The Crown Prince's Bodyguard

by Usui Takumii

not mine, wattpad by Kim Knights. Dropped.

Wang Li Xun, the Crown Prince, goes out hunting for the Celestial Flower to save his mother from a terminal illness. When he nearly dies from the attack of a mythical beast, he is saved by a mysterious boy who lives in the mountains.

To repay his kindness, Li Xun offers the boy a place to stay in his royal palace and employs him to be his personal bodyguard. But little does he know that he has brought home a girl instead.

- Li Xun -

The silvery moonlight spilled from the hands of the night sky, seeping into the shimmering, calm waters. Accompanied by a thin sheen of fog hovering over the river, the dreamlike scenery was almost like a painting.

Amidst the calmness stood a young man in the waters, wading into the river with his body already half submerged. Even though he was soaking wet, the cold was the least of his worries.

After all, his mind was set on obtaining the treasure that lies in the middle of the Great Heavenly Lake.

A week ago, his expedition had begun. Accompanied by his most trusted bodyguards, the noble Crown Prince travelled out of the palace, his whereabouts a secret to everybody else. He could have delegated the job to someone else, but no. This was something he needed to do with his own hands.

It was for his beloved mother. After spending many arduous months of searching, he finally managed to find a potent cure to her terminal illness – the Celestial Flower.

According to the legend, this flower grew in a lake, one that was quietly tucked away in the mountains and surrounded by thick, forested valleys leading down from nearby peaks. It was often said that no one could enter this sacred place as they wished. The gods forbade mortals to use their produce as part of their wicked schemes. As such, they cast a barrier on this holy land; only those with a pure heart and bore a great desire to obtain the Celestial Flower would be naturally granted entry.

This was the reason the prince found himself venturing off alone. As he harboured a great desire to seek a cure for his mother, he was the only one who could get past the misty barrier. His guards, who were left behind, could only anxiously watch him go. They cursed their ill fate for not being able to enter, even attempting to throw themselves at the invisible barrier that protected the place, but their efforts were futile.

Before Li Xun set off, he had to reassure them countless times that he would allow himself to come to no harm, promising to put his years of training to good use. He wasn't weak. Despite being born into royalty, he was a formidable warrior too. He had confidence in his skills and nothing was stopping him from saving his mother.

As he went deeper into the lake, the freezing, cold waters rose to his chest. The moonlight illuminated the place, revealing to him the flowers sleeping on a tiny island in the centre.

A breath caught in his throat as he watched them dance in the slight breeze.

There it was – the cure to everything.

The fruit of his hard work was almost within his reach. Now all he had to do was to obtain it and hurry back to his mother before everything was too late.

Considering the depth of the waters, he was going to have to swim the rest of the way there. Without wasting any time, he dived immediately, cutting through the waters with strong, powerful strokes. He couldn't help but feel a ripple of excitement at the thought that he was able to accomplish a difficult feat that hundreds of thousands of people couldn't.

But to his greatest dismay, he got carried away. The next thing he knew, something had grabbed his ankle.

And it was pulling him downwards.

- Li Xun -

He was sinking fast.

Something grabbed his ankle and was pulling him down hard. Letting out a surprised yelp, he struggled and kicked as his head went beneath the waters. Darkness swarmed in on him quickly as water rushed into his nose and mouth. His heart pounded furiously out of fear and, most importantly, for survival.

This wasn't how he had imagined his death to be. Whatever this creature was, it had a good grip on his ankle and refused to release him. Even if he kicked at it, it was futile. With no one else around who could help him, he watched helplessly as he was dragged further into the depth of the lake, the air in his lungs escaping with every passing second.

No, no!

He couldn't simply die here, not when his mother's life depended on him.

In a swift motion, he grabbed the hilt of his sword, pulling it out and stabbing the creature below him. His attack must have been somewhat successful, because he was instantly released and the mysterious, dark mass swam off.

It may be gone, but there was a likelihood that it might come back. He grasped the opportunity to swim back up to the surface, rasping and heaving as he welcomed fresh air into his burning lungs. Swimming in fast, powerful strokes, he made it across to the island where the Celestial Flowers were growing on. He dragged his heavily-soaked body out and lay himself on the grass, panting heavily. As he tried to catch his breath, his mind was spinning wildly from this unexpected encounter.

What the hell was that?

Judging from that monstrous shape and strength, it most definitely didn't fit the description of a human.

His question was soon answered. Coming from the waters on his right, a low, ghastly growl was heard. Startled, he leaped to his feet, his hand already holding onto his sword in a defensive stance. His eyes were sharp and focused, fixing his gaze cautiously in the direction where the noise was last heard.

Ever so slowly, the creature gradually emerged from the lake. Water ran in rivulets down his body. A pair of red eyes glinted dangerously in the dark, clearly enraged that Li Xun had gotten away from him earlier.

As it came fully into view, he observed its body proportion carefully. Seeing it this close, he noticed that it was walking just like a human but was much bigger in size than he first thought. With a towering height of over two metres, its face was as grisly pale as a dead person and its teeth were as sharp as a wolf's canine.

Baring its fangs, it let out a menacing roar. In a flash, the creature crouched on all fours and lunged straight for him, claws swiping in his way.

But he avoided it by leaping to the side. Having been trained in martial arts since he was young by the very best swordsman in the country, he was quick and light on his feet. Moreover, he took the advantage that he was smaller in size as compared to the creature and evaded its subsequent attacks easily. Parrying with his sword. At some point, he even managed to slice across its broad chest, leaving a gash of red behind.

A loud cry of pain erupted from the creature's throat. With an angry growl, it charged straight for the prince, seizing his sword in its large hands. It ignored the blood gushing out of its wounds and ripped the weapon out of his hands, stunning him. The strength it possessed was overwhelming, for Li Xun soon found himself being grabbed by his legs and lifted high up in the air. In the next second, he found himself being thrown onto the ground hard.

