Zhan's POV:-

I entered the banquet with my family and my eyes immediately looked for Yibo.

Ziyi stood with Haoxuan and I was not worried about her, since I know that Haoxuan will take good care of her.

I was more worried about Yibo, after our last talk he must be really very angry with me, I need to make up with him, apologize to him. I cannot stand him being angry with me.

We met with other nobles, everyone was eager to meet my brother, after all his reputation precedes him, ever since people heard that he was back in the capital, there were several invitations from other nobles for going hunting etc.

Many nobles also wanted to wed their daughters with my brother, however my brother was least interested in any of this, he was here because he had to be.

And after meeting several nobles we finally came face to face with the Wang family, Mr. Wang spoke first, "Marius, it's been a while. How are you?"

My brother smiled politely, "I have been doing great, Mr. Wang, how are you? I heard that you have been under the weather recently."

"Oh, these old bones are slowly becoming more and more weak." While they were talking I saw my mother talking to Yibo's mother, the two seemed to be engaged in some deep conversation.

"Where is Adam?" My father asked and Yibo's father replied, "He is busy these days, there seems to be some rebel activity and Adam has been sent to suppress them."

Marius spoke, "God, these rebels are really a trouble."

My brother and I looked at each other, before the topic was changed.

After some time, more people came to talk with the Wang family and my father and brother were also engaged in conversations, my mother and I stood together, "So what did you two talk about?" I asked.

My mother sighed, "Poor Celine is worried about Yibo, she wants him to get engaged to Princess Iliana, however he hasn't replied to her yet. But I think she will convince him to get engaged soon."

My chest burned with jealousy when I heard Yibo's name being linked to someone else, someone who was not me. Yibo's name should be joined with mine only. Princess Iliana was beautiful by all means, she was educated and highly intelligent but she was not good for my Yibo.

I got anxious and looked around for him. Where was he!

My wait was soon over when the emperor entered along with the empress, crown prince and princess and Yibo was with them. Of course he was with them. He is always with them.

I looked at him, waiting for him to look at me, to give me his attention but he did not, he passed in front of me and did not even look at me. And I felt my heart clench, I was getting more and more desperate for a look from him, I needed his attention. My family went to greet the emperor and I went with them, while my family was engaging with the emperor and his family I was busy staring at Yibo.

But he looked anywhere but me.

Suddenly I saw Gideon move beside Yibo and whisper something in his ear, their closeness pissed me off. I clenched my fist as I saw their interaction. Whatever Gideon said to Yibo, the latter replied with a nod before he moved near the princess.

My heart hammered against my chest, and it broke a little when I heard him ask the princess for a dance. The princess smiled and agreed. I saw him walk past me with the princess's hand in his hand, they walked right in the center and started to dance.

His hand was over her waist and her hand was over his shoulder, their closeness burned a hole in my chest, they were looking at each other, Yibo was focusing on her and not on me and that was killing me. His aloofness was like a knife, stabbing me in the heart.

Yibo had never danced with anyone else like this, he'd never let anyone else even touch him in a romantic way.

Suddenly I heard my mother speak, "Don't they look good together? Imagine if they got married."

No. Never.

Yibo will never ever get married to anyone who is not me. He is mine and only mine, I will not let anyone else claim him! All these dangerous thoughts ran in my mind as I saw the man I love dance with someone else.

If Yibo thought that he could get rid of me that easily he was wrong, he can be angry all he wants, he can ignore me, throw tantrums but going to some other person was where I drew the line and I would make sure that he knew that.

I watched with envy as their dance ended, however the two still stood close and talked about something, Yibo was smiling.

I watched with envy and waited to catch Yibo alone, I observed his every move like a hawk, while he was ignoring me, my eyes were fixed on him.

Ignore me all you want, Yibo, but it won't last long.

~~

I waited after the banquet ended, at first I went home with my family and after everyone was in their respective rooms, I sneaked out of my room, I got on my horse and went to Yibo's house.

I sneaked into his house and made my way to his room, Yibo had told me all the secret ways to sneak into his house. There were also hidden passages through which I often came in.

I went inside his room, and he was not there yet. I sat on his bed and patiently waited for him to arrive. Once I heard some movement outside the door, I got up and stood near the door.

As soon as the door opened, I felt his presence, he stopped too sensing that something was wrong but he was slow and I was faster, I grabbed his hand and pulled him in. I quickly shut the door and pinned him against it. Before he could even react or say anything I quickly covered his mouth with my hand.

If looks could kill then I would be dead by now, but unfortunately for him Yibo's angry gaze only made me smirk.

"Hello there, darling."