Thud. Thud. Thud.

His feet slammed against the packed sand as he ran, kicking up dust in his wake. The wind howled across the canyon—

FWOOSH

—Ripping at his robes and tossing strands of dark hair into his eyes. "There! He's over there!"

CLANG— CLANG—CLANG!

The guards' armor rattled behind him like an angry drumbeat, echoing off the rocky walls. Bai Xingyu didn't look back. He didn't need to. He could hear how close they were getting. Too close.

Pant...Pant...Pant.

His breath came in shallow gasps. His heart beat so fast it felt like it might break through his chest.

BAM!

He stumbled into a sandpit and nearly fell face–first, but caught himself just in time. He muttered a breathless curse under his breath.

"Stupid desert... Stupid guards... Stupid palace..."

CRACK!

A loose rock tumbled down from above, narrowly missing his head. He scrambled forward, ignoring the burning in his legs.

"Don't let him escape again!, Prince or not— Grab him!"

WHOOSH.

A net flew pass him and missed— but barely. His heart leapt in panic. "No— No, No, No—"

THWACK!

He turned the corner only to get slammed by the guards sliver shield.

He hit the ground hard as the dust raise in the cool breeze as two more men run towards Bai Xingyu as they tackled him from behind. Their heavy hands pinned his shoulder like an anvil. As they raise him up and brought his back to the palace.

CRASH!

The palace doors slammed open as the guards shoved Bai Xingyu inside. His knees hit the marble floor with a painful thud, wrist bound in front of him with red silk— to delicate for a punishment. Too humiliating for freedom.

He looked up with defiant eyes, sweat clinging to his neck, only to see his father King Xun, and the trembling hands of his mother Queen Meihua.

"I told you he would run. He's not cut out for this mission, My King." The Queen whispered coldly.

"I wasn't running away!" He spat. "I was—"

"Enough, with this nonsense!" The king voice cut like a blade. "Your lucky your still alive, Be grateful that I did not have killed you when you were young like a child. That's why your brother will always be my favorite."

Bai Xingyu fist clenched. "Why can't you let me be free ?"

"Because you're useful. You think I would have let you live if you won't useful. Nonsense." The king said flatly. "The dessert kingdoms are watching. Word of the diamond Emerald's theft has reached even our isles. And now—"

He paused. A thin smile played on his lips.

"—They pay a great price to see the world in peace. You shall go to the kingdom of Zharayn. You should face king Li Huaiyan."

Bai Xingyu blinked "What ?"

"As his bride."

Silence the word echo like thunder.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HIS BRIDE !?" said Xingyu.

The queen stepped forward without eye contact. "You will go disguised as a woman. He will not expect a threat. And while you are in his palace you will locate were the diamond Emerald is and return home."

Xingyu mouth opened. But no words came out.

"This is madness." He whispers to himself. "Your sending me to seduce a monster—"

"No, We're sending you to get the diamond Emerald."

"You want me to lie and say hi am a woman and get myself in more trouble you know he's powerful. What if I die ?"

"We don't care about that. All we care about is getting the diamond Emerald Back. End of discussion."

BOOM!

The palace shook.

A stained glass window shattered as a guard burst through the thron room. The guards face was covered in Crimson red and hair had sand.

"Your majesty, the outter gates has fallen."

"What ?" The king roared, standing up. "Who dears attack the kingdom of Lioraé ?"

"We don't know they were no flags. Only vails and golden masks." The guard say calmly with a smirk.

"Why are you smiling in this situation ?" Asked the king.

The guard turned his gaze to Xingyu and smiled.

"For someone so soft, you run so fast princess ~" say the guard.

The room went silent.

To be continued...

The guard chucked coldly "He's feisty, no wonder the king wants to marry him off so quickly."

The king stepped forward, his vice sharp and cold. "Stop, laughing, or you will be thrown out of this palace."

The guard smirked "Forgive me you majesty. Am just a spy. The king send me here to see how his bride looks."

The queen suddenly looks surprised. "A.... Spy ?"

The king ignored her and push the queen aside coldly. "I don't care what's happening right now. I'll send my guards to kill off these people attacking our kingdom and as for Xingu get ready you will leave by moonrise."

The queen suddenly looks terrified. "Wait, I mean.... My king, He's just a child.... He now turned.... 17 years.... You can't —"

"I've made my decision." The king snapped.

The queen lips quivered. Her tears fell quietly.

DRIP. DRIP.

Suddenly the guard leave and slammed the door with a big SLAM!

The maid hurried quickly and takes Xingyu to the dressing room.

CREEEEEEEK

The heavy door opened, The two maids led Xingyu to the dressing room.

"You will be beautiful." One whispered with a smile to wide. "King Li Huaiyan prefers delicate girls and cute ones."

One of the maid tossed something unto the bed. "Here's a corset.'

"I'll get the starches." Said another maid.

The silver strings was yanked tight.

"Ah—" Xingyu winced.

"No on wants a waist over nine inches." Scolded the maid, as she tied the last silver string.

"Breathe in, Hold it, Again."

SHUFFLE SWISH

The fabric whispered as a secret as they pulled the purple gown over Xingyu head. It simmered like white silk under the candlelight.