The impact knocked the air out of him. Before he could catch his breath, the creature wrapped a hand around his throat and lifted him again.

Fear rose within him, his eyes wide with fear. Weaponless, he could only watch on in horror as the creature opened its mouth wide, seemingly intent on biting and ripping his head off.

Was this how he was going to die?

If he failed his mission and died, his mother would soon follow into his footsteps.

The thought itself was unbearable. As his lungs started burning once again due to the lack of air, a sudden arrow flew through the air, piercing through the creature's heart from behind.

1

They were both shocked. The light in the creature's eyes slowly died out and it released its hold on the prince. He fell to the ground, gasping for air, as he watched the monstrous beast before him slumped onto the ground, dead.

Glancing around, he eventually spotted a person standing at the edge of the riverbank. From where he was standing, he could only make out a slim figure dressed in black robes and a mask concealing the bottom half of his face.

Likewise, his saviour returned his gaze calmly and quietly, carrying a longbow by his side. Neither of them spoke or made a move, just simply watching each other.

Even though he was immensely grateful for the help, Li Xun was confused at how this person made it past the barrier and into the Great Heavenly Lake.

Who are you?

Who are you?

- Li Xun -

From a distance, a pair of light, hazel eyes stared back at him quietly. With a face concealed behind a mask, his saviour emanated a mysterious aura. Before Li Xun could snap out of his surprise, the figure turned his back on him and attempted to leave.

"Wait!" he called out. "Please wait."

His voice made the person stop in his tracks, but he made no move to turn around. Waiting for him to speak. As such, Li Xun could only convey his words of gratitude across the waters that separated them.

"Thank you for saving me. May I have your name?"

Silence answered him. With quiet footsteps, his saviour walked towards the shadows between the trees, vanishing into the darkness quietly.

As quickly as he had appeared, he was gone with the wind.

Confused by the events that had just happened, Li Xun turned back to his main task on hand – the Celestial Flower. He began plucking some flowers from the ground quickly. Pulling out a silk handkerchief from his pocket, he grimaced at how wet it was but what choice did he have? Shaking his head, he worked quickly and wrapped the flowers as neatly as possible.

Casting one last glance at the dead creature, he swam his way back to the riverbank and went back up the mountains to reunite with his bodyguards. Throughout the entire hike, he never met his saviour again. It was a shame, really. All he truly wanted was to express his utmost gratitude for saving him back there, especially when he was so close to ending up on Death's doorstep.

However, he had to tuck the image of his saviour to the back of his mind and set off to return to the palace on their horses. Even though he and his subordinates were overwhelmed with fatigue due to the long journey, they persevered in hopes of saving the Empress.

A week later, they arrived back at the palace. Li Xun presented the flower to the royal doctor — an old, but very wise man. He got to work immediately and in just two days, the medicine was concocted perfectly.

With the Emperor and Crown Prince in attendance, they fed it to the Empress immediately. The medicine was a wonder cure, and the colour soon returned to her cheeks. She had often retched blood, but that stopped too. In just a matter of days, she regained her vigour and was no longer bedridden. She could move around her room and even attend the court for gatherings. The significant improvement to her health surprised everyone.

To celebrate her recovery, a banquet was held.

On the throne, the Emperor rose to his feet. "My son," he addressed Li Xun in front of all his officials. "You have done well. Let us give you a toast to honour your achievement and congratulate your mother's good health."

Hearing praise from the Emperor himself was rare, which was why Li Xun was deeply moved. He knew the man since he was born. As the great ruler of the Celestial Empire with many ambitions and responsibilities, he was a cold man with few words.

It was always Li Xun's mother who taught him the way of life, whereas his father taught him war and politics. Nonetheless, she still loved his father and knew the many sides of him that Li Xun hadn't seen before. She would always tell her son that despite his father's harsh demeanour, he loved him very much.

"It's because he doesn't know how to express his love in words, my child. Please understand him."

Rising from his seat, Li Xun cleared his throat, held his head in high regard and lifted his cup towards the Emperor.

"Thank you, Father."

And then he downed the wine in a single gulp.

The rest of the night was spent listening to the musicians playing their instruments, the dancers performing their dance and drinking with the rest of the royal subjects. When the banquet finally ended, it had gone past midnight and everyone decided to retire to their bed chambers.

Back in his room, Li Xun laid on his bed, exhausted from his journey. But that didn't stop a smile forming on his face as he relished in the joy that his mother was saved and healthy now.

There was only one thing left on his mind which had perturbed him since the day of his return. The image of his saviour flickered through his mind again and again. Li Xun was indebted to him, and the thought of not repaying the favour would never allow him to rest in peace. After all, a good man ought to be rewarded for his good deeds.

Three days later, he set off on his horse again with his bodyguards but this time, he wasn't going because of the Celestial Flower. He was going for a completely different reason.

This time, he was determined to seek out the person who had saved his life.

- Li Xun -

The Great Heavenly Lake.

It took Li Xun days to arrive at the mountains surrounding the lake again, and the first thing he noticed were several groups of people desperately trying to get past the barrier. Needless to say, with the news of the Empress's miraculous recovery spreading through the nation like wildfire, it wasn't a surprise that many people had travelled from afar in search of the Celestial Flowers.

Rogues, nobles and villagers... They were using whatever means they could to destroy the barrier, but Li Xun wasn't surprised that they didn't succeed.

Greed was a terrifying thing.

It turned men into blind fools.

Shaking his head at them, he returned to his task on hand. Draping a hood over his head, he and his guards lingered at the back of the crowd, staying low so that no one would discover a prince was walking among them. If they noticed him, they might hinder him from conducting his search properly.

