Mission: Protect Xiao Zhan (Completed)

ARC 5: Your Highness 3

The first time Xiao Zhan appeared in morning court alongside Yibo, all the officials were stunned especially as Zhan was made to sit just a step below Yibo which was the highest rank in court, save for the king.

As for why Yibo decided to bring Xiao Zhan to court, it started the previous day. Zhan had now been in the palace for 6 months and everyone respected him as the king's favourite so his movements were no longer restricted within the palace grounds.

Xiao Zhan had been patiently waiting for this day. He had no property of his own so his exit was not supposed to cause a stir. He took a carriage and asked to be taken around town. The rider dared not refuse as refusing Zhan was like refusing Yibo, as long as he didn't go overboard with his requests. The man had been locked up for so long, he simply wanted to look around. Besides, he was no longer a prisoner.

The coachman informed Zhan of their location at every time. Since Zhan was imprisoned, a lot had changed and he definitely did not recognize the town as much as he used to. After a while, the coach man realized that Xiao Zhan was no longer responding, he thought Zhan fell asleep and after riding for a while, he turned to return to the palace just to find out Zhan was no longer in the carriage.

He raised an alarm and the guards quickly sent people out to look for Zhan. Giving the complete makeover the town had undergone, Xiao Zhan was not able to make it out in time and he was found by the guards and taken back to the palace. All of this happened when Yibo left to attend morning court.

Upon his return, he was met with the news of Xiao Zhan's escape. The thought of Zhan being in danger sent chills down his spine. All this time, no one had seen Yibo lose him composure until that day. He ordered that Xiao Zhan be brought back in one piece.

After waiting for about 20 minutes, he got impatient, took a horse and rode off on his own. If Xiao Zhan was in danger, fate would always bring him to the place of danger. 2 hours later, Yibo received word that Zhan had been found and returned to the palace.

The disappointment on Yibo's face was unparalleled. A kept person trying to escape the palace was akin to betrayal and by the time Yibo returned, Zhan had been stripped off his regal clothing and changed into prisoner uniform, he was made to kneel in the courtyard awaiting Yibo's judgement.

Yibo simply waved the guards off. Their actions, though he hated them, were normal. He gestured for Xiao Zhan to follow him back to his chambers.

"A-Zhan, why did you try to escape?"

Zhan said nothing.

"If there is a reason you want to leave, let me know. You know I'd do almost anything you ask for".

"I... I don't want to be kept. I want to be free. I have no home, no family to return to but at least, I can roam about unrestrained. That's all I ask".

This reply broke Yibo's heart. Over time, Xiao Zhan had opened up gradually. They were now able to converse without formalities. Zhan had started to assist him when dressing up for morning court. While they slept, these days, Zhan started to take the initiative to snuggle into his arms, rather than wait to be pulled in by Yibo. Yibo felt they were making progress, little did he know Xiao Zhan had been doing all of this just to make him lower his guards around him. The reality struck him like a knife. He felt Zhan was getting more and more different in every life. What if... what if the Xiao Zhan in the main world was different, what if he was one of those who didn't want to be with him?

"I see you hate me so much, you hate it here so much that you're willing to feign acceptance, put up a caring attitude just to get a time to strike. You're just like the rest of them. I felt I had a friend in you Xiao Zhan, but remember this. You're still a prisoner, you're not a free man. If you want to be free, I'd grant you your freedom but it wouldn't be just yet. You have to remain here for the next 3 years. After that, you can go wherever you want". In 3 years, Zhan would turn 30 and if everything went smoothly, he would be out of danger.