The wind whistles gently in the late night. A middle-age man, wearing a golden robe, can be seen walking along with a white tiger. The white tiger’s body was twice the man size and its height almost reaches the man. Each step the male and beast took was filled with elegance.

The two of them were taking a night stroll in the garden. The man could not sleep because there was something bothering him. He decided to take his companion along to ease his mind.

The white tiger was walking silently beside him but suddenly stop.  It looks up toward the sky as if something has caught his attention. The man notices the beast gaze and follow the direction. What he found was nothing but the glistening stars in the night sky. The moon was cover by dark clouds but small lights still penetrates through. The night was eerily silent and the breeze continues to sway gently.

“What’s wrong, Jian Bing?” The man asked.

The white tiger did not answer but its gaze continues to linger at the same direction. It was only a second later when its eyes widen, let out a low growl, and suddenly vanish into thin air. This sudden action causes the middle age man to be surprise and scare at the same time. He was just about to call for the white tiger but was interrupted by a sudden call.

An elderly man was rushing toward the man in the golden robe.

“Your Highness!” He called.

The elderly man, or Adviser Wu, was out of breath when he had reached the golden robe man. He quickly bow down and reports, “Your Highness, Empress Jalia is about to give birth!”

This man, also known as Emperor Hong of Zuleron, immediately lost his calm composure and staggers backward. Adviser Wu quickly move and held onto Emperor Hong before his knees collapse.

“Lead…Lead me to the room!” He ordered.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Emperor Hong tried to stabilize his pounding heart.  His chest was beating so rapidly he feels like it was going to pop out of him. This was the first time he has ever feel so nervous and excite at the same time.  He didn’t feel this way when he became the emperor. He didn’t feel this way when he achieved his first victory in battle. Yet he was breaking into sweat at the mention of his wife giving birth.

Just as they were about to take the first step, they heard a loud and thunderous roar coming from the sky. The gentle breeze suddenly turn violent and its speed pick up a little faster. The autumn colored leaves on the ground swirl around as the breeze pass through.  Without warning, rains began to pour from the sky. The sound of the thunder was like a howl of a powerful beast.

Adviser Wu quickly help Emperor Hong into the hallway. Their hairs and clothes were soaked but they didn’t care. Something more important was in their mind.

“Emperor Hong, are you ready to go?” Adviser Wu asked.

The emperor did not hear him because he was in deep thought. He forgot about his wife for a moment as he stares at the violent storm. Everything seems so peculiar. The white tiger sudden disappearance was weighting down his mind. It never behaves in such a way before. 

"Is this the sign of a bad premonition?"He thought.

“Emperor Hong?”

He snaps out of his thought and turn his attention to his wife once more. He suddenly feel his heart began to pound rapidly again. He quickly follows after Adviser Wu. The moment he reaches his room, he could hear his wife painful groan. The nursemaid was sending soothing and encouraging words to console the Empress.

“Your Highness, I think it is better to take a rest.” Adviser Wu suggested.

Throughout the whole night, his wife was still groaning in pain. This only makes the emperor more nervous for his wife. He had heard many stories of women dying during childbirth. He fears for his wife so he continues to stay and wait. The storm continues to roar and lightning can be seen every now and then.

“No, I will stay- “

He stops his protest when he heard a melodious cry coming from the room.

“Waaahhhhh~”

He immediately opens the door and rush to see his wife and child. Inside the room was a lady lying exhaustively on the bed. A few maids were carrying out bowls of water and the nursemaid was wrapping a small child with a soft fabric. When the nursemaid saw the Emperor, she bows down to greet him.

Emperor Hong ignores her bow and signals for her to hand him his child. The nursemaid hastily handed him his child. The moment he held onto his child, he was overwhelm with a flood of happy emotions. This was a precious treasure. He suddenly feels a sense of pride.

Emperor Hong walks toward his wife. She was lying exhaustedly on the bed but her eyes were still open. Empress Jalia was a fair skin lady with light red hair, and a pair of green eyes. Her face was pale from giving birth but her cheeks still had a tint of rosy red. She stares affectionately at her beautiful child. Her child was a beautiful boy with blond hair and glistening green eyes.

“What shall we name our son?” She whispered.

As if heaven has accept their son, the roaring thunder outside suddenly stop. The lightnings lessen and the rain turns into a soft sprinkle. Slowly, the dark clouds began to separates and the sunlight beams penetrate through them. The horrible storm was over and morning was arriving.

Emperor Hong smiled, “Choua, I like the sound of Choua.”

Empress Jalia smile and nod in agreement.

Choua was the first born child of the Emperor. He was also the son of his first wife, the Empress.  Emperor Hong had countless concubines but he still loves his first wife the most. She was his first love and had a kind nature that drew him in. Her heart was as beautiful as her appearance.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Just as Empress Jalia was about to hold onto her child, she has a sudden pain in her abdomen.