Returning to his task on hand, a curious frown set in on his face. His fingers reached out to touch the barrier, probing it gently, but all he felt was an impenetrable wall with a sheen of cold mist emanating from it.

As his heart no longer sought the Celestial Flower this time, it was understandable that he couldn't get past the barrier this time. Knowing that he was left with little options, he decided to hike on the perimeters of the mountains, hoping to catch a glimpse of his saviour entering or leaving the place again. It was rather disappointing that he couldn't glimpse through the barrier, because this would only mean that it was harder for him to search.

Thinking back, the person was slim and shorter than an average man was. When he had killed the creature with a precise shot, this could only mean he was a very experienced archer.

What was he doing inside? Was he trying to obtain the Celestial Flower as well? But why did he end up leaving right after saving his life?

Where was he?

Were they searching at the wrong place? What if he was from one of the nearby villages around here?

With that possibility in mind, he ordered a few of his men to depart from the group and search the villages. Once they left, he decided that the remaining guards ought to build a fire and a makeshift camp for the approaching night.

As the sun set, he wandered from his group, taking only two guards with him. Since their tasks were delegated, he had taken the liberty to hunt food for his men. He moved quietly and carefully between the trees, his eyes scouring his surroundings for prey. When he spotted a rabbit darting from bush to bush, he lifted the bow in his hands and took his shot.

It took him an hour to obtain enough food for his men. As they made their way back to their camp, their path was intercepted by a group of unfamiliar-looking men. A quick count would soon reveal twenty of them. They were all scruffy-looking, wearing old clothes with patches in them. In their hands, they were carrying weapons of all sorts; sickles, hatchets, knives and wooden clubs.

Rogues.

A man – quite possibly their leader – stepped forward. He chewed on a piece of grass haughtily as he spoke. "I thought I recognised that face of yours," he sounded amused. "It's your Highness, isn't it? What brings you here? Didn't you come once before? Or are you back for more Celestial Flowers because they weren't enough for you?"

Li Xun's eyes narrowed darkly. "Scram."

His order didn't stop them from approaching. "You're holding a rather expensive sword in your hand," the heavily-built man mused. "I wonder how many gold coins you have on you? How much money do you think the Emperor would trade for your dead body?"

He was about to lay his hands on Li Xun when the latter pulled out his sword and held the blade against his neck. There was a threatening note in his voice as he uttered a warning.

"If you want to live, leave us be."

Yet, the leader didn't seem to fear him. They weren't in the palace. This was the outside world, a place where a few brave ones would dare to challenge his authority, especially if he was outnumbered.

Like now.

A fight broke out, three against twenty. This wasn't the first time that Li Xun had encountered rogues. They may be experienced in fights, but they lacked technique, something which Li Xun hoped could be used to their advantage.

As if the rogue leader knew what he was thinking, the man decided to pull dirty tricks.

When Li Xun was fighting against three other rogues, dirt flew into his eyes, blinding his vision temporarily. Seeing this, the leader took advantage of his faltered movements by taking a wooden club to hit the back of his head. Pain lanced through Li Xun's skull, jarring him into almost oblivion.

He staggered backwards until he hit a wall behind him. Clutching his head, all he could hear was the sound of a man laughing at his pain, clearly finding joy at seeing a prince being cornered like a prey.

Footsteps approached him. Li Xun tried to blink his eyes several times to clear his vision, but all he could see was a shadow towering over him. He raised his sword, ready to defend himself if needed, but in the end, the rogue leader never got to him first.

To their surprise, somebody else grabbed his shoulders and pulled him through the misty barrier.

Darkness was all he saw.

When he finally woke up, he found himself sleeping in an unfamiliar place.

He sat up slowly, taking his time to observe his surroundings. It seemed like someone had brought him to their home. The room that he was in had a clean smell and was furnished with basic furniture, including a wardrobe and a fresh bedding. Right next to where he was sitting, food was prepared for him – a bowl of rich pumpkin porridge. The smell was so inviting that it made his mouth water and stomach rumble.

How long had it been since he last ate?

Despite his hunger, he hesitated. Whoever left him here shouldn't be a person with ill intentions right? If he was, he would have killed Li Xun right away instead of going through the hassle of placing him in such a warm and cosy room.

Shaking his head, he decided that it was best for him to leave the room and check the place out first before deciding if he was safe or in danger.

The morning sun had risen, bathing the land in its glory. To his amazement, the sight that greeted him was a vast, gorgeous field of flowers that stretched endlessly beyond the horizon, taking his breath away.

As he was absorbed in the beauty of nature, he failed to sense the presence of another person standing behind him. When he finally turned around with the intention to explore the rest of the house, he was startled at the figure and leapt back in surprise.

He recognised the person right away.

"Oh! It's you!"

His saviour stood before him, dressed in the same black robes and mask when Li Xun saw him the other day. He was silent and unmoving, his eyes regarding the prince with wariness.

Looking at his saviour this close, Li Xun realised he was simply a boy. He didn't look any older than he was.

Li Xun broke the silence first. "Thank you for helping me again. I'm in your debt."

His saviour levelled his gaze on him coolly, making it hard for anyone to tell what was running through his mind. He studied Li Xun cautiously, as if he was trying to assess whether he was a friend or an enemy.

After several moments, the mysterious boy finally spoke for the first time.

"Who are you?"

- Li Xun -

"Who are you?"

Li Xun reeled back in surprise. He hadn't expected such a small, gentle voice to come from the boy, especially since it didn't fit his cold demeanour.

And did he not recognise him as the Crown Prince of this nation?

Nonetheless, Li Xun introduced himself. "Li Xun. Wang Li Xun. How about you?"

The boy's eyes narrowed by a tiny fraction, hesitating if he should reveal his name to a complete stranger. The more Li Xun stared at him in fascination, the more uncomfortable he grew. But Li Xun wasn't going to harm him, all he wanted to do was to talk.

