Leena's POV
Her heart felt like it had been torn in two. Her lashes were wet and heavy, her hair frizzed from the creeping humidity, and her entire appearance was disheveled. She was a mess—inside and out.
Leena's feet carried her blindly through the palace grounds, her sandals splashing against the dirt as she fled the courtyard of the prince. Every breath stung in her chest, every thought struck her harder than the last.
Why were they holding hands?
Was there something between them?
Did she do it on purpose—right in front of me?
The questions spiraled endlessly, stabbing at her heart. The vision of Lady Jiang's manicured fingers wrapped around the prince's hand replayed again and again, as though the heavens themselves wished to torture her.
Her pace quickened until she realized she had wandered farther than intended. By the time her tears blurred the world into shadows, she found herself standing in front of the physicians' quarters.
And there he was.
Yu Zang.
He appeared from the corner, his robes neat, his expression as unreadable as ever. The moment their eyes met, Leena froze in place.
"I—oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there…" she mumbled, quickly wiping at her tear-streaked face.
Yu Zang studied her, unflinching. "You look like a mess," he remarked bluntly, his words lacking any tact.
Leena gave a bitter, humorless smile. "I know."
"Come with me," he ordered without hesitation.
Too exhausted to protest, she followed.
He led her toward a small pavilion nestled between the trees, hidden from the busier courtyards. It was quaint—wooden beams supporting a tiled roof, a small table, and a pair of chairs resting beneath it. Upon the table already sat a jar of clear liquor and a pair of porcelain cups.
Yu Zang sat first, his movements composed, then gestured for her to take the seat opposite. Confused but too broken to argue, Leena lowered herself across from him.
Without a word, he poured the crystal liquid into one of the cups.
"I have medicine for your ache," he said, sliding the filled cup toward her.
Leena blinked at the shimmering liquid, the sharp scent of alcohol tickling her nose. "Oh… I don't drink. It's forbidden in my religion."
One of Yu Zang's brows arched. "Really? Strange. I once traveled with Indian merchants—they drank like madmen."
Leena shook her head gently. "Some of us do… but I believe it is wrong. A poison that clouds the mind. I cannot accept it."
For once, Yu Zang seemed at a loss. Then, with a short exhale, he stood. "Very well. I'll get you tea instead."
He left with a measured stride, carrying the liquor away, leaving her alone beneath the pavilion.
Leena sat in silence, staring blankly at the wooden grain of the table. Her mind returned to the moment she had just fled. Lady Jiang's smile, the prince's hesitation, the clasp of their hands—it gnawed at her until her chest ached.
Then—drip.
A droplet landed on the roof above. Then another.
Within moments, rain hammered against the pavilion in sheets, the downpour cascading down the eaves. The wind pushed water in sideways, spraying her sleeves and dampening her face.
Leena rose and stepped toward the railing, watching the storm rage. The smell of wet earth filled the air, cool and sharp. Soon she was soaked through, her hair clinging to her skin.
"At least no one will notice my tears now…" she whispered to herself, voice fragile.
"Leena."
She stiffened. She knew that voice.
Turning, she saw Yu Zang returning, a tray balanced in his hands with teapot and cups. But his gaze faltered as he looked at her—her drenched figure standing alone in the rain. He coughed lightly, almost embarrassed, before setting the tray down.
His steps drew him closer. His eyes lingered not with their usual disdain but with something sharper, hungrier.
"Maybe what you need," he murmured, voice low as the storm, "is something else."
He reached toward her, each step bringing him nearer.
The Prince's POV – Earlier
"Wait, Your Highness!"
Lady Jiang's voice was urgent, pleading.
"Let me go. At once," the prince ordered, his tone like ice cracked by fire. It was a voice that could terrify any soul—any, except her.
But Lady Jiang clung stubbornly, her nails digging into his sleeve. "I bring a message from your mother!"
The prince narrowed his eyes.
A ruse, surely. But… let us see what lies she spins.
"Speak," he commanded, his words sharp and cold.
"She says you need not march north. She's found a way to keep you and your men safe."
His expression flickered.
How could she know of this? And why send her instead of writing directly to me?
"What is her plan?" he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Lady Jiang's eyes gleamed. She leaned closer, pulling him just enough that their bodies nearly touched, only inches apart. "You must marry me."
For a moment, the prince simply stared. His face revealed nothing—then a cold laugh broke from his lips, harsher than silence.
"So… that was your plan."
He shoved her back violently, his composure fractured by fury, and stormed out.
But she chased after him, heels clattering against the floor.
"You're going to find her, aren't you?" she cried as they burst into the rain-soaked courtyard.
"This is none of your concern," he growled.
"She's no good for you, Your Highness! Do you even know what kind of woman that foreign wench is?"
He halted so abruptly that she collided into him. Turning sharply, his eyes blazed with rage.
"You know nothing of Leena. Keep your filthy words from your mouth." His voice was lethal, his presence towering.
Lady Jiang's mask cracked, her face twisting into something darker, uglier. "Oh, really?"
"I will show you what she truly is."
She grabbed his arm and pulled, her strength driven by venom. For a moment, shock kept him still—at the sheer hatred in her eyes. Then he tore himself free, rain streaming down his face.
"Where are you taking me?" His voice was thunder.
"You want to find Leena, don't you?" Lady Jiang spat. "Then follow me. Since she arrived, she's been sneaking off with one of the physicians. They've been meeting like lovers."
"That's a lie," the prince retorted instantly.
"Is it?" She smirked. "Follow me—or don't. But if you wish to find her… she's in the physicians' quarters."
Against his better judgment, suspicion gnawed at him. He followed.
The rain thickened, sheets of silver blurring his vision. His robes clung to him as he reached the pavilion.
And there—
Leena.
Soaked through, her figure stood trembling, but not from cold. Across from her, a physician leaned closer. Too close.
The prince's breath hitched as he watched, powerless to move.
Yu Zang's hand rose, cupping her face. His lips descended.
And then—he kissed her.
A kiss full of claim.
A kiss the prince could only watch from the storm.
Lady Jiang watched. A smile tugged at her painted lips as she observed every beat of the unfolding drama. Her plan was unfolding perfectly. Let Li Wei see. Let him believe what his eyes show, not what his heart feels.
☆.𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𓍊𓋼𓍊.☆ To be continued… ☆.𓋼𓍊 𓆏 𓍊𓋼𓍊.☆