Once Upon a Story [ HIATUS ]

Dragon Heart (3)

You don't have to play the song, I just added it to show what the two characters in question were playing.

Word count: 1381
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Running around the palace boundaries, Yunfu and Jianhong searched for Tianxin. To their surprise and amazement, they couldn't sense her qi, but their competitive nature wouldn't allow them to stop. Unlike them, Jinshe didn't let his fighting spirit cloud his judgment. He turned back not long after.

"That's what he gets for messing with Tianxin all the time," he said, sitting beside his brother.

"Who do you think will find her?"

"You already know the answer to that question."

Yaolong took a long sip of his tea. "It seems we both favour the Second Prince," he said under his breath. "Little surprise there. He's more level-headed than the others."

While the two older boys ran aimlessly, hoping to find her, Xuefeng took a different approach. He jumped onto the palace roof and walked, scouring this entourage. He looked around and saw many places to hide: a koi pond surrounded by rocks, a garden full of life despite the cold and an old shed. But he didn't think she was there.

He looked up and saw towers. Some with guards, others empty, a one with a bell at the center. He closed his eyes, looking for a trail. There was nothing. But his ears heard a sound: the jingle of a bell.

He jumped on his sword and rode it to the tower. Entering the small space, he sat down, sword at his side.

"I must say. You surprised me when you suddenly vanished."

Xuefeng looked at the girl, who sat knees to her chest, eyes covered in lace. She smiled at him, uncurling her body.

"I hope I didn't scare you," she replied. "But I needed to breathe some fresh air."

"I understand," he said. "And I apologize for my brother. He is a bit too prideful."

"I've noticed. Thankfully, you're not the same. Although..."

"What is it?"

"I suggest working on your stealth," she teased. "You have quite a strong gaze."

His face warmed, flushing heavily from the embarrassment. "Was I that obvious?"

"A little."

He sighed, apologizing, but Tianxin didn't mind. "I'm sure you didn't have any ill intent in mind. Or did you?"

He grew flustered again. "N-No, I would never–Stop laughing!"

She didn't, and he joined her, unable to ignore the silliness of the situation. When it got quiet, they leaned against the walls and relaxed. A chilly breeze blew, ringing the bells attached to Tianxin's hair. The sound brought a shiver up Xuefeng's back.

"Are you cold?" she asked.

"No, I'm quite warm. Your performance earlier was awakening in a way."

"Oh my."

"I didn't mean it in that sense!" He turned away, hiding his fuming face. He was making a fool of himself in front of her: the daughter of his father's most trusted general and a descendant of Tianlong, the dragon emperor.

What a mess.

He sighed, feeling he should leave but stayed as she played a song. Zither floating across her lap, she enchanted him once again. Moments later, the soft whistle of a flute joined the pluck of her zither. The melody spread throughout the palace. Yunfu halted his search; Jianhong chuckled, returning to the dining hall. The competition was over. Xuefeng had won.