After much deliberation, the boy answered quietly.

"Long'Er."

"Long'Er," Li Xun repeated his name slowly. "It's my pleasure to finally meet you."

Silence settled between them. The boy shifted his weight from foot to foot awkwardly, lifting an eyebrow with a questioning look. Clearly, he wanted to send Li Xun on his way quickly.

"Does...your head still hurt?"

His words reminded Li Xun of the injury that the rogue leader had inflicted on his head before he fainted. "Strangely, no." He rubbed the back of his head, confused. "What happened?"

"You passed out. I used the Celestial Flower to heal the swelling," Long'Er explained calmly. "Now that you're looking well, it's time for you to leave."

"No, wait."

Li Xun had many questions burning in his mind for days, and he wanted answers to them. "That creature that attacked me the other day," he started, "do you know what it was?"

He remembered it clear as day, a seven-foot-tall being that looked similar to a human but acted like a ferocious beast on the loose. It possessed an outrageous amount of strength that no normal person should have.

"It's the Wandering Ghoul – an undead," Long'Er explained in a matter-of-fact manner. As if he had seen it several times in his life. "Conjured up by a witch. She made a villain rise from his grave and turned him into something more evil."

"What?" It was the most preposterous thing Li Xun had ever heard, but it was the only explanation that made sense. "Witches are real?"

Long'Er nodded. "Yes, but they are very few in number."

A shudder ran through his body at the thought he had seen something that he thought existed in books only. "Why was it at the lake? I thought only certain people could enter the place."

Long'Er remained silent, clearly thinking about it carefully. "The barrier keeps humans out but it isn't strong enough to stop powerful beings like the creature. Especially if it has fed on countless people's qi (vital essence). It was probably hiding in the waters, waiting to feed on people who seek the Celestial Flower."

Questions tumbled from Li Xun's mouth before he realised. "What about you? You live here, don't you? Right by the Great Heavenly Lake. You brought me to your house."

A dark frown etched on Long'Er face, clearly knowing where this conversation was heading towards. His silence only acts as a confirmation to the question that Li Xun asked and that only made him want to probe further. Moreover, ever since his arrival, he hadn't seen anybody apart from Long'Er.

He ended up asking. "How are you able to get past the barrier–"

"I'm not obligated to answer your questions."

The flat tone in Long'Er's voice indicated that he wanted Li Xun to leave. It was clear as day that the boy didn't want to reveal any more details than he should, especially to a stranger that was behaving like a busybody.

"I apologise," Li Xun said in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to be rude."

Long'Er blinked once. "You didn't have to return," he remarked. "Tell me, why do you seek me?"

So he did recognise Li Xun from the other day. "I come in peace," he explained. "All I really want to do is to show my gratitude towards you for saving me from that creature the other day. I can grant you anything – a noble status, money or land. You just have to name it."

Long'Er canted his head to the side, his eyes boring into him with a disinterested expression. "It's fine," he answered dismissively. "I do not desire material wealth."

Li Xun was surprised by his aloof response. In most cases, people would be happy to receive gifts, but apparently not for this boy. "Well then, what can I do for you in return?"

Long'Er let out a soft sigh. "All I ask is for you to live a humble life."

For the second time, Li Xun was surprised. Never had he met somebody this selfless and modest. In his entire life, he had often encountered greedy, selfish and ambitious people that he doubted that a pure-hearted person still existed in this world.

But it seemed like today, he finally found his answer.

His saviour was extraordinary and would be a shame to not put his talent to use. As such, Li Xun decided to present to him a rare opportunity. "I have an offer," he mused thoughtfully. "May I employ you as my personal bodyguard?"

Long'Er remained unfazed. From his indifferent reaction, he clearly didn't find the offer to be inviting. "Thank you, but I will have to decline that."

At his rejection, Li Xun's hopeful expression faltered. But that didn't stop him from giving up on his persuasion. "I live in the palace," he revealed. "Being my bodyguard grants you a special authority over others, accommodation and a high salary every month. An education too, if you want. If you serve by my side, I'll provide you with everything you need."

Long'Er's frown deepened as he hurriedly explained himself. "I know this sounds bizarre coming from a man who appeared out of nowhere, but what I'm really trying to say is that I admire your skills," he continued. "And I think it would be a waste for you to remain here in isolation."

"Besides, it would be nice if I could have a friend like you." He murmured the last line, as he felt a little bashful at his revelation. "In the palace, it can get a little suffocating with all the political fights happening. I'm hoping someone can keep me in my rightful place and, more importantly, be my friend."

Long'Er was stricken with a look of surprise and bewilderment, wondering if he had heard wrongly. Li Xun gave him a hopeful smile, but the answer that he received, unfortunately, was one of disappointment.

"I'm sorry. I can't."

- Long'Er -

Long'Er could have left the stranger to die, but she didn't. She recognised him from the other night, when he was desperately trying to get the Celestial Flowers but was caught by the undead. Apart from her, it was extremely difficult for humans to enter this place. In her past eighteen years of life, she had only seen four people go through the barrier.

He was the fifth one.

Someone dearest to him, she believed, must have been on the brink of death.

And so, she helped him. The first time was out of compassion, the second time was out of curiosity. For some reason, he had returned. She thought he had succumbed to his greed, desiring for more Celestial Flowers, but he proved her wrong.

He had come for her.

Because she had saved him, he wanted to express his gratitude towards her. And yet, when she rejected to receive a reward, the offer he made was outrageous.

How could she stay by a man's side to be his bodyguard when she was, after all, a woman?

A long time had passed since she last met a person, much less a very attractive man. It was a wonder how she was having such a long conversation with a human. When he first brought up the offer, Long'Er couldn't hide the surprise from showing on her face. It was the first time that someone said he wanted to be her friend.

