The plum petals still clung faintly to her sleeves when Xi Youran finally escaped to her chambers.
She sat by the open window, watching the lanterns of the palace flicker in the evening wind. Her mind should have been calm—she'd avoided disaster, hidden her aura, and even managed to smile without fainting.
And yet—
Why is my heart beating so fast?
She pressed a hand to her chest.The rhythm thumped painfully beneath her palm.
"No, no, no. This isn't happening. I do not have feelings for that idiot prince."
[>>> Eh? Did my master's heartbeat just speed up?][>>> Must be because of that playboy human again~]
The beast wriggled lazily on her lap, its tail flicking against her knee with the smugness of someone who'd just discovered their master's most embarrassing secret.
"Shut it," she muttered, flicking its forehead.
[Ow~! Domestic abuse!]
"Abuse my foot." She sighed, leaning back. "I'm just… tired."
But no amount of reasoning could still the warmth fluttering behind her ribs.
The next day, the palace grounds glimmered with the colors of dawn. The Phoenix Rite festival preparations filled every courtyard with chatter and silk.
Xi Youran arrived beside her father, General Jiang Youen, who looked more nervous than she did.
"Remember," he whispered, "be polite. Don't offend anyone important."
"Like the prince?" she teased.
"Yes—especially the prince," he groaned.
As if summoned by her words, Prince Tian Zi appeared across the courtyard, flanked by attendants. He moved with the natural poise of someone used to being admired, though his expression softened when his gaze found her.
"Lady Xi Youran," he greeted, his tone smooth but hesitant. "It's nice to see you again. I hope… we can get to know each other better in the future."
Get to know each other better?Why does he sound like he's proposing a lifetime contract?
Youran's lips curved into a polite smile even as she screamed internally. "I look forward to it," she said sweetly, cursing herself for how her voice trembled.
Inside, her heart pounded so hard she could almost hear it echo.
Control yourself, woman! He's the Emperor's heir, not some romantic drama lead!
[>>> Hmph!] The beast crossed its paws and glared at the prince.
Tian Zi noticed. His jaw tightened.
Why is that furball still glued to her chest like it owns the place?!Move, you little demon. Those belong to—
He froze mid-thought, color rushing to his face.
I did not just think that.
Youran noticed his expression shift and frowned. Why is Tian Zi staring at my cat like he wants to fight it?
Then, to her horror, she followed his gaze—straight to the white puffball happily snuggled between her arms.
Her face turned crimson. She covered her chest instinctively. "I–It's not what you're thinking!"
The courtyard went dead silent.
Jiang Youen blinked. "Xi Youran! What are you doing in front of His Highness?!"
"I—I didn't mean to! I was just—uh—protecting my cat!"
[>>> HAH! Serve you right, pervert!] the beast cackled in her head.
Tian Zi's ears turned scarlet. "N-No, it's fine! It was my fault—I shouldn't have stared so long."
He bowed awkwardly, clearly mortified. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Lady Xi Youran."
Then, without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and practically fled the courtyard, his attendants struggling to keep up.
Youran stood there frozen, mortified beyond belief.
Her father groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just once, could you not cause a royal misunderstanding?"
"I didn't mean to! It was the beast's fault!"
[>>> Hey, don't blame me! I'm just living my best life here~]
She glared down at the purring culprit in her arms. "You're lucky you're cute."
[>>> And you're lucky I'm loyal. Otherwise, that prince would've stolen your heart already.]
Her cheeks burned hotter. "He—He didn't steal anything!"
[>>> Keep telling yourself that, my lovely flustered master~]
Meanwhile, far beyond the laughter echoing through the courtyard, Tian Zi walked alone under the long palace veranda, his attendants wisely dismissed.
He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the echo of a heartbeat that wasn't entirely his own.
Why does she feel so familiar? That look in her eyes... that pulse in her Qi... like something I once lost and never found again.
He exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself.
But no matter how much he told himself it was nothing—his mind kept replaying that image of her, clutching the white beast, sunlight caught in her hair, laughter trembling between confusion and grace.
Xi Youran... who are you really?
Back in the Jiang residence, as dusk settled and lanterns flickered to life, Youran lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Avoiding him was supposed to be easy.
The beast purred softly beside her pillow, smug as ever.
[>>> You're falling for him, aren't you?]
"No."
[>>> Yes.]
"Shut up."
[>>> Make me.]
Youran buried her face in her pillow and screamed silently into the fabric.
Outside, the evening wind rustled the plum blossoms again—carrying whispers of old memories neither she nor the prince yet understood.
And somewhere in the imperial art chambers, Sheng smiled behind his fan, painting a scene of two phoenixes circling each other in flame.
"Love and destiny, reborn and repeating. Oh, how deliciously tragic this tale will be."