Morning light slipped quietly through the window, soft and warm, as if the storm from the night before had never happened.
Lin Xu stirred.
For a mont, she lay still, her mind slow, her body heavy with tiredness. Then she reached out without thinking—
And touched nothing.
Her eyes opened at once.
The bed beside her was empty.
Cold.
Lin Xu sat up sharply, her heart skipping. The space where Xuan Lu had been was clean, untouched, as if no one had slept there at all.
"...Xuan Lu?" she called softly.
No answer.
She looked around the room. His robe was gone. The lantern was still. The window was closed.
Panic rose quickly in her chest.
Had he left?
When?
Had anyone seen him?
She stood up at once, barely caring about her loose hair or simple robe, and hurried toward the door. Her steps were fast, uneven, her thoughts racing as she slid the door open and stepped outside.
And then she stopped.
The front courtyard was alive.
Bright sunlight poured down, lighting the wet stone floor until it shone. The air slled clean, fresh, filled with the sounds of laughter and voices.
Right there at the center of it all stood Xuan Lu.
He was exchanging combat moves with Mo Yuen.
Their movents were fast but controlled, hands eting, steps shifting, strength balanced with skill. It was not a real fight, more like practice, but every move carried force.
"Good!" soone shouted.
"Again!"
Mo Bao sat nearby with a few young n from the village, bowls of food in their hands as they watched excitedly. They laughed, cheered, and called out loudly every ti one of them landed a clean move.
"Brother Xuan Lu is amazing!"
"Mo Yuen, don’t lose!"
At the side, Yiling and Yan i were busy setting the breakfast table. Yan i moved quickly, placing bowls and chopsticks while speaking to Yiling in a low voice, both of them clearly used to this kind of morning rush.
A few maids stood nearby, pretending to help while clearly watching sothing else.
They were watching Xuan Lu.
He wore only a thin layer of clothing, light and loose, his sleeves pushed back. His long hair flowed freely behind him, catching the sunlight with every movent. Sweat glistened faintly at his neck, his expression calm and focused.
He looked unreal.
So maids sweeping the courtyard slowed their movents, their eyes following him openly.
"Is he really the Crown Prince...?"
"He looks like soone from a painting."
The guards who had followed Xuan Lu had settled nearby, seated together and eating the breakfast Yan i had prepared for them, speaking quietly among themselves as they watched the scene with relaxed expressions.
Lin Xu leaned against a wooden pillar, her breath slowly calming.
The fear in her chest faded, replaced by sothing warm and light.
It was such a bright morning.
So peaceful.
As if the storm from the night before had never existed.
She smiled without realizing it.
"Mother!"
The voice rang out suddenly.
Mo Yiling was the first to see her.
She jumped up from her seat and pointed excitedly. "Mother is here!"
Everyone turned.
Xuan Lu stopped mid-movent.
He looked toward her.
Their eyes t.
For a brief second, the noise around them faded. Then he smiled.
Not sharp. Not teasing.
Just warm.
Lin Xu felt her face heat up slightly and looked away before she could stop herself.
Xuan Lu stepped back from Mo Yuen and walked toward her, his steps unhurried. Mo Yuen watched him go.
He stopped in front of Lin Xu, leaning slightly closer.
"Good morning," he said lightly.
"...Good morning," she replied.
His eyes swept over her face, calm and amused.
"You slept well," he said. "Very well, actually."
Her heart skipped.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough.
"I was planning to leave early," he said, "but soone was using as a pillow."
Her face turned red at once.
"I did not—!"
He chuckled softly.
"You held on very tightly," he continued. "I almost thought you would not let go."
"Xuan Lu," she said through clenched teeth, "stop speaking nonsense."
His smile widened.
"So you rember," he said.
She turned her head away, clearly embarrassed.
Lin Xu straightened, regaining her calm.
"You should be more careful," she said quietly. "This is not your residence."
Xuan Lu t her eyes.
"I know," he replied. "But it feels peaceful here."
Lin Xu glanced toward the courtyard again.
Mo Bao was already standing on the bench, shouting Xuan Lu’s na at the top of his lungs. Mo Yuen wiped sweat from his brow, laughing as the young n crowded around him, arguing loudly about who had landed the better move.