And she never had one before.

However, she also couldn't help but doubt Li Xun's words. For all she knew, he might be a foe and his kind appearance could simply be just an act. In the past, there were many intruders skirting outside the premises, hoping to obtain the Celestial Flowers as a means to achieve wealth.

Her heart was conflicted. For some reason, the sincere look in Li Xun's ash grey eyes inclined her to believe him.

"Thank you, but I'm turning that offer down," she told him, hoping he would drop the subject. "If you are well enough, allow me to escort you out of this place."

The man's face fell in disappointment at her refusal to accept his offer. With a resigned sigh, he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Alright, I respect your decision. Thank you for saving me again," he bowed to her earnestly. "I will never forget it."

Growing slightly embarrassed, she mumbled back quietly.

"You're welcome."

She turned on her heels and led the way, knowing that he would follow her. At the moment, she couldn't trust him completely. Yet. A couple of times she would cast glances back at him, a hand placed on the hilt of her sword, just in case he might end up backstabbing her.

But he never did. Instead, she would find him shooting her a curious smile each time.

What a weird man.

They walked across the field of flowers, making their way towards the thick forest. She noticed how Li Xun took the opportunity to observe his surroundings, his eyes gazing at how the sweet-smelling flowers danced along with the velvet, gentle wind. He threw his head back, allowing the mellow sunshine basked in his skin. A contented sigh escaped from his lips.

Most of the men that Long'Er had stumbled across at the nearby villages were rude and rowdy. But this male was a stark contrast to them, carrying himself with an air of elegance and chivalry. He was, perhaps, from a noble family who lived in the capital that was hundreds of miles away from here.

So, why did he bother coming to such a place?

He turned towards her suddenly. "I'm jealous of you," he said, spreading his hands wide. "You have a beautiful home all to yourself. It's quiet, but I like it."

Long'Er said nothing. She studied his face from the corner of her eyes, noticing how they shone with admiration, before an idea occurred to her. Turning back to the front, she deviated from her course and went left.

Realising that they were changing routes, a deep frown carved on Li Xun's face. "Wait, is this the right direction–?"

She continued walking ahead, the twigs breaking under her feet. "Since you're already here, there's something you should see."

His curiosity was piqued. Excitement lit his face, but he remained patient and allowed her to lead the way. He should be wary of her, but it looked like he wasn't. He didn't doubt her intentions and trusted her easily, probably because she had saved his life more than once.

Soon, they emerged from between the trees where another breathtaking view awaited them. A waterfall stood before them; furious cascades of water pouring off the cliff. The mixture of the birds chirping around them and waters splashing formed a musical piece to their ears.

"Oh wow," Li Xun breathed. "This is stunning."

She nodded in agreement. They spent a couple of minutes in silence as Li Xun gazed at the scenery with bright, shining eyes. He looked like a child who had snuck off for a little exploration.

He was puzzled. "Why did you suddenly bring me here?"

Long'Er shuffled her feet quietly, before shrugging at him. "You look like you needed a longer getaway," she admitted.

His eyes lit up, clearly amazed by her ability of being perceptive. He thanked her earnestly for giving him a nice memory and after another five minutes, he was finally ready to leave and return to his home.

Once they reached the barrier, Long'Er turned to him.

"Here, don't forget your sword." She threw him his weapon which he caught easily. "You might run into bandits on your way back."

"Thank you." His face broke into a small, rueful smile. "My offer still stands, you know? If you ever change your mind, make your way to the royal palace and tell the guards my name. Show them this token and they'll not question you."

He handed her a small, wooden object which was carved with his name along with a special, intricate symbol — one which she didn't recognise. Giving not much thought to it, she tucked it into her belt and shrugged nonchalantly. Not once did she think of leaving this place where she called home.

Grinning, he took a step backwards, ready to leave. With one last glance at her, he told her, "I'll see you around, Long'Er."

She wanted to correct him, to tell him not to be hopeful, but in the end, she settled for a nod instead.

"Farewell, Li Xun."

- Long'Er -

When Long'Er returned back to her house, she found a beautiful woman awaiting her return.

Dressed in an elegant white dress robe embroidered with pink cherry blossoms, she perched on the veranda, playing her flute.

Many were often fooled by her youthful appearance. At first glance, she may appear human, but in fact, she wasn't exactly one. She wasn't as young as she looked, even older than the 1st Emperor himself. And right now, the current reign was being ruled by their 23rd Emperor.

A deity was what she was. Or to be precise, she was the guardian of the Great Heavenly Lake.

Regardless of her identity, this woman adopted her and played the role of her godmother. Her guardian. Her teacher. And even her friend. They might not have blood ties, but she was the only family that Long'Er had in her life ever since she lost her mother.

Long'Er greeted her. "Mother."

The woman smiled brightly and patted the spot beside her. "Someone came by earlier?" she asked curiously.

Of course she would know. Nothing ever escaped her notice.

Long'Er settled down next to her, pulling off her mask and keeping it aside. "Yes," she replied. "A fight broke out near the barrier. He was in trouble, so I brought him in."

"That's my daughter," her godmother beamed. "And he's a man from the palace? I notice that he dresses like one of them."

"I believe so."

And Long'Er began telling her how Li Xun attempted to recruit her as his bodyguard, before she politely declined the offer. The woman nodded her head approvingly and her eyes lit up in mischief. "He has taken a liking to you," she remarked amusedly. "And he doesn't seem like a bad person."

A deity's perception of people was never wrong. If her godmother said that Li Xun was a good man, he was one. Moreover, getting through the barrier of the Great Heavenly Lake would require a pure heart, and he had passed that test too.

"How about you, my dearest child?" she nudged Long'Er. "How do you find him? Isn't he quite a handsome lad?"

