Chapter 45: The Man with the Ridiculous Hat
The tension between them lingered in the air like fog that refused to lift.
Back at the estate, Mei Xiao sat on the balcony rail, legs swinging, staring at the moon. She didn't even realize Murong had followed her until he leaned on the post beside her.
"So… your royal bloodline is cursed or whatever," she said casually. "That explains the dramatic cheekbones."
He gave her a side glance. "It's not a curse."
"Oh, sorry. Heritage of Doom. Better?"
He sighed. "You're remarkably good at turning destiny into sarcasm."
She gave him a tiny smirk. "And you're remarkably good at dodging emotional vulnerability."
He was about to respond when a voice cut through the night.
"Ah, there you are, Your Most Broody Highness!"
Mei blinked as a man in bright green robes burst onto the balcony, wearing what could only be described as a lopsided top hat decorated with… feathers? And was that a spoon?
"Zhao Yun?" Murong groaned. "I told you to wait in the guest quarters."
"And miss this very tense romantic moonlight scene? Never."
He twirled, nearly knocking over a potted plant.
Zhao Yun, it seemed, was the chaos incarnate Murong never asked for but somehow couldn't get rid of.
"Who's the lady?" Zhao asked with a dramatic bow. "Please tell me you're his secret lover. I've been betting against the Council on that for weeks."
"I'm his wife," Mei deadpanned.
"Oh." Pause. "Even better. You have my sympathies."
Murong rubbed his temples. "He's the fourth prince of the Zhao Clan. Officially, he's an envoy. Unofficially, he's a disaster."
Zhao plopped down beside Mei on the rail. "So, Phoenix Queen, eh? Must be exhausting, all that smiting."
"Actually," Mei said, "I've only mildly threatened two elders and set fire to a rug."
"Impressive." Zhao grinned. "Let's be friends."
Murong was clearly regretting every life decision.
But Mei Xiao… she was laughing now. And for a moment, just a moment, the pressure in her chest eased.
Until Murong spoke again, softly.
"I meant to tell you. About my family. About what's coming. But I was afraid... you'd leave."
Mei turned toward him.
"Why would I leave?" she asked.
"Because I already have enough darkness inside me," he said. "I didn't want to add more to yours."
She looked at him long and hard, then reached out and flicked his forehead.
"Idiot. I'm not made of glass. And if anyone's leaving, it's not me. It's you—if you keep being all noble and self-sacrificing instead of actually talking to me."
Murong stared.
Zhao clapped like a seal. "Oh, I like her."