Chapter 21

Astari

We walk into the conference room on the second floor to find the Yaotián family already seated. The only exceptions are the Yaotián elders and Lady Yanyun.

In the center of the room is a large meeting table with a complete tea set and several cups. Lighting is provided by sun rays streaming in through the large sliding glass door in the back of the room.

Prince Xaoi-He is between his brother, Prince Yantián, and their father, Chief Yaotián. Next to Chief Yaotián sits Chief Kwan, followed by a man in his mid-30s I have never seen before. His stoic demeanor looked pensively toward Park Zixin.

Park Zixin had gotten up and switched to a seat in front of Prince Xaoi-He, who shunned him completely. Hyun-Ki and Han Lee are already sitting next to the unknown man. There are six empty seats before Park Zixin, who sits directly next to Prince Ruyun. This is my first time seeing this young Prince in person. He's quiet and withdrawn. His solemn gaze sweeps over Park Zixin before disregarding him completely.

Prince Ruyun then leans back, lacing his long slender fingers in his lap as if impatient. Prince Xaoi-He looks towards us as we walk in, but no one speaks. Kurtis steers Khelani and me to three empty seats, using himself as a barrier between Park Zixin and us. The mysterious man watches and smiles as if amused.

"It's been a while, Fang Kai." Kurtis greets and bows to the man.

"No need for formalities, Kurtis. Where is Myo?" The man nods.

"He's behind me. Should be here any minute." Kurtis sits next to me, sliding his hand into mine. Surprised, I glance at his profile, but he just squeezes my hand.

Hyun-Ki seems just as bored as Prince Ruyun, and Han Lee silently observes everyone.

"Thank you for your patience. Xie-Yu will not be coming, but I will pass any pertinent information on to him." Myom-Li bows to those present.

Danielle walks in with him and bows but doesn't say anything before taking her seat next to Khelani. Han Lee raises a brow at Myom-Li as he takes the seat Danielle left open for him. I almost laugh at the tight expression on his face before he looks away. It would seem Han Lee is not a fan of Myom-Li.

"Forgive me for my late arrival." Lord Shi walks in and bows to Chief Yaotián and Chief Kwan. He takes the last seat between Kurtis and Park Zixin.

"Now that everyone meant to be here has arrived, let's get started." Chief Yaotián announces.

At this, Kurtis's jaw tenses, but he doesn't respond. Han Lee glances at him with worry, and Danielle looks down at the table. It would seem Chief Ji-Hoon will not be coming.

"We are all here because the Shin have constantly caused problems for us. My son was almost murdered this morning, and his best friend was severely injured. We lost 40 elite men, and about 10 more were injured. This is not something I can forgive and will need to be addressed. Those responsible will not escape death." Chief Yaotián's voice becomes hard towards the end. As far as I know, he never yells, but I can see why he doesn't need to. His aura and presence are too powerful. The Fang Kai beside him doesn't flinch. However, the rest of us seem a bit rattled.

"The Shin didn't intend to cause so much damage. It was really supposed to be a meeting. Lady Alisha really did just want to speak to him." Park Zixin intercedes. He doesn't seem phased by Chief Yaotián.

"From what Yin Mu said, Jaidan was given the option to join or die. How is that just a conversation? Not only that, but it was obviously an ambush. Had the heat signatures worked, I still wonder if there would have been more casualties. Over 80 men were rushing out immediately before the explosion. That explosion was massive. I barely had time to get those with me away." Lord Shi argues.

"Ah, so that's how it was." Fang Kai says quietly.

"I am being serious. That was Yin Mu's own decision. He had no authority to do that. Lady Alisha is willing to hand him to you." Park Zixin.

"You know quite a bit about the Shin." Prince Ruyun. His voice is calming and doesn't give way to his thoughts. In fact, the entire Yaotián family has blank expressions.

"That's because the Shin are protected by the State Council. He was put in charge of them." Fang Kai. At this, Prince Xaoi-He finally looks across to Park Zixin. His suppressed rage is evident on his face.

"Are you trying to provoke me?" He asks Park Zixin quietly.

"No, I wouldn't dare harm someone close to you. I don't want you to hate me." Park Zixin answers with a wink.

"Then, you knew all along about the actions of the Shin?" Myom-Li interrogates.

"I know of all the approved operations. I found out about this one this morning and came over as soon as I heard."

"So the bombing in the city, the abuse of my fiancé, and the attempted murder of those who went to rescue her are all approved actions for the State?" Myom-Li is beginning to lose control. Danielle whispers something to him.

"The issue with Danielle is between Lady Alisha and Danielle. As you know, Myo, we do not involve ourselves with personal vendettas." Fang Kai responds.

"The bombing in the city was not the Shin. You Sooyungs have many enemies. You cannot just blame everything on someone else because it's convenient. As for the attempted murder of the rescuers, Lady Alisha hadn't planned to kill anyone in the Alliance. Otherwise, she would have blown the building when she left. Besides, who was the one who warned you about the bomb? I'm sure she's in this room right now." Park Zixin explains and looks pointedly at Danielle.