Long'Er groaned inwardly. Sometimes, she wondered if her godmother had lied about her real age because she often behaved like an immature young girl. "Mother," she scolded lightly. "I don't think he realises that I'm a woman!"

Her godmother simply chuckled at her embarrassed reaction. "Oh, I'm fairly certain he would be very thrilled once he realises it."

"Well, he won't find out because we won't be meeting again."

Her godmother's enthusiasm faded into a serious, thoughtful expression. "Sweetheart," she said, "we've discussed this a couple of times before. Since you were born, you have spent the past eighteen years here, in this little hut, away from your kind. I think it's time for you to go back to human civilisation, make new friends and explore the world outside of this cage. And right now, the opportunity has presented itself to you. Don't you want to grab onto it, spread your wings and fly out of this place?"

Long'Er bit her bottom lip. Her godmother was right – she always wanted to learn what the outside world was like. Even though her godmother would bring her to the nearby villages to shop once in a while, it was never enough to satisfy her craving to learn.

However, a part of her knew that she didn't have the courage to leave this place that she called home.

And her godmother... How could she even survive without her family by her side?

She shook her head hard, rejecting the very idea of leaving. "No, Mother. I'm satisfied with the way that I'm living now. You're all I need."

Her godmother gently smoothed Long'Er's hair and ran a hand over her cheek lovingly. "My child, do you not wish to return to your roots?" she asked. "To find your remaining biological parent?"

Long'Er opened her mouth to protest. "You're the only mother that I ever need–"

"Silly girl," her godmother scoffed, ruffling her hair playfully. "Of course, I will still be your mother. I've claimed this spot a long time ago and I'm never giving it up. But I don't want to deprive your family members from showering you with the love that they should have given you since you were born."

Long'Er sighed loudly. "But I'm scared of my past, meeting new faces, everything..." she admitted. "Without you, I don't know if I can do it."

Placing a hand over hers, her godmother gave her a reassuring look. "You can do it. After all, you're the daughter that I raised over the years. You're brave, strong and beautiful at heart," she said proudly.

"And fear nothing, for you aren't alone," she continued, her eyes shining brightly. "After all, you have a friend on your side, right?"

She was referring to Li Xun, but Long'Er was still reluctant. Peering at her godmother through her lashes, she asked meekly, "You're certain that he can help me?"

In return, her godmother stared at her hard for several seconds, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Yes, child," she winked. "I'm very certain about that."

- Li Xun -

A month later, Li Xun's cousin, Zhang Wei, stood at the entrance and watched as the palanquin carrying his annoying little sister-in-law left his manor. Through the small window, her head peeked out and she gave him a grateful wink for helping her to set up a lunch appointment with the prince.

Rolling his eyes, he turned to Li Xun and nudged him lightly.

"So, what do you think?" he asked.

"Hm?" The prince was in the midst of playing with his Shih Tzu, who was running between their legs playfully. "What do I think of what?"

Zhang Wei snorted and shook his head disapprovingly at his cousin. Apparently, Li Xun was more interested in a dog than a beautiful woman, which was exactly why he hadn't managed to find himself a wife yet.

"Seriously? I refuse to believe such a brilliant man like you would be this slow-witted. Did you not see how my sister-in-law was fawning over you and attempting to charm you throughout the entire meal?"

Ignoring him, Li Xun scratched under the dog's chin, who was sticking its tongue out and wagging its tail happily. It was clearly happy that it was getting all the attention it wanted.

He complained to the little fellow. "Your owner is being ridiculous. Can you bite him for me?"

The dog barked excitedly, before tilting its head thoughtfully at its owner.

"Come on, are you mad at me?" Zhang Wei turned to him with a look of frustration, before glancing down at his pet. "And you! Stop giving me that face too. If you dare to bite me, you won't be getting treats for the rest of the week."

He picked up the tiny dog and handed it to one of his maids, hoping to stop his cousin from getting distracted. "You know how annoying my sister-in-law is," he continued, refusing to drop the subject. "She begged me for a few months to let her meet you in person. She even threatened to murder me in my sleep!"

Li Xun shot him a look of amusement. "So you lied to me and made me come all the way here just to entertain her? I thought you were on my side all along."

Zhang Wei scratched his cheek sheepishly. "I'm sorry, your Highness. I had no choice. It was death either way for me, and being killed by you seemed less terrifying than facing the wrath of a woman. Besides, this is exactly why you should find yourself a wife! I'm constantly being chased by women to deliver their love letters or help them to fix an appointment with you."

Li Xun furrowed his brows. "I haven't found anybody I'm interested in."

Never mind Zhang Wei's futile attempts. Even his own mother had tried several times to introduce potential candidates to be his wife, but each time it would only result in him turning them down.

It wasn't because he was fussy. He just couldn't seem to bear the idea of having children with a woman he barely knew and loved. Because of his stubbornness, he knew that it was only a matter of time before the Emperor would eventually take it upon himself to decide his future spouse for him.

For now, he was going to delay his marriage for as long as possible.

All of a sudden, a loud cry coming from the inside of the manor was heard. Zhang Wei's head snapped towards the direction where the sound came from, his face switching to a look of concern.

Without delay, Li Xun gently nudged him towards the manor.

"Instead of trying to play the role of a marriage broker here," he began, "why don't you spend some time with your baby? It's mid afternoon now and she's probably hungry."

Seeing his cousin's hesitation flicker in his eyes, Li Xun waved him away. "Don't worry about the formalities, I'll walk myself out."

Half-distracted, Zhang Wei hurriedly bowed to him. "Thank you for the kind gesture, Your Highness."

Watching him leave, Li Xun couldn't help but empathise with his cousin. Being a new father was a difficult task, a responsibility that could never be relinquished. Often, he would admire how his friend, who used to be full of mischief, had matured and become a lot more responsible after taking on the role of being head of the family.

