The morning sun had barely risen, its golden fingers stretching lazily across the rooftops of the palace, when Princess Yuyan slipped silently through the narrow servant corridor. Her heart thudded anxiously in her chest, each beat louder than her footsteps. She kept her head low, her cloak pulled tight, and her mind focused on one thing: the boy from her dreams.
She had to see him—feel his presence, sense the thread that tugged at her soul with each passing moment. There was no reasoning with the ache in her chest. It had become unbearable.
She knew the guards' routines by heart. After all, this wasn't the first time she'd snuck around the palace, though never had it been so serious. Darting between shadowed pillars and ducking behind tapestry-covered walls, she crept toward the outer gate. She waited patiently until two guards passed on patrol before darting across the courtyard, her slippered feet silent against the stone floor.
As she reached the servant's gate, she pulled the long black hooded cloak tighter around her figure, ensuring her face was concealed. Her veil was secured beneath it, masking her from any recognition.
She slipped into the morning crowd of laborers and merchants passing by the village gates. Her pulse steadied once she left the palace behind, the cool morning air brushing against her cheeks. She kept her head bowed and moved swiftly through the outer village, finally arriving in the bustling heart of the market.
The scent of fresh bread, spices, and sizzling meats filled the air, but Yuyan had no appetite. She wandered the market streets, eyes darting through faces, hoping—praying—that the pull in her heart would guide her to something. Anything.
Whispers followed her like shadows.
"Who's the girl in the veil?"
"She walks like royalty... but so modest."
"Such grace. Could she be—?"
Yuyan ignored them, her footsteps quickening. Just as she turned down a narrow alleyway near the spice stalls, she stumbled into someone—a wall of muscle wrapped in worn leathers. The man was tall and broad, with a cruel smirk curling beneath his scarred cheek.
"Watch it," he grunted.
"I'm sorry," Yuyan said quietly, trying to slip past.
But the man stepped forward, and another joined him.
"Hey, pretty girl," one said with a sneer. "You're very pretty, you know. How about you buy us some drinks to apologize?"
Rough laughter followed, and they closed in. Yuyan's skin prickled. She tried to move, but a heavy hand grabbed her arm.
"Let go of me," she said, her voice firm.
The man tugged her closer. "Come on now, don't be shy."
Another voice jeered, "She's hiding her pretty face. Let's see it."
As hands reached for her veil, Yuyan's pulse roared in her ears. She struggled, trying to break free, but her muscles weakened. Her breath hitched in fear.
Then—
"Let her go."
The voice was sharp, commanding.
A sword struck with a metallic ring, slicing the air as it slammed against the man's wrist. He howled in pain and released Yuyan instantly. The black cloak he wore fell to the ground in the scuffle, revealing a tattooed scorpion on his arm.
Gasps erupted from the gathering crowd.
"That's the mark of the Black Scorpion's men!"
"What are they doing here?"
Yuyan turned, eyes wide with relief and shock.
"Liang…" she whispered.
Her younger brother, Prince Liang, stood at the center of the chaos, his sword raised and guards flanking him.
The scorpion-marked man growled, drawing a blade. He lunged toward the prince, but Liang sidestepped smoothly, slashing across the man's leg with precision.
The others attacked.
Steel clashed, and chaos erupted.
The prince fought fiercely, matching speed and grace with deadly skill. His guards joined the fray, blades flashing. Yuyan tried to remain behind the crates Liang had pushed her toward, but rage and pride burned in her.
She was a princess, not some helpless damsel.
Sliding across the dirt road with grace, she snatched a sword from a startled vendor's stall. Her hood slipped back, and her veil fell.
Gasps.
"It's the princess!"
"She's beautiful!"
Ignoring the crowd, Yuyan dashed into the battle. Liang spotted her and shouted, "Yuyan! What are you doing?!"
"Protecting myself—like a princess should," she shouted back.
One of the attackers charged. Yuyan leapt, twisted mid-air, and with a backflip landed behind him, slashing with elegance and force. The man tumbled to the ground.
Cheers erupted.
"The princess fights like a storm!"
"Look at her go!"
With renewed energy, the villagers scattered from danger as the fight surged. Liang and Yuyan fought back to back, blades flashing, striking down their assailants with swift, graceful precision. The guards matched their ferocity, cornering the remaining enemies.
One by one, the Black Scorpion's men fell. Bruised and bloodied, they were bound in chains and dragged to their knees. Though some of the palace guards were bruised, Yuyan and Liang were unscratched.
"Take them to the palace prison," Liang commanded.
The villagers erupted in cheers as the prince and princess turned to face them. Yuyan raised her sword in salute. Liang offered a small wave. Fruit and water were brought quickly from a nearby shop, and the two siblings were led to rest inside.
As Yuyan sipped cool water, Liang stood before her, arms crossed.
"What were you thinking?" he demanded. "You could've been killed. You're the heir to this kingdom!"
She stared at him blankly, lips tight.
"Sometimes I wonder if you've forgotten that I'm your elder sister," she said coolly.
"And sometimes I wonder if you've forgotten that being older means acting wiser," Liang snapped.
Yuyan's mouth opened, but she found no reply. He had a point.
After a long pause, Liang sighed.
"Father is looking for us," he said. Without another word, he took her hand and pulled her gently from the bench.
Hand in hand, they vanished into the winding streets of the village, leaving behind whispers of awe and admiration. The tale of the princess who fought beside her brother spread like wildfire.
But for Yuyan, the ache in her heart remained.
Somewhere—somehow—the boy from her dreams was calling.
And she was determined to find him.