A Somewhat Peaceful Slumber

The cadence of her soft snoring awoke the prince. Her frail body laying against his and her slender arms latching around his muscular chest. The short black hair that she had was covering her face, making her look innocent. He couldn't believe that this girl was his bodyguard. She was strong, magnificent . . . . amazing . . . . He truly loved her.

"You look so cute Lan~" Ling breathed out, his voice hoarse from sleep.

Lan Fan turned a little in her sleep, snuggling up closer to him. He could feel her cool breath against his chest, his heart beat increasing at the feel of it. His eyes then shifted over towards the bedroom's window, revealing the dark blue sky with a subtle sliver lining. It looked too picturesque to be real. The xingese moon was truly a beautiful thing, making the prince smile no matter the situation. Ling's thoughts were suddenly disturbed by another hoarse voice speaking up to him.

"Young Lord? You should be sleeping. . . ." She said, looking up at the man, her eyes sleepily opening and closing.

He chuckled a little, bringing his lips down to trail against her forehead. "Eh? So should you Lan Fan~" Ling teased, placing his arm around her waist, bringing her closer. "And I told you; you don't need to call me Young Lord anymore."

The girl was flustered by his movements, unsure as to how she was to react. "Then Young Lo- I mean Prince . . . . What am to call you?" She asked wearily.

"Just Ling, no need to be formal Lan. You're not just my bodyguard. . . ." He lifted her head up gently, looking straight into her tired eyes. "You are my lover. . ." And with that he gently placed his lips on hers.

She didn't know what to do or what to say to the current situation. "Y-Young lord!" She quickly stuttered, pulling backwards from the kiss and falling off the bed with a thump.

"Lan. . . . ." He sighed, shifting over to the side of the bed to offer her a hand. "You don't have to be so shy!"

Lan Fan looked away from him and latched her hand on his, her cheeks turning crimson. "S-sorry. . . . I'm just not yet adjusted to our sudden relationship difference. . . ." She whispered softly, her voice cracking up from the tears forming in her eyes. "I'm such a failure as your bodyguard. . . . . And as your lover!"

Ling shook his head slowly, lifting her frail body up beside his. He stroked her cheek gingerly, wiping away her tears that trailed down her cheeks. "Lan Fan. . . . . Please do not think like this. You are not a failure. You've never been one. I love you too much and it pains me to see you like this. . ."

She simply shook her head, nuzzling her head into his bare chest. She sighed quietly before speaking. "It still hurts. . . When I lost my arm, Grandfather called me a failure. His words still remain in my head, taunting me. I'm scared incase you will get hurt because of my reckless mistakes." The girl sniffled a little, bringing her arm across her eyes to dry the tears.

He wrapped his arms tightly around her frail body, resting his head against hers. "Fu would be very proud of you. You were able to get a Philosopher's Stone, something which is very rare. Be proud Lan, as much as I'm as proud as you, okay?" Ling kissed her cheek, entwining their fingers together.

She blushed a little at him, nuzzling her head more into his chest. "Okay, thank you. . . L-Ling." Her voice was quieter than she intended, causing her face to be more crimson. Carefully removing her head from his chest, she lay back down on the bed, curling up into a ball.

The prince smiled a little at her, lying down beside her and keeping their fingers entwined. "Good Night, my princess." He spoke quietly, smiling gleefully as he closed his eyes.

The girl nodded wearily, smiling back at him as she spoke the last words between the pair. "Good Night to you too, my prince."