Besides whispering to Myom-Li, she remains passive. Chief Yaotián doesn't seem surprised about any of this and still gives off a hostile air. Chief Kwan remains blank and passive like his daughter. Prince Yantián continues to look between the speakers but also remains silent. Prince Ruyun is looking down at the table. Hyun-Ki seems as though he is about to snap. Han Lee is stealing glances at his brother, and Kurtis becomes more agitated. However, his face still remains tolerant. I can only tell his mood as his jaw clenches.

"Since you know so much. What is it Lady Alisha wants then?" Prince Xaoi-He.

"Well, she wants a peaceful life for her syndicate members. They have been through a lot under previous leadership. With her take over, things have settled down, and she hopes to become a part of the Alliance." Park Zixin.

"Are you fucking serious? We are supposed to pretend she didn't attack a prominent member of our Alliance and just accept her with open arms?" Myom-Li shouts. Danielle immediately pulls him down. Chief Kwan gives him a stern look but also doesn't speak.

"If you mean Danielle, I have already advised you that it's between those two. Since no one else was injured in that event, there's no need for us to intervene." Fang Kai.

"The only people who died that day were those murdered by Prince Jaidan and whatever happened to those taken by his 3rd in command, Lord Da-Xing. Since that was between Prince Jaidan and his family, we also stayed out of that." Park Zixin informed him. "Besides, I just returned this morning. I was visiting family in Cambodia with Fang Kai."

"Tsk." is Myom-Li's only response. I wonder what Danielle said to him.

"How are they wanting to be a part of the alliance." Prince Yantián finally speaks.

"Lady Alisha wanted to speak to Prince Jaidan about that. She wasn't aware of any real avenues." Park Zixin.

"However, we know that Prince Jaidan is past the marriage age typical of your Alliance. It is the State's hope that the council will match Lady Alisha and Prince Jaidan. We don't need any more infighting. The bombing is why I am here. Granted, it wasn't the Shin, but the Shin is large and in the south where the Alliance doesn't reach. We are about the safety of our people hence why we are named the People's Republic. Our main concern is the well-being of our citizens. This fighting needs to stop. What better way than to have them become a part of the Alliance in marriage to ensure the Alliance holds." Fang Kai advocates.

"Wow, Fang Kai, I had no idea the State said this. Why didn't you tell me?" Park Zixin's slightly offended face stares accusingly at Fang Kai.

"My father told me yesterday. You were busy." Fang Kai.

Everyone but the Yaotiáns and Chief Kwan jumped at the sudden slam on the table. Prince Xaoi-He had jumped up and smashed his teacup on the table, evident from the shattered pieces and blood beneath his hand.

"This is ridiculous!" He shouts. The silence that follows is thick and only interrupted by a phone chime.

"It appears I am needed in the infirmary," Khelani says, standing.

All eyes are on her. Khelani bows. Then,

"Prince Xaoi-He, they say what you have been waiting for is ready. Will you escort me to the medic ward?"

Without even waiting for a response, Khelani turns and leaves the room. Prince Xaoi-He glares at Park Zixin before following her out of the room.

Chief Yaotián pressed a button on the console I didn't notice on the table. A maid appeared. Seeing the mess, she immediately turned to a long table at the entrance. Grabbing a rag and a small tub, she reached over, wiping the excess into the tub and leaving immediately.

"Then, my sisters being Kidnapped was a part of the plan when Danielle was captured," Hyun-Ki speaks up, bringing everyone back to the meeting. "What were they trying to do with them?"

"Your sisters? Why would anyone care about them?" Park Zixin looks puzzled. "Who are they?"

"My fiancé here is one of them. Lady Bu Astari. The other is the one who just left with Prince Xaoi-He, Lady Bu Khelani." Kurtis finally speaks.

"Oh? So she's a Lady?" Park Zixin seems to relax.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Hyun-Ki demands.

Surprisingly Han Lee doesn't subdue Hyun-Ki. Instead, like Prince Ruyun, he's leaning back and watching the proceedings. I wish I knew what they were thinking.

"Nothing. As for why the sisters were taken, I don't know. They were supposed to be dropped off with their guards. I had no idea, and I doubt Lady Alisha knew either. Lady Alisha aimed to get rid of the Bloody Baron and capture Princess Kim Danielle. Did you guys find the guards and caretaker?" Park Zixin queries.

"We did find them." Han Lee finally says something.

"Bring Yin Mu to Prince Xaoi-He's team. They will handle him. Ensure he is alive when you bring him. As for Prince Jaidan and Lady Alisha…" Chief Yaotián pauses for a moment as if hesitating.

"We changed the way we handle marriages. Our upper-class members have a choice. They can date and marry of their choosing as long as the council approves. We cannot force Jaidan to marry her." Chief Kwan finishes.

"Right now, I do not want any Shin members near my family or my house." Chief Yaotián commands.

"Understandable. Please have Prince Jaidan consider it. Otherwise, can we count on your assistance Chief Kwan?" Fang Kai threatens.

"My brother has stepped up. I am no longer in command of the Alliance. I cannot make them do anything." Chief Kwan's bored tone discloses to Fang Kai.

"Where is Chief Ji-Hoon then? I heard he was in town with you?" Park Zixin.

"If that is all, I will head out. I have other matters to address." Kurtis rises, bows to those around him, tugs me up gently and leaves the conference with me. Chief Kwan advises that there was an important matter Chief Ji-Hoon had to handle in Korea, and he will not be returning for some time.