Zhan's POV:

A content sigh escaped my mouth as I lay beside Yibo. His head rested on my arm and we were cuddled close to each other.

"When are you leaving the capital again?" Yibo asked.

"Soon, but I am going to stay for a few days." I kissed his forehead and spoke again, "and I am going to spend as much time with you as possible."

Yibo gave me a small smile, "Wanna go for a stroll tomorrow? I can ask for a day off."

"Whatever you want. We can go for a stroll, for hunting, anything that you want."

"Why not all of them?"

"All of them then."

~~

"Where are you going?" my brother asked.

I looked at him through the mirror and smiled, "I am going to meet Yibo."

As I got ready in simple clothes, I saw my brother giving me a look. I knew something was wrong. He was staring at me with a complicated expression that made me uneasy.

"What is it, brother?" I asked.

He moved forward and placed a hand on my shoulder, "Zhan, do you love Yibo?"

I blinked and stared at him. His question caught me off guard and I had no idea what to say. No one knew about my and Yibo's relationship other than Haoxuan and Prince Simon.

"Brother, I..."

"I want to know the truth, Zhan." My brother said in his firm, parent-like voice—the one where I had no chance to argue.

I swallowed and clenched, unclenched my fists before I said, "I love him, brother."

Out of all the reactions I expected from my brother, pity was the last.

I was shocked when I saw the pity in his eyes. He sighed before he said, "I had a hunch."

"How?"

"You make it very obvious, and Yibo, who is always aloof and rarely mingles, changes his entire personality when he is around you. He smiles, he mingles, his whole face lights up.

And you too—you are always eager to meet him, you always want to share everything with him. And one time when we went hunting and had to camp in the woods, you were calling out his name in your sleep."

I smiled a little.

"But Zhan, the path you are walking on is the path that will lead you against Yibo, not by his side."

"I know."

"Then... why did you choose this path? And even if you did, why don't you leave Yibo?"

"I can't. Brother, I can't. Dying is easier than letting him go."

"Zhan, you might have to fight him, you might have to kill him."

"No. I won't kill him. I'd rather die by his hands."

"Zhan." My brother held my shoulders and shook me, "Wake up. You can't have everything in life."

"I know. A life without Yibo is not a life I want, brother. I will serve my kingdom, I will fulfill my duties, fight for justice—but I will also fight for Yibo."

"Do you think he would accept you after knowing the truth?"

"I don't know. He might, he might not, but no matter what the scenario is, I will always love him. If he chooses to leave me, then as long as he is happy and alive, I will let him go. But if he dies, then I die with him."

"Zhan..."

"I love him, brother... I love him with every cell in my body. I can't do anything about it." I said, "It pains me every day to think that I am betraying him. Every day I see his smile and lie to his face—it kills me a little each time. My heart feels like it's being ripped apart because I know that he and I might have to separate soon.

Brother, please let me cherish these moments with him. I only have a few of them left. I don't have much time with him. I want to make memories that will last me a lifetime."

My voice broke, and my brother looked pained seeing my expression. He gently raised his hands and wiped my tears before pulling me into a hug.

I hugged him back.

~~

"You are late." Yibo said as we started walking side by side.

Currently, we were in the local market, moving through different shops.

"I am sorry, my brother had something to discuss with me."

"It's alright. What matters is you are here now." Yibo said as we walked ahead. The sky was clear, and a gentle breeze brushed against us. Yibo was looking around the shops, and I was looking only at him.

I gently grabbed his hand and he held mine back, smiling.

We visited several shops—clothes, weapons—before entering an accessories shop.

"Let's see what they have here." Yibo said as he dragged me inside.

It was an old shop. Yibo looked around and soon picked up a necklace and placed it around my neck. It was a simple, beautiful blue necklace.

"This looks nice on you."

I smiled at him, "Really?"

He nodded.

We bought the necklace and stepped out.

As we continued walking, we came across the temple of Ankh.

"Wanna go inside?" I asked.

But Yibo shook his head, "I never go to temples."

That was true. Yibo and the entire Dawnridge family never visited temples. People considered them atheists.

"Why don't you try today?" I asked as I pulled him along.

"Zhan... I..." he started, but as soon as we stepped onto the temple premises, Yibo suddenly yanked his hand back and stepped away.

I froze.

He was breathing heavily, his hand pressed against his chest.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked quickly.

"I don't know... I just don't feel good." he said. Sweat covered his face.

I immediately grabbed his hand and led him away from the temple.

"Are you fine now?" I asked, handing him some water.

He nodded.

"We should go back if you're not feeling well."

"Nope." he said, standing up and taking my hand again, "Let's continue."

I was still worried, but I kept it to myself. I knew I couldn't force him to go back, and he would only get annoyed. So I stayed alert, watching him carefully for any signs of discomfort.

As we walked further, we came across a beautiful lake and sat beside it.

"Man, this was a good day." Yibo said with a smile.

I sat beside him, smiling after seeing his happiness.

"You had fun."

"I had fun spending time with you." he said, resting his head on my lap. "I love being like this... free... being myself, being beside you, walking hand in hand, away from politics, wars, murders, assassination attempts... I like this quiet.

Can't we always be like this?" he said.

I gently held his hand and kissed it. I put my hand into my pocket and grabbed the shiny metal that I had brought with me.

Then I took out a ring from my pocket and slid it onto his finger. I knew what I was doing was cruel to me and Yibo, but I was selfish, I only thought of myself, I want this man as my husband, my soulmate, if only I can live in this fantasy for a little more, then why not.

He looked at it, then at me.

"Will you marry me, Yibo?"

He sat up instantly, staring at the ring, then at me again. Then he smiled widely and jumped into my arms.

"Oh god... you caught me off guard. Of course I will marry you!"

I smiled and hugged him tightly.

"Now that you've agreed, there's no going back. You can never leave me—and you can never take this ring off."

He pulled back and said, "Why would I ever want to take this off or not marry you? I love you, Zhan. There is nothing more I want than marrying you. You are stuck with me now. And don't you dare go back on your word—you will marry me no matter what."

I grabbed the back of his neck, smiling, and pulled him into a kiss.

"Of course, darling. You better remember your words."

~~

After our day ended, I parted way with Yibo unwillingly, I didn't want to leave him. Despite spending the entire day with him, I was still missing him dearly.

Every time I part ways with him pains my heart because this might be the last time he will look at me as his lover and not as a traitor. I could feel footsteps of the misery that awaits me after every passing moment, coming closer and closer and I am unable to prepare for it.

Once I reached my house, I walked straight to my room but instead of quiet of my room something else awaited me there.

There in my room sat prince Simon with my brother and Haoxuan along with Ayla and Kairos. And prince Simon said, "We have a problem, general."