Li Wei lay on his bed, eyes fixed on the carved ceiling.
Sleep refused to come.
Every time he closed his eyes, the old fortune-teller's voice slithered through his mind:
"She must go. Her place is not in the palace…
Keep her here, and death will follow."
He turned on his side.
Then onto his back.
The silken sheets felt suffocating.
Send her away?
The thought burned through his chest.
If I do… will she be safe? Or… will I ever see her again?
He clenched a fist against his pillow, jaw tight.
The night dragged on without mercy.
By the time the first light of dawn crept across the room, his eyes were still open.
Knock. Knock.
"Your Highness?"
Leena's soft voice.
The door slid open, and she stepped inside carrying a small tray of herbal medicine.
Her veil fluttered slightly with the morning breeze.
"You look… pale," she said gently, walking to his bedside.
"Have you been sleeping at all?"
Li Wei didn't answer.
He only watched her kneel beside him, her slender fingers reaching for his wrist.
The moment her skin brushed his, his pulse leapt.
Heat shot up his arm, straight to his chest.
Calm down.
She's only checking your pulse.
Leena's brow furrowed as she focused.
"…Your heart is racing."
Their eyes met.
For the first time, she felt her own heartbeat stumble, as if trying to match his.
Her fingers lingered a second too long.
His scent—a faint trace of sandalwood and steel—clouded her thoughts.
"I… I'm worried about you," she whispered.
"You were running yesterday, and now… your pulse, your face…
Please, let me stay by your side for the next few days.
If something happens to you when I'm not here…"
Her voice trembled.
Something warm bloomed in his chest—quick, dangerous, unstoppable.
The part of him that wanted to pull her close, to bury his face in her hair, almost won.
Almost.
Then the memory of the prophecy snapped like a whip.
She must go… death will follow…
Li Wei's eyes turned cold.
"Enough."
Leena froze.
"…Y-Your Highness?"
"Pack your things," he said, each word sharp as a blade.
"You will leave the palace. Today."
She blinked, stunned.
"…Leave? But why? I—"
"This is not a request."
His voice was iron now.
"It's an order."
Leena's throat tightened.
"Please… let me stay. Let me protect you, at least—"
"Out!"
The sudden roar shattered the morning calm.
Even the guards outside flinched.
Li Wei stood, his dark hair falling over his face, his eyes unreadable.
"Jun," he called, and his most loyal guard slid the door open instantly.
"Escort her out. Make sure she leaves the palace."
Leena's lips trembled.
She searched his face one last time, hoping to find the warmth that had been there a moment ago.
Nothing.
Only the cold mask of a prince who had just torn his own heart in two.
As the guards led Leena away, she clutched her chest, her pulse pounding with hurt and confusion.
Why… why is he sending me away?
Behind her, Li Wei remained frozen in the empty chamber, his fist trembling against the doorframe.
If I keep you here, I'll destroy you…