---
**
The morning air of Skiiri was crisp, banners fluttering as the Eastern carriages lined up for departure.
Lù Xiǎng stepped down gracefully, adjusting his robes, eyes scanning until they fell on Shèng Lín (Prince) standing beside his horse, long hair tied up, robes elegant yet simple.
> "Shèng Lín," Lù Xiǎng greeted warmly, stepping closer with a charming smile, "shall I help you up onto your horse?"
Shèng Lín (Prince) glanced at him, blinked once, then hopped onto the horse himself in one clean motion, ignoring Lù Xiǎng's outstretched hand.
Lù Xiǎng's smile twitched.
> "Ah… still so independent, I see."
---
As they moved toward the gate, Lù Xiǎng tried again.
> "The road is long. Why don't you ride in my carriage with me, Shèng Lín? We can—"
Shèng Lín (Prince) tilted his head with a calm, polite smile.
> "Your Highness, I get motion sickness."
And trotted away on his horse.
Lù Xiǎng stood there, his attendant coughing politely to hide laughter.
---
On the road, Lù Xiǎng tried to offer Shèng Lín (Prince) a cup of tea during a rest stop.
> "It's the tea you used to like," Lù Xiǎng said, eyes soft.
Shèng Lín (Prince) took the cup, stared at it, and then calmly handed it to a nearby guard.
> "You need it more."
Lù Xiǎng's eye twitched. The guard stammered, bowing repeatedly while taking the cup.
---
At lunch, Lù Xiǎng gestured to the seat beside him.
> "Come, sit here."
Shèng Lín (Prince) sat across from him instead, pulling out a scroll and reading it intently, completely ignoring Lù Xiǎng's attempts to make conversation.
---
During a river crossing, Lù Xiǎng tried to gently help Shèng Lín (Prince) across a slippery plank.
Shèng Lín (Prince) lifted his robes, leapt across the plank in one clean movement, and landed without a sound.
> "…" Lù Xiǎng, left with his hand in the air, nearly slipped himself.
---
By the time they made camp, Lù Xiǎng's composed mask had cracked slightly, a small vein visible on his temple.
> "Shèng Lín, do you hate me that much?" he finally blurted, blocking Shèng Lín (Prince)'s path.
Shèng Lín (Prince) raised an eyebrow calmly.
> "Your Highness, I am only fulfilling my duty."
> "By ignoring me the entire day?"
> "I am doing what I was taught in Skiiri: stay focused."
Lù Xiǎng opened his mouth, closed it, then sighed, running a hand through his hair.
---
As Shèng Lín (Prince) turned to leave, Lù Xiǎng tried one last time.
> "If you ever want to talk—"
Shèng Lín (Prince) paused, looking over his shoulder with a small smirk.
> "Next time, try harder."
And walked off, leaving Lù Xiǎng standing there, clutching his chest dramatically as if he had been struck.
---
The Prince (Shèng Lín), back in Skiiri, received reports of the awkwardly comedic departure, a small, satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
> "Good," he whispered. "Don't let him get close to you."
His hand tightened around the ring Shèng Lín had left with him, eyes softening.
---