The smoky aroma of roasted peanuts drifted through the street. When I found them—Lóngzi and Xiao xiao—they were huddled by a vendor, laughing and munching away.
> "Hmm…" I crossed my arms. "I thought you two would be waiting for me, but here you are, stuffing your mouths."
Both of them looked up, grinning like guilty children.
> "Hey, what are you eating?" I asked, raising a brow.
> "Roasted peanuts!" Lóngzi said, holding out a handful toward me.
> "Come on, sis, try them! They're so warm and crunchy," Xiao xiao chimed in, cheeks full.
Temptation won me over.
> "Hmm… okay, give me one."
I popped a peanut into my mouth and instantly lit up.
> "Mmm, it's so good! I want a packet."
The shopkeeper handed it over with a smile, and Lóngzi wordlessly paid for everything. The three of us continued strolling, laughter spilling out between bites and little sips of wine.
Eventually, Xiao xiao wandered off with his bodyguard, leaving just Lóngzi and me. We were tipsy—warm with drink, tired feet, and flushed cheeks.
By the time we reached the door of my place, the sky had turned a shade darker. Lanterns flickered in the breeze.
Lóngzi turned to me, his voice low and a little slurred.
> "Don't go, my princess…" he mumbled, then pulled me into his arms. "Uhhuhh… you're so hot."
I raised an eyebrow and smirked.
> "Then why are you leaving me?"
He blinked, confused.
I leaned in and brushed my lips against his. He looked stunned, the heat between us intensifying.
> "I'm not leaving," he said, voice husky. "We're leaving."
> "What do you mean?" I teased.
> "I mean—wait, what?"
I giggled, trailing a finger along his arm.
> "I'm going to my room, and you're going to yours. So technically… we're both leaving."
> "Ohhh…" He nodded in understanding.
I kissed him again, quick and teasing.
> "I'm going… but not leaving, right?"
He chuckled, nodding. But as I leaned in again, he backed away a little, holding up a hand.
> "Uhhhaa… don't kiss me again. I'm seriously controlling myself."
> "Who asked you to control anything?" I grinned, turning away with a laugh as his ears turned red.
The Next Morning
I woke to the sound of heavy rain pelting the windows like a thousand tiny drums. The air was cool, the world outside cloaked in grey mist. I sat up slowly, the sheets warm against my skin, but something felt... off.
> (Oh no… Liyu!)
I shot up.
> "Hey! Is anyone there?"
A voice answered from beyond the door.
> "Yes, Princess. How can I help?"
> "Call the Crown Prince. I need to speak with him about today's plans."
There was a brief pause.
> "But… Crown Prince is not here, Your Highness."
My brows furrowed.
> "What? When did he leave?"
> "I don't know, Princess. No one saw him go."
That odd sense of unease deepened in my chest. Without another word, I threw on my outer robe and dashed toward the door.
> "Princess! Where are you going? At least tell me—"
> "No time!" I called back, my voice barely audible over the downpour.
I arrived at the small guest house breathless, my slippers soaked, hair clinging to my neck. The rain had turned the path into slippery mud, but I didn't care.
I pushed the door open.
> "Liyu—!"
My heart stopped. She was collapsed on the floor, her face pale and her breathing shallow. Her lips trembled, and her arms hugged her middle as though she'd been in pain all night.
Even worse—no guards in sight.
> (What the hell happened to the guards I posted?)
I rushed to her side, lifting her carefully.
> "Don't worry, I've got you."
Her eyes fluttered open briefly.
> "P-Princess…"
> "Shhh. Don't speak. I'm calling a doctor."
Within moments, I sent word to the royal physician and summoned more reliable guards. Liyu was wrapped in dry blankets, lying in a clean room under soft candlelight.
I sat beside her, watching the rise and fall of her chest.
> (No matter what her past is… I won't let anything happen to her again.)