CLINK

A box of makeup snapped open. Rough brunches touches his cheeks. gloss painted on his lips.

CLICK

The heels fit like it was made for him.

Then they brush his long hair and made it in to a nice wavy girly hairstyle.

When he locked into the mirror, he didn't recognized himself.

He looked.... beautiful.

But not him.

Later that night, Xingyu slipped away from the maids.

PAD. PAD. PAD.

His footsteps were soft against the stone floor. He walked towards his mothers chambers.

He pause at her door. About to knock.

But.....

He heard her voice... Broken. Shaken.

"A demon that has no feelings, Shouldn't live. I should have killed him. But Mother will kill me. I can't ! What to do."

THUMP

His heart stopped.

He pressed against the door, breathe caught in his throat.

Who was she talking about ?

What does she mean by demon ?

And she has a brother ?

Was she talking about him Xingyu ?

It sounded so personal.

So angry.

"Its so obvious... I should have not done that tho am a horrible mother!"

"What do you mean by demon?" he whispered.

RUSTLE

A shadow moved pass the hall— Xingyu run getting a bad vibe. Heels clanking down the hall.

THUD

A hand slammed against the stone wall by his head.

"Ah—!" Xingyu gasped as someone grapes his arm.

CLACK

The sound of long clawed nails scraping against his skin.

Then WHOOSH

Wind rushed passed his head as he was SLAMMED against the hard wall with a painful THUD.

As Xingyu looked up he saw two bloodshot eyes glowing in the dark like twin embers.

Then he felt hot breathe against his neck.

Then CRACK

Fangs sink into his skin.

"Ah—" He cried out.

DRIP. DRIP.

Blood tacked down his Collarbone.

The stranger held him tighter. As Xingyu knees always weaked. As the stranger adjusted his position and lift up Xingyu to get more access to his neck.

To be continued.

Xingyu stirred awake, the gentle jostling of the carriage making his head

throb.

COLP. COLP. COLP.

The horses trotted over uneven ground, wheels creaking softly beneath him. His eyes fluttered open to the sight of his mother sitting across from him, her face pale and wet with tears.

“M-Mother…?” he croaked.

She looked up, startled, quickly wiping her eyes. “Xingyu! Oh thank the heavens—you’re awake.”

“How long… have I been asleep?”

“All night… and now it’s morning,” she said quietly, her voice quivering. “I thought… I thought you wouldn’t wake up.”

“I’m fine,” Xingyu mumbled, though his arms still ached where bruises bloomed under his sleeves. “How long have we been on the road?”

“Three hours,” she answered.

“Three hours?!” he sat up, eyes wide.

She nodded. “We still have a long way before we reach the king.”

The word “king” made something bitter rise in Xingyu throat.

CRRRRK!

The carriage wheels suddenly came to a stop, jerking him slightly forward.

“We’re stopping to eat,” his mother said, adjusting her veil. “A proper place. You need to eat something.”

The inn—a traditional Chinese teahouse-style restaurant—was warm and bustling, with lanterns swaying gently and the scent of roasted duck and steamed buns in the air. Xingyu stomach growled, reminding him how he haven eat breakfast.

They walked in. Xingyu, still clad in the elegant silk dress, corset hidden beneath his layers, moved awkwardly in the heels. Click—clack—click.

He turned a corner, eyes scanning the crowd, and smack!—he crashed into someone. Trays clattered, soup splashed, and dumplings flew through the air like missiles. SPLASH! Hot broth across crimson robes, staining the pristine white silk at the hems.

“I—!” Xingyu gasped, staggering back.

Xingyu looked up. The stranger.

He was beautiful.

His long, golden-blond hair cascaded down his back like threads of sunlit silk, glowing under the lantern light. His skin was pale, almost too perfect, his jaw sharp. He wore traditional red and white robes—delicate, ceremonial, yet intimidating. A golden phoenix pin gleamed on his collar.

The man glanced down at the spill, then up into Xingyu wide eyes. “It seems you’ve declared war on my lunch,” he said calmly.

Xingyu cheeks flared. “I didn’t mean to—!”

“I know,” he interrupted, bending gracefully to set the tray right. Clink. “But you should watch where you're going, my lady.”

“I’m not a—” Bai paused.

The man tilted his head, studying him. “Too stiff to be a lady. Too graceful to be a man,” he murmured.

Xingyu felt his heart thump-thump-thump against his ribs.

“Perhaps... you’re something in between?” he said softly, raising one eyebrow. “A beautiful riddle wrapped in silk.”

Xingyu gawked.

The blond man chuckled faintly, dusting off the tea-stained robe. “You owe me a robe. This one is silk from Ji Province. Rare and expensive.”

“I—I’ll pay for it,” Xingyu stammered, flustered.

“You?” the man said with a smirk. “You look like someone running from something. Not someone carrying gold.”

Xingyu lips parted, unsure how to respond.

Then the man leaned in, his voice dropping. “Careful, little dove. People around here eat secrets.”

And with that—whoosh—he turned, his golden hair flicking over his shoulder like firelight, and disappeared into the crowd.

To be continued.