“I don’t like you either.”
Those words echoed in my head as I sat in my room, still clutching Li Xun’s fox fur cloak. I should have been relieved. After all, I didn’t want to marry a man who looked like he’d collapse if I sneezed too hard. But for some reason, his bluntness made my cheeks burn with indignation.
Wasn’t I supposed to be the one rejecting him?
Who did he think he was?
My maid, Ruolan, bustled around me, helping me change into a new dress. “Miss, you should be careful with your words! The prince is a guest in our home.”
I rolled my eyes. “He started it!”
Ruolan sighed. “You’re lucky His Highness is so understanding. If it were anyone else, you’d be in trouble.”
I grumbled and glanced out the window. Li Xun was still in the courtyard, sitting on a stone bench under the plum tree. His posture was upright but relaxed, as if he belonged there.
It was strange.
I’d expected him to be awkward or shy, but he seemed perfectly at ease, even after everything that had happened.
I decided to go back out.
Maybe I could make him regret his words.
I marched into the courtyard, my new dress swishing around my ankles. Li Xun looked up, his eyes brightening as if he’d been waiting for me.
“Miss Liu, you look lovely,” he said, his voice smooth as silk.
I crossed my arms. “Don’t try to flatter me, Your Highness. You just said you didn’t like me.”
He smiled. “I said I didn’t like you, not that I didn’t find you interesting.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What’s the difference?”
Li Xun chuckled. “You’re the only person I know who can throw a saber with such precision and then rip her own dress in the same afternoon. That’s… impressive.”
I felt my face heat up again. “Are you making fun of me?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. I admire your spirit. Most noble ladies would faint at the sight of a weapon, let alone wield one.”
I sat down across from him, still suspicious. “So, what are you really doing here, Your Highness? Did my father send you to check on me?”
Li Xun’s expression turned thoughtful. “Actually, I wanted to see you for myself. My father and your father have been plotting our marriage for years, but I wanted to know who you really are.”
I snorted. “And what did you find out?”
He leaned forward, his voice low. “That you’re nothing like what they expected. And that’s a good thing.”
I blinked.
Was he… complimenting me?
Before I could respond, my father appeared at the courtyard gate, his face a mix of relief and exasperation.
“Ah, Your Highness! I see my daughter has recovered from her… mishap. I hope she hasn’t been too much trouble.”
Li Xun stood and bowed. “Not at all, Lord Liu. Your daughter is a delight.”
My father looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. “That’s… kind of you to say, Your Highness.”
I smirked.
Maybe having Li Xun around wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Over the next few weeks, Li Xun became a regular visitor at Jianghuai Manor. He always found an excuse to drop by—sometimes to discuss politics with my father, sometimes to bring gifts for my mother, and sometimes just to sit in the courtyard and watch me practice my swordplay.
At first, I ignored him.
But it was hard to ignore someone who clapped enthusiastically every time I landed a tricky move.
One afternoon, I finally snapped. “Do you have nothing better to do, Your Highness?”
He grinned. “Not at the moment. Besides, I’ve never seen anyone fight like you. It’s mesmerizing.”
I rolled my eyes. “You should try it sometime.”
To my surprise, Li Xun stood up. “All right. Teach me.”
I stared at him. “You? With your delicate constitution?”
He shrugged. “I’m not as fragile as I look. And if I fall, you can catch me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine. But don’t blame me if you end up with a bruise or two.”
I handed him a practice sword. He took it gingerly, as if it might bite him.
We spent the next hour sparring—or rather, I spent the next hour dodging his clumsy swings and trying not to laugh.
But to his credit, Li Xun never gave up. He kept trying, even when he was panting and red-faced.
At the end of the session, he collapsed onto the grass, grinning like a fool. “That was amazing! Thank you, Miss Liu.”
I sat down beside him, feeling oddly proud. “You’re not bad… for a beginner.”
He turned his head to look at me. “Does that mean you like me a little more now?”
I scoffed. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Your Highness.”
But I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips.
As the days turned into weeks, I found myself looking forward to Li Xun’s visits.
He was smart, funny, and surprisingly brave for someone who looked like a gust of wind could knock him over.
One evening, as we sat in the garden watching the fireflies, Li Xun turned to me. “Miss Liu, what do you want out of life?”
I thought for a moment. “I want to be free. To fight, to travel, to do whatever I want without anyone telling me what a proper lady should be.”
He nodded. “And what about marriage?”
I shrugged. “I never really thought about it. My father wants me to be empress, but I don’t know if that’s what I want.”
Li Xun was quiet for a long time. Then he said, “What if you could have both? Freedom and marriage?”
I laughed. “Is that even possible?”
He smiled. “With the right person, anything is possible.”
I looked at him, really looked at him.
His eyes were warm and sincere, and for the first time, I saw the strength behind his gentle exterior.
Maybe… just maybe… Li Xun wasn’t so bad after all.
Soon after, the emperor announced our engagement.
The court was in an uproar—how could the fragile Crown Prince marry the wild daughter of Jianghuai Manor?
But Li Xun stood by my side, his voice firm. “I choose Miss Liu. She is the only one I want as my wife.”
My father cried tears of joy (and maybe relief).
My mother fainted.
And I… well, I wasn’t sure what to feel.
Chapter 02
*