Fall In Love With the Second Male Lead 1.2 Lin Kaein

♪

The 14 years old Zhao Taziel has been acting weird lately .

Everyone in the province knew Zhao Taziel was bratty, spoil and vulgar. The servants of the Zhao Family knew their young master poor behavior first hand. So when the young boy came out of his room one day to browse the estate, everyone was stunned at how quiet he was.

One hand holding a paper fan, the beautiful boy walked leisurely while his eyes took in the surroundings.

When he gave a soft smile, flashing his boxy smile, the servants nearby choked. Taziel's smiles were usually condescending with an air that said "you're beneath me".

No matter how beautiful & pretty he was, no one would find a patronising smile, lovely. But for the first time, the people at the manor were transfixed by the sweet smile.

The servants weren't the only one who took notice of Zhao Taziel's change. His father, the Viscount took notice as well. When he questioned him if he was feeling sick or ill, Taziel laughed and hugged his father's arm like the "old" Taziel always do.

For a father to receive such a sweet, pouting expression from his beloved oré son, he would not question him any further.

If anything , he took it as another growing phase the child was going through. And so , since the Viscount didn't question Zhao Taziel's sudden change, no one else dared to.

Zhao Taziel

Daddy

Taziel smiled as he took of his father's arm.

Zhao Taziel

Taziel will go with you to the capital

...

𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: You want to go?

The Viscount had tried for the past 2 years to get his son to go with him to the capital. For three months of the year, the Viscount has to be in the Capital City to report to the imperial court for duty.

During those three months, the Viscount asked his oré son, to join him for 2 reasons. One, he wanted to take the opportunity to introduce him to the Lin family.

Second, he wanted his beloved son at his side

Zhao Taziel

What?

Taziel small, soft pink lips pouted.

Zhao Taziel

Daddy doesn't want Taziel to go??

...

𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: Of_of course I do. My good son, so you'll join me this year.

While the Viscount smiled and laughed, he missed the sly lift on his son's lips and the deep sparkles in his eyes.

♪

Five days later at the Capitol City, a handsome young man just passed 16 years old, stood quietly at the doorway of his bedroom.

Leaning against the frame of the opened doors, the young man looked out at the connecting water garden. Before him was a calm and peaceful sight, but his heart was filled with turmoil.

A few days ago, his parents had let him know that Viscount Zhao and his son will be visiting them. Everyone in the country knew Zhao Taziel was his betroth.

His father the Great Prime Minister had personally asked the Empress for the engagement. The Emperor also gave his Royal blessing. When Zhao Taziel turns 18 , he will be wedded into the Lin family.

For any young man to marry a beautiful bride, he would feel blessed. For Lin kaein, he felt dejected. Ignoring all the rumours about Zhao Taziel being spoiled, crude and mean, Lin kaein just learned his heart was yearning for someone else.

Even if that someone does not feel the same way for him, Lin kaein was still trying to move on from the adolescent feeling.

In that moment, how could he think of anyone else?

...

Young Master

A young servant stood nervously at the entrance while speaking carefully.

...

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 : The Viscount has arrived

Lin Kaein

...

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭: Master and Mistress is entertaining the Viscount in the main hall

Lin Kaein

And Velien Zhao?

...

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭: In the Plum Garden

Lin Kaein

Plum Garden?

Lin Kaein gave a bitter smile. Liu Jia had once told him that she did not like plum blossom because of how fragile it was

Instead, Liu Jia preferred the golden flower-the chrysanthemum for its strength.

...

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭: Young Master...

Lin Kaein

Let's go then...

Lin Kaein strengthened and walked out of the room while the young servant quickly followed behind.

♪

In the garden surrounded by the plum blossom trees, a petite figure sat under a small wood pavilion. The air was cold but gentle so the young Zhao Taziel did not mind sitting outside in the garden.

With an elbow on the wooden table, his chin was prompt on the back of his hand while other hand was gently tapping on the table. His eyes were closed with a quiet smile on his face as if he was lost in a soundless song of the wind.

The beautiful, quite scen was how Lin Kaein first saw Zhao Taziel. It had startled him and the servants nearby. It was unlike what they had expected.

Lin Kaein never met Zhao Taziel before but heard enough stories about the boy to believe he was vulgar. But how could a vulgar person sit so gracefully-so peacefully as if nothing in the world could touch or move him.

Lin Kaein frozen in place until Zhao Taziel's eyes slowly opened. His startling jewel-like eyes, almond shape, held an unknown depth that made him suddenly nervous-like he (Taziel) could see right through him.

How was it possible? How could he be nervous toward a small boy? It was shocking because he was never nervous toward anyone-not even his own father.

Zhao Taziel

Hello...

Taziel cautiously stood in place-his voice was light but clear, like a heavenly angel.

Zhao Taziel

Please do not be alarm... I came with my father as a guest here...

Taziel explained - appearing hesitant. When his eyes looked back up at Lin Kaein and found the man unresponsive, his eyes casted back down with more hesitation.

Zhao Taziel

Pardon me...

Taziel nervously bowed and quickly turned to leave.

Lin Kaein

Wait_

Because Taziel back was turn, Lin Kaein did not see the hidden gleam in his eyes as he rushed off.

Then with perfect timing, Taziel accidentally tripped over the long length of his cloth and would have fallen to his face if a pair of strong arm didn't caught him in time.

Lin Kaein

Are you alright?

Zhao Taziel

Y_yes

Taziel quickly stood and kept careful distance from Lin Kaein

Zhao Taziel

T_thank you

Lin Kaein

No, it was I who startled you

Lin Kaein said gently

Lin Kaein

Velien Zhao Taziel

Zhao Taziel

Y_you know me?

Taziel looked up at the tall older boy-his eyes widened with surprised.

Lin Kaein

Yes

Zhao Taziel

You are...

Lin Kaein

The tall boy cupped his fist and tilted his head slightly to greet him politely.

It was strange for Lin Kaein to greet Zhao Taziel in such a formal manner. It was like he was greeting Royalty Or his elders and not a younger boy.

Because of his action, Taziel couldn't help but cover his lips to stop himself from laughing.

Zhao Taziel

S_sorry

Taziel apologized when he saw the surprised look on Lin Kaein's face.

Zhao Taziel

I didn't mean to laugh... it's just Lin-gongzi does not have to greet this little Taziel so formally.

Zhao Taziel

But since Lin-gongzi greet Taziel so gracefully, he must return in kind.

Taziel then strengthened his posture and gracefully placed his hands on the left side. With a slight bend on his knees, Taziel bowed his head and returned the formal bow-like he was Royalty Or his elders

Zhao Taziel

Taziel greets Lin-gongzi

After greeting the boy, Taziel lifted his face to see the taller boy staring down at him in confusion.

Lin Kaein

You're not like what they say...

Taziel understood the older boy's comment. Instead of responding, he tilted his head to the side and look back at him with confusion.

Seeing his lost expression, Lin Kaein only smiled. When Zhao Taziel smiled back , the dejected feeling that Lin Kaein previously felt suddenly went away unbeknownst to him.

♪