Prince Ling's Chambers

"Your Highness?"

"Your Highness, it's me Kang Seojun. Are you in there?"

A muffled voice called from the other side of the chamber doors.

The night draped the palace in eerie silence, its darkness swallowing the corridors whole. Servants never roamed these parts after dusk, and yet, here was someone knocking at this ungodly hour, none other than the Crown Prince's most trusted secretary.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A'Xian froze. His heart pounded so loudly in his chest, he feared it might burst through his ribs.

The sheer humiliation of the situation made his blood run cold.

Because here he was, cornered in his own chambers, bound and half-naked, with the very man responsible for his predicament grinning at him like a beast savoring its prey.

"Your Highness?"

Ji Haoyu, on the other hand, seemed delighted. To him, this was nothing short of entertainment, a fine game in which he held absolute control.

Knock. Knock.

"You should answer," Ji Haoyu whispered, mocking him with his tone. "Lest he barges in and finds this dear prince in such a… vulnerable state."

His fingers trailed lower, tracing the sensitive curve of A'Xian's inner thigh.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Go on, A'Xian," he whispered again, his lips brushing against A'Xian's ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

"…If you are in danger, I will force entry," the secretary called again.

Ji Haoyu tilted his head, delighted. "Oh? How interesting.."

BANG!

The doors slammed open.

The secretary made his way in swiftly, his sword half-drawn, eyes sharp as he ran forward only to stumble at the sight before him.

Ji Haoyu was seated lazily on the couch, a teacup in hand, one leg elegantly crossed over the other. His golden eyes wide with feigned surprise.

The room was perfectly still.

How-- did he not hear me earlier?

His duty was far from over. Despite seeing no immediate danger, his instincts remained on edge. The crown prince had not been in his quarters, nor in his study and upon receiving word that he had visited the hostage's chambers at this hour his concern had only doubled.

It was the Cold Pavillion and the chambers of hostage, how could he not worry?

Ji Haoyu raised a brow.

"…You broke in because?"

The secretary's expression tightened. "Your Highness, when you did not respond, I feared something had happened."

Ji Haoyu hummed, swirling his tea lazily. "Mm. How thoughtful of you."

The secretary was however far from being reassured. He saw no immediate threat. His sharp eyes swept over the chamber once more, but then he caught something.

A shadowy silhouette behind the sheer curtain.

His posture stiffened. "…Your Highness, pardon me but..who is that?"

Ji Haoyu, ever composed, turned to look at the way his secretary was pointing. His movement calm and unguarded. His smirk widened.

"Prince Ling was feeling unwell." He said smoothly, "Naturally, I decided to check on him personally."

What a lame excuse to invite his highness to his chambers at night..

The secretary's unease deepened.

"Then I shall summon servants to attend to him. There is no need for you to trouble yourself."

Ji Haoyu set his tea cup down with a soft clink.

"Trouble?" Ji Haoyu repeated, "Is he not a prince of Qinghe? Do you mean to suggest that I should treat a royal blood so lightly?"

Ji Haoyu's golden eyes glinted, commanding and stern.

The secretary clenched his jaw and immediately bowed his head. He dared not challenge the weight of royal hierarchy.

However, his gaze lingered on the shadow behind the curtain, hostility in his expression.

Meanwhile, A'Xian behind the curtain, set a whole different mood for the night.

He sat stiffly behind the curtain, his whole body burning under the unholy gaze of Ji Haoyu, humiliated beyond words.

The silk ribbon binding his wrists was far too tight, making his hands look pale. His robe was barely hanging on, the luxurious fabric slipping off his shoulders, pooling around his arms. His chest was fully exposed, his thighs bare, his posture entirely vulnerable.

This bastard…

His entire body burnt with humiliation.

His eyes flashed with fury as he glared daggers at Ji Haoyu behind the sheer fabric.

Across from him, Ji Haoyu sat comfortably on the edge of the couch, fully clothed, completely at ease—the very image of a bastard who enjoyed toying with his prey.

Shameless dog.

He cursed him a thousand times in his head.

Ji Haoyu, as if hearing the insult, grinned.

"A royal convoy has arrived from Qinghe," the secretary began reporting, "They bring news that His Majesty, the Emperor of Qinghe, along with the Crown Prince, will be visiting Yonglan personally."

Ji Haoyu's interest immediately sharpened.

"Oh?" he mused. "And why the sudden visit?"

"They wish to personally congratulate His Majesty of Yonglan. And while they are here… they wish to visit Prince Ling."

Ji Haoyu slowly turned his head toward the curtain.

"They wish to see Prince Ling." Ji Haoyu smirk.

"Well, well…" he murmured, eyes gleaming. "What a touching family reunion this will be."

Touching- what? Who the hell even—

"Prince Ling, aren't you excited?"

".... "

He was half-naked, bound, and utterly furious. He was certainly NOT excited.

The secretary's frown deepened. He knew something was wrong, but he didn't dare question it outright.

Ji Haoyu, enjoying this far too much, chuckled.

"Oh? It seems your health is even worse than I thought."

His golden eyes gleamed with amusement, taunting A'Xian with each blink.

At this point, A'Xian boiling with rage, swore vengeance.

"…If that is all, you may leave," Ji Haoyu dismissed his secretary.

He hesitated for a brief moment before bowing. "Yes, Your Highness."

With a final glance toward the curtain, he turned and left, closing the doors behind him.

Silence fell. The tension in the room was almost unbearable.

Ji Haoyu smirked. His golden eyes smirked with wicked amusement as he turned his gaze back to A'Xian. Slowly, he tilted his head, mocking.

A'Xian's eye twitched.

Ji Haoyu raised a brow, then wrinkled his nose playfully.

Then he made another face. Then another.

A'Xian gritted his teeth, his hands clenching into fists to throw a punch on him.

Ji Haoyu knew he couldn't retaliate. And he was enjoying every second of it.

"You—"

A'Xian barely got a word out before Ji Haoyu was in front of him.

The distance between them had vanished once again. Ji Haoyu still playful, leaned forward, fingers grazing the silk ribbon binding A'Xian's wrists.

"You seem uncomfortable," he murmured.

His fingers traced lower, running along A'Xian's exposed skin, brushing against his collarbone, down his chest, teasing at the sensitive skin below his navel.

A'Xian shuddered, hating himself for the reaction.

He retaliated with clenched teeth, "Try that again, and I'll bite your fingers off."

Ji Haoyu's yes darkened.

"Is that a promise?"