Chen Yu finally disappeared around the corner, leaving only the echo of his footsteps and Li Wei's lingering suspicion.
The Seventh Prince exhaled slowly.
One problem at a time…
"Your Highness! The spy ran toward the eastern wall!" one of the guards called.
Li Wei didn't hesitate.
His boots hit the stone path, black robe slicing through the morning light as he sprinted after the fleeing silhouette.
The spy was fast.
Too fast.
Leena appeared at the end of the corridor just in time to see him run.
Her heart dropped.
He's… running? But Chen Yu said—his heart—!
"Li Wei!" she called, picking up her skirts to chase him.
By the time she caught up, the guards were bowing, out of breath.
"The intruder… escaped, Your Highness…"
Li Wei stood still, eyes dark, chest rising and falling with controlled breaths.
Then he heard her voice—soft, breathless.
"…Li Wei…"
He turned.
Her veil was slightly crooked, cheeks pink from running.
"You—you can't run like that!" she scolded.
His brow lifted. "…Can't run?"
"What if your heart—what if you collapse?" she whispered, voice shaking.
A dangerous prince feared across the empire… being fussed over by this tiny woman.
He almost smiled.
"…I'm fine," he said.
She didn't buy it.
"No, you're not. Sit down. Let me check your pulse!"
He let her grab his wrist. Her fingers trembled, warm against his cool skin.
For a second, his focus wavered.
She's so close…
Her brows knitted in concentration.
"Hmm… you're steady. But still, you shouldn't push yourself."
Li Wei looked down at her, the faintest smile in his eyes.
She really worries for me…
"Where are you going now?" she asked, following him like a shadow.
"To the market."
Her eyes widened.
"The market? Alone? After all that running—"
"Then come with me," he interrupted.
His tone was calm, but deep inside, something boyish fluttered.
The streets of Chang'an bustled with life.
Vendors called out, spices perfumed the air, and red silk banners swayed above the crowd.
Li Wei walked with measured steps, but his gaze kept drifting to her.
Leena stayed close, her fingers occasionally brushing his sleeve whenever the crowd pressed too tight.
She's holding onto me…
The thought warmed him in a way no sunlight could.
"Try this," he said suddenly, picking up a candied fruit from a vendor.
Leena blinked. "For me?"
He held it up to her lips.
Her soft mouth brushed the candy, and his chest tightened.
"Sweet," she murmured, smiling shyly.
Not as sweet as you, he almost thought aloud.
Suddenly—
A thud.
A young vendor crumpled to the ground, his basket of persimmons rolling into the dust.
Shouts rippled through the crowd.
"Is he sick?"
"Don't touch him! What if it's a plague?"
Leena didn't hesitate.
She dropped to her knees, her small hands steady as she lifted the boy's head onto her lap.
"Breathe slowly… you're okay," she murmured, checking his pulse with a soft touch.
The prince froze, torn between pride and worry.
Passersby watched in awe as she wiped the boy's face with her veil, ordering water from a nearby vendor.
When he stirred weakly, she smiled, gentle as spring sunlight.
She was born to heal, Li Wei thought.
How could I ever let anyone harm her…
Just as the boy sat up, color returning to his face—
A sharp voice cut through the murmurs.
"Hey! What's going on here?"
Three officers in black-and-red uniforms pushed through the crowd.
The leader's gaze landed on Li Wei and Leena kneeling in the dirt.
"You two! Disturbing the market and spreading trouble?"
Li Wei's jaw tensed.
He was the Seventh Prince… but out here, in plain robes, no one knew.
The officer stepped closer, hand on his baton.
"You're coming with us."