Surrendering To You

Chapter4

The palace was unusually quiet as night fell, the excitement of the upcoming swordsmanship and archery competition creating a tense, anticipatory atmosphere. In his chamber, Prince Zhan sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the polished sword resting on his lap. Tomorrow, he would compete for the first time-a rite of passage that would mark his transition from a boy to a man in the eyes of the kingdom.

But instead of feeling ready, Zhan felt a storm of emotions swirling inside him. The weight of expectations, both from his family and the court, pressed down on him. He had watched his older brother, Prince Harun, and the other princes compete in previous years, admired their skill and composure, and now it was his turn. But what if he failed? What if he embarrassed himself in front of everyone?

He had trained for this day for years, but now that it was finally here, he felt unprepared, like a child playing dress-up in his father's armor.

The room felt stifling. The flickering light from the oil lamps only seemed to amplify the pressure in his chest. With a heavy sigh, Zhan placed the sword back on its stand, threw on a simple robe, and quietly slipped out of his room.

The palace garden was a place of refuge for Zhan-a sanctuary where he often came to clear his mind. Tonight, it was bathed in the silver light of the full moon, the air cool and fragrant with the scent of blooming jasmine. He walked slowly, the stone path beneath his feet familiar and comforting, yet his mind remained restless.

*What if I'm not strong enough? What if I disappoint Father?* The thoughts gnawed at him, each one tightening the knot of anxiety in his chest.

As he rounded a corner near the rose bushes, Zhan stopped abruptly. There, by the large marble fountain, stood his brother, Prince Cheng, his silhouette outlined by the moonlight. Cheng's back was to him, his gaze fixed on the water, deep in thought.

Zhan hesitated for a moment, not wanting to disturb his brother, but Harun must have sensed his presence because he turned, a gentle smile spreading across his face.

"Zhan, what are you doing out here at this hour?" Cheng's voice was soft, tinged with concern.

Zhan sighed, walking over to his brother. "I couldn't sleep. I keep thinking about tomorrow... the competition."

Cheng's smile widened knowingly. "Nervous, huh?"

Zhan nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly. "More than I thought I would be. I've trained for this, but now... it just feels so overwhelming. What if I make a fool of myself in front of everyone?"

Cheng's expression softened further, and he placed a reassuring hand on Zhan's shoulder. "Zhan, it's completely normal to feel this way. Every prince who's ever competed, including me, has felt exactly what you're feeling right now."

Zhan looked up at his brother, surprised. "You were nervous too?"

Cheng chuckled. "Of course! The night before my first competition, I was a wreck. I kept imagining every possible way I could mess up. But then I realized something important-it's not about being perfect. It's about giving it your all and showing everyone what you're capable of. The rest will take care of itself."

Zhan frowned slightly, still unconvinced. "But what if I fail?"

Cheng squeezed his shoulder, his voice firm but kind. "Then you learn from it and come back stronger. But knowing you, little brother, I'm sure you'll surprise everyone tomorrow, including yourself."

Zhan remained silent, mulling over his brother's words. They made sense, but the fear of failure still lingered, gnawing at his confidence.

Cheng studied Zhan's face for a moment, then grinned mischievously. "You know, there's something else that might help you calm those nerves."

Zhan looked at him curiously. "What's that?"

Cheng's grin widened, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Think about someone you want to impress-someone whose opinion matters to you more than anything."

Zhan blinked, not quite understanding at first, but then Cheng's meaning dawned on him, and his face turned bright red. "Cheng , please don't..."

"Oh, come on, Zhan," Cheng teased, nudging him playfully. "We both know who I'm talking about. Imagine General Yuan watching you out there tomorrow, cheering you on. That should give you all the motivation you need."

Zhan's blush deepened, and he tried to scowl, but the affection in Cheng's voice made it impossible to be truly angry. "You're impossible."

"And you're hopelessly in love with that general," Cheng teased again, his laughter warm and brotherly. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, Zhan. Yuan is a fine man, and if thinking about him gives you strength, then let it. There's no shame in drawing power from the people you care about."

Zhan bit his lip, unable to deny the truth in Cheng's words. He did admire General Yuan-perhaps more than he should-but it was that very admiration that pushed him to be better, to prove himself worthy, not just as a prince but as someone who could stand beside Yuan as an equal.

Cheng noticed the thoughtful look on Zhan's face and softened his tone. "Listen, Zhan. Tomorrow, when you step onto that field, don't think about the crowd, don't think about failure. Just focus on what you've learned, on your training, and on the people who believe in you-like me, like Father, and yes, even General Yuan. You're stronger than you think."

Zhan felt a wave of warmth and gratitude toward his brother. Cheng's confidence in him was contagious, easing the anxiety that had been clawing at him all night.

"Thank you, Cheng," Zhan said quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'll do my best."

Chenh smiled and pulled Zhan into a tight, reassuring hug. "That's all anyone can ask for. Now, try to get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day."

Zhan nodded, feeling lighter as he pulled away from the embrace. He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Cheng called after him.

"Oh, and Zhan?"

Zhan turned back, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Cheng smirked, the teasing glint returning to his eyes. "If you win tomorrow, I'll make sure General Yuan knows exactly who you were thinking about during the competition."

Zhan's eyes widened in horror, and he quickly shook his head. "Don't you dare!"

Cheng laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet garden. "Goodnight, Zhan. Sleep well."

Zhan shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips despite his brother's teasing. As he made his way back to his chambers, the fear and anxiety that had kept him awake seemed distant now. Harun's words, both serious and playful, had given him the confidence he needed.

Climbing back into bed, Zhan closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting to the competition, to the faces of his family in the crowd, and finally, to the image of General Yuan. He imagined the general watching him with pride, and the thought brought a smile to his face.

For the first time that night, Zhan felt at peace. Tomorrow would be a challenge, but he knew he could face it, with the strength of those he loved behind him.

And with that comforting thought, he drifted into a deep, restful sleep, ready to prove himself when the morning came.