Rolando's way of playing Go was gentle and unassuming as usual. Harper, on the other hand, was fast and straightforward. Throughout the whole game, they were neck and neck, giving them both a feeling of satisfaction. With a smile on his face, Rolando remarked, "It always makes me happy to play Go with you. When I play with others, I always feel that there is something missing."
"Is it because my Go skills are so bad?" Harper joked.
Rolando glanced at Harper and chuckled. "What are you saying? If your skills are bad, then most of the people I know who claim to know how to play Go don't really know how to play the game! Harper, you are being way too modest."
"It's not that I'm too modest," Harper denied. "It's just... it's not easy to get your praise." She then made a move on the board. "Especially now that you are the famous Emperor Rolando. Everyone thinks highly of you. The Great Jade Kingdom will be better and better under your rule, and I am sure of it."
Rolando raised his head to look up at Harper. Then he made a move on the board. "Do you like the Great Jade Kingdom?" he asked.
"Of course! The people here all look incredibly happy. It seems like everyone is content with the lives they are leading. I've never seen such enthusiastic citizens in my life," Harper replied. To Rolando's ears, Harper's voice sounded ethereal, like a feather softly caressing him in the heart, calming it down and making it joyous.
"Well, if you like, you can come to the Great Jade Kingdom any time you want," Rolando said tenderly. "I heard what happened to you in the South Kingdom last time. It's... unbelievable. You're a strong woman."
"Are you talking about the time I entered the Labyrinth Swamp?" Harper asked. "Well, I was forced to do that at that time. I literally had no other choice, so I was incredibly relieved when I managed to come out alive. But if you ask me to go inside that wretched place once again, I would definitely say no. What I experienced inside was the most terrible thing I have experienced in my life, and probably in the future lives I'll have. It is so full of traps which are all deadly."
"Well, I'm sure Matthew would stamp with fury if you went in there again," Rolando joked, chuckling. Then, out of the blue, he said, "I was extremely worried when I heard that you had entered the Labyrinth Swamp."
"It's my fault to let you feel worried," Harper replied with a soft smile on her lips. "But the Great Jade Kingdom is very far away from the Labyrinth Swamp. Don't worry. I won't have the chance to be forced into it again."
"If anyone in the Great Jade Kingdom dares to force you to do anything, tell me. I will not let them go alive," Rolando said firmly.
"Speaking the Great Jade Kingdom, I have not had the chance to see any of the beautiful scenery in here!" Harper said to lighten the mood.
Rolando laughed. "I'll take you to see the scenery of the imperial capital some other day. It won't be so much better than that of the Bright Dynasty, but it definitely would not be worse. Also, if Lilian finds out that you're here, she will be very happy." Rolando's eyes suddenly became as deep as the ocean, making it hard to see through him.
"Lilian." At the mention of Lilian, Harper felt a little peculiar inside. The first time she saw her, she was with Rolando. At that time, she wanted to thank Rolando for saving her life. Lilian immediately became hostile towards her just because she saw her beside Rolando.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Forensic Imperial Concubine