Weeks had passed since the vampire prince awakened. With the Emperor's quiet support, he'd found a place to stay—somewhere not too far from the capital, yet tucked just enough out of sight.
But whispers had a way of slipping through even the tightest walls.
Rumors swirled across the kingdom like wildfire. Stories of a striking young man, one who had risen from death itself. Some called him a ghost. Others, a cursed witch. Humans feared what they don't understand.
Inside the palace, morning sunlight filtered through silk curtains as Princess Yuyan stirred awake. Just then, Mie slipped into the room, carrying a basin of warm water.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Mie greeted cheerfully. "How was your night?"
Before Yuyan could answer, Mie's face lit up with excitement. "Have you heard the rumors?" she asked, grinning like a child with a secret. "They say a handsome young man came back from the grave....."
Yuyan sat up, a slight smirk on her lips. "The handsome young man from the grave… lives not too far from us?" she said, finishing the sentence for her.
Mie's mouth fell open. "How did you know?"
"I'm surprised the rumors managed to escape you," Yuyan teased lightly. "Don't worry. He won't harm anyone. The palace is heavily guarded."
Mie chuckled, then bowed slightly. "Still… I'd rather not be out alone at night."
Yuyan nodded as Mie walked off to prepare her bath, the faint scent of lavender already trailing behind her.
Back to the kingdom of Xiyue.
Yue Rong had always called herself the next queen of Xiyue kingdom. She believes as the daughter of the general, nobody fit the prince better than her. She tries to act noble and kind to people in other to gain their support. But beneath all this acting, was a sharp mind that didn't take well to being overlooked. And now that something is going on between Mimi and Lianyi, and with all the attention Prince Lianyi had been giving to her was beginning to gnaw at her pride.
So, she made a plan.
It began with a subtle invitation—nothing that would raise suspicion. Mimi was asked to attend a tea ceremony in the Southern Garden, hosted by a few noble ladies . Yue Rong personally invited Mimi to the party. Mimi thought it was thoughtful of her and attended the party.
She has just entered the courtyard where the party was head.
Yue Rong welcomed her with open arms, pretending warmth. "Mimi, how lovely you look today. You've truly bloomed since coming to the palace."
Mimi bowed politely. "You're too kind, Lady Yue."
The ladies poured tea and exchanged pleasantries. But slowly, the conversation turned. Questions were asked—pointed, loaded.
"Where exactly are you from again?" one noble lady asked.
"And how did your father manage to become the assistant general and you very close to the prince?" another chimed in.
Mimi felt their eyes watching every twitch of her expression.
Then came the final blow.
Yue Rong leaned in slightly, her voice honey-sweet. "Surely, you understand that a common girl suddenly favored by a prince… it makes people wonder what kind of charms she's been using."
A faint chuckle echoed around the table. Mimi's cheeks burned, but she kept her hands folded. She kept calm and dignified.
What Yue Rong didn't know was that Prince Lianyi had caught wind of the gathering. He had arrived a few moments before Mimi, choosing to watch quietly from afar.
He stepped into the courtyard without a word. The women fell silent instantly.
"Mimi," he said gently, offering her his hand. "I believe we were supposed to visit the plum grove together today."
Mimi stood, a little dazed, and took his hand.
Yue Rong forced a smile. "Your Highness, we were just—"
"I know what you were just doing," he interrupted, voice still calm but now icy. His gaze swept the table, landing last on Yue Rong. "I trust this won't happen again."
Without another word, he led Mimi away, leaving the women stunned.
As they walked, Mimi spoke quietly. "I didn't want to cause trouble."
Lianyi glanced down at her, his tone softer. "You didn't. But some people forget themselves too easily." He said as they walked out of the venue.
---
The stars twinkle to light in the kingdom of Lianhua. The Emperor sat alone in his private library, the quiet rustle of scrolls was the only sound in the dim-lit chamber. Candlelight flickered softly against shelves stacked with ancient knowledge. He was deep in thought when the door creaked open and his son stepped inside, moving quietly, as if burdened by something unseen.
The Emperor didn't need to ask—his son's face said it all.
He looked up slowly. "What troubles you, my son?" he asked, turning to face him fully.
The young prince hesitated for a moment, then drew a steady breath.
"I've seen a vision," he said. "In it… soldiers were marching toward our kingdom. They carried a black flag, with a scorpion emblem drawn in blood."
The room seemed to fall even quieter. The Emperor's hand slowly closed around the edge of the scroll.
"…The Black Scorpion". He murmured.
While the Emperor and the prince spoke in hushed tones inside the royal library, something entirely different was unfolding within Princess Yuyan's chambers.
The vampire prince sat silently on the edge of her bed, his crimson eyes fixed on her sleeping face. For weeks now, this had become his secret ritual—watching over her each night, drawn by a bond deeper than memory, deeper than blood.
She stirred slightly in her sleep, her lashes fluttering. He didn't move.
As he watched her, the memories surged—raw, relentless. Moments from the past they had both forgotten… or rather, she had forgotten.
He remembered the nights they used to sneak out of their chambers, slipping barefoot through the quiet palace halls just to be near each other. It was always her idea, always her knocking at his door with a mischievous smile.
And he remembered the night they were caught.
They'd barely begun kissing, their robes loosened, their hearts racing, when Queen Xi Wang suddenly revealed herself—breaking the illusion spell she had cast to catch them in the act. The memory was still so vivid, he could feel the flush of shame on his skin, the sharp sting of surprise in Yuyan's gasp.
A bitter smile touched his lips.
"I still remember how it felt… to be caught," he whispered, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "But that's not what hurts."
He leaned closer, his voice breaking.
"What hurts is this… watching you every night… and knowing you don't even recognize me."
A single tear slid down his cheek. Then another.
He stayed by her side until the first light of dawn slipped through the curtains. And before the palace began to stir, he disappeared—leaving only the faint scent of night-blooming flowers and sorrow in the air.