“Urgh!” She groaned.

“What...What’s wrong?” Emperor Hong panics.

He hand Choua to a nearby maid and clasps his wife’s hands. Her face has turned pale and she was clenching her teeth in pain. The nursemaid ran over to check Empress Jalia.

She was just about to touch Empress Jalia but jump in fright when a loud thunderous BOOM echoes throughout the palace. Once again, the sky outside turn dark and rain falls faster than before.  The windows swing open because of the strong wind. The candles were blown out instantly. Luckily, it was morning and there was no more use for the candles. The nurses scramble over to the windows and shut them.

“Quickly check my wife!” Emperor Hong shouted.

The nursemaid nodded and checks Empress Jalia. She gasped and her face turns white. Her expression worries Emperor Hong even more as he imagines the worst.

“It’s…It’s nothing serious. It’s just that Her Highness is about to give birth to a second child.” She explained.

Everyone froze in their spot as they try to analyze this piece of information. Empress Jalia was weak from giving birth to the first child. She was already out of strength. The birth of the second child will be very dangerous. It may endanger the Empress’ life. Yet there was nothing they can do but helps the Empress gives birth.

“Quickly help her!” He demanded.

It didn’t take long for the second child to be born. Thankfully, his wife had a strong will and last until the end. Everyone was waiting to look at the child when they suddenly feel a chill run down their spine. The child born did not utter a single cry. The nursemaid even thought that the child was not breathing  until she saw his chest moves up and down. His silence was eerie but his appearance was even more.

“My…My god…this is...”

The boy appearance was the splitting image of the first born. The people present can conclude that they were twin.  Although they look alike, the second child had black hair and eyes. This was not a trait that belongs in the royal family, Empress Jalia or Emperor Hong.  

Emperor Hong was a handsome man with blond hair and deep, blue eyes. His wife had red hair and green eyes. Choua inherits his father’s hair color and his mother’s eyes color. The second son, however, did not have any of his parent’s traits.

The child appearance was frightening but that was not all of it. It took the people a second later to remember how giving birth to twin was a bad omen. No one knows why but there was a prophecy in their country that a pair of twin children will bring destruction to the county.  People had no choice but to abandon their twin children or kill them.  Many chose to keep one of them. A pair of twin was a bad omen and it was even worst to have them born into the royal family.

“No way.” Empress Jalia gasped.

She fainted when her eyes landed on her child. The nursemaid was scare of the child but did not dare to put the child down. After all, this was still the child of the emperor. Emperor Hong’s head was filled with countless thoughts. He feels like his head was going to explode. Advisor Wu was speechless and he begins to feel fear rise in his heart.

The emperor didn’t even care to name his second child. He turns away from the boy and decided, “Kill this child.”

Everyone, including Adviser Wu, gasped. The emperor was known for being merciful and gentle yet this quick decision was ruthless.

“But-But Your Highness! This boy is still-” Adviser Wu protested.

“SILENCE!” Emperor Hong bellowed.

He turns to face Adviser Wu with a helpless face. This was a tough decision but it must be done. This child may be the child from the prophecy. Either he keeps this bad omen child and waits for disaster to strike, or kill the boy first. It was better safe than sorry. He did not want to risk any danger to the country, even if it means killing his own son. He even doubt if this was his son.

He sighed, “Adviser Wu, I want you to take care of this matter.”

Adviser Wu bow down and replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Then Emperor Hong turns his attention to the rest of the people present.

“What happen today must be kept secret. It will only be announce that my wife gave birth to Choua. If any rumor was to appear, everyone present here will be executed.” He threatened.

Everyone gulp and quickly bow down, "understood, Your Higness."

He looks at them and marks their appearance into his mind. At the moment, he didn’t have the heart to kill anyone. Besides, even if this rumor was spread later on, he doubts any one will believe it. After this, it will be very likely that his second son will no longer be alive. No one else will know the truth.

The emperor gave a second glance at his son and then exits the room. He has a heavy heart as he look toward the dark future. The disappearance of the white tiger and the pair of twin was definitely a bad premonition.

Everyone was caught up in their own thought. It may be the horror of the curse child or the horrible fate of knowing the truth.  None of them notice the beautiful rainbow that was hovering across the sky after the storm.  This was the first time in history that such a huge rainbow has appeared. Countless peasants were coming out of their shelters to look at the miracle, thinking that this was a great blessing.

Coincidentally, the end of the rainbow was located at the room where the second child was born. Legend says that a pot of gold exist at the end of the rainbow. However, this child was no pot of gold. He was deemed as the child of a devil, a demon offspring.