"The wind blew as the trees dance together with its green leaves and green grasses..... The weather is good, not too hot and not too cold.... It is just the perfect time for studying....." A noble and calm man spoke.

He was standing near the Den's window, wearing a red robe and black hat, the novelty can be sense by the way he stands, truly resembling a noble, elegant and intelligent teacher.

"And yet....."

The man clasped his hands as he started. His face suddenly changed, his eyes became sharp as a light of coldness flashed in his pupils, a hint of annoyance can be seen.

"Where..... Where is the Crown Prince??!!"

He shouted out of frustration, so loud enough that it seems like the den would collapse by the next second. Making the present soldiers and servant to flinch and be worried for their lives.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

       Under the shade of a big tree, there lie a boy of an age around 7-8yo wearing a bright yellow robe, with a golden dragon mark printed on it's shoulders resembling the empire. His smooth, silky pink hair that was tied high with a golden pin ornament, was perfectly scattered on the grassy ground as he rest.

"You! ..... You're ugly!"

"Yeah! Our young master is definitely much more attractive than you are!"

"You're no match for our young master!"

     A loud series of insulting noices was heard not so far from the big tree, waking the little boy that was resting under it.

".......noisy..."

The little boy sleepily murmured.

He sluggishly sat up rubbing his left eye using his tiny left hand. He slowly opened his ocean blue eyes as he stare at the green scenery before him.

"What was the noise all about?"

The little boy asked with curiosity as he stood up from the ground.

He dusted off his robe before following where the annoying noises came from. The noise grew louder and louder as the little boy went nearer to the root of the noise.

He slowly pushed the bushes aside, enough for him to able to see the commotion.

"Just because you're the son of Clan leader Ling, doesn't mean we should be afraid of you!"

Says a fat boy in blue and black robe. He sure was resentful towards the little guy he was pointing at. The veins on his face can be seen at his face was also twitched making him look like a madboy.

Across the fat boy, there sat a little boy wearing a dark-violet headband on his forehead, and a robe with the same color.

"He looks like he's from the Ling Clan...."

The little boy hidden behind the bushes murmured silently.

The little guy was in the middle of three boys around their age and was being humiliated by them. This clearly testifies that he was being bullied.

"Hmph" The other boy in the middle that looks like their leader scoffed while slowly approaching the little guy.

"He thinks of himself almighty just because he's the son of a Clan leader and just because he's a little smarter than us"

The boy estated as he crouch down holding a big wood. There is sarcasm in his voice and his hatred could be seen from the way he spoke and look at the little guy.

"So what if you're a son of a Clan leader?? I, Wen Chen, is the niece of the empress! Now, why don't you speak? I thought you were really brave!"

The boy boasted as he proudly stood up and place the edge of the wood on the little boy's head.

"Tsk.... So he's the distant cousin that mom is talking about? Wasn't he supposed to be well-behaved and kind?"

The little boy behind the bushes thought to himself as he narrowed his eyes.

"Pretentious kid"

He murmured before gazing towards the little guy sitting on the ground, waiting for his reply.

Finally, the little guy raised his head looking at his enemies with a sullen look on his face, his narrowed eyes shows the coldness in it as he gaze towards the three boys.

"Then why must you do this? I am not a big figure, I am just a son of a Clan leader. I am not a gifted scholar, I am just a normal average student.... While you are the niece of her Majesty."

He started as he look at the boy in front of him, his golden-brown eyes growing darker and darker with each sentence.

"I do not deserve your criticism as you are a part of the royal family. And I cannot be rude towards you because I am afraid that I might be punished for you might complain in front of her Majesty. I have no big family background that I can cry on just like you"

He slowly said with a hint of sarcasm on his voice.

"You....!"

The boy in front of him muttered as he gritted his teeth out of anger.

"Pfft—"

The little boy behind the bushes snickered before covering his mouth.

"I might get discovered, dumb mouth!"

He thought as he blame his mouth gently hitting it with his right hand before gazing back at the boys.

"How dare you.....how..."

The boy said with his face flushed with anger as he grip the wood on his hand tightly.

"This is bad..... Bad, bad, hurry up and run!"

