whispers:
"If I could get her back... I'd leave this place in a heartbeat."
Another ripple in the water, but this time from Yinzi, shifting beside him. "You really mean that?"
Yinzi huffs and disappears with a flick of its tails, leaving Wang Lee in silence once again. The water is almost still in the aftermath—just one small ripple every now and then as steam curls off its surface.
The water is warm against his bare skin, and Wang Lee lets his eyes flutter shut. A long breath slips out of him, tension finally beginning to ease... But even here, his guard doesn't drop completely. Every once in a while he opens his eyes, gaze sharp and wary as he scans the room... then finally relaxes, sinking back again.
Wang Lee sinks under the water, feeling it envelop him like a warm embrace. He keeps his eyes shut, focusing on the silence around him—the quiet splash of the water, the steady inhale-exhale of his breaths.
He lets his thoughts slow... then finally stills them altogether—an almost unnatural calm falling over him. Water ripples gently as he begins to meditate.
Wang Lee's thoughts stray as he meditates—images racing across his vision.
the village, the kid, the knight... Then the sound of steel slicing through the air, the smell of blood.
And then suddenly he's there—the battle, fast and brutal. Steel on steel, the clash of blades so loud it echoes in his ears.
underwater, silent. His mind drags him back to the palace: golden halls, cold eyes of emperors and empresses. Then... him.
That prince with his too-sharp gaze, his voice like poisoned honey.
Jiyin.
Slow exhale...
—their fight, blood on silk floors... and then nothing but darkness after.
Sweetness of his voice when he said:
" I like both sides of yours.."
Wang Lee slams his eyes shut again, trying to force the memory away. But It refuses to go.
Wang Lee's breath stops—underwater, his lungs burning. That night floods back in brutal detail: the press of lips against his own, too warm for a blade to be hiding there—Jiyin's hands tangled in Wang Lee's hair like he owned him.
A sharp jerk under the water as he jerks back suddenly, surfacing with a ragged gasp. His chest rises and falls too fast—anger? Disgust? Something else?
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Wang Lee rises from the water, droplets sliding down his bare skin as he steps out of the tub. The air is cool against his damp body, but he doesn't shiver—just grabs a thick silk robe draped over a nearby screen and pulls it on with sharp, efficient movements.
The fabric sticks slightly to still-damp skin as he ties it closed with one hand. His movements are precise—no lingering in comfort or hesitation.
"Enough," he mutters under his breath, "...waste of time."
Wang Lee strides to the bed, pushing aside silk pillows with a careless flick of his wrist. He doesn't bother with ritual—just drops onto the mattress in one fluid motion, sprawling across it like a blade sheathed too roughly.
His robes are still slightly damp from bathing as he stares at the ceiling. The candlelight casts sharp shadows across his face.
"...Disgusting," he mutters again—though whether he means Jiyin or himself is unclear.
Wang Lee reaches over to the nightstand, his fingers brushing against cold wood before curling around the fox mask. He lifts it—studying its painted eyes, sharp teeth frozen in a snarl.
For a moment, he just holds it.
Wang Lee's grip tightens around the mask, his breath hitching as the memory burns—Jiyin's hands hovering over it, warm and too close. That prince had wanted to see him. Not just a glimpse—all of him.
His wet hair soaks into the pillow beneath his head like ink spreading through parchment.
"...Fool," he growls under his breath, "I should've slit your throat when I had the chance."
Wang Lee lowers the mask, his gaze falling on the fake ruby in the nightstand. A strange sort of doubt flickers across his face—uncertainty bleeding into the usual cold stoicism. The candlelight flickers across his sharp features as he stares at the gemstone.
His voice is quiet, almost hesitant: "Could he...?"
[16 years ago]
The streets of the Xian Tian Empire are alive with activity—merchants shouting their wares, children darting between market stalls, and nobles in silken robes watching from above. The air is thick with the scent of roasted nuts and spiced tea.
And then—the crowd parts. A hush falls as prince Yuan Shi steps forward on a balcony overlooking the square. Not armed guards flanking him... not subjects cowering in terror.
Empress Yang-mei stands beside the toy shop, her eyes finding Wang Lee in the crowd. Her gown of silks and jewels drapes elegantly to the ground in shimmering waves. She smiles when she sees him—genuine affection in her gaze.
"There you are," she says, calling out quietly. "Come here."
Wang lee grins, holding up a carved wooden mask in one hand and a set of toy soldiers in the other. "Mom! I bought toys for my new friend."
The empress smiles, looking at her son with fond affection. She reaches over to adjust his hair—soft black locks falling around his shoulders.
"And who might your new friend be?"
Wang Lee's eyes dart to his father—Yuan Tong, a tall and composed man in regal robes. The elder brother of Yuan Shi watches him with quiet patience.
"Father said someone the same age as me is coming today for my 8th birthday," Wang Lee says, bouncing slightly on his toes with excitement
"Father said someone the same age as me is coming today for my 8th birthday," Wang Lee says, bouncing slightly on his toes with excitement.
Empress Yang-mei exchanges a glance with her husband before turning back to their son. Her smile softens into something warmer. "Did he? Then you should show your new friend all your toys when they arrive."
Both Empress Yang-mei and Yuan Tong step aside as Prince Yuan Shi arrives. The moment Wang Lee sees him, he runs forward with a childish grin—hugging the prince with carefree excitement.
"Uncle!!"
Yuan Shi chuckles, ruffling the boy's hair. "You've gotten braver," he laughs, "Last time I visited, you hid behind your mother."
Yuan Tong steps forward, arms folded. His voice is stern, but there's a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"...You're spoiling him."
Yuan Shi looks unrepentant. He pats Wang Lee on the head like a puppy. "Oh, let him have a little spoiling. It won't hurt."
Yuan tong rolls his eyes. "Keep it up and he'll grow up to be a spoiled little brat."
Yuan Shi just laughs. "It's called 'being loved'," he retorts, tousling Wang Lee's hair again
Yuan Shi glances at the Empress and gives a respectful bow. "Huang Sao," he says respectfully.
*{Huang sao : Imperial Sister-in-law.}
Empress Yang-mei nods in return. Then she eyes the way he just ruffled Wang Lee's hair. "You're going to make his hair even more of a mess."
Wang Lee tugs on Yuan Shi's sleeve, bouncing excitedly. "I want alllll the toys in this shop!"
Yuan Tong sighs heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "...Spoiled. Completely spoiled."
The knight—who had been standing silently by—suddenly barks an order to a nearby servant: "Go buy out that stall for him."
The shopkeeper's face lights up like fireworks as he scrambles to pack every single toy into boxes with trembling hands.
The sun begins to dip below the palace walls
asting long shadows across the courtyard. Servants scramble to light lanterns, their golden glow flickering against silk banners and polished floors. The air thrums with anticipation—everyone in attendance straightens as guards announce:
"Emperor and Empress of Kai Fu!"
And then they arrive—Kai Fu's ruler a towering figure draped in black robes; his empress elegant beside him, her gaze sharp as she takes in Xian Tian's halls
And then they arrive—Kai Fu's ruler a towering figure draped in black robes; his empress elegant beside him, her gaze sharp as she takes in Xian Tian's halls.
A hush falls over Wang Lee's family... except...
......
Yuan shi - wang lee's uncle.
Yuan tong - wang lee's father. Yuan shi's elder brother.
Yang mei - wang lee's mom.
