The Forgotten Prince

The morning sun bathed the cottage in a warm glow, but the air between Liu Wei and Xuan Li felt tense. The previous night’s revelation—that Xuan Li could be a prince—had thrown them both into a whirlwind of confusion and fear. Liu Wei’s mind raced with the words of the mysterious figure who had threatened her: "He belongs to a world you cannot comprehend."

Xuan Li sat at the table, his brow furrowed in concentration. His gaze was distant, as if he were trying to piece together a puzzle that was just out of reach. Liu Wei could see the frustration in his eyes, and it pained her to watch him struggle with the weight of the unknown.

“I don’t understand,” Xuan Li muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “If I am a prince, why can’t I remember anything? Why would someone want to hurt me?”

Liu Wei poured tea into a small clay cup and placed it gently in front of him. “Memories can be fragile,” she said softly. “Maybe you blocked them out because of something traumatic. But I’m certain of one thing—you’re not just anyone. Whoever that person was last night, they were afraid of you.”

He looked up at her, a hint of vulnerability in his dark eyes. “What if they’re right? What if I don’t belong here?”

“You do belong here,” Liu Wei said firmly, her voice unwavering. “At least for now. Until we know more, you’re safe with me. We’ll figure this out together.”

Xuan Li took a deep breath, nodding. There was a strength in Liu Wei’s presence that made him feel grounded, even in the face of such uncertainty. She had saved him, not just from his injuries, but from a life that seemed to slip through his fingers like sand. He trusted her—more than he trusted anyone else, even himself.

After breakfast, Liu Wei suggested they take a walk to clear their heads. The village was small, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. The locals greeted Liu Wei with warm smiles and respectful nods, though their curious eyes lingered on Xuan Li. The villagers knew little of his presence, and Liu Wei had made sure to keep his identity a secret.

As they walked along the riverbank, Xuan Li paused, staring at the flowing water. “I’ve had dreams,” he admitted. “Of a palace with high walls, of men in armor… and a woman. But her face is always blurred. I feel like I should know her.”

Liu Wei’s heart tightened. “Do you think she could be someone important from your past?”

“I don’t know,” Xuan Li replied, his voice distant. “But the dreams… they feel real. Like they’re trying to tell me something.”

Before Liu Wei could respond, they were interrupted by the sound of approaching horses. She tensed, her hand instinctively moving toward the dagger she kept hidden in her cloak. A group of riders came into view, their armor gleaming in the sunlight, banners fluttering in the wind. These were no ordinary soldiers—they bore the crest of the Tang imperial army.

Xuan Li’s breath hitched. “They’re looking for me,” he whispered, instinctively stepping back.

“We need to hide,” Liu Wei said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the forest. They ducked behind a cluster of trees, watching as the soldiers dismounted and began questioning the villagers.

“Has anyone seen a man, early thirties, dark hair, wounded?” the captain barked at one of the elders. “He’s a traitor to the crown and must be captured at all costs.”

Liu Wei’s heart pounded in her chest. Traitor? She glanced at Xuan Li, who looked just as bewildered as she felt. There was no time to process the accusation—right now, they needed to stay hidden.

As the soldiers combed the village, Liu Wei and Xuan Li slipped deeper into the woods, the sound of their footsteps swallowed by the dense undergrowth. They didn’t stop until they reached a secluded clearing, far from prying eyes.

Panting, Liu Wei turned to Xuan Li. “A traitor? Could that be why you’ve lost your memory? To protect yourself?”

Xuan Li shook his head, confusion and frustration mingling in his expression. “I don’t know. But something tells me that’s not the whole truth. I don’t feel like a traitor.”

Liu Wei nodded. “We need to stay one step ahead of them. If they think you’re dangerous, there must be more to this story. But until we find out, you’re not safe.”

Xuan Li’s hand instinctively reached for the sword Liu Wei had given him earlier. “Then I’ll fight if I have to. But I won’t let you be hurt because of me.”

Liu Wei’s heart warmed at his words. She had only known Xuan Li for a short time, but the bond they had formed felt deep and unshakable. There was something about him—a sense of nobility, of honor—that made her believe he could never be the traitor the soldiers claimed.

“We’ll figure this out together,” Liu Wei said, her voice filled with determination. “But for now, we need to keep moving. We can’t stay in the village anymore.”

Xuan Li looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude and something more—something deeper. “Thank you, Liu Wei. For everything. I don’t know who I was before, but I know who I am now. And I want to stay by your side.”

Her cheeks flushed at his words, but she pushed the emotions aside. There was no time for that now. They were on the run, and danger lurked around every corner. But as they set off into the unknown, Liu Wei couldn’t help but feel that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

And maybe—just maybe—the echoes of Xuan Li’s forgotten past would lead them to a future neither of them could have ever imagined

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