The little boy behind the bushes thought as he saw the boy slowly raise the wood on his hands, anxiously hoping for the little guy to run.

"How dare you talk rudely towards me?! You insolent!"

The boy shouted before swaying the wood on the air, ready to hit the little guy on the ground.

The wood was swayed, a loud thud was heard, a cough of ache immersed in that desolate woods, but instead of a violet robe, a bright yellow robe can be seen, bending over the little guy in violet robe, protecting and receiving the blow for him.

"Ack......-"

The little boy in yellow growned as blood started coming out from his mouth the moment he opened it.

"You....who .....?"

The little guy in violet muttered, asking in confusion.

"Who are you?! Why are you interfering with our business?!"

The fat boy shouted pointing at the little boy in yellow.

The fat boy was the first to recover from shock, followed by the other two boys. They all looked at the little boy in yellow, the little boy slowly stood up enduring the pain on his back. The boys' faces changed in horror after they saw who it was and the golden dragon mark on his robe's shoulder.

"I am Wen You, the Crown Prince of the Northern Empire. In the name of my title, get down on your knees right now!"

...------------------------------------...

"I am Wen You, the Crown Prince of the Southern Empire. In the name of my title, get down on your knees right now!"

Upon hearing this, the three boys immediately kneeled down in their horror. It was the only child and heir of the Northern Empire, so as to say the favored son of the majesties.

"The.... Crown prince?"

The little guy muttered as he looked up at the prince in front of him.

"Y-your highness.... what are you doing out here? It's not good for your health"

Says the fat boy while kneeling not daring to look upon the prince.

"I got hit, isn't that bad enough? But I'm perfectly fine am I not?"

The crown prince replied while dusting off his robe.

"Though....just because I'm perfectly fine doesn't mean that you didn't lay a hand on a prince"

The Crown Prince continued while coldly gazing at his 'cousin' who have just hit him with a wood a moment ago.

"I-im sorry your highness! I didn't know that it was you! It was supposed to be him!"

The boy apologize and shouted while pointing at the little guy in violet.

The crown prince then slightly narrowed his eyes, as the boys shivered in fear.

"And what right do you have to lay a hand on a member of the Ling Clan?"

The crown prince asked looking at his 'cousin'

" T-thats.... "

"Don't you know that the Ling Clan and the Empire has a great relationship? And you dare use her majesty's name to bully and insult a Ling Clan disciple, let alone you hit your cousin Crown Prince, how are you going to explain yourself to her Majesty?"

The crown prince estated as a cold light showed on his ocean blue eyes. His blue eyes glowing a deeper blue, like an endless ocean ready to drown you just by looking at it.

"W-we're really sorry your highness! This won't happen again! Please spare us!"

The boys said as they kowtowed in fear.

"I am not the only one you should apologise to..."

The crown prince started as he step aside showing the little guy in violet that was still sitting on the ground.

"Apologise to him."

The boys then stopped and glared at the little guy in violet. The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes and glared at them before saying.....

"Are you gonna do it or we will go to the imperial court together?"

" We will do it, We will do it!"

" We will apologise!"

"We're.... Sorry Ling Feng, please... Forgive us!"

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The apologizing is done and the boys have just left. The crown prince then felt his back hurt and growned in pain.

He was acting all tough in front of the boys earlier that he endured the aching pain on his back. The wood that have been used to hit his back was 2 centimeters thick, hard as a rock and fresh as a newly cut wood.

The moment the prince started coughing, ling Feng immediately approached him and helped him sit down on the grassy ground.

"Are you alright your highness? You shouldn't have taken the blow yourself, I can bear with it"

Ling Feng said frowning with concern as he gaze upon the prince.

"I'm alright, if I didn't take the blow, then you would be the one suffering the pain by now."

Wen You replied while wiping the blood on the corner of his mouth using a handkerchief.

"That would be better, A clan disciple being hit is nothing than a Prince getting hurt"

" You shouldn't be little yourself. No person deserves to get hurt and abused with no fault. And besides, if I don't protect you, then that means I'm neglecting my duty and responsibility as a prince."