"They’re all calling out to you," Lin Xu said softly, a faint grin touching her lips. "Completely unaware that you are the Crown Prince."
Xuan Lu followed her gaze. After a mont, he shook his head with a helpless chuckle.
"Crown Prince?" he repeated lightly. "I am the Crown Prince when I’m in the palace." He looked back at her, his expression easy, unguarded. "Out here, I’m just a regular young man."
Lin Xu studied him quietly.
No heavy robes, No rigid posture, No layers of distance enforced by rank.
Just a man standing in sunlight, smiling freely.
"...That might be more dangerous than being a Crown Prince," she said.
"Oh?" His brow lifted. "Why is that?"
"Because people lower their guard," she replied calmly. "And when they do, they speak honestly."
Xuan Lu laughed. "Then I suppose I should thank you for protecting ."
She gave him a look. "Don’t push your luck."
Before he could reply, Yan i’s clear voice cut through the noise.
"Breakfast is ready!"
The children reacted instantly.
"I’m starving!"
"Mother, hurry!"
Mo Bao jumped down and ran toward the table. Mo Yuen tugged at Yiling’s sleeve, already dragging her along. The courtyard erupted into movent as bowls were set and benches scraped against stone.
Yan i glanced over, eyes landing on Lin Xu first as always.
"Lin Xu," she called, smiling, "your porridge will get cold."
Lin Xu nodded and stepped forward without hesitation.
Xuan Lu fell into step beside her naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
They sat together at the table, surrounded by noise and warmth.
Mo Bao leaned over, grinning. "Brother Xuan Lu, you’re staying for breakfast, right?"
Xuan Lu accepted his bowl. "Of course."
Mo Yuen glanced between them, eyes sharp but thoughtful. He said nothing, only smiled faintly as he ate.
Lin Xu lifted her spoon, her posture relaxed.
For the first ti in a long while, she felt no weight pressing down on her chest. N
Just a morning.
She glanced sideways.
Xuan Lu was already looking at her.
Their eyes t briefly then both looked away at the sa ti.
Neither of them said anything.
After breakfast, the courtyard slowly emptied.
The children were pulled away by Yan i to wash up, the guards returned to their posts.
Xuan Lu returned to his room.
He had already changed into a clean robe, dark and simple, his movents efficient as he fastened his belt and gathered the few belongings he had brought with him.
Just as he reached for his outer robe, the door slid open.
Lin Xu stood there.
She did not rush in. She did not hesitate either. She simply walked toward him, stopping a few steps away.
"I ca to say goodbye," she said calmly.
Xuan Lu paused.
For a brief mont, sothing unreadable passed through his eyes.
"Good," he replied. Then, after a beat, "Because I have sothing to tell you."
Lin Xu straightened slightly. "What is it?"
"In two days," he said evenly, "a carriage will arrive."
Her brows knit faintly. "A carriage?"
"Yes." He t her gaze directly. "When it cos, you will get inside."
She studied his face, sharp and composed. "And where will it take ?"
"You are not to ask," he replied without hesitation.
Her eyes darkened a fraction. "You expect to leave without knowing where I’m going?"
"You will follow," he said.
Silence stretched between them.
Then Lin Xu spoke, her voice steady and unyielding.
"Are you telling this as Xuan Lu—" she paused, "—or as the Crown Prince?"
The corner of his lips curved upward.
He did not answer imdiately.
Instead, he stepped forward.
Before she could react, his hand closed around her waist and he pulled her toward him in one smooth motion. Lin Xu’s back hit the edge of the table lightly as he leaned down.
Her breath barely caught.
Then his lips t hers.
It was brief.
When he pulled away, her eyes were wide, but she did not tremble. She did not reach for him. She only stared shock frozen behind control.
Xuan Lu smirked.
"As your master," he said quietly.
Then he released her.
He turned, picked up his robe, and walked past her without another word. The door slid open, then shut behind him, his footsteps fading down the corridor.
Lin Xu remained where she was.
Her fingers slowly curled at her side.
Her lips still burned.
She lifted a hand, touching them once then lowered it again.
Her expression hardened, eyes sharp and clear.
"...Master?" she murmured.
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