Into The Lion’s Den

Xiao Liu's muscles tensed as the guards yanked him roughly by his arms, dragging him across the courtyard toward the whipping post.

The guards' grip was iron, their hands cold as they wrenched his wrists against the post, binding them with fraying rope.

They were enjoying this.

As the first lash sliced through the air and tore into his back, pain exploded through him. He gritted his teeth, refusing to give his tormentors the satisfaction of hearing him scream.

Instead, he focused on the moon, as he had done that night and many more nights that came after. 

The lashings struck his back, mercilessly tearing open and digging into flesh. 

Each stroke of the whip was a reminder of his mission, a reminder of why he was here. 

The whip struck again, the crack of leather splitting skin and silence alike. Blood trickled down his back, warm against the chill of the evening air.

He had endured worse.

They unbound him at last, his shirt soaked with blood and sweat. When he stumbled, the stone bit into his knees.

The guards flung him into a damp, dark cell, the iron bars clanging shut behind him.

He stumbled, catching himself on the cold stone wall, before collapsing onto the straw-covered floor.

His breathing was ragged, each inhale tugging at the open wounds on his back.

As he lay there, he forced himself to turn his head towards the small window high on the cell wall. The moon was visible, a sliver of silver in the inky black sky.

 How much longer must I endure this? His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms. How long would he have to stay in this cell?

He had a lot to do.

He found his mind going to his prey as he sat up, to think they would come in close contact again today.

The fates were truly on his side. 

At this rate, it would only be a matter of minutes before he had the prince cornered and alone.

It was almost too easy. Worryingly so.

Minutes passed. Maybe hours. His ears picked up the faintest of sounds—footsteps, lighter than those of the guards, unhurried yet with purpose. 

The faint scent of sandalwood reached his nose. A tinge in his neck told him who had come.

Too easy.

Xiao Liu didn't move as the prince stepped into view.

Kai En was exactly as he had always been. An untouchable sun, pulling everything into his orbit. Now, that sun was shining on him.

why had the prince come to his cell?

The prince walked right in front of him. "What is your name?"

why did this feel like a set up? Was there something he was missing? Xiao Liu's thoughts were occupied. 

Kai En crouched slightly, one hand resting on his bent knee as he regarded Xiao Liu.

"Still upright?" Kai En mused, tilting his head. "Most beg by the fifth lash. You must think yourself strong."

Xiao Liu forced himself to look up, meeting those sharp Grey eyes. "Should I be?" he asked, voice rough from disuse.

Kai En smiled. Not kind, not cruel—just entertained. "No. I think I prefer you like this."

A gloved hand reached out, brushing against his chin, tilting it slightly as if inspecting something he'd just acquired.

Xiao Liu's muscles tensed for half a breath before he forced himself still.

 "You've caught my attention."

Xiao Liu's stomach curled, but he did not pull away.

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

Xiao Liu kept his expression neutral. He had spent months finding his way into this palace.

This was opportunity knocking.

"Tell me," the prince said, tilting his head. "Would you rather rot in this cell, or serve me?"

Xiao Liu blinked once. Slowly.

He thinks he's offering me mercy.

"My prince," he said, lowering his gaze just enough to appear respectful, but not so much that he looked broken. "I would be honored to serve you."

Kai En smiled again, this time with a quiet satisfaction. "Good."

Perfect. This was once again almost too perfect. 

"From now on," Kai En continued, "you belong to me."

Xiao Liu swallowed down a sharp laugh. That's what you think.

He bowed his head, letting his voice come out small, humbled. "Yes, Your Highness."

Kai En's lips quirked slightly, as if he saw through the act—but he didn't call him out on it. Instead, he stood and signaled to the guards. "Get him cleaned up. He'll start his duties tomorrow."

As they dragged Xiao Liu away, he let himself relax. He was still alive. More than that—he was exactly where he needed to be.

And soon, Kai En would be exactly where he wanted him.

******

Later, in the Healer's Quarters. Xiao Liu sat on the wooden stool, shirtless, as the palace healer worked, pressing a salve into his wounds with an expert touch.

