---
The next day, Lianyi woke up very late. The weight of last night's revelations still pressed heavily on his chest, echoing in his mind again and again. He had tossed about for hours before sleep finally carried him away after midnight.
It was almost noon when his eyes finally opened—only for him to jolt upright in shock. Leng Yue's face was so close that their noses nearly touched.
"Leng Yue!" Lianyi shouted, startled. "What the hell are you doing, you pain in the ass?!"
Leng Yue only snickered, leaning back with his usual mischievous grin. "Watching you snore like a drunken old man."
"You brat—!" Lianyi cursed, chasing after him. But Leng Yue darted out of the room, laughing as he slammed the door shut behind him.
Sighing, Lianyi bathed and dressed before stepping out of the guest chamber. At the doorway, a maid bowed respectfully.
"The princess wishes to see you."
At the mention of Princess Yuyan, Lianyi's heart skipped. Yesterday's words came flooding back, hammering in his head: the vampire prince and the witch princess…
When he entered the throne hall, he froze, uncertain how to greet her. But before he could decide, Princess Yuyan stepped forward and embraced him warmly.
Lianyi stiffened, caught completely off guard.
Tian Yu approached with more formality, extending a firm handshake.
"Yuyan, I heard you are married," Lianyi said awkwardly, glancing at Tian Yu with a forced smile.
From a distance, Leng Yue burst into laughter at his discomfort. Lianyi turned and shot him a murderous look, which only made Leng Yue laugh harder.
At that moment, a maid entered to announce that lunch was ready. The group moved to the dining chamber.
The long table was laid with exquisite dishes: fragrant jasmine rice, steaming bowls of fish broth, stir-fried greens glistening with garlic, roasted duck glazed in honey, and plates of sweet lotus cakes dusted with sugar. Porcelain teapots released gentle curls of steam as maids poured tea into delicate cups.
The seating was arranged formally. The Emperor and Empress sat at the head, while Princess Yuyan sat close beside her husband, Tian Yu. Lianyi sat opposite them, with Leng Yue sprawled comfortably at his side, grinning mischievously as always.
As they ate, Lianyi's eyes kept wandering toward Yuyan and Tian Yu. His thoughts would not rest. The vampire prince… the witch princess… what destiny binds them?
Just then, Leng Yue leaned close and tapped the back of his hand. "Tell your mind to rest a little, will you?"
Lianyi nearly choked on his tea. He turned sharply. "Are you reading my thoughts? Who gave you that permission?" he snapped, raising a brow.
The Empress and Emperor burst into laughter at their childish bickering, and soon the whole table was smiling.
But when the laughter faded, the weight of unspoken truths returned. The Emperor set down his cup, his gaze lingering on each of them.
"We cannot pretend yesterday's battle with those creatures did not happen," he said gravely. "Fang Leng's shadow stretches far beyond his own kingdom. It will reach us sooner than we think. That is why we must prepare ourselves. If darkness comes, we must be ready to face the worst. And above all… the vampire prince must remain a secret, until the day destiny calls him."
Lianyi's hand tightened around his chopsticks. He said nothing, but unease flickered in his eyes.
When the meal ended, the Emperor asked gently, "You will be staying with us for a few more days, won't you?"
But Lianyi shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. My men are already waiting outside. We must return to start our journey to Xiyue this afternoon."
"Then Tian Yu and Leng Yue will escort you," the Emperor said with a nod.
With warm farewells exchanged, the company descended the palace steps. Xiyue's soldiers stood in neat rows, awaiting their commander.
Mounted upon their steeds, Lianyi and his men rode out through the gates of Lianhua. Tian Yu and Leng Yue traveled alongside them.
Thus they departed the kingdom of Lianhua, heavy truths burning in Lianyi's heart as the long road to Xiyue stretched before them.
---
The road stretched endlessly ahead, dust rising beneath the steady rhythm of hooves. The horses moved at a calm trot, their breathing and the creak of saddles filling the silence between the men. It was the perfect pace—slow enough for talk, fast enough to cover ground.
At last, Lianyi broke the quiet, his voice carrying a mix of hesitation and longing.
"Leng Yue… there's something I've been dying to ask since we left Lianhua. Where is Mimi?"
Leng Yue arched a brow, lips curving into a faint smirk.
"I am her parent. Why are you asking me?"
Lianyi stumbled over his words. "N-no, that's not what I mean. I wanted to ask if you know her whereabouts."
His tone softened, almost pleading. "Leng Yue, please… I really miss her. If you know where she is right now, please tell me."
The prince placed a hand on his cheek, pretending to fall into deep thought, as he steadied the gait of his horse. The pause felt almost dramatic, stretching the silence.
"Well…" Leng Yue drawled at last, "she's at the Empress's hometown. In the countryside."
Lianyi's eyes lit up instantly. "What?! What is she doing now?"
Leng Yue's mouth curved into a wicked smile.
"She's using a lapdog to replace your absence."
"What!?" Lianyi nearly dropped his reins.
Before he could protest further, Leng Yue snapped his reins sharply, and his horse surged forward into a gallop. Dust flew in Lianyi's face, leaving him coughing and sputtering as Tian Yu and the soldiers behind burst into laughter.
"Leng Yue!" Lianyi shouted, spurring his own horse after him.
few days later, they finally reached the gates of the Kingdom of Xiyue. The evening sun burned low on the horizon, painting the palace walls in shades of gold and crimson. The heavy footsteps of weary soldiers echoed as they marched into the courtyard.
The Emperor stood waiting at the entrance. His expression brightened at first when his eyes fell on Lianyi, safe and alive, but the joy quickly dimmed when he noticed the missing numbers among the troops. A shadow crossed his face, and his voice grew heavy.
"What happened?" he asked, stepping forward and pulling his son into a tight embrace. Relief mingled with sorrow as he held him close.