Xuan had always been the perfect prince—strategic, disciplined, and devoted to his responsibilities. But ever since Cherry had been captured and brought into his world, something within him had shifted. She was fierce, independent, and unafraid to speak her mind, traits that set her apart from everyone else he had ever known. Xuan found himself drawn to her in ways he couldn't quite understand or control.
But Xuan's growing attraction to Cherry wasn't something he could afford to act on, especially with the looming tensions between Carlarsay and Cherry's world. The two of them came from rival factions—he was the future king of a dangerous land, and she was a rebellious spirit from the opposing forces of Diamond Land. Xuan knew his feelings were a liability, one that could ruin everything he had worked for.
Determined to keep his emotions in check, Xuan decided to do what he did best: gather information. He would keep an eye on Cherry, but not as a lover—he would watch her as a cipher, an agent of the shadows. It was a way to maintain control, to keep Cherry close enough to understand but distant enough not to get hurt. Or so he thought.
Xuan took on the guise of an anonymous cipher, cloaking himself in the shadows, hidden by magic and stealth. He wore a hooded cloak and a mask that concealed his identity, allowing him to slip through the palace undetected. He could move between walls, blend into the crowd, and eavesdrop on conversations without being seen.
By day, he was the aloof prince who showed no interest in the prisoner girl. But by night, he became a silent observer, his eyes constantly drawn to Cherry's every move. He would watch her train, sparring fiercely in the moonlit courtyard, her every motion brimming with determination. Xuan found himself captivated, unable to tear his gaze away from her.
Cherry was unaware of the cipher lurking in the shadows. She continued her life in the palace, unaware of the prince's secret vigil. Xuan would follow her to secret meetings with Blueberry and Strawberry, carefully listening in on their plans and strategies. He justified his actions as necessary for the safety of his kingdom, but deep down, he knew he was only lying to himself.
Each night, Xuan would silently watch Cherry from the darkness, his heart torn between his duty and his growing feelings. He told himself it was all just for the mission, but as days turned into weeks, his resolve began to waver. He couldn't help but admire her strength, the way she always found a way to smile despite her situation. He would watch her laugh with her friends, and a pang of jealousy would shoot through him—he wanted to be the one who made her smile.
One evening, Xuan found himself crouched behind a pillar, his eyes locked on Cherry as she sat by a fountain, lost in thought. She looked different tonight—more vulnerable, almost wistful. Xuan's chest tightened as he watched her, the usual distance between them feeling more like an unbridgeable chasm. He wanted to step out of the shadows, to talk to her as himself, not as some faceless spy. But he couldn't. The risks were too great, and the walls he had built around himself were too high.
Cherry sighed, her breath visible in the cool night air. "Whoever you are, I know you're watching," she said suddenly, her voice calm but firm. Xuan froze, his heart skipping a beat. Cherry turned slightly, her gaze sweeping the area as if searching for the invisible figure she knew was there. "You think you can hide forever? Well, good luck with that."
Xuan stayed silent, his heart pounding. He hadn't realized she was so perceptive. For the first time, he felt the weight of his actions pressing down on him. This wasn't just a mission anymore; it was a dangerous game he was playing with his own heart.
He remained hidden, not daring to move or breathe until Cherry finally got up and walked away, leaving him alone in the moonlit courtyard. Xuan knew he was in deeper than he had ever intended. His role as a cipher was supposed to be about control, but now it was all tangled up in feelings he couldn't suppress.
As Xuan watched Cherry disappear into the night, he realized that spying on her had become more than just a strategy—it had become his only way to be close to her without breaking his own rules. He was supposed to be the perfect prince, the loyal son, and the vigilant protector of his kingdom. But all those titles felt meaningless in the face of his growing affection for the one girl he was never supposed to care about.
And so, Xuan continued his nightly vigils, caught between his duty and his heart, knowing that with every passing day, he was falling deeper into a love that was as forbidden as it was undeniable. He was no longer just a cipher; he was a prince lost in his own deception, and Cherry was the one thing he couldn't tear himself away from, no matter how dangerous it became.