"miss! what we are doing is wrong!" my maidservant Zi'an whispered as she keep on pulling the hem of my robe

"Zi'an this is a one in a million chance to meet General Ling! I must not miss it!" I said as I intently look at the marching troops on the Royal Guard's training area

"but miss... what will happen if prince Zhao would learn about this?"

I turned to look at her and showed her my sweetest smile

"don't worry Zhao would never get angry at me no matter what" I said proudly.

I am Feng Jilian, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Feng Lan. Engaged to the crown prince Ling Zhao

"Prince Zhao is your fiance miss. Isn't this--"

"shhhhh" I covered her mouth and stared at the man leading the troops in front.

A beauty who can rival celestial beings.

His presence is that of gentleness and yet domineering. How wonderful would it be to be by his side?

I shut my eyes tightly and stood up from the bush that we were hiding from

I have seen the man of my dreams and I am satisfied with it.

"let's go back" I said and smiled at her. There was an evident look of relief on her face as though she heard her salvation with my words

before finaly heading back I turned to take one last look on him

General Ling Feyan, the youngest son of the previous emperor and the current emperor's younger brother, my fiancè's uncle.

He is such a great man.

I was about 10 years old when I first met him during my father's banquet.

I was so fascinated with his gentleness to me at that time.

it was a mere fascination at first but as I grew up I became infatuated with him.

I kept on looking out for news about him, I painstakingly enter the circle of young nobles and aristocrats as I intend to learn more about him and maybe get a chance to meet him once again.

I made many achievement thinking that he would take notice of me and maybe by luck he would be attracted with me

But it was such a sad thing.

He was the first and probably the only duke who wanted to become the military general and went out of the imperial kingdom to siege nearby kingdoms.

I was about to ask my family to try to form a wedding contract with him but fate took turn

My efforts,

instead of catching his attention catches the crown prince and the emperor's interest, thus the crown prince Ling Zhao ask for my hand in marriage.

We could not turn down the marriage contract for he is the crown prince. It would seem as though we are committing treason if we were to decline.

Thinking about it.

If General Ling just came back a week earlier maybe I wouldn't be stuck with this predicament.

I know what I am doing now is wrong but nothing would change anyway. I can just watch him from the shadow silently admiring him and be happy with his achievement, wishing that I could be the woman in his side sharing his pain, happiness and struggles.

as this thoughts start to surface on my mind I smiled bitterly

I could only dream of that. Everything would be just a dream.

"Feng... Feng Jilian?" my movement was stopped by that calling.

I turned to look at the person who called me and was dumbfounded to learn that it was General Ling who called me.

my heart was raising madly

Zi'an nudge my shoulder lightly to bring me back to my senses.

"I... F-Feng Jilian greets General Ling" I said and bowed down to give my respect

"you may rise up" he said in a mellow voice

"I've heard you're engage with the crown prince?"

I flinched as I heard him say that

it was like a dagger was pierced straight to my heart

"y-yes... your majesty"

as eager as I want to deny... I can't

"what were you doing here? are you to spectate the royal guard's training?" He asked as he was eyeing me

I felt my blood rushing towards my face.

"N..No... How could I d.do that?" I covered my mouth as I realize that it was really disrespectful for me to raise my voice at one of the royal family within the palace!

"My.. my lady was just taking a walk to be familiar with the palace your highness" Zi'an came to rescue.

thank goodness Zi'an is wise

General Ling was nodding his head as though he accepted my excuse

"then I will escort you ladies out. It wouldn't be good if other people would see the crown prince's fiance wandering in the Royal guard's quarters" He said and smiled mischievously

"this..." I looked at Zi'an to seek her guidance but she just lowered her head and did not make any movement

"there's no problem with it right? now if yoj may ladies" he said and strode forward

we had nothing to do but to follow him

looking at those broad shoulders of him makes my desire to be close to him rise up.

This.... this is wrong but somehow I want this road to never end

but happy memories are truly short.

before I even realize it, we have already arrive at inside the throne room

wait... the throne room?

why did he bring me back to the throne room?

I surveyed the surrounding and found the emperor sitting on the throne with the empress and the queen both by his side

"Jilian" I heard a thrilled and happy voice calling my name and without a doubt it was the crown prince.

"your highness" I greeted and bowed down

"this... what are you doing here?" he asked and looked at General Ling who accompanied me here

"Lady Jilian was looking for your highness and I happen to cross path with her" he said and looked at me

"oh is that so? Did you miss me?" Prince Zhao said and cheekily smiled at me

before I could even answer

I was wrapped by his embrace

I was shocked

and my first response was to look at Ling Feyan

my eyes seemingly saying

please don't misunderstand

but what misunderstanding would happen anyway?

I am his nephew's soon to be wife

He might not even know me before I became Zhao's fiancee