The eldest princess stepped into the bathtub filled with warm, fragrant water. A Li, had prepared everything with great care. As the water touched her, she shivered slightly.
The sensations of the wild night before still lingered on her skin. Just thinking about it made her entire body go numb. She closed her eyes, trying to push the memories away.
A Li noticed the frown forming on her mistress's face. She quietly lit a stick of sandalwood incense, letting the calming scent fill the air. Feng Yao leaned back, her bare shoulders just above the waterline, her breath slow and heavy. She was drained, emotionally and physically. this bath was the only moment of silence she had before facing whatever came next.
From behind the silk curtain, Qiu Yue's voice came softly. "Your Highness, the little duke has departed. along with about ten people from the Bai Clan."
Feng Yao didn't open her eyes. "Okay," she replied faintly. After a brief pause, she added, "Strengthen the security around the courtyard. I don't want to see anyone today."
"Yes, Your Highness." Her footsteps faded into the distance.
A Li helped Feng Yao put on her robes, gently fastening each layer with care. The princess remained quiet, her gaze drifting toward the bed. A Li had already changed the sheets, removing all traces of last night.
Feng Yao walked over to the chaise lounge. She picked up a book and sat down, pretending to read, though her mind was far from the words.
Outside the quiet chamber, noise suddenly broke. The sharp tone of an argument echoed from the courtyard. Qiu Yue's voice could be heard clearly "Lord Bai, our princess has ordered not to meet anyone today."
Bai Fei scoffed loudly. "I want to see Her Highness. Who dares to stop me?" he barked with arrogance. and stepped forward. Before he could get far, two shadow guards moved in swiftly to block his path.
A fight broke out instantly. One of the guards raised his arm to block a sudden strike from Bai Fei, while the other moved behind him. Blades weren't drawn, but fists and force clashed in the middle of the courtyard. Inside, Feng Yao slowly turned a page in her book.
A Li's face turned pale as the sounds of fighting grew louder outside the door. She stepped closer to Feng Yao, her voice low but urgent. "Your Highness…" she whispered. This isn't the Princess's mansion, where the shadow guards were in control. This is the enemy's territory. If this struggle continues, they were the ones who will suffer. Her hands trembled slightly.
Her fear came true just moments later. Bai Fei had used poison needles to disable the shadow guards one by one. He strode forward and pushed open the door to Feng Yao's chamber. A Li, who had rushed to the entrance, stood in his path with wide, furious eyes. "Presumptuous! How dare you!" she shouted, arms outstretched to block him. "Her Highness clearly said she doesn't want to see anyone!"
Bai Fei quickly dropped to one knee with a forced look of respect. "Greet Your Highness," he said, bowing his head deeply. Behind A Li, Feng Yao remained seated, her book still open in her lap, her eyes slowly lifting to meet the man who dared disturb her peace.
Qiu Yue and the remaining shadow guards burst into the room. Their faces showed strain as their muscles refused to respond properly. The poison in the needles had already begun to take effect, weakening their strength. Bai Fei glanced at them with a smug expression.
Feng Yao reclined on chaise lounge. A slim book rested in her hand, her eyes skimming the page with half-hearted interest.
Only after a long pause did she lower the book and examine her polished fingernails. "Bai Fei, what do you want?" she asked, her tone cold and uninterested.
Bai Fei stood up without waiting for permission and stepped forward. He was searching for any sign of fear or weakness—but found none. The Eldest Princess's expression remained calm and arrogant, the pride of someone who had survived countless storms and never bowed to anyone.
"I want the military token of the Falcon Army," he said clearly.
Feng Yao lifted her gaze, eyes locking onto his with quiet disdain. She closed the book in her hand and placed it on the low table beside her. "In your dream!"
"Your Highness, I've admired you for a long time. If we joined forces, we could rule the world together. We want the same thing: power, control, legacy. So why waste time fighting each other?"
Feng Yao let out a low snort. "Remember your place. If you want to rebel, then use your own strength. Don't expect me to hand over power." A faint smirk tugged at her lips—part mockery, part warning.
His polite smile vanished. "Your Highness don't have the right to refuse," he said through clenched teeth. "You're my prisoner now. I can do whatever I want. We will marry in three days. Whether you agree or not."
He took another step closer and reached out to grab her hand. But Feng Yao recoiled instantly, jerking her arm back as if his touch were something vile. She shifted slightly, turning her upper body away from him in clear disgust.
His pride cracked beneath that silent rejection. The princess's single glance humiliated him more than any insult could.
A'Li reached for the fruit knife on the table, her fingers tightening around the hilt, ready to act the moment He stepped out of line.
Bai Fei's fury exploded first. With a shout, he unsheathed his sword and drove it into the chest of one of the shadow guards who had stepped forward to protect the Eldest Princess. The young girl collapsed instantly, blood pooling across the floor. He wanted to shatter her pride, strip away her arrogance.
Qiu Yue's face went pale as she watched her comrade fall lifeless to the ground. She burned with the urge to charge forward and end the traitor with her own blade.
Feng Yao rose gracefully from her seat, glanced down at the lifeless guard sprawled at her feet.
She raised a delicate brow. "A'Li, clean up this mess," brushing invisible dust from her sleeve. "I don't like the smell of blood in the morning."
"Yes, Your Highness," A'Li responded calmly, stepping forward as if this kind of order was nothing new. Everyone who had followed the Eldest Princess over the years knew exactly what kind of person she was. Maybe only Lang Huan had the magic to melt the ice that surrounded her heart.
There wasn't a hint of sympathy in her voice for the guard who had just died protecting her. It was as if that life meant nothing to her. Bai Fei felt a chill crawl down his spine.
This woman… she was a monster. He wanted to cut her open, tear into her chest, and see for himself what her heart was made of.
Just yesterday, he had seen the way she looked at Lang Huan—with eyes full of warmth and affection. Could this really be the same woman? Bai Fei smiled bitterly to himself. The more Feng Yao rejected him, the more he craved her love.
Bai Fei stormed forward, reaching for her throat to force her into submission. Before he could even get close, the glint of steel flashed before his eyes.
Feng Yao had drawn a dagger from her waist. The blade pressed against his neck, dangerously close. "Keep your distance," she said coldly.
Everything fell silent, and even Bai Fei hesitated, realizing he had underestimated her once again.