It had been days since Mei recovered from Ji Woo's attack, and in all that time, Leng Yue had rarely left her side. He attended to her needs himself, bringing her food, changing her bandages, and watching over her through the long, quiet nights.
At first, the maids had found it touching. But soon, envy began to twist their admiration into bitter whispers. They could not understand why the cold, untouchable Prince of the Moon would lower himself for her, a wounded maid girl. Every time he entered her chamber, their hearts tightened with jealousy.
That morning, soft sunlight filtered through the silk curtains. Mei sat propped against her pillows, her long hair loose around her shoulders. Leng Yue sat close beside her, holding a bowl of warm porridge ME. His movements were careful, gentle, almost too gentle for a man known for his icy calm.
"Just a little more," he said quietly, lifting the spoon toward her lips.
Mei's face grew warm. She glanced away, embarrassed by how close he was. "I can feed myself," she said softly, her voice shy but defiant.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "You said that yesterday too," he murmured. "But you stopped after three spoons."
Her heart thudded in her chest. "That's because you keep staring," she whispered, biting her lip.
Leng Yue chuckled, a deep, velvety sound that made her blush deepen. "Then perhaps," he said, leaning slightly closer, "you shouldn't look so easy to stare at."
Unnoticed, two maids stood by the half-open door, trays of herbs in their hands. Their eyes widened as they saw the prince feed Mei, his expression tender, his tone almost playful. One of the maids clenched her jaw, whispering through her teeth, "Look at him… he's smiling for her, what so special about her?."
The other sighed bitterly. "He's never looked at anyone like that."
Inside, Mei lowered her gaze shyly, unaware of the envious eyes watching. Leng Yue's hand brushed hers as he offered another spoonful. The touch lingered a moment too long.
Leng Yue didn't look away from her. "See?" he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. "Now you've made me forget how many spoons you've had." Making Mei to chuckle aloud.
----
The morning sun crept gently through the silk curtains, scattering golden light across the room. Beneath the sheets, the couple still lingered in each other's warmth, tangled and content.
Tian Yu shifted lazily, his arm finding Yuyan's waist and drawing her closer. She stirred, blinking at the soft light before smiling.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"Good morning, my princess," he murmured back, nuzzling her neck.
Yuyan chuckled, brushing his hair from her face. "It's morning already. We need to get ready for the palace."
He groaned dramatically. "The palace can wait."
"It's been days since Mei was attacked," she reminded, slipping from his hold and rising from the bed. "If we don't visit soon, it won't look good."
Tian Yu sighed, rolling onto his back with a faint smile. "You always ruin my plans for another hour of peace."
"Peace?" she teased, glancing over her shoulder. "You mean another hour of mischief."
Her laughter echoed softly as she disappeared into the bathroom. Tian Yu hesitated for a moment before following, unable to resist.
Steam curled through the air as Yuyan stood by the bath, her hair cascading down her back. Tian Yu leaned against the doorway, his lips curling into a grin.
"Yuyan," he said, his tone low and playful, "do you know why I lost control last night?"
She turned, arching a brow. "Why?"
"Because you looked at me like that," he said, pointing at her gaze, "and every time you do, I forget how to breathe."
Her lips parted in surprise before she laughed softly. "And here I thought it was because you have no self-control."
Tian Yu stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Maybe… or maybe it's because my wife is far too beautiful for any man to remain sane."
She tried to glare at him but failed miserably, laughter spilling again. "Is love-making all you think about?"
"Yes," he replied shamelessly, slipping an arm around her waist. "That's what every healthy husband thinks of. You should be proud your husband is very, very healthy."
She playfully slapped his chest, unable to stop smiling. "Tian Yu!"
"Hm?"
"How often do you want to be… 'healthy,' then?" she asked, half amused, half curious.
"Seven times a week," he said smoothly. "Thirty times a month, three hundred and thirty-six times a year."
Yuyan's jaw dropped. "Get out!" she said, pushing him lightly, though her laughter betrayed her amusement.
He caught her wrist, grinning. "Never. Not when my wife looks like this."
After their laughter subsided, they finished bathing, dressing side by side in quiet harmony. When they stepped out, hand in hand, the morning light framed them like a painting, two souls in love, teasing and timeless.
Then they took their carriage toward the palace, still smiling at each other like newlyweds.
What the couple didn't know was that, far beyond the forest trail leading to the palace, shadows were gathering. A group of witches, ones she had never seen before, waited silently among the trees. Their eyes glowed with an eerie crimson hue, and dark energy pulsed faintly beneath their skin. These were turned witches, corrupted by forbidden magic, neither living nor truly dead.
The royal carriage rattled gently down the stone path. Inside, Yuyan and Tian Yu laughed quietly, still teasing each other from earlier. She leaned slightly on his shoulder, her laughter soft and content.
But then...
The horses neighed sharply. The coachman shouted in panic.
"Your highness! We're surrounded!"
Before Yuyan could react, the air rippled. A circle of black smoke erupted from the forest, and hooded figures emerged. Their chanting voices rose, dark and rhythmic, calling forth a surge of shadowy wind that shook the earth.
Tian Yu stepped out first, he drawn his sword. His eyes narrowed. "Witches," he muttered.
Yuyan followed, her hands already glowing with pale silver light. "No… not witches," she said quietly. "These ... must be turned ones."
The leader hissed, her voice sharp and cruel. "The witch princess walks beside a vampire king. How pitiful."
Without warning, bolts of dark energy shot through the air. Yuyan raised her hand, forming a shimmering barrier that crackled with moonlight. Sparks exploded around them as the spells collided.
"Stay behind me," Tian Yu said.
"Not a chance," she replied, already leaping forward.
She spun gracefully, her magic dancing like silver fire. Every wave of her hand summoned wind and light, cutting through the enemy ranks. One witch screamed as Yuyan's spell shattered her form into ash.
Tian Yu fought fiercely beside her, his sword glowing faintly blue with enchanted runes. He parried a blast aimed at Yuyan, his movements fluid yet deadly.
"Focus on the left!" he shouted.
"I am!" Yuyan yelled back, releasing another wave of light. "But they keep multiplying!"
The forest became chaos, a storm of light and shadow, wind and fire. Leaves burst into flame; the ground cracked beneath the force of their clash.
Yuyan felt the air grow colder. The leader of the witches raised her hands, whispering in a tongue older than death.
"Aethera Morghul!"
A spear of black light shot straight toward Yuyan.
"Yuyan!"
Tian Yu leapt in front of her, blocking the attack, but the blast exploded, hurling them both apart. The carriage shattered. Smoke filled the air.
When the dust cleared, Yuyan struggled to stand, her arm bleeding, her breathing shallow. Around her lay the remains of the witches she had slain, burned and broken.
But of the others… there was no sign.
"...Tian Yu?" she called weakly.
Silence. Only the wind answered.
Her vision blurred as she staggered forward, pain searing through her side. The last surviving witch stared at her with a twisted grin.
"Your love makes you weak, princess," she whispered before dissolving into smoke.
Then...nothing.
Yuyan fell to her knees, her strength fading. "Tian Yu…" she breathed, before collapsing onto the cold forest floor, her blood staining the earth as everything faded into silence.