The Meeting with Lord Thor

Laughter echoed from a corner of the building, prompting Kai to hurriedly retreat into his room and softly close the door behind him. Nervous energy filled the air as he slipped back under the covers, feigning sleep.

A gentle knock broke the stillness, followed by Jie Yan's soft voice seeking permission to enter, a bowl of fresh water in her hands.

"May I come in, my lord?" she asked, her tone gentle and caring.

With a sigh of relief, Kai rose from his bed and opened the door, allowing Jie Yan to enter.

"Are you feeling better, my lord?" she inquired, concern evident in her gaze.

"I am fine." Kai replied, a hint of nerves present in his voice.

"Lord Thor wishes to speak with you in his room."

A knot of apprehension tightened in Kai's stomach at the thought of facing Lord Thor, but he nodded in acknowledgment.

"I will go after I prepare myself. Thank you for the water," he said, gesturing towards the bowl.

"It's for you to wash your face, my lord. I will leave it here while I fill the bathtub for you," Jie Yan explained before stepping out of the room.

After his bath, Kai noticed neatly folded clothes on his bed, a thoughtful gesture from Jie Yan that touched his heart. Memories of his sister's fashion advice flooded his mind as he dressed, evoking a bittersweet longing.

"Jie Yan, can you hear me?" Kai called out as Jie Yan stood outside the door.

"I am here, my lord. How may I assist you?" Jie Yan's voice responded, and Kai invited her inside.

Upon Jie Yan's entry, she noticed that Kai's attire was askew and offered her assistance. Kai chuckled to himself as he felt embarrassed about his mistake.

"I thought I did alright," he mused silently.

As Kai readied himself to meet Lord Thor, his heart raced with anticipation and uncertainty. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for what awaited, knowing that the meeting with Lord Thor would be a pivotal moment, one that could shape his future in ways beyond his imagination.

Navigating the lengthy, ornate corridors of the Thor Clan stronghold, Kai and Jie Yan's footsteps echoed softly against the walls until they finally arrived outside the imposing Lord Thor's chamber. Guarded by stone-faced sentinels, the entrance exuded an aura of power and authority.

"Please announce my arrival," Kai instructed the guards, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Ah, I sound so cool. This is a line nobles always say in the dramas I watch." Kai thought to myself.

The guards, standing tall in their armor, nodded in acknowledgment before announcing Kai's presence to Lord Thor.

As Kai stepped into the vast and lavishly decorated chamber, he was immediately struck by the opulence and grandeur that surrounded him. The room was adorned with intricate tapestries, gilded furniture, and shelves lined with ancient artifacts, a testament to the wealth and status of the Thor Clan.

"Father," Kai greeted Lord Thor respectfully, the tension in the room palpable.

Lord Thor, seated at a polished wooden desk, poured himself a cup of steaming tea, the fragrant aroma wafting through the air. His gaze, as cold and unyielding as steel, met Kai's with disdain.

"Why did you do it? Why did you impose yourself on Lady Song?" Lord Thor's voice cut through the silence, filled with disappointment and anger.

Confusion clouded Kai's features as he struggled to comprehend his father's accusations.

"What do you mean, Father?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Lord Thor's expression darkened, his frustration reaching a boiling point.

"How many times must you bring shame upon our name? Why can't you conduct yourself with the same honor as your brothers?" His words reverberated through the room, laced with a mixture of disappointment and fury.

With each accusation, Kai's confusion deepened as the weight of his father's disappointment pressed heavily upon him.

Lord Thor's anger erupted even more, without warning, he flung his tea cup at Kai, the hard porcelain shattering upon impact. The powerful blow inflicted on Kai sent excruciating pain coursing through his skull, causing the blood from his head wound to saturate the bandages wrapped tightly around his head.

Kai felt a familiar numbness wash over him, a shield he had learned to don in the face of accusations and blame, reminiscent of the unfair judgments he endured at the orphanage.

"Father, you must be mistaken. It was Brother Ying, not me," Kai attempted to clarify, his voice steady despite the storm brewing around him.

Lord Thor's eyes flashed with fury, his patience wearing thin.

"Must you resort to lies now?" his voice boomed, each word dripping with disbelief and indignation.

As the tension in the chamber escalated, Kai braced himself for the onslaught of his father's wrath, steeling himself against the accusations and condemnations hurled his way. Each word cut deeper than the last, his heart pounding as if to keep pace with the fury of Lord Thor's voice. He stood in silence, his words faltering, knowing nothing he said could quell the storm of anger that burned like a relentless flame.

The Thor and Qing clans stood as pillars of power and influence in the Yi Providence, their wealth and status shaping the very landscape of society. The intricate dance of competition and cooperation between the two families held the region in a delicate balance, their actions and alliances shaping the destiny of the province. It was a game of chess, and any misstep could lead to checkmate.

With the discord between Kai and Lady Song, the second daughter of the Qing family, looming large, the stability of this precarious alliance was threatened.

"Father, no matter what I say, you won't acknowledge me. Therefore, I would like to make a proposal," Kai finally spoke, his voice steady despite the storm brewing around him. His words hung in the air, a flicker of defiance in the face of his father's wrath, a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf them all.

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