As soon as the last al was over, Xiang Yu exhaled deeply. The weight of the hour spent with his father and Peng Xiu finally lifted as he stood. He longed to return to his palace, to the comfort of his body pillow, and to Hex’s endless chatter that could drown out the world.
Imperial Lord Xiang rose from his chair and the two figures instinctively bowing low in respect. His presence was like an opressive force, an aura that commanded attention and respect. As the Lord turned to leave, his words sliced through the silence.
"Don’t have your disagreents where others can see it. It will not look good if the crown prince and the princess are at each other’s throats.
"Yes, Father," Xiang Yu and Peng Xiu replied in unison, their voices echoing softly in the vast room. But Xiang Yu had no intention of lingering. He pushed past the heavy doors, the sound of his footsteps reverberating through the empty hallway.
He felt the heat of Peng Xiu’s presence behind him, her determined footsteps quickening to catch up. He slowed, not wanting to confront her directly yet unable to ignore her any longer. Without turning, he muttered, "What do you want?"
"Xiang Yu," she said, her voice tense, "you can’t keep forcing him to be by your side. You know he is too good for you."
He turned slowly, his expression shifting to one of feigned innocence, a sly smile creeping onto his lips. "What makes you think I am forcing him to stay by my side?"
"Of course, you are forcing him," Peng Xiu shot back, her frustration barely contained. "If he had the choice, do you think he would choose to stay with you? You treat him like a servant despite how brilliant he is. Not only that but you also... do disgusting things to him."
Xiang Yu’s laughter rang out, a sound dark and sharp that echoed against the marble walls, mingling with the relentless rain tapping against the windows. But as quickly as it started, the laughter died, his deanour shifting to sothing more sinister.
Xiang Yu stood tall, the navy fabric of his academy uniform accentuating his imposing figure. The air around him buzzed with tension as he took a step forward, his confidence radiating like a beacon.
With a casual wave of his hand, his communicator flickered to life, a floating screen materializing before them, displaying Han Xin’s contact information. Peng Xiu’s brows furrowed in curiosity, her mind racing with possibilities. What was Xiang Yu planning?
"I will call him right now," Xiang Yu declared, his voice steady. "We can ask him. If he says he wants to leave , then I won’t stop him. He can pack up his things tonight and leave my palace."
A sly smile curled on Peng Xiu’s lips, her eyes shining with a glint of triumph. She felt a surge of excitent as if she were on the brink of achieving her goal. Composing herself, she replied, "Then call him."
Xiang Yu raised a hand, halting her. "But... if he says he wants to stay with , you will stop trying to take him away." He stepped closer, his deanour shifting to sothing more nacing. "You will not approach him... you will not talk to him... nor will you even look at him."
With each pause, he advanced, his aura dark and foreboding. Yet, Peng Xiu held her ground, her resolve unshaken. "Sure, I’ll take that deal. But when he leaves, don’t even think of talking to him or looking at him."
Xiang Yu felt no worry as he pressed the call button. The dialling screen appeared, and after three rings, Han Xin finally picked up, but he remained silent. Xiang Yu assud he must have been interrupted or busy. "Han Xin?" he called out, his tone calm with no trace of panic.
Inside Xiang Yu’s bed-chamber, Han Xin was slumped in a chair, his expression cold and distant. He replied with a curt "mm," the single sound echoing the bitterness in his heart. Peng Xiu’s smile faltered as she sensed the tension in the air.
"I wanted to let you know," Xiang Yu continued, his voice steady, "that I am not holding you against your will. You can leave tonight if you wish.
Han Xin’s entire body froze at those words, his sharp features darkening with anger. A bitter smile twisted on his lips as he felt the weight of Xiang Yu’s words sink in. The thought that Xiang Yu might abandon him for Princess Sienna gnawed at his insides. His fingers dug into the armrest of the chair, his pheromones swirling chaotically around him.
Suppressing his rising anger, he swallowed hard and said, "Your Highness, if I have done anything wrong, I can accept the punishnt. You don’t have to resort to this."
The finality in his voice echoed in the room, and Peng Xiu’s smile froze, her heart racing at the implications of Han Xin’s response.
Xiang Yu smirked at Peng Xiu, a mocking glint in his eyes as he turned back to the call. "No, you didn’t do anything. I just wanted to let you know that you can leave at any ti. I won’t stop you."
Unbeknownst to him, his words only fueled the fire of Han Xin’s anger. Han Xin clenched his jaw, his voice steady yet strained. "Well, if that’s the case, I would love to continue serving His Highness."
"Wise choice," Xiang Yu replied, a gloating tone evident as he ended the call. He turned away, the smirk on his face growing wider with each step.
"You must have faked it!" Peng Xiu yelled, frustration lacing her voice. "Why would he be willing to stay with you?"
Ignoring her shouts, Xiang Yu walked toward the waiting hovercar, his confidence unshaken. "Xiang Yu, you bastard!" she shouted, her voice echoing down the hallway. "You must have planned this!"
He slid into the hovercar, the door shutting behind him with a soft thud. The steward quickly entered from the other side, closing the door once again before they set off.
As they drove, the steward glanced at Xiang Yu, curiosity in his eyes. "Your Highness, what is Her Highness mad about again
Xiang Yu chuckled lightly.
"She probably took the wrong dicine this morning." The steward raised an eyebrow, confused but choosing not to press further. When they arrived at the palace, a wave of relief washed over Xiang Yu.
He climbed out, shedding his blazer and tossing it toward the steward, who caught it with practised ease. As he walked up the grand staircase, he undid the cuff buttons of his shirt, the fabric loosening around him.
By the ti he reached the door to his bed-chamber, he had already unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt, a sense of ease settling in. He opened the door and turned to the steward, saying, "You can rest early. I will be fine here."
The steward bowed, saying, "Yes, Your Highness," before stepping back. The door clicked shut behind Xiang Yu and he walked into the dimly lit space.
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