Wen You said smiling at the boy beside him. His eyes gradually getting warmer compared to how cold it was earlier.

Ling Feng was speechless for a moment as he have never seen a beautiful prince who looks like a woman before. He then snapped back to reality when a bunch of soldiers suddenly came with an eunuch in the lead.

The eunuch approached the crown prince and frowned when he saw the remaining blood on the corner of the prince's mouth.

"Your highness, what happened?? Why is there a blood on your lips?? Did you got hurt??"

The eunuch asked panicking as this is the first time he have seen the prince got hurt.

The crown prince was a sheltered prince who's always been protected 24/7, even a small fly can't get near him but now, there was a blood on his lips clearly indicating that he was hurt badly.

"I'm alright eunuch Yin, it's just a small injury, there is nothing to be afraid of."

The crown prince replied reassuringly

"And besides, I'm a strong and reliable prince! Getting hit by a wood is nothing to me!"

The crown prince boasted, he straightened his chest with his right arm on it ignoring the pain on his back.

"So you got hit by a wood?! Who dared to do this to the Crown Prince?!"

The eunuch panicked as he check the Crown prince's back, gently caressing it.

"It is my fault sir eunuch, his highness protected me and took the hit in my instead."

Ling Feng reasoned as he firmly looked at the eunuch.

"Oh it's you, young master Feng."

The Eunuch slightly bowed to show his respect before turning to the Crown Prince.

"Young master Feng? The heir of the ling Clan? Uncle Fin and Aunt Xieng's son?"

Wen You asked as he curiously turned to look at the boy beside him before smiling brightly as the boy nodded his head in confirmation.

"Now I understand why they bullied you." Wen You started and smiled "it's because you're an heir of a powerful clan, and is intelligent"

Ling Feng stared at the Crown Prince, as a gentle breeze blew the prince's pink hair. His long eyelashes moved up and down as he blink as if thinking of something before turning to Ling Feng, catching him staring at his face.

"You ok?"

Ling Feng jerked at the question, he cleared his throat before nodding.

"So, who bullied young master Feng and caused you this Your highness?"

Eunuch Yin asked once again while rearranging the Crown Prince's golden ornament on his tied long hair.

As far as Eunuch Yin know, it is forbidden to lay a hand on the Crown Prince. Different types of severe punishments awaits those who did. Due to this, no one dared to lay even a single finger on the Crown Prince. What happened to Crown Prince Wen You today was indeed a big surprise. Even though it was caused by an accident and is not aimed for the Crown Prince, it's still counted as laying a hand on the prince.

"It's fine Eunuch Yin, no need to bother punishing those bad boys"

Wen You said calmly and gazed at the green scenery ahead of him.

Flowers bloom in every corner of the big trees and grass making it colorful. There is no annoying noises of steps, carriages and such.....only the sound of nature and their breathings could be heard.

The prince slowly stood up gently refusing the help of his eunuch. His eyes narrowed as he seriously started to say some kind of proclamation.

"I, Wen You, will never let this kind of incidents happen when I became the new Emperor."

The soldiers, the eunuch and the young master all looked at the Crown Prince who's standing before them with his back facing them. Wind blew his lovely pink hair as he gaze at the scenery before him with a serious face.

"I will protect the weak, punish the evil and let my people live in happiness." The Crown Prince raised his right hand and stared at it with a wilfull look.

"I will create a country wherein the weak and the strong, and poor and wealthy people can live peacefully together, with no discrimination. I will let the Justice prevail!"

The crown prince genuinely proclaimed with determination.

The people around him couldn't help but just stare, as if they were still processing the words their Prince have just said.

"Beautiful...."

Ling Feng couldn't help but mumble those words.

Wen You didn't hear it clearly and couldn't help but ask. "What was that?"

Ling Feng realized what he just muttered but remained calm though his insides were in chaos.

"It's nothing Your highness, it's just that I think that Your highness is righteous and conscientious"

Ling Feng said hiding what he actually muttered earlier.

"Really?? You think so??"

Wen You asked in excitement before proudly straightening his chest.

"Ohum..... Our Crown Prince sure is righteous and has a great ambition....."

