"This is the quarter you have been assigned to."
Lanying pushed the door to enter inside. It was fairly spacious. Well not as much as the hall of course, but way bigger than her room back in her house. Large windows, a small bed, a floor mounted wooden rack containing the daily essentials and a small camphor chest. Well she was yet to develop her space so this would definitely be handy.
"Thanks." She curtly nodded.
Changmin narrowed his eyes dangerously, "Just thanks? I accompanied you to the academy and now helped you with your belongings. Shouldn't you at least greet me properly and have a chat with me?"
Lanying snorted, blocking the door, she responded, "I won't hold you responsible for barging inside my carriage."
The man in front of her tapped the knob of the door gently a few times. Her defensive stance made him chuckle. Standing so close to him, she felt her ears tickled at the pleasant low laughter.
"Isn't it good to be acquainted with a prince?" He asked, his hand brushing away the stray silver lock away from her face. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
She stepped back a few steps. Clearly not welcoming the intimate actions.
Changmin stopped smiling.
"No denying, but what benefit does getting acquainted with a person without status bring to the crown prince?" She asked. Not intending to let him enter.
"A person without status? Heh, You are the heiress of An Clan, if I am not wrong?" Changmin leaned back.
"A fallen clan. Abandoned by the royal family. I don't think the palace would treat it as nothing if the crown prince gets too close to me, right?" She smiled gently.
'How come she always has something to retort me with? It's so hard to get anything out of her.' He clenched his other hand, struggling to maintain the careless smile.
Whatever. he will entertain her for this once. He needs to consider the bigger picture.
"Is the palace capable enough to restrain me?"
Lanying gazed into his eyes, which seemed careless, agitated yet anxious at the same time. She couldn't help but wonder what the man in front of her went through to have such a gaze. She looked away immediately.
"I would like to rest for now." She spoke before slamming the door almost forcefully. Had he not moved away in time for his quick reflexes, the metal edge would have crushed his fingers for sure.
'So troublesome!' He pressed his temple.
Looking at the closed door in front, he took a deep breath. Raising his hands, he knocked a couple of times. No response. He expected it. His sight shifted toward the trunk near his leg. He smiled faintly.
"I guess you don't want your belongings back? Well, I will keep it for now in that case." He shouted.
As he picked up the trunk, he heard the click behind him. Suppressing the smile, he turned back.
Peeping from the mostly closed door, She extended her hand towards him.
"Hahaha" he burst into laughter. An unwilling face appeared from what would barely register as a gap. Her furrowed brows, pressed lips and polite gaze with a hint of impatience made him want to ruffle her feathers.
But he had something more important to do. He handed the trunk to her. However, he maintained his grip on the handle. Unable to pull it, Lanying cast a questioning look at him.
"The orientation ceremony is tomorrow. All the other joiners have already paired up. As it happens to be, I am in need of a partner. Care to join?" He asked casually.
She contemplated quietly for a moment. She should have set out earlier. If she made it with the batch, she wouldn't have been left alone. Well, he is from the royal family. Except for pestering her constantly for some unknown reason, he hadn't anything.
"Sure." She nodded.
"I will escort you then. The ceremony will start at 8 '0. Stay prepared." He loosened his hold on her belongings, allowing her to tug it free.
—-------------------------
He pushed open his door. The dimly lit room seemed cozy enough to live. He walked towards the desk. He brought the pair of anklets from his robe, placing them delicately on top.
Seamlessly bringing out the small glowing crystal from his inner space, he pressed it on top of the anklets. Nothing happened. Wait no, the crystal seemed to flicker slightly. Except it needed to be examined very closely to notice that.
The descendant of Ans….can't it be the elder one? except even he was unaware of her location. Maybe he should hand it to her to observe things. Extending his hand towards the leather-bound manuscript, he brought it nearer.
The manuscript was written in barely legible words. He controlled the fire element in his palm, creating a source of light.