The Dragon Prince's Warrior

Mandatory Distancing II

In the royal library, moments before Prince Yun and Siu had that embarrassing encounter...

"Look at this, brother," Jin said as he sat down, pointing at the thick, ancient book in front of him.

Yun approached Jin's side and leaned in to get a better view of the book's index; it contained a lot of content, but he pointed out something specific.

"The legend of the Fenghuang and the Dragon? But... this book doesn't have historical facts, brother," he glanced at Jin with irony and rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"I know, I know! I know it sounds ridiculous, like those fairy tales for children, but if only you read carefully..." Jin took Yun's chin and abruptly directed his face back towards the book.

"Enough, Jin!" Yun shrugged off his brother's forceful grasp. "Fine, fine, I'll read."

Yun delicately took the thick document, as the book's spine and pages were ridiculously fragile due to its age.

"Long ago, before time could be measured, the Chinese people were divided in two beliefs: one part of the population paid respects to the colorful-feathered red Fenghuang, while the other sought the protection of the red Dragon with platinum hair..."

Yun furrowed his brow and started pacing around the library perimeter, still engrossed in reading. Jin stood there with crossed arms, observing his brother's anxious behavior.

"One day, a Dragon, curious to explore the surroundings of China, was amazed by the magical beauty of a Fenghuang roaming around some remote mountains. Guided by instincts, he approached her and with his dance, captured her attention.

Timidly, the Fenghuang gradually approached and joined the dance through the air, which within seconds turned into something more; both merged into one and knew they desired to unite forever.

After that union, those two creatures brought peace and prosperity to the people of China, who united under one belief, and both became guardians of the emperor and empress for years, until one day..."

Yun looked up at his brother with some bewilderment and approached him.

"So... you're telling me, wherever there are dragons, there are Fenghuangs?" Yun inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"I've started to infer that, brother, but there's more... Don't stop reading," Jin replied, fidgeting with his hands due to his excitement.

"Jin, I've always considered myself somewhat skeptical, and after what Siu and I experienced since we arrived at that mountain, I started to believe in the existence of dragons. But the Fenghuang... It didn't really manifest in any way, although I think the dragons didn't want me to invoke it."

The middle prince rolled his eyes as he propped his feet up on the reading table. Yun couldn't overlook Jin's rude attitude, one that Jin had been displaying for years since their father entrusted him with matters of the people.

"Hey, those manners," he scolded with a furrowed brow.

"Please, it's fine, Yun, do you want to keep reading?! It's not finished yet," Jin responded, downplaying the matter.

"Well, alright, but you know how the rules are here. I'm just reminding you so that you don't have problems later," Yun grumbled. As he lowered his gaze to the book, his father entered, slamming the door, causing Yun to startle and hide the book behind him as if it were a forbidden document.

At once, Jin immediately lowered his feet from where they were propped on the library table. As he did, the force of gravity took effect from his abrupt movement, sending him crashing to the floor. Heng looked on with disappointment at his son's behavior and shook his head.

Yun's lips subtly stretched sideways after witnessing that embarrassing scene. He promptly intervened to prevent his father from launching into another of his sermons.

"Father, do you have everything ready for your speech?" Yun interrupted, stepping forward to capture his father's full attention.

"I came from witnessing something annoying outside, and then I come in here to find something just as bad or worse," Heng retorted through gritted teeth while crumpling the parchment he held in his right hand.

"What happened?" the middle of the brothers inquired, swiftly getting up and straightening his black attire.

"Leave us, Jin," ordered Heng.

Jin slightly opened his mouth, turned to look at his brother.

"Brother, I'll wait for you outside." Frowning with uncertainty, he left the room, unsure of his destination.

Emperor Heng turned to his younger son, disappointment reflecting in his eyes. This caused Yun to feel a void in his stomach, as always when his father disapproved of him.

"That... commoner you brought here has done nothing but wreak havoc in the garden that An loved so much," Heng remarked under his breath. "I can't stand her presence any longer."

"Her name is Wu Siu..." the prince stated firmly, then softened his tone a bit. "What exactly has she done? Did you scold her?" Yun asked, a hint of distress in his voice, yet firm enough not to show how affected he was.