The pain burned at first, but then dulled into something tolerable.

"You're lucky the lashes didn't go deeper," the healer muttered. "Still, you'll be sore for days."

Xiao Liu made no comment, too busy listening to the quiet murmurs of the servants beyond the partition. They spoke in hushed voices, but he caught pieces of conversation.

"…The prince actually took him in…"

"…What's so special about this one?"

"…Reckless, but I heard something about the prince. He likes things that amuse him…"

Xiao Liu stored every word away. They don't know why I was chosen either. That means Kai En acted on impulse.

Useful.

*****

The morning air smelled of orchids and incense as Xiao Liu was led through the courtyard. The pain had settled into something manageable. Every movement tugged at his wounds, but he pushed through.

The first thing he noticed was the size. A sprawling space, too grand for just one man. Servants moved like ghosts through the pathways, their eyes lowered, their hands quick.

How many guards? he wondered. How many entrances? He committed it all to memory.

When he was finally brought before Kai En, the prince was lounging under a pavilion, sipping from a porcelain cup. He barely spared Xiao Liu a glance.

Relaxed. At ease. Unconcerned.

This was the cold, ruthless general Xiao Liu had heard stories of? The man who had cut down his enemies without hesitation?

Xiao Liu's sharp gaze flickered over him, taking in every detail. Once again, Kai En was tall, but lean—not the towering, broad-shouldered brute one would expect of a war-hardened general.

He lacked the sheer bulk that most high-ranking alphas carried.

Had those been rumors? Or was Kai En simply underestimating him as a mere servant?

The prince finally set his cup down and looked at him properly. The moment their eyes met, something shivered down Xiao Liu's spine—a sharp tingle that settled at the nape of his neck.

Not again.

He swallowed it down, forcing his body to still. This wasn't real. Just a reaction. A side effect of standing too close to another dominant alpha.

That's all.

"That one." Kai En's voice was lazy, but decisive. "What's your name?"

Xiao Liu lowered his gaze. "This servant is called Xiao Liu, Your Highness."

Kai En hummed, considering him for a moment. "Do you know why you're here?"

Xiao Liu bowed low. "To serve you, Your Highness."

Kai En studied him for a long moment. Then, he murmured, "Clever. You say that like you actually mean it."

Xiao Liu held still. Did he see through him?He had played this game before—spoken honeyed words to men who thought themselves gods. But something about Kai En's gaze made his stomach twist.

Does he know?

Xiao Liu met his gaze to gauge him. Kai En's sharp amusement remained, but beneath it, something unreadable.

He's playing with me.

If the rumors of his cruelty were true, then this—this measured calm, this lazy amusement—was either a façade… or a test.

And yet, Xiao Liu couldn't ignore the contradiction before him.

Was it pure skill? Or was there something else about him that made even stronger men bow?

What do you want from me? Xiao Liu thought. And how long will it take for me to turn that against you?

"I expect obedience," Kai En continued. "Competence." He gestured vaguely. "You'll do whatever I ask."

Xiao Liu nodded. "Of course, Your Highness."

Kai En smiled. "What obedient servant holds his master's gaze?" 

Xiao Liu lowered his head this time, but only just.

The prince didn't seem like the type to beat a servant over insolence, but Xiao Liu had learned long ago not to trust the kindness of men in power.

Kai En leaned back slightly. "Your duties will be simple. You'll attend to me personally. That means waking me, dressing me, running errands, and whatever else I require." He gestured lazily. "Do you have any objections?"

"None, my prince."

Xiao Liu kept his head bowed, but inwardly, he was already making calculations. The prince's courtyard. The prince's routines. His blind spots.

I will find my opportunity. I will finish what I came here to do.

And yet, something about the way Kai En studied him—too shrewd, too knowing—made unease prickle at the back of his mind.

"Come," Kai En said, standing. "Let's see how well you listen."

Xiao Liu followed without hesitation, keeping his steps even despite the pain.

Things were falling into place.