The palace corridors were silent beneath the falling dusk.
Only the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the marble halls.
Qiao tian walked ahead , her posture straight despite the discomfort in every step. Her training robes were draped beneath a dark cloak , hiding the faint had unsettled the morning's lesson.
Behind her strode Xuan Dao.
His expression was unreadable .
Yet his mind was anything but calm.
They stopped before the Queen's chamber.
The guard bowed deeply.
GUARD : "Your highness. Master Xuan Dao ."
Qiao Tian gave no answer . She pushed the doors open and entered .
Warm incense drifted through the room.
The Queen rose at once , concern filling her face when she saw Tian's pale expression.
Queen: "Tian , my baby "Did training went too far again?".
"Master Xuan Dao ..... to what do i owe this visit?"
He bowed with measured courtesy.
XUAN DAO : " Forgive the intrusion , Your Majesty."
His voice is steady.
"BUT I SEEK TRUTH "
The room grew still.
Tian's shoulders stiffened.
The queen dismissed the servants with a glance . One by one , they retreated, leaving only the three of them behind .
Silence settled like a drawn blade.
Xuan Dao said nothing , but inwardly he felt a flicker a admiration .
The Queen slowly sat back down .
Years of hidden fear weighed in her eyes.
XUAN DAO: * stepped forward.
"This morning , the crown prince faltered during training."
QUEEN : " I am tired of all lies ."
She directly looked at him.
"THERE IS NO PRINCE."
The words struck harder than steel .
Even Xuan Dao , whose face rarely changed , stood motionless.
XUAN DAO : ...."EXPLAIN."
The Queen Rose.
Queen :
"Thirteen years ago , I gave birth to a daughter."
Her voice shook .
"But the emperor demanded a son. The Throne demanded a heir . The court demanded certainty."
She looked at Qiao Tian .
"So I gave them a prince . "
SILENCE THUNDERED.
Xuan Dao's eyes moved to Tian.
A Child carrying armor too heavy for any soul .
QUEEN : " Master Xuan Dao..... you are not merely her instructor ."
she came closer. "You are her Martial Guardian now."
She was taught strength too early .
XUAN DAO : " Then I will teach her something else ."
QUEEN: " WHAT ."
XUAN DAO : " That strength is not same as suffering."
He knelt on knee before Qiao Tian
" From this day onward, I swear by sword and spirit."
He placed a fist over his heart .
"Your secret shall remain sealed."
He lifted his eyes
Your enemies shall pass through me before they reach you."
And when weight becomes too much .... you will not carry it alone.
QIAO TIAN : " Master."
XUAN DAO : " Tomorrow , training begins at dawn."
she blinked.
QIAO TIAN : "Tomorrow?"
XUAN DAO : " Did you think tears exempted you?"
QIAO TIAN : "....You are truly heartless."
XUAN DAO : "And you are already late."
A faint touched her lips.
"None shall cross while I stand."