Lian knew his place in the celestial hierarchy. He was a spirit of the lesser courts, a fairy, fragile and unimportant, his name barely recorded in the scrolls of the Heavens. The grand halls of the Celestial Realm glittered with immortals of noble blood, radiant gods and goddesses whose auras illuminated the jade palaces, each one carrying the pride of their fathers' lineages. And then there was him, a mere fairy whose father visited him once or twice a year, if at all.
Thousands of years he had lived, and yet he remained a shadow drifting through the immortal courts. Here, power was not just admired, it was survival. And he had none.
Yet his heart had betrayed him.
"Lian, you're a lowly fairy. Do you think he even notices your existence?" Rui's voice, sharp but tinged with worry, cut through his thoughts.
Lian closed his eyes, as though, shutting out his friend's words could soothe the ache burning in his chest. "I know I don't see him often, but the first time I laid eyes on him, three thousand years ago, my soul knew. I loved him then. I still do."
Rui sighed loudly, folding his arms. "You're hopeless. Do you not see? You cannot compete with the Goddess of Tides or the Goddess of Gales. They are beautiful, powerful, and backed by fathers who rule entire clans. And you?" Rui leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Who is your father, really? A drifting immortal who barely cares whether you breathe or vanish? And the one you pine for, General Yan, is no ordinary man. He is the emperor's most trusted sword, a warrior of unmatched renown. What do you have to offer him?"
The question sank into Lian's chest like a blade. He wanted to laugh it off, but instead he whispered, "I wish… I wish I had been born different. If I had the right power, the right blood, perhaps I would stand a chance at his side."
Rui scoffed. "Even if you had all of that, it would make no difference. Don't you know the stories? The Goddess of Gales has adored General Yan for centuries, but he never even turned his head toward her. And the Emperor himself wishes him to wed the Goddess of Tides. That command alone set the heavens ablaze with scandal. The two clans nearly tore each other apart. The Gale Goddess, consumed with jealousy, struck at her rival four thousand years ago. Her father, maddened by rage, raised his armies in vengeance. It was only the emperor's intervention that stilled the storm, but the Water Clan demanded punishment in return."
Lian tilted his head. He knew this story by heart, and yet he listened, his throat tightening as Rui continued.
"They punished her," Rui said grimly. "Cast her into the Pavilion of loneliness for three thousand years. She emerged a thousand years ago, and no one has laid eyes on her since. No one knows what she plots. But I know this: if you get entangled in these struggles, you will not survive. These goddesses are merciless. And Lord Feng, father of the Goddess of Gales, he would snuff you out with a flick of his sleeve if he learned of your foolish heart. If the Emperor commands it, your ashes will scatter in the wind before you could even cry out."
Lian's brows furrowed. "But if General Yan was betrothed to the Goddess of Tides four thousand years ago…, why have they not wed?"
Rui hesitated. "I don't know. But I can find out." His lips quivered with mischief. "General Yan's household servants might carry whispers. His steward, Min, has a loose tongue."
Lian raised a brow. "You mean to say you want to speak with Min because you like his sister."
Rui flushed but rolled his eyes. "Ridiculous. I only wish to collect information for you."
Lian chuckled softly, his sorrow easing for the briefest moment. "Oh, Rui. You cannot fool me. You sigh her name in your sleep." He smirked before murmuring, almost to himself, "Perhaps General Yan does not love women at all. Perhaps I… might still have a chance."
Rui let out a strangled laugh. "You think too boldly, my friend. The emperor would never allow it. And even if he looked upon you, Lord Feng would demand your head before the sun rose."
Lian pressed a hand to his heart with mock drama. "Sometimes, Rui, I truly question whether you are my friend. You sound more like the antagonist in my life story."
Rui barked out a laugh, but his amusement dimmed when his gaze darted past Lian's shoulder. "Quiet. Someone comes." He straightened his silver robes hurriedly, running a hand through his dark hair.
Lian turned, and his lips curved. Approaching with his calm, steady stride was Min, the steward. His expression was polite as ever, but there was warmth in his eyes.
"Good afternoon, Spirit Lian," Min greeted with a respectful bow.
Lian rolled his eyes. "Min, I have told you a thousand times, just call me Lian. The word 'spirit' makes me sound like mist on a pond."
Min smiled but said nothing more.
Beside him, Rui stiffened, hands twitching nervously at his sides. His entire posture screamed of a man trying and failing to appear calm.
Lian, wicked as ever, could not resist. "That reminds me," he said loudly, "you know my dearest friend Rui, don't you? He is utterly in love with your sister. Dreams of her nightly, weep to me endlessly about her beauty. Surely there is something you can do to help him."
Rui froze, his jaw dropping. "Lian! You treacherous fox!"
Min raised a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Is that so?"
Lian smirked as Rui glared daggers at him. But his triumph was short-lived. Rui's expression shifted suddenly, mischief sparking in his gaze.
"Well," Rui said slyly, "since you're so eager to reveal my secrets, perhaps I should reveal yours as well."
Lian's blood ran cold. His heart pounded. "Rui, don't." He seized his friend's sleeve in desperation. "I'll do anything you want… for the next thousand years!"
Rui grinned like a cat with a trapped mouse. He looked directly at Min and declared, "Lian is in love with General Yan."
The world went still.
The words struck like thunder, their echo slamming into Lian's chest. His knees buckled as if the weight of heaven itself had fallen upon him. He collapsed onto the cold stone pavement, pain lancing through his body. His vision blurred, his pride shattering.
"Lian!" Min's voice was suddenly close, soft with concern. He knelt and slipped an arm beneath Lian's shoulders, steadying him gently. "Are you hurt?"
Tears burned the corners of Lian's eyes before he could stop them. He forced a trembling smile. "I… I am fine."
But he wasn't. For Min had heard the truth. And now the most dangerous secret of his immortal life had slipped into the open.