The Eunuch agreeingly started while nodding his head with his hands inside his sleeves in opposite sides.

The Crown Prince turned to him with a happy face, only to be replaced with a pout and annoyed cute look when the Eunuch said:

"And that is why he should study hard to accomplish it all. Don't you think so Your highness?"

"........." "Waahhhh!!!! I hate studying!"

Wen You complained throwing a tantrum.

"Your highness needs to study hard in able to learn how to manage and handle the whole empire and country's matters in the future"

The Eunuch calmly said, completely ignoring the Crown Prince's tantrum.

But when he saw the Crown Prince doing that, he couldn't help but thought to himself; "Our Crown Prince is so adorable."

"......" "Oh, by the way, care to be friends with me?"

Wen You asked as he turn to Ling Feng with a smile.

"Your dad and mine are good friends and ally. They have been helping each other even until now. So how about we do the same too? Let's be best buddies and help and protect each other from now on! So what do you say?"

Wen You said as he bend over and stretched his hand asking for a confirmation shake hand.

Ling Feng stared at his hand for a minute and glanced at Wen You's face who's smiling at him before stretching out his own hand to shake the prince's hand.

"I promise to help, and support your highness with all my might. I will be a loyal subject and friend, and I swear to heaven and gods that I will never betray Your highness under any circumstances."

Ling Feng genuinely said with a calm and serious face as he stood up holding the hand of the Crown Prince in front of him.

"I will protect you... I will never let anyone hurt you even with the cost of my own life"

Ling Feng thought to himself as he stare at the Crown Prince in front of him.

"That's settled then! We're friends from now on!"

Wen You excitedly said as he smile at the Young boy in front of him.

>>>>>>>>>>>°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°<<<<<<<<<<

(7 years later)

–––––––––––––––––––

          (7 years later)

        The sun rose up into the blue sky, Birds happily flap their wings as they warble pleasantly. Drums are banged, bells were rattling, wind instruments are played as thousand of petals of flowers were scattered in the air creating a wonderful and eye striking visual appeal. People are gathered around excitedly waiting for the most anticipated luxurious parade.

       Today they are celebrating their most beloved Crown Prince's special day, his 15th year of birth.

      Amongst the crowd, there wanders a guy in a violet robe. His dark long brown hair tied by a red knot. His long eyelashes move as his golden brown eyes glance around betraying no emotion at all. Women stopped to look and admire his good looks and figure. He was like a noble impassive man surrounded by crazy jaguars craving for his attention.

But unfortunately, the guy wore an stoic look and just ignored them. He walked passed the crowd of women as if they didn't exist and continued his way towards the palace.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

"My prince, please don't leave until we finish the parade"

      Eunuch Yin politely said to the prince, obstructing the doorway.

"Oh come on Eunuch Yin, it'll be just for a few minutes! Let me go out pleaseeee, I'm dying of boredom!"

   Wen You pleaded trying to get pass through the door.

"Not happening Your highness, the parade will begin in just a few minutes, it'll be troublesome for the Crown Prince to be missing"

"But Eunuch Yin can make me some time right?"

     Wen You said raising his eyebrows as he put his right hand on Eunuch Yin's shoulder.

*Sigh* "Your highness, I can not do that. Please spare me from troubles"

      Eunuch Yin replied helplessly, gently taking the Crown Prince's hand off of his shoulder.

"Alright alright, I'll stay put."

    Wen You said disappointedly as he went back to sit on his bed.

"Eunuch Yin, you have no conscience..."

    Wen You dramatically said.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

            Upon the towering platform, a row of finely dressed royals and nobles, all wearing courteous smiles on their faces, overlooked below the crowd.

        Within the palace, a long line of hundreds waited silently. When the bell finally chimed, The head master Yushi, smoothened his finely made robe and called "Royal Path-opening Warriors!"

"Present!"

"Crown Prince's Royal Celestial Fairies!"

"Present!"

"Musicians!"

"Present!"

"Cavalry!"

"Present!"

"The God-pleasing Prince!"

"I'm here"

The crown prince replied sitting inside the grand equipage designed with red carpets and gold painted dragons.

"Good, now that everything's ready, Begin the parade!"

