alone in his study, the candlelight flickering, his thoughts drifting. "Third Princess," he said, "I hope you understand what I must do. If we succeed one day, will I still be worthy to return to your side? I concealed my identity from you, and made you wait so long; will you forgive me?" He gazed into the distance, his deep eyes seeming to pierce the darkness, searching for his beloved in a distant land.
When conspiring with his courtiers, he meticulously analyzed the situation: "The Eighth Prince is benevolent and magnanimous; he will surely become a wise ruler. Our current strategy is all for the long-term interests of the nation." His words were sharp, his insights unique, and his every gesture exuded regal bearing. Yet, in the quiet of the night, he often thought of the Third Princess's voice and smile. "Am I betraying her deep affection by doing this? But the responsibility I bear is too heavy; I cannot abandon it merely for the sake of personal feelings." He paced in the courtyard, the moonlight casting a long, slender shadow that accentuated his loneliness. He would occasionally stop, gazing up at the bright moon, as if seeing the Third Princess's beautiful yet sorrowful face reflected in it. "Princess, do you know that my longing for you has never ceased? It is only fate's cruel joke that has separated us."
Time flies, like a fleeting moment, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye. During these three years, the Third Princess endured loneliness and longing in the palace, spending every day and night in torment. She refused countless banquets and invitations, choosing to wait silently in her own world. Meanwhile, the Regent King struggled in the vortex of power struggles in the enemy country, every decision a matter of life and death, yet a soft spot in his heart always belonged to the Third Princess.
Once, the Third Princess met Black Wind in a dream. She ran towards him joyfully, only to find his figure gradually blurring. "Black Wind, why have you left me?" she cried out. Black Wind replied helplessly, "Princess, I have no choice." The Third Princess awoke with a start, her pillow soaked with tears. "Black Wind, where are you?" she whispered in the darkness, her voice filled with helplessness and despair.
During a lull in the fighting, the Regent gazed at the distant sky and silently murmured, "Princess, are you still waiting? I must end all this as soon as possible and return to your side." Little did he know that the wheels of fate were turning mercilessly, pushing them step by step into the abyss of tragedy.