Surrendering To You

Chapter 8

It was a quiet night in Yunmeng Kingdom, the stars twinkling brightly in the clear sky. Prince Zhan had been tossing and turning in bed for hours, unable to sleep after several long days of competition. His thoughts raced, replaying moments of the swordsmanship contest, and the thrill of victory still buzzed in his veins. Frustrated with his sleeplessness, Zhan sat up and glanced out the window. The royal garden, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, called to him. The cool breeze and fresh-cut grass seemed like the perfect antidote to his restless mind.

Without much thought, Zhan decided to sneak out. He knew the palace guards were posted at their usual stations, but Zhan had become quite skilled at slipping through the halls unnoticed. With careful steps, he tiptoed through the corridors, feeling an unexpected rush of excitement, as though he were some kind of thief trying to steal a moment of peace. He made his way through the grand hallway, the moonlight casting faint shadows on the marble floors. No one was around, and it seemed like the perfect escape.

As Zhan hurried forward, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the garden, he suddenly collided with something solid. The impact caught him off guard, and he stumbled back, rubbing his forehead.

"Ouch!" Zhan muttered, squinting in the dim light. "Who puts a pillar in the middle of the hallway?"

To his surprise, the "pillar" spoke.

"A pillar, is it?" came the deep, familiar voice of General Yuan. "I didn’t realize I had been demoted to a structural support."

Zhan froze, eyes widening as he looked up. Standing before him was General Yuan, arms crossed and eyebrows raised in amusement. Zhan's heart skipped a beat, caught red-handed in his midnight sneaking.

"General Yuan!" Zhan stammered, taking a step back. "I—I didn’t see you there!"

Yuan chuckled softly, though his eyes held a stern glint. "Clearly. If you had, perhaps you wouldn’t have tried to walk straight through me."

Zhan fidgeted, feeling both embarrassed and guilty under Yuan's gaze. "I, uh… I couldn’t sleep. I just wanted some fresh air. In the garden."

"You could have simply told me that," Yuan replied, shaking his head. "Instead of sneaking around the palace like some kind of mischievous cat."

Zhan looked sheepish. "I didn’t want to bother anyone. And besides, I thought I could slip out without anyone noticing."

Yuan sighed, his tone softening. "The palace isn’t exactly the safest place to sneak around at night, especially with you being the prince. If something were to happen…" He paused, then gave Zhan a gentle, but pointed look. "Next time, just ask. I’ll go with you."

Zhan's face flushed slightly at the concern in Yuan’s voice. "Alright, I promise."

Yuan nodded, then gestured toward the garden. "Come on, since we’re both awake now. I’ll accompany you. But no more sneaking."

Together, they walked into the garden. The cool breeze brushed against Zhan’s face, and the smell of the freshly cut grass was soothing. Zhan felt the tension leave his body as he looked up at the stars, the sky above them clear and vast, speckled with countless shimmering lights. He breathed deeply, savoring the peace.

"This is much better," Zhan murmured, smiling to himself.

Yuan glanced at him. "You seem happier now."

"I am," Zhan admitted. "It’s just… everything feels lighter out here. After the competition, it’s nice to just be… here."

They strolled through the garden, talking quietly about the competition and the stars above them. After a while, Yuan reached into his sleeve and pulled out something small, wrapped carefully in cloth.

"I was going to give this to you earlier," Yuan said, holding it out to Zhan. "But I suppose now is as good a time as any."

Curious, Zhan carefully unwrapped the cloth, revealing a beautifully crafted hairpin made of smooth stone, intricately carved with delicate patterns. Zhan’s eyes widened in surprise and awe. He knew at once that Yuan had made it himself, as the general was known for his skill in crafting beautiful jewelry from stone.

"General Yuan… you made this?" Zhan asked, his voice filled with wonder.

Yuan nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "It’s my gift to you for winning the competition. I’m proud of you."

Zhan felt a warmth spread through his chest as he looked down at the hairpin. "If I hadn't won..

"I would still give you this," Yuan replied confidently.

Zhan’s heart swelled at those words. He stood silently for a moment, admiring the hairpin in his hand. Then, almost shyly, he looked up at Yuan.

"Can you help me wear it?"

Yuan’s smile softened, and he nodded. "Of course."

With careful hands, Yuan fixed the hairpin into Zhan’s hair, the moment feeling both intimate and comforting. Zhan felt the cool stone against his scalp, a reminder of Yuan’s quiet but unwavering support. As Yuan stepped back, Zhan smiled up at him, feeling happier than he had in days.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, Cheng had been watching from a distance. His brother’s quiet affection for Yuan hadn’t gone unnoticed, and seeing the tender moment unfold only confirmed his suspicions. A silent laugh escaped Cheng as he shook his head, amused by how hopelessly in love his brother was. He turned and slipped away, deciding to leave the two alone for now.