Budding Lotus — V

Li Xinyuan nodded, curious but cautious as he smiled slightly. "Thank you for this, Your Highness."

Liu Mingyun shook his head, an imperceptibly wry smile on his lips as he turned to the large double door. "No matter, Xinyuan. This Prince had made a promise. So, let This Prince take you inside, Xin'er." He whispered his name as though it was a clandestine word meant for only two of them. As though it was only for theA to know and no one else.

The thought sent something buzzing in Li Xinyuan's stomach. He couldn't quite give it a name but it was something.

With a shake of his head, the surgeon attempted to push away these miscellaneous thoughts and followed Liu Mingyun into the royal smithy, the desire to explore override his apprehension of the coming future.