"Let's just say... I told her what was appropriate, nothing more," he said as he moved towards the window, read his speech, and changed the subject. "You and Jin will accompany me to the speech. You know I always expect your presence. And as we are still in mourning, you must dress in your black attire. I ask that you go and change right away, Yun."

"Father, but... Have you told her to leave or something similar?" Yun dared to question, then swallowed hard.

"Son, I believe I've told you enough about that matter. That girl doesn't belong here, so maybe by now she will have decided to leave this palace, and I support her returning to where she came from."

"You should have told her to stay a little longer. I need to talk to her, Father," Yun protested. "Did I tell you she lost her family? Moreover... She was there when those malicious dragons attacked me and tried relentlessly to hinder me from invoking the Fenghuang."

"We'll discuss that later, son. The speech comes before anything else. It's crucial that I speak with the people," Heng said decisively as he headed to the door. "I'll wait for you in the stables because we'll depart from there escorted to the central kiosk. Everything is being prepared. Now, I'm going to talk to Jin."

"As you wish, Father," Yun sighed in frustration and bowed to his father, unable to refute anything he had said.

As soon as his father abruptly slammed the door, Yun lifted the ancient book of legendary beings and gave it a final glance at its worn spine.

"I'll have to continue reading later without any interruptions, that is... at night."

The younger prince pressed the book against his chest and left to find his brother, but Jin was nowhere around. Perhaps he had already left with their father. Shrugging, Yun decided to head to his room.

He walked a long way and upon arrival, he locked himself in to hide the book under his pillow; nobody should know what he had in his chamber. His gaze turned to the splendid red armor shining alongside the sheathed sword, undoubtedly a gift from the gods or... From the Fenghuang?

Once he snapped out of it, he hurriedly changed out of the convalescent attire as quickly as possible. He searched his wardrobe and donned that luxurious black outfit, with golden and silver embroidery, one he had hardly ever worn, especially not for the mourning of his beloved mother.

His mind swiftly returned to the young woman he couldn't get out of his thoughts, the one who inadvertently quickened his heartbeats. The warm feeling she evoked filled him from head to toe.

Something told him he might still see her and prevent her from leaving without saying goodbye. He didn't intend to force her to stay, but... perhaps he could try to convince her. It was evident that he wanted her by his side for much longer than a couple of days, much less just a moment. He felt a pang in his chest at the mere thought of not seeing her again.

As quickly and skillfully as his hands allowed, he brushed his sleek, somewhat lackluster black hair. He gathered his long locks halfway and tied them with one of his special ribbons to secure his elegant hairstyle. He disliked being assisted by servants when changing, unlike Shun; Yun preferred to do it himself.

Yun exited suitably dressed and didn't look at anything or anyone in his path, except to inquire with the servants about Miss Wu Siu. Finally, he found the group of servants who escorted the girl and they directed him.

"Your Highness... We escorted her to one of the guest rooms, but the emperor told us..."

"Don't tell me such things and don't deny me her whereabouts; I need to speak with her no matter what," Yun demanded, furrowing his brow, a look that intimidated the servants, who looked up at him.

"It's just that... the emperor gave the order, Your Highness. We're sorry, we don't want to go against it, but please understand," said the leader with a bow.

"Alright, you can leave," Yun sighed and gestured for them to go.

"I will have to find her myself before going to the stables, and I don't care if my father leaves me to go give his speech alone," Yun thought to himself.

Yun felt odd contradicting his father, as that was Jin's job, but at that moment, his desire to speak with Siu outweighed everything else.

A small voice snapped Yun out of his thoughts, and he saw one of the taller servants bowing after saying his name. She was one of the servants.

"I didn't hear you. Did you say something to me?" Yun inquired.

The girl nervously played with her hands and avoided eye contact.

"Your Highness... I'll tell you where Miss is, but please, I beg you not to report me to the emperor," she said with fear evident in each syllable.

"It's a prince's promise," he murmured with a half-smile, which calmed the tall, uniformed girl.

"Follow me, Your Highness, this way," the servant whispered, hastening her steps as if it were a matter of life or death. Yun had no trouble following her but preferred to keep his distance so that no one would suspect.