Li Hua arrived in the chamber, holding a tray in her hand. She found Lóng Wei was still asleep and set the tray on the table. She first lit the lanterns on the four corners of the chamber and placed the candle on the stand.
She walked to the bed and softly asked him to wake up. When, he didn't, Li Hua reached her hand to his shoulder and poked it. "Your Highness, it's evening. Please wake up."
Lóng Wei opened his eyes gradually and peered into her black orbs. He tilted his head and looked at her hand, which was near his shoulder. Li Hua curled her fingers and almost pulled back her hand when Lóng Wei caught it.
He pulled her down and circled his other arm around her waist. With that, their faces came dangerously close to each other. "Your Highness, it is not appropriate to do it." Li Hua wasn't intimidated this time, and twisted her wrist in his grip.
"Li Hua, I never did anything inappropriate to you," Lóng Wei stated and leaned toward her. He embraced her warmly. Her eyes grew big, but the more she tried to pull away, the more Lóng Wei drew her close.
She felt his hot breath on her neck, and it sent shivers in her entire body. She did not want to imagine what he would do after they would get married. No, she could not let anything happen between her and Lóng Wei, which would make her feel guilty in front of Feng Lao.
Nonetheless, Lóng Wei wasn't the type to hear anyone. She didn't want to accept this marriage, but there was no choice left.
"Li Hua, I have a dream. A strange one." Lóng Wei's voice fell on her ears. Li Hua slightly tilted her head and found that his face was still buried in the crook of her neck.
Li Hua judged that voice. It sounded low and full of displeasure. "What kind of dream, Your Highness?" she asked.
"You will be scared to hear it," Lóng Wei answered. Li Hua pondered over that statement. Lóng Wei gradually pulled away from the hug.
"Did His Highness see a ghost in his dream?" She naively asked. Lóng Wei chuckled and shook his head. His fingers brushed on her left temple as he tucked the loose tendrils behind her ear.
"I am not scared of non-existing beings," Lóng Wei affirmed. "It was something else," he replied.
Li Hua wondered what could be scariest than a ghost dream. At that moment, she realized if it was related to his past when he lost his mother. Even she had the strangest dream about her family. So, there was a possibility that Lóng Wei would have dreams about himself and his mother.
"The tea will get cold, Your Highness," Li Hua said, turning his mind away from the strange dream. She went towards the table, where she had put the tray earlier, and started to prepare the tea for Lóng Wei. Since the Sixth Prince hated chamomile tea, she brought chrysanthemum tea this time.
The spoon swirled in the teacup as the dry powdered flower mixed into the hot water. Lóng Wei had settled on the chair and kept his gaze fixed on Li Hua.
Li Hua handed the teacup to him when Lóng Wei asked her to make one for herself. She didn't refuse it and made one cup for herself. Taking a seat, she sipped the tea. The Sixth Prince observed the way she drank the tea.
Like a noble family lady!
"The Crown Prince likes you, so I would like you to stay away from him," Lóng Wei warned her. Li Hua was shocked to hear him. How could he say such a big thing to her?
"You are doubtful." It didn't surprise him as he arched his brow before relaxing it. "Why do you think I asked for your hand in marriage just a day after my return?" He posed a question.
"If I had not, then he would have taken you as your concubine. He does not agree to marry when many capable women are around him. I hate it when his eyes lingered on my woman." Lóng Wei sipped the tea and placed the cup on the top of the table.
"His Highness might have noticed something wrong." Li Hua wasn't ready to believe him.
"My eyes see what others cannot. You are a naive girl, Li Hua. Such a remarkable beauty is enough to skip many hearts. The Crown Prince has also fallen for you. Except for me, no one noticed it. That's why we both fought for you. You already have won over my heart, so I will not let any other man have you."
Each word of Lóng Wei made Li Hua realize that he was too possessive of her. If she would put a thought to it, then she would not deny that Xiaoming had shown care towards her.
"Li Hua, you do not appear to belong to the low class. I feel that the Crown Prince must have noticed it too." Lóng Wei again started to talk about her status in the social section. It frightened her a little about how Lóng Wei found out about it. Probably, he was intimidating her to get the truth from her.
"Tell me before anyone else finds out. You cannot fool my eyes. You belong to a noble family," Lóng Wei jumped to the conclusion. Li Hua blinked a few times before refusing it.
"Many people have—"
"I do not belong to that section of people. Take your time. I will help you for whatever reason you are here in the palace. You only need to do one thing for me," Lóng Wei asserted and found the curious gaze of Li Hua on him. She was too eager to know what he wanted from her.
He leaned forward and gestured to her the same. Li Hua moved closer such that their faces were now inches apart.
"Love me more than your life," Lóng Wei said. Li Hua quickly averted her gaze from him.
"Whatever His Highness has thought, is merely an illusion. If he doubts the region where, I belong, he can come with me. I will show him, my family," Li Hua said with a determined tone.
Lóng Wei's lips twisted into a smirk. "And if it comes out to be a lie, then you have to bear the consequences." His domineering words didn't scare her. Li Hua was indeed surprised that Lóng Wei's suspicions were too strong for her, but she could not trust him at any cost.
She would never forget that Lóng Wei was known for his cunningness. He might be sounding sweet, but his hidden intentions must be dangerous.