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**
The night before Lù Xiǎng's arrival, the palace halls felt heavier, as if the air itself knew what storm was coming.
Shèng Lín sat on the edge of the Prince's bed, eyes lowered, his long hair falling around his face. He could feel the Prince's gaze burning into him from where he stood, arms crossed, jaw tight.
> "We need to do it again," the Prince said.
Shèng Lín's fingers tightened. "No."
> "It's the only way."
> "Your Highness—"
> "Xìn Xuān." The Prince stepped closer, voice softer. "Call me by my name."
Shèng Lín's chest tightened. "Xìn Xuān… this is not right."
> "I will not let him see you as mine," Xìn Xuān said, cupping Shèng Lín's face, forcing him to look up. "If I am in your body, and you are in mine, he will not be able to claim you or your past."
Shèng Lín's lips trembled. "I have served him since I was young. I betrayed him for you. If he sees you in my body—"
> "Then he will know you are mine now."
Shèng Lín shook his head, tears threatening to spill, but the Prince wiped them with his thumb.
> "Don't make me beg you," Xìn Xuān whispered, leaning closer, pressing their foreheads together. "You said you would stand with me."
Shèng Lín's heart clenched. I can't say no to you.
> "Fine," Shèng Lín whispered, voice breaking. "One last time."
---
The storm outside broke, rain hammering the windows as they moved to the hidden chamber where the first swap had happened.
The poison wine sat between them, the air thick with tension, with love, with fear.
They each took a cup, hands brushing.
> "Are you ready?" Xìn Xuān asked, searching Shèng Lín's eyes.
Shèng Lín nodded, though his hand was shaking.
They drank, bitter poison burning down their throats.
Xìn Xuān set his cup down and stepped forward, gripping Shèng Lín's collar, pulling him into a hungry kiss.
Their lips met—hot, desperate, claiming.
Teeth clashing, tongues exploring, hands gripping hair, robes rustling as they pulled each other closer.
Xìn Xuān pressed Shèng Lín against the table, hovering over him, one hand sliding up to cup his jaw while the other held the back of his neck, deepening the kiss until Shèng Lín was breathless.
Shèng Lín's hands fisted in the Prince's robes, pulling him even closer, matching the kiss with equal hunger, tears slipping from the corners of his eyes as they parted only to gasp before kissing again, and again—
As if memorizing each other before everything changed.
---
Their eyes met, breath mingling.
> "Don't forget me," Shèng Lín whispered.
> "I could never," the Prince replied, kissing him once more, softly this time.
A warmth spread through their bodies, the same warmth they felt the first time, flooding their senses.
Their grips loosened, eyes fluttering shut.
---
They collapsed into each other's arms, robes tangled, hair splayed across the floor.
The storm raged outside, but inside, the world was quiet as Shèng Lín and the Prince fell unconscious—ready to face the storm in each other's skin, together.
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