Bound by Fate

20

Yueling's eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused. She lay in a grand bed, surrounded by opulent curtains and unfamiliar furnishings. A faint memory lingered, a whispered promise of love and devotion, but it vanished like smoke on the wind.

She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the pillows. A gentle hand supported her, offering a cup of steaming tea.

"Drink this, Princess," a soft voice said. "It will help you recover."

Yueling's eyes met those of a kind-faced healer, but no recognition sparked within her. "Who...who are you?" she stammered.

The healer's smile was warm. "I am your healer, Princess. And you are Yueling, the beloved of Xie Feng, the Dark Realm's ruler."

Yueling's brow furrowed, her mind a complete blank. "Xie Feng? I...I don't remember."

The healer's expression turned sympathetic. "Don't worry, Princess. Your memories will return in time."

But as Yueling looked around the room, she felt a growing sense of unease. Something was missing, a piece of her heart that she couldn't quite recall. And then, like a whisper in the darkness, a name echoed in her mind: Xie Feng.

Yueling's eyes widened, a fragment of memory surfacing. "I was supposed to marry Prince Li Wei of the Light Realm," she said, her voice firm.

The healer's expression turned cautious. "That's correct, Princess. But...things changed. You fell in love with Xie Feng, the Dark Realm's ruler."

Yueling's gaze faltered, her mind struggling to reconcile the conflicting memories. "No, that can't be right. I don't remember...loving him."

The healer's hands fluttered, like birds taking flight. "Your memories will return, Princess. But for now, know that Xie Feng loves you deeply, and you him."

Yueling's face twisted, a sense of disorientation washing over her. "But Prince Li Wei...I remember him. I was supposed to marry him, unite our realms."

A soft voice spoke from the shadows, "Yueling, my love, you did fall in love with me. You chose me over Prince Li Wei."

Yueling's eyes turned, her gaze meeting Xie Feng's, but no spark of recognition ignited within her. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Xie Feng's face paled, his eyes filled with a deep sorrow. "I am Xie Feng, your husband, your love."

Yueling's gaze lingered on Xie Feng's face, searching for a glimmer of familiarity, but her mind remained a blank slate. "I don't remember," she whispered, her voice laced with apology.

Xie Feng's eyes dropped, his shoulders sagging under the weight of her words. "I know, my love. But I'll help you remember. I'll make you fall in love with me again."

Yueling's brow furrowed, a hint of fear creeping into her voice. "I don't know if I can. I remember Prince Li Wei, our engagement...it feels real."

Xie Feng's face hardened, his jaw clenched in determination. "You will remember me, Yueling. You will love me again."

As he spoke, a soft melody drifted through the room, the notes of the guqin weaving a gentle spell. Yueling's eyes closed, her breathing slowing, as the music washed over her.

And then, like a whispered secret, a memory stirred. A fragment of a moment, a glance, a touch...Xie Feng's face, his eyes burning with love.

As Xie Feng carried her back to their chamber, Yueling's mind remained a jumble of fragmented memories. She remembered Prince Li Wei, their engagement, and the Light Realm, but Xie Feng and their love remained a blur.

Xie Feng laid her gently on the bed, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and despair. "Yueling, my love, please remember me," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.

Yueling's gaze met his, her eyes searching for a glimmer of recognition. But her mind remained stubbornly blank. "I'm sorry, Xie Feng," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't remember."

Xie Feng's face fell, his shoulders sagging in defeat. He had hoped that her memories would return, that their love would be rekindled. But now, he faced the daunting task of winning her heart once more.

With a heavy heart, Xie Feng sat beside her, taking her hand in his. "I'll wait for you, Yueling," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I'll wait for you to remember, to love me again."

Xie Feng's gaze lingered on Yueling's face, his heart aching with longing. But duty called, and he couldn't ignore the arrival of the Empress of the Phoenix Realm.

He rose from the bed, his movements fluid and graceful. "Show her in," he said, his voice firm and commanding.

The guard bowed and retreated, returning with Empress Fenghuang. Her majesty's presence was like a ray of sunshine, her golden hair and crimson robes blazing with an inner fire.

Xie Feng bowed deeply, his hands clasped together in respect. "Empress Fenghuang, welcome to the Dark Realm. I hadn't expected your visit."

Fenghuang's eyes sparkled with warmth, but her gaze flicked to Yueling, her expression turning curious. "I heard about your...situation, Xie Feng. I came to offer my assistance."

Xie Feng's face tightened, his jaw clenched in frustration. "I appreciate your concern, Empress, but I fear Yueling's memories are beyond retrieval."

Fenghuang's smile was enigmatic. "Perhaps, Xie Feng. But I've brought a gift, a rare artifact from the Phoenix Realm. It might just hold the key to unlocking Yueling's memories."