Surrendering To You

Chapter 11

The soft breeze rustled through the leaves of the ancient oak tree, its branches casting dappled shadows across the grass where Prince Cheng sat. The gardens of Yunmeng Kingdom were peaceful this time of day, with only the occasional chirp of birds interrupting the quiet. Cheng's eyes were unfocused as he held a delicate jade hairpin between his fingers, turning it over slowly, as though it held a thousand stories within its smooth, cool surface.

It was Qing's.

His thumb traced the intricate carvings along the pin, the craftsmanship so familiar, like the memory that had replayed in his mind countless times over the years. It had been a day just like this, bright and warm, when she had come to Yunmeng with her brother, Ning. Zhan, Qing was 15 then had run off with Ning, eager for some mischief, leaving Cheng to his books as usual. He had been content that way, alone with his thoughts in the shade of the same tree. Or so he thought.

"Cheng!" her voice had startled him. He'd looked up just in time to see Qing dash past him, her long hair streaming behind her as she headed toward one of the taller trees. "I bet I can climb this faster than you can get to your books!"

He had opened his mouth to protest, but Qing was already halfway up the tree, laughing, her small hands and feet finding quick purchase on the rough bark. Cheng remembered the way his heart had leapt in his chest, torn between exasperation and admiration. She had always been like that - bold, free-spirited, and utterly unlike anyone else.

Just as he was about to call out to her, telling her to come down, her foot slipped. The gasp that escaped her lips had chilled him to the bone, and before he could think, his body had moved. He had sprinted toward the tree, his arms outstretched just as Qing lost her grip. Time had seemed to slow in that instant, the moment suspended as her small body fell through the air.

He had caught her.

The force of the fall had nearly knocked him off balance, but Cheng had managed to stay upright, his arms wrapped protectively around her. Her breathless laugh as she looked up at him had almost made his heart stop.

"Gotcha!" Qing had grinned up at him, completely unbothered by her near fall.

In those few seconds, as she rested against him, he had felt something he couldn't quite name - a warmth that lingered long after she had gone. That same day, as she hurried away to join Zhan and Ning, she had dropped this very hairpin. He had picked it up, intending to return it, but something had stopped him. Instead, he had kept it. Days had turned into years, and the pin remained with him, hidden away, a small piece of Qing that he could hold onto.

Now, as he sat beneath the tree with the jade hairpin in his hand, those memories flooded back to him. He hadn't realized how much time had passed until a familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Cheng, what are you doing?" Zhan's voice was light, teasing, as always.

Cheng started, quickly hiding the hairpin in his palm, but it was too late. Zhan had already seen it.

"Wait... is that-?" Zhan's eyes lit up with a mischievous glint as he strolled over, his grin widening when he recognized the pin. "Is that Qing's hairpin?"

Cheng opened his mouth to deny it, but the words didn't come. Zhan knelt beside him, his laughter bubbling up as he shook his head. "You've been holding onto that thing for years!"

Cheng shifted, trying to look unbothered. "It's just a keepsake."

"Just a keepsake, huh?" Zhan smirked, his teasing in full swing. "So that's why you've been staring at it like it's some kind of royal treasure for the past hour?"

Cheng's cheeks reddened slightly, a rare sight for the usually composed and quiet prince. Zhan's grin only grew wider, clearly enjoying his brother's discomfort.

"Does she know you've been carrying around a piece of her all this time?" Zhan asked, his tone playful as he nudged Cheng with his elbow.

Cheng glanced away, the faint blush still lingering on his cheeks. "It's just a memory,Zhan. Nothing more," Cheng replied, trying to maintain his calm demeanor. But even as he said the words, the weight of the hairpin in his hand seemed to say otherwise.

Zhan leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "A memory you've kept for "years" It's not like you to hold on to something like this, brother."

Cheng looked down at the jade pin, silent for a moment. His fingers traced its edges, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He didn't want to admit how much it meant to him - how much "she" meant to him - but the truth was there, unspoken yet undeniable.

Zhan's teasing softened when he saw the distant look in his brother's eyes. His tone became gentler, though still laced with amusement. "Well, you might get the chance to give it back tomorrow."

Cheng blinked, turning to look at Zhan with surprise. "What do you mean?"

Zhan crossed his arms, his smirk returning. "Qing and Ning are visiting tomorrow. They'll be here for a few days."

Cheng stiffened slightly at the news. Qing was coming? He hadn't seen her in so long. His mind raced back to the last time they had met - at the competition formal gathering at a banquet where they barely spoke more than a few polite words. And now, she would be here, in Yunmeng, tomorrow.

After the swordsmanship and archery competition, about three months later, word came that Qing and her brother Ning would be visiting Yunmeng Kingdom once again. They were set to stay for a few days, and as the preparations were being made, Zhan couldn't resist teasing his older brother.

"Cheng," Zhan said with a sly smile as he caught his brother sitting under the same oak tree, "Qing's coming tomorrow. Don't you think it's about time you confess to her?"

Cheng stiffened, glancing at his younger brother with a frown. "Zhan, this isn't a joke."

"Oh, it's not a joke. It's destiny," Zhan chuckled, plopping down beside him. "Come on, you've been holding onto that hairpin for years! How much longer are you going to wait?"

Cheng sighed, rubbing the jade pin between his fingers. "It's not that simple."

Zhan smirked, leaning in conspiratorially. "Sure it is. You get her alone, look deep into her eyes, and say, 'Qing, I've admired you since the day you almost broke your neck falling from a tree.'"

Cheng shot him a half-hearted glare, but the light blush remained on his face. "I don't need advice from you, Zhan."

Zhan stood up, brushing off his robes, clearly pleased with himself. "Of course you don't. But I'll be watching tomorrow, just in case." He winked

Cheng shot him a glare, but Zhan only laughed harder. "Come on, brother. Use this moment. You've been quiet about your feelings for too long. What's the worst that could happen?"

Cheng didn't respond, but Zhan's words echoed in his mind. Tomorrow, when Qing arrived, perhaps he really would finally tell her about his feelings. Zhan grinned devilishly. "You might want to work on what you're going to say."Zhan said with wink before leave Cheng's room.

I'm a different person
to different people.
A stromy sea
to some,
A Silent forest
to a few,
An unknown star
to many,
A radiant moon
to others
But who am I to you
a untold story

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