As he slowly made his way out of the manor, his bodyguards fell into steps behind him closely. Ling Yao – a childhood friend and also his most trusted bodyguard whom he constantly kept by his side – leaned towards him.

"Your Highness," he whispered. "I have received word from the palace that you have a guest."

"A guest?"

He had a hunch but he didn't want to keep his hopes up. After all, a month had passed since their last encounter. But that didn't stop him from asking his guards at the gates to keep a lookout for him just in case.

Memories ran through his head. Back then, when he left the Great Heavenly Lake, he was hugely relieved to find his two guards alive after the fight with the rogues. Apparently, after he was pulled into the safety of the barrier, the rest of his men had turned up to provide their aid, subduing the rogues in no time.

But once they realised their prince was missing, they searched for him all night long. When he finally appeared, they were relieved but thoroughly confused at his sudden command to return to the palace.

On top of that, he didn't mention to anyone about his encounter with Long'Er.

When Ling Yao described his guest's appearance, Li Xun couldn't stop a smile from growing on his face. Excitement stirred within him. Grinning widely, he quickened his pace and headed back to the palace.

His guess was right after all and he was about to gain a new friend.

- Long'Er -

She stood in the middle of the marketplace, awestruck by the advanced infrastructure and numerous shophouses that lined up the lively streets. The mass of people bustling about the place was astounding. Shop owners were shouting the prices of their products loudly, children were chasing one another down the lanes. She even stood and watched as a couple of men pulled their carts and shouted at others to move out of their way.

People brushed past her, seeming not to care if they knocked into her shoulders in the process. But she was far too engrossed in studying the structures here. Foreign, but equally fascinating.

This was the capital, the one which her mother had often mentioned. It was crowded, loud and vibrant. Having spent her whole life in the mountains, this made her feel as if she had really stepped foot into the human world. A reminder of who she was.

Just like them, she was a human too.

Yet, now that she was surrounded by so many strangers, she was starting to feel overwhelmed and a little scared. For god's sake, did she make a mistake coming to the capital?

After her godmother's persuasion, it took her a month to muster her courage and prepare her belongings for the long stay in the capital. Now, the idea of withdrawing and returning to her home was rather tempting, but should she really do that?

After all, disappointing her godmother was the last thing she wanted to do.

She continued her search for the royal palace. Locating it wasn't difficult, not when its size was magnificent; situated in the middle of the capital and surrounded by high stone walls. Palace guards were stationed at the imposing gates to maintain security, checking every single person thoroughly before granting them entry into the palace.

From here onwards, she found herself at a loss. Her nervousness made her mind blank.

What did Li Xun tell her to do?

Pulling out the wooden token which she had tucked inside her sash earlier, she walked up to one of the guards and held it out to him quietly. She watched the way his eyes scrutinised her face suspiciously, taking her appearance from head to toe, especially at the sword that she was holding by her side.

She was dressed in unfeminine clothes; a short, brown coat and trousers, with her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. A brown scarf wrapped around neck and tucked the lower half of her face. From her appearance, she was certain that anybody would think that she was a man. After all, it was uncommon for women to wield swords.

"State your business," the guard said. He took the token from her, taking a second to study it before his eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Whatever that object was, it seemed to hold more power than she thought.

"I have an appointment with Wang Li Xun," she confirmed.

The guard was startled, before he scowled at her darkly. "Insolent fool, you dare to address His Highness by his name?"

His...what?

Judging from how well trained Li Xun was in fighting and the layer of armour he wore during their last encounter, she had thought that he was simply one of the high ranking generals in the palace. He told her once that he lived within the palace, but he never mentioned that he was of royal blood – a prince. He was quite possibly in line to be the next ruler of this country.

And for some reason, he wanted her to be his personal bodyguard. The full extent of that meaning finally hit her and she realised how much trouble she was in.

As a deity, her godmother should have known about this fact, but why did she not mention any of this to her?!

As she panicked, a guard grunted a response in return. "I'll give you a chance, seeing how you don't seem to be around here. But speak his name again and you will be punished with twenty strokes. Do you hear me?" he warned sternly. "Stay right here, I'll be right back with someone to usher you in."

After muttering a few words to his partner, the guard disappeared behind the gates. He left a confused Long'Er behind, who was now regretting her decision to come.

Li Xun would have many formidable warriors capable of protecting him and yet he wanted her to be his bodyguard? What good would she be to him?

As her mind was considering if she should turn around and leave instead, the guard returned with a eunuch.

"Come," he gestured to her to follow him, before trudging back inside. "Follow Eunuch Li and he will take you to meet His Highness."

She was in a dilemma. With a short, dazed nod, she trailed after the man, crossing the gates that would soon lead her into the beautiful and grandest royal palace that everybody had talked about. Just like the rumours had mentioned, the buildings stood majestically. Enchanting gardens with a wide variety of sweet-smelling flowers greeted her. Maids and eunuchs were everywhere, making their way around quickly to fulfil whatever duties they needed to do.

Eunuch Li led her into a waiting room and told her to stay put. She obliged. When he left, she took the chance to observe the well-furnished room. Picking up one of the small, wooden craft pieces sitting on the wrought iron table, she examined and admired the handiwork of the perfectly carved dragon. Even the vases holding fresh flowers looked exquisite and expensive that she only dared to admire from afar.

Her attention shifted to another piece of object – a large sphere with many little dots on its surface. She recognised what it was, but it was the first time seeing it in person. Her fingers pressed lightly against the globe, giving it a few spins and reading the tiny names of neighbouring countries.

