Tale of the Lotus Heart
Chapter 24

The next day, First Prince Atlas took the troops to the battle site to continue fighting and covertly assessing the situation to see if my plan would have any effect. I was instructed to stay behind with the sick and wounded in the camp grounds. I drank my water to really just pass the time before going to attend to the wounded. With my energy and cultivation levels, healing them was easy, but after the 20th soldier, I needed to sit and take a break. I'd been at it for hours with the most severely wounded to help out the physicians. I went back to my tent and laid down to rest. I found myself curled up on my side as sleep called my name. First Prince noticed what even I couldn't, and he was right. I wasn't an energetic as I was at the beginning and my stamina was very low. I hated feeling so weak and lethargic. I closed my eyes briefly before hearing my tent flap open. I sat up and looked to the entrance to see the one person I'd been trying to avoid. I knew he would be worried and upset seeing me on the battlefield once he knew.

"Aivi," Yong said as he rushed to my side. He looked me over briefly before placing his hand on my cheek.

"I can't believe you've been here the whole time. Why didn't you tell me you were helping my First Brother battle the demons?" He asked. I smiled lightly before pulling him into a hug.

"I knew you'd worry and rush here to try and protect me," I admitted. "How did you know I was here?" I asked as I pulled out of the hug. Yong sat next to me on the bed as he held my hand in his gently.

"My First Brother sent me a letter along with the one he sent to our Royal Father. He told me that you were here and I needed to come urgently. What happened? We're you hurt?" He asked. I shook my head before my eyes and hand went to my stomach.

"No, but First Prince Atlas noticed something wrong with me. I wasn't my usual self these last few weeks, and it kept getting worse, so he scanned me using internal energy," I explained. Yong waited patiently as he caressed my hand. I took a deep breath and prepared to tell him the news when Tase walked in. I looked up and smiled at seeing his face. I stood and met him halfway before he wrapped me in a hug.

"Aivi, thank goodness you're okay," Tase said in relief.

"You got a letter from the First Prince too?" I asked, half knowing the answer already. Tase nodded as he pulled away.

"Sit down, let me scan you," Tase said still slightly worried.

"What did my First Brother replace?" Yong asked impatiently as I sat back down. I closed my eyes as Tase sent his energy in to scan my body. I felt his energy hesitate at my stomach before he withdrew.

"You're pregnant?" Tase asked as I opened my eyes again. I nodded. Yong stood quickly before he searched himself. After he found what he was looking for, he stood me up to pull me into a hug.

"You're really pregnant," he breathed happily as he picked me up in a spin. I chuckled as Yong set my feet back on the ground.

"First Prince was worried because I'd become more lethargic, so he ordered me to stay back. I guess he secretly sent you each a letter as well. He's aware that I'm carrying the Crown Prince's child," I explained.

"We should go back home and get you away from the fighting," Tase said immediately. I took a step back as I shook my head.

"I finally thought of a plan to finish this battle. I want to see it out until the end," I argued.

"Little Flower, you've done more than enough, and after talking with my First Brother, I'm sure he'll credit your idea. You've been out here for several months already. I know you're searching for merits and achievements, but not to the point of recklessness. You have more than just your own life to think about now," Tase tried to talk sense into me. I knew he was right, but I felt uneasy leaving this war unfinished.

"But-" I tried.

"No buts," Yong was quick to cut me off. He sighed before placing a hand on my cheek again. "Aivi, you're already extraordinary. Even my First Brother is impressed. We'll wait for Altas to come back from the battlefield and talk about it with all four of us," Yong promised. I sighed before hanging my head slightly. In this instance, I was the one who was wrong and stubborn. I'd already achieved a lot out here. Any more would be selfish.

"Fine, I'll wait for First Prince to get back. Right now, all I really want to do is sleep," I admitted. I was beyond exhausted. Even though I'd basically spent the day wondering around camp, I was worn out. I could feel my internal energy redirecting itself to my stomach and I knew it was probably the reason I felt deflated. Yong assisted me to lay down, even though it was unnecessary, before laying the blanket over me. He placed a kiss on my head before touching my stomach gently.

"I'll be sure to wake you when my First Brother gets back," he promised. Knowing and seeing that Yong was here put me at ease. Even though I initially wanted to accomplish this without his help, I missed him. I missed Tase as well. My father figure and lover with me in this desolate place helped my heart rest enough to fall asleep quickly and soundly. I was at peace.