POV: Crown Prince (Rui Shen)
From the tower's shadows, Rui Shen's eyes hadn't left her.
Not for a second.
Not when her hips swayed in slow defiance.
Not when her lips curled, tasting victory.
Not even when she bent, ever so slightly, that infernal bow aimed at him—not out of respect, but domination.
Every thread of his royal silk felt like a chain. He shifted in his throne, jaw clenched. Under the golden armor of the empire's heir, his blood boiled.
> She was supposed to fall.
She was supposed to crawl.
Why does she make me want to kneel?
"Dismiss the next fight," he ordered his aide suddenly, voice tight. "Bring her to the Moon Lotus Pavilion. Now."
The aide blinked. "Alone, Your Highness?"
He didn't answer. Just stared at the courtyard, where Yue Lin's figure shimmered with sweat, silk, and sin.
---
POV: Yue Lin
The academy guard arrived with a message wrapped in imperial crimson.
"By royal decree, you are summoned to the Moon Lotus Pavilion. Immediately."
The whispers started instantly.
"Again?"
"She just arrived…"
"Is she already seducing the throne?"
Yue Lin didn't answer them.
She let her hips answer.
She walked slowly, deliberately. The path to the Moon Lotus was lined with cherry blossoms—petals pale compared to the heat in her gaze. Her system pulsed beneath her skin.
> System Notification: Crown Prince's Arousal Detected.
New Pathway Unlocked — "Thronebreaker's Desire"
Reward: Enhanced Aura of Submission — Passive
A slow, sinful smile curved her lips.
---
Scene: Moon Lotus Pavilion
He waited, alone, standing beneath the massive carved moon-gate that overlooked the imperial koi pond. Cherry blossoms floated in the still water. So did tension.
When she stepped in, Rui Shen turned.
And forgot how to breathe.
She wasn't in armor now. She wore a sheer academy robe that clung to her curves, still damp from exertion. Her collarbone gleamed with sweat. Her eyes were sharp — not a courtesan's gaze, but a queen's warning.
"Your Highness," she said with a bow that exposed the full, graceful line of her neck.
"You've improved," he said gruffly.
She tilted her head. "Improved from what? The last time you threw me away?"
Silence.
It was unbearable — electric.
"You wear that robe like it was made for you," he said, stepping closer. "Was it?"
"No," Yue Lin purred. "It was made for your ruin."
He inhaled sharply.
"You think you can tame me again, Rui Shen?" she continued, closing the gap between them. "Do you remember who begged first in our last night together?"
He clenched his fists.
"I never—"
"You did," she whispered against his ear. "You begged. You moaned. You bit my name like it was a curse you couldn't live without."
And then, just as suddenly, she stepped back.
"Good night, Your Highness."
She turned to leave.
"Wait."
She stopped. Smiled without turning.
> System Alert: Crown Prince has entered Lustbond Resonance
Progress: 18% | Desire Unlocked: Possessiveness, Obsession, Control
"Next time," he said lowly, voice thick, "I'll make you forget every other man's name."
She glanced back over her shoulder. "Too late. I already did."
---
POV: Second Prince (Liu Yan)
From the shadows of the pavilion's upper terrace, he watched. The second prince's fingers curled lazily around a silk rope tassel as he licked the rim of a jade wine cup.
"Well well well," he murmured, his smirk deepening.
"If the Crown Prince plays with fire, I'll make sure she burns."
---
End of Chapter 13