"It's a Terrestrial Globe," a voice explained to her. "A map of our world. Because of this, there are many interesting debates whether the world is flat or round. "

She jumped a little, before turning around slowly to meet the man. Her mind was so engrossed in studying the exquisite object that she hadn't heard the prince coming in.

Once again, she was enthralled by his devilishly handsome looks. He was wearing an elegant blue robe with his raven hair flowing down his back like a river of dusk silver. His face was luminescent, his flawless skin glowing with radiance.

He was simply beautiful and dignified.

Was this how a man chosen by heaven would look like?

A smile pulled the corner of his lips. "I'm surprised that you came. It has been a month since we last met and I was beginning to lose hope."

She studied him with a slight tilt of her head, her eyes . "You surprised me more," she admitted honestly. "I see a man who looks less like a general but more like a prince now."

He returned a sheepish look. "I apologise for not telling you in the beginning. I thought you would have figured it out eventually."

Obviously she didn't.

"If I did, I wouldn't have been reprimanded," she mumbled.

He arched a brow questioningly. "By who? The guards? Should I dismiss them from their duties and send them back home for being rude to the person that saved my life?"

Long'Er was shocked. "Of course not!" she protested, and he chuckled humorously.

"I'm pulling your leg. But," he said happily, "I'm really glad you're behaving indifferently even after knowing my real identity."

Embarrassment tinted her cheeks. Because she lived in a rural area, she wasn't used to addressing people formally. Moreover, this was her first time meeting a nobleman. "Well, how should I address you?"

Li Xun wore a thoughtful expression. "It's best to use honorifics when we are with the others, but you may drop the formalities when we are alone," he answered.

To this, she nodded her head in agreement. It was better this way, if she wanted to avoid having a repeat of what had happened back at the palace gate.

With a delightful smile, he waved her over. "Come on, I'll show you around the palace."

- Long'Er -

Li Xun brought her to the Maple Pavilion by the lake. As they crossed the long bridge, she took her time to gaze at the scenic view. She was still in awe of the architecture of the buildings here; sturdily-built and wonderfully complemented by the surrounding maple trees and flowers. It made it hard for her to believe that this entire place belonged to the man who was walking beside her.

He watched her quietly, his expression hopeful.

"So, I assume you came because you've decided to accept my offer?"

A small nod was all it took for her to make a smile blossom on his face. "Well, what made you have a change of mind?" he questioned. "I couldn't believe my ears when my men told me that you came."

She fell into a thoughtful silence, uncertain how much she should tell him. Her intention was to search for her long-lost father, who was said to be working as an official in the palace. However, it had been years ago since her biological mother first met him here, which meant that there was a possibility that he might no longer be residing in the palace and had moved elsewhere.

Still, it was worth a try, wasn't it?

When Li Xun offered her to take upon the role of his bodyguard, it was the perfect opportunity for her to conduct her search. She wouldn't have to worry about finding a place to stay and be fed.

But since they weren't on close terms yet, she decided against disclosing her personal affairs to him.

"Like you've mentioned before, it would be a waste of my talent to continue to stay in the mountains," she lied. "I wish to offer my service to the country in hopes of understanding more of this world."

He seemed pleased. "We have a few libraries in the palace. And even brilliant tutors. I can introduce them to you later."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Part of her reason for accepting his offer was so that she could have a look at the palace administrative records, hoping that she could find a lead on her father. If Li Xun was willing to let her use the libraries, she could somehow try to obtain his permission to enter the Office of Administration.

Or...she could just sneak in.

"Thank you," she told him gratefully. "I hope I'm not troubling a prince with such trivial matters."

He frowned at her choice of words. "Believe me when I say that you aren't giving me any trouble," he assured her. "Instead, I'm the one who is indebted towards you for saving me when I was in danger. And now, I'm even having you to work for me. I know this is quite shameless of me, but I'm really glad you came."

She bit her bottom lip, her cheeks growing warm at his words. Thankfully, her face was concealed by the mask she was wearing.

This man was a natural charmer, and it seemed like he hadn't realised this himself. Each time Long'Er conversed with him, there was nothing but sincerity reflecting in those dusk-grey eyes of his.

"Your Highness, please. You are flattering me. I did what anyone would have done back then."

He chuckled at her embarrassed state. "Not anyone would have the courage to shoot a huge, angry beast."

With her cheeks growing redder, she didn't comment any further and instead focused her attention on the pavilion that stood before them. They headed up to the second floor, where a panoramic view of the lake and garden awaited them. Petals fluttered from trees like snow falling from the sky during winter.

Her heart swelled at the dream-like scenery. "You have a beautiful home," she complimented.

"Yes," he agreed, but she didn't miss the odd look in his eyes that spoke something else. "But as much as this place holds so much beauty, I find that sometimes, it's lacking the warmth of a home." His eyes shifted briefly, meeting hers, and he carried on. "Whereas back at your place, it has both attributes."

He was referring to her homey, little hut and the field of flowers that she suddenly missed dearly.

He shook his head, realising how ludicrous he must have sounded to her. "I'm not making any sense, am I?"

Her eyes softened. "It's fine, I understand."

And she wasn't lying. She could sense his loneliness in his words. And trust her, when she was a child, she would find herself wanting someone to converse with. It was only because of her godmother's love that made her realise that she wasn't alone.

"That's what I'm here for, right?" she said. "To be your friend."

His eyes lit up immediately, realising that she remembered what he had told her the last time. A bright smile flitted across his face.

"However," she said, "I have a condition."

"Go ahead."

She inhaled sharply and told him. "I'll leave this place once I have learnt enough."

This was something she had in mind ever since she left the mountains. Once she found her real family and unravelled the past, she would return to where she came from. Back to her godmother and her home.

He nodded his head readily. "Of course. I'm agreeable to any of your conditions, as long as you aren't intending to commit a heinous crime."

She bowed. "Then I'll be at your service, Your Highness."