Licheng smiled to see Xiana outside the carriage. He saw the annoyed expression on her face and it made him smirk. She stepped into the carriage and sat across Licheng. Shen Daoren closed the door from outside and went ahead.
"Now, you look beautiful," Licheng said.
"Don't annoy me if you don't want me to kill you," Xiana warned him. "And stop smiling like a freak!" She remarked.
"I will take that as a compliment, Xiana," Licheng stated. "I tried to wake up. However, you tested my patience. So, I had no way but to throw water at your face," he explained to her.
"Is this how your mother woke you up when you were a kid?" Xiana's nose flared up in anger.
"I am an early bird, Xiana. I used to do that to my two brothers and a younger sister," Licheng stated. Finally, they were having a normal conversation, where he talked about his siblings.
"Oh. So, you were evil from a young age," Xiana muttered.
"I would say disciplined," Licheng said. The carriage was on a rough route, filled with pebbles, making it a tough ride.
"That is evilness, Licheng," Xiana stressed her words.
"We can say in your terms," Licheng stated.
"So, how did it feel to sleep by my side?" Licheng asked.
"What did you do to me? I remember we were talking and then suddenly I fell asleep," Xiana asserted with a bewildered look on her face.
"I did nothing," Licheng said.
"You are lying," Xiana affirmed.
"You were tired and drifted off to sleep. I was going to answer your questions," Licheng stated.
Xiana realized she had almost forgotten to ask those questions. "Tell me, now. I am so eager to know." She waited for his response.
"Unfortunately, you have lost your chance, Xiana. You should have stayed awake when I was about to tell you the answers," Licheng said.
What a trickster! He was definitely hiding something big from her. She had no faith in him from now onward.
"Are you a sorcerer?" Xiana questioned. Though she didn't believe in sorcery, but now she had no other option left.
"What if I am?" Licheng asked.
"You know sorcery?" Xiana widened her eyes.
"You didn't answer my question," Licheng said and didn't reply to her question.
"Nothing. If you know sorcery, then you are using something forbidden. Is that the reason you get a scar over your left eye? I heard if magic goes wrong, then bad things happen," Xiana stated. Now, all she wanted was his reply to her question.
"I do not know sorcery," Licheng answered.
"Then, how?" Xiana got perplexed. She recalled the scene from her wedding where he extended his arm out and the sword came flying to him.
"The sword came flying to you. It is impossible for a sword to fly. I know you have a bad habit of lying," Xiana stated and frowned at him.
"So, how was life after you won the war?" Licheng suddenly changed the topic of their conversation. He didn't want to talk about that anymore and Xiana understood that well.
"Everything was going well until you came," Xiana remarked.
"If you are thinking that you will go back to your old life, then you are wrong. As I said, I need you for a lifetime," Licheng said. He didn't want to give her hope that one day she would succeed in returning to her kingdom.
Xiana was tense to hear that. "You are making me pay too much for your help," she stated.
"It was a big help from my side, Xiana," Licheng stated. He had turned serious now. The smile was no longer present on his lips.
"You cannot cage me in your service forever," Xiana said.
"You already are bound to me, Xiana," Licheng stated and saw the tears appearing in her eyes. He was not a sweet-talker neither was he a sympathy giver in such situations. "You can cry as much as you want to because once we will be in the Su Empire, the journey to your life will begin." He made her face the harsh reality of her life that she would no longer return to her old life.
Xiana closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She kept them close for a while before again opening them.
"Licheng, your talks appear as if I am going to marry you," Xiana said.
Licheng ended up chuckling. "Last night you clearly told me my type: a submissive woman, who will obey my orders without any questions," he reminded her.
"You don't fancy me, Xiana. So, if you think I am into you, then you are wrong," Licheng affirmed.
So, Xiana's other major doubt was cleared too. He was not into her. It was a relief for her. She didn't ask any more questions to him and averted her gaze from him. She wanted to look outside and fee the fresh air, but Licheng would not let her do either. She never listened to anyone ever in her life the way she had to for Licheng. It was annoying. She realized she had lost her freedom too.
"You are an impressive woman, Xiana," Licheng said. Thus, he brought her attention to him again. "I was fascinated the day you decided to stand against the five martial heroes. I realized that moment why my father sent you to bring me. He must have seen what his son likes," he explained to Xiana.
Xiana could not believe her ears. Licheng praised her. She felt a bit of happiness when she was upset. Xiana could not help but smile at him.
Licheng noticed that Xiana for the first time smiled genuinely at him or else she would always show that angry face to him.
"I wonder what your father will say seeing me as your servant," Xiana said.
"My father will be happy to see me after a long time. It will not matter to him why you are my servant," Licheng pronounced.
Xiana was stunned to learn that Licheng was returning to the Su Empire capital after a long time. She was again bewildered. However, one thing she found about Licheng.
He was the most mysterious person, she had ever met and talked with.