Yushi ordered as the instruments began to play.

The procession began, colorful flags are raised and shiny little gold stuffs began to fall from the sky looking like some showers of golds falling from the heaven. The virgin maidens that was especially chosen, beautiful and elegant, were carrying a basket in their hands, tossing colorful flower petals in the air like fairies. Making the path filled with blossoms as they make their way out. The musicians were riding in golden carriages.

 The moment the procession left the palace gates, the crowd began to scream in excitement. However, no matter how glamorous and elegant it is, it was only a warm up.

    The grand float, a glorious stage was about to emerge. Sixteen white scallions decked in gold pulled the grand stage from the depth of the palace gates, slowly coming into sight before the eyes of millions.

      Standing on the stage was Crown Prince Wen You, wearing a golden attire, a golden mask upon his face, and his pink shiny hair, tied by a red tie with golden ornaments hanging on it, making his glamorous appearance catch the eyes of the audience. The moment the crown prince was spotted, the screaming and cheering of the millions went crazy. Above on the high platform, the royals and clan leaders smiled and their eyes went in awe by the sheltered prince's appearance and grace. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm.

A loud bang came from the large drum signalling the prince to start. The moment it was heard, the Crown Prince started to move, presenting a sword dance on the stage. It was not just an ordinary sword dance that anyone could see anywhere, it was a sword dance filled with elegance and glamour coming from the sheltered prince of the Empire.

Amidst the crowd, there stood the guy in violet robe staring intensely at the crown prince who was concentrated on dancing. For an instant, their eyes met. Beneath the mask, there hides a blue ocean eyes, meeting the brown eyes of the guy in violet.

"I....think I saw him somewhere in my past...." Wen You thought to himself as he continues to perform.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The parade is finished. The palace's gates are closed.

As soon as the entire royal group has entered the palace gates, the crown prince was immediately summoned to the emperial main hall.

As the Crown Prince arrived, he saw the man in the violet robe kneeling before the Emperor and Empress.

"My child, come."

A soft voice called out, it was the empress telling the Crown Prince to come nearer.

"Yes, father"

Wen You obediently replied as he walked and stopped beside the guy in violet.

"Greetings"

Wen You politely said to the guy into which the guy bowed to him as a greeting.

"So, this child here is Ling Clan's young master, Ling Feng. His father and I are good friends and this young master here is kind enough to agree to be your personal guardian"

The Emperor said in a slow and clear voice as he gestured towards the guy in violet.

"Wait- personal what??"...... "Father, I seem to have misheard you, can you please repeat what you've said?"

Wen You said in a hurry as his gaze fall at the guy in violet.

"My child, you've heard me right, this young man here will be your personal guardian from now onwards"

The Emperor repeated with a smile.

"B-b-but father...! I do not need a personal guardian...! I'm good by myself."

Wen You stubbornly said

"My child,....it is for your safety and so as for the kingdom's."

The empress spoke in a soft tone full of concern for his dear son.

"We never know when an assassin might be sent by an enemy, this is to ensure your safety, You"

The emperor said in a concern tone. If the crown prince is killed, then he won't be able to inherit the throne which is troublesome.

After listening to his father and his mother's words and explanations, Wen You finally gave in and sighed.

"Alright then mother, father. I shall accept him as my personal guardian"

"That's great, You.... We're so glad"

"Thank you for your understanding, son"

The Emperor and Empress said happily.

Wen You then smiled and turned to Ling Feng, his new personal guardian and saying;

"Nice meeting you, Ling Feng"

"It is an honor to meet you, your highness"

Ling Feng replied politely as he bowed.

"May I ask? Have we met before?"

Wen You asked directly with a complicated expression.

"......." "No, I believe this is my first time meeting you, your highness"

Ling Feng replied in a polite manner, his face betraying no emotion.

"Oh, I see..."

Wen You simply said before turning to his Parents, his brain deep in thought.

"I'm sure I think I've seen him before... By the way, he looks so emotionless, he looks like Mr.Pokerface"

Wen You thought to his self as he secretly glanced at Ling Feng at the corner of his eyes.

 ~~~[~~2 years later~~]~~~