Xuan had always been the golden prince of Carlarsay—charming, intelligent, and destined to be king. But despite the admiration of everyone around him, he often felt trapped by the expectations and responsibilities that came with his position. His life was meticulously planned, every step calculated, every decision scrutinized. He was used to seeing people bow before him, and few dared to challenge his authority.
Until he met Cherry.
Their first encounter was far from romantic. Cherry had been captured during an attempted infiltration of Carlarsay Land, brought before Xuan and his council as a prisoner. She was defiant, her eyes fierce and unyielding, even in the face of danger. Xuan watched as she stood before them, unafraid and full of fire—a stark contrast to the compliant nobles and servants he was used to.
Xuan stepped forward, curious. "You're bold to think you could enter my kingdom and go unnoticed. Who are you?"
Cherry lifted her chin, her gaze meeting his without a hint of fear. "I'm Cherry of the Isto Moutis. And I'm not afraid of you or your kingdom."That spark—her defiance, her courage—caught Xuan's attention. He was intrigued by her strength and the way she carried herself as if no one could intimidate her, not even a prince. He found himself wanting to know more about this girl who stood so fiercely against him.
Over the next few days, Xuan would secretly visit the dungeons, drawn to Cherry despite himself. They would talk, arguing about their beliefs and the world they were born into. Cherry spoke passionately about freedom, loyalty, and fighting for those who couldn't fight for themselves. She didn't just see Xuan as the perfect prince—she challenged him, questioned his motives, and forced him to confront his own doubts about his role as the future king.Xuan couldn't pinpoint the exact moment he started falling for Cherry. It was gradual, like the soft glow of sunrise creeping over the horizon, catching him off guard. One minute, she was just a defiant prisoner, and the next, she was all he could think about.
Every time they met, Xuan found his gaze lingering on her longer than it should. He told himself it was simply curiosity—this girl was bold, fearless, unlike anyone he had ever known. But the more they talked, the harder it became to deny the pull he felt toward her.
but his eyes kept drifting back to her. The way she moved, so determined and full of fire, made his heart beat faster. He could feel it pounding in his chest, and he clenched his jaw, trying to steady himself.
Cherry laughed when she disarmed her sparring partner, her voice ringing out like music in the air. Xuan's chest tightened. He couldn't help but smile, though he quickly turned his head, hoping she wouldn't notice.
Why does she make me feel this way? he thought, confused by the emotions swirling inside him. Xuan had never let his heart rule his head, yet when Cherry was around, it was as if his heart had a mind of its own.
As Cherry took a break, she walked over to where Xuan stood. She was still catching her breath, her cheeks flushed from the exertion. "Enjoying the view, Your Highness?" she teased, a playful smirk on her lips.
Xuan's breath hitched. He quickly looked away, hoping the heat rising to his face wasn't obvious. "Just…observing," he said, trying to sound indifferent, though his voice was quieter than usual.
Cherry raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but she shrugged it off. "Well, I hope you're learning something," she said with a wink before heading back to the training grounds.
Xuan watched her go, unable to tear his eyes away. He placed a hand over his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heart. Why does she get to me like this? he thought, frustration mixing with the undeniable warmth that spread through him whenever she was near.
Late at night, when the palace was quiet, Xuan often found himself alone in his chambers, thinking about her. He would stare out at the moonlit courtyard, replaying their conversations in his mind. Cherry's voice, her smile, the way she challenged him—it was all he could see, and he hated that he was powerless to stop it.
Sometimes, during council meetings, his mind would drift. He'd catch himself staring across the room, where Cherry would be busy talking strategy with Strawberry and the others. His gaze would linger on the curve of her profile, the determined set of her jaw, the fire in her eyes. She was so different from anyone he'd ever met, and he was drawn to her like a moth to flame.
Xuan's heart would beat erratically, and he would quickly look away, berating himself. I can't let this happen. I'm a prince. She's…Cherry. A rebel. And yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't push her out of his mind.
One evening, Xuan found himself wandering the palace gardens, hoping the cool night air would calm his racing thoughts. But then, he saw her again—Cherry, sitting alone by the fountain, lost in thought. The moonlight bathed her in a soft, silver glow, making her look almost ethereal.
Xuan's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words caught in his throat. He just stood there, hidden among the shadows, watching her. She was so close, yet he felt worlds apart from her.
Cherry looked up suddenly, sensing someone's presence. Xuan quickly stepped back, pressing himself against the cool stone wall, his heart hammering in his chest. He stayed hidden, not daring to breathe until she turned away.
As Xuan made his way back to his chambers, he silently cursed himself for being so affected by her. He was a prince, destined for greatness, yet here he was, stumbling over his own emotions like some lovesick fool.
But deep down, Xuan knew the truth—he was falling for Cherry, whether he liked it or not. And no amount of duty, pride, or distance could change that. So, he kept it all inside, burying his feelings beneath the weight of his responsibilities, knowing that some things were too dangerous to admit, even to himself