"Your Majesty?" Jade's gentle voice broke the silence, her tone laced with concern. She tilted her head slightly, noticing his faraway expression.
Heavens above, Lord Phoenix give him strength. Even her voice was intoxicating-mystical, like a siren's call from the depths of the ocean, drawing him in with every syllable. Ruiyan now understood the saying: beauty is fear.
A man as disciplined as him shouldn't be so attached to worldly desires, but how could he resist? Standing before him was a vision of perfection, a living goddess. How could a mere mortal, no matter how divine his stature, ignore such radiance?
Taking a deep breath, he calmed his thoughts. He had to stay composed. She didn't need to know how much she was affecting him. Not yet.
-"I was waiting for you," Ruiyan said, his tone even, betraying none of the chaos within.
Jade bowed slightly.
-"My apologies, Your Majesty," she replied.
-"Don't... don't bow to me," he said quickly, his voice softer now.
Her bow made him uneasy. Someone as graceful and divine as her shouldn't bow to him. She deserves admiration, not submission.
Jade hesitated, confusion flickering in her expression. She knew the rules of the monarchy-it was her duty to bow to him, at least until she became empress.
-"But-" she began, only for Ruiyan to interrupt, his voice firmer this time.
-"You shouldn't bow."
Her movements stilled as she straightened, her eyes finally meeting his, and for a moment, Ruiyan felt the world fade away.
His hand instinctively reached out to hers, sincere and yearning. She hesitated for a moment before finally placing her hand in his. Her skin was so soft and warm against his palm, and an unexpected sense of comfort swept over him. Heat crept up his neck, pooling in his cheeks, and he quickly turned his head, hoping to conceal the blush threatening to betray him.
She noticed his deliberate avoidance of her gaze, and a knot tightened in her stomach. Is he angry? Or... disgusted? The rumors about him echoed in her mind-his impossible standards, his cold, aloof nature. Maybe I've already failed him. Her fingers instinctively found the edge of her dress, twisting and fidgeting as her eyes remained fixed on the ground, weighed down by the silence between them.
He caught the subtle movements of her hand and the delicate tilt of her head. She seemed almost... fragile, yet endearing in her uncertainty. Her soft, demure demeanor only deepened his admiration. Could she be as nervous as I am? Is she... blushing too? The thought sent an unexpected warmth surging through his chest. How utterly lovable she was-his future bride, so shy and delicate, like a lotus in bloom, each petal whispering a quiet beauty that begged to be cherished.
The Northern king's voice pulled Ruiyan from his thoughts.
"I trust you are satisfied now that you've finally met the princess," he said, his tone light yet measured.
Ruiyan offered a small, polite smile in return.
"More than satisfied, your grace"
The king's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his gaze assessing.
"If I may inquire, when do you plan to depart for the Phoenix Empire? We'll need to make the necessary preparations."
Ruiyan considered the question briefly.
"It would be best to leave within the week," he replied evenly. "The journey is long, and there's much to be done before the wedding festivities begin."
The king nodded, his response almost too quick.
"Then tomorrow it is," he said, his voice carrying a note of finality. "The sooner, the better, for both nations."
Ruiyan raised a brow, faintly surprised by the king's readiness to part with his daughter so abruptly. Still, he didn't dwell on it.
Jade, however, felt the weight of those words settle heavily in her chest. Her father's eagerness to see her leave was clear to her, even if cloaked in formality.
----
Ruiyan longed for a moment of privacy with Jade-a rare luxury in his life crowded by servants, ministers, and watchful eyes. Today was no different. Even in the tranquility of the garden, Diane, Jade's loyal lady-in-waiting, hovered a few steps behind them.
He glanced at Jade, her attention elsewhere, and decided to seize the opportunity. Pointing to a patch of white tulips in the distance, he said, "Would you mind bringing me one of those flowers?"
Jade followed his gaze, her brows knitting slightly. "The tulip? Why, Your Majesty?"
"I... uh... just really like it," he stammered, a weak excuse, but it was all he could muster.
Though puzzled, Jade nodded and began walking toward the tulips.
The moment she was out of earshot, Ruiyan turned to Diane, fishing a few gold coins from his pocket and pressing them into her hand. "Take this and leave. I need a moment alone with my fiancée. And tell me-where's the best spot in this garden to get some privacy?"
Diane blinked, startled by the sudden request. "Your Majesty, you two are not married yet," she blurted, her cheeks crimson
Ruiyan felt his face heat up at her implication.
"Shut up! I'm not some scoundrel hiding in bushes to... ugh, never mind!" He waved a hand in frustration. "I just want to talk to her. That's all."
Still flustered, Diane nodded quickly and says. "The princess is fond of the pond on the northeastern side of the garden. It's usually quiet this time of day."
Ruiyan let out a relieved sigh as Diane hurried off, glancing over his shoulder to ensure Jade was still occupied. A faint smile tugged at his lips. The lake, he thought. Perfect.
Ruiyan approached Jade with a warm smile and gently placed an arm around her shoulder. She stiffened slightly at first but then relaxed as he led her down the garden path.
"Let's go to your favorite pond," he said, his tone light yet purposeful.
Jade blinked, confused. "Huh? How did you kn-"
"Oh," he interrupted with a playful grin, "I always know what my beloved likes."
She looked at him, her expression unreadable, but said nothing.
The pond came into view, its surface shimmering under the soft sunlight. Red, blue, and white koi fishes swirled gracefully in the crystal-clear water, their movements creating delicate ripples. Jade's gaze softened as she watched the playful dance of the fishes. A quiet, childlike smile spread across her lips.
Ruiyan found himself captivated, his breath catching in his throat. She looked so serene, so radiant in that moment. Beautiful, he thought, his cheeks warming as he struggled to tear his gaze away.
His hand reached out, resting gently on her hair. It was as dark and soft as the night sky, smooth and flowing like silk.
She turned to him, confusion in her eyes.
"Is something the matter?" she asked quietly.
"Your bun has loosened. Let me fix it," he replied calmly.
But it was a lie. Nothing had come undone. He just needed an excuse-any reason to touch her hair, to feel her presence, to remind himself this moment isn't a fleeting illusion. She is real. The euphoria stirring inside his heart is real.
He carefully removed the blue lotus and hairpins, watching as her hair tumbled down in soft waves over her shoulders. His fingers brushed through the strands gently, savoring the moment as if it might slip away.
She realized what he was doing, his unspoken intentions clear. Yet, she said nothing. His touch, though innocent, soothed her in ways she couldn't explain. But deep down, it stirred something uneasy-a guilt that refused to be silenced.
It wasn't his touch that troubled her. It was the shadow of someone else.The guilt of allowing another man who isn't Theodore to reach her heart, even in this quiet, subtle way. She shut her eyes briefly, forcing those thoughts into the depths of her mind. How Theodore would braid her hair and tuck tiny flowers of forget-me-not in her hair. The irony of the flower's name stung her like a cruel joke but there was no choice. She had to forget Theodore. She would forget him.
No one knew of him, except her father. And her father is wise enough to never breathe a word of it. This was how it had to be. The only way forward. To erase Theodore from her heart, her mind, and eventually, her life.