No room for trust, but enough for shenanigans~

The air in the palace hall was tense.

The body of the murdered servant had been taken away, but the stain of blood still lingered in everyone's minds- well, everyone except Ji Haoyu, who sat at the head of the court like a particularly well-fed cat, watching mice scurry beneath him.

Across from him, General Ling maintained a mask of quiet outrage, while Ling Lian stood beside him, arms crossed, expression stern.

The chief investigator bowed low. "Your Highness, our findings suggest that the murderer was a palace servant of Yonglan."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the gathered officials.

Everyone present at the hall knew how disadvantageous could that prove to be for Yonglan. Especially when the peace treaty was recent, not long ago were the both kingdoms on bad terms and now they were here as guests when their servant was murdered.

Ji Haoyu did not call for A'Xian that day. Rather he was early, all the other officials arrived late at the court and there had not been a single exchange of word between the rulers of two kingdom.

A'Xian decided to attend the court meeting on his own accord. He had been standing somewhere among the other officials and spectators. Keeping a check on how Ji Haoyu reacted after each word of the investigating officer.

Ji Haoyu tapped his fingers against the lacquered wood of the table. "Explain."

The investigator straightened. "A witness claimed to have seen a servant from the Eastern Wing, the living quarters of lower-ranked palace attendants, fleeing the scene shortly after the attack. We apprehended him this morning. His robes were stained with blood, and he confessed to the crime."

A'Xian flinched. Ji Haoyu did the same.

A confession?

Too clean and too convenient.

A'Xian's brows furrowed slightly. It wasn't just suspicion, it was instinctual.

Ji Haoyu leaned back, exhaling through his nose. "How convenient."

General Ling scoffed. "Convenient or not, it is an insult to my people. I demand a public execution."

Ji Haoyu's golden eyes flickered toward A'Xian for the briefest moment.

Then he turned back to the investigator. "Keep the servant alive for now. I will question him myself."

General Ling's lips thinned, but he did not argue.

The meeting was nearing its end when A'Xian suddenly spoke.

"Where were you, brother Ling when the murder occurred?"

Silence fell.

Ling Lian's head snapped toward him, eyes flashing with rage and disbelief.

"What?"

A'Xian remained calm, his demeanor firm. "I did not see you leave your guest quarters."

His words echoed through the hall like a blade unsheathed.

Ji Haoyu raised a brow, intrigued.

Ling Lian's nostrils flared. He looked at A'Xian as if he had been struck.

The lead investigator hesitated before going through his records. "General Ling Lian has no recorded alibi during the time of the crime."

Ling Lian slammed his fist against the table, speaking as he gritted his teeth. "Are you seriously questioning me?"

His voice carried pure, unfiltered fury. But A'Xian didn't flinch.

"I am asking a question," he said coolly.

Ling Lian's hands clenched, "I went for a stroll."

Scoff "A stroll?"

"What of it?" Ling Lian snapped. "Do you believe I need to explain myself to you? You, of all people, should know better than to question your own blood."

The hall had gone silent since the political issue which could have lead to even war on a broader aspect, turned into a family dispute.

Ji Haoyu watched the exchange, looking far too entertained for someone presiding over a potential diplomatic disaster.

"It is fascinating, isn't it?" he finally spoke, his voice smooth.

A'Xian closed his eyes with a sigh, he bet a useless comment would be thrown at him in the crowded hall.

Ling Lian turned to him sharply. "What is?"

Ji Haoyu leaned forward slightly. "That the young master of Ling Manor does not seem to trust his own kin."

The room grew colder.

A'Xian could feel the weight of many eyes on him- his father's piercing gaze, his brother's fury, Ji Haoyu's unwanted… interest.

But he didn't regret it. Because something was wrong and he would not pretend otherwise.

--

Night fell over the palace.

A'Xian was on his way back to his quarters when a young eunuch approached him.

"Young Master Ling," The eunuch bowed. "His Highness requests your presence in his chambers."

A'Xian's hands trembled.

Again?

He cleared his throat. "Did he say why?"

The eunuch shook his head.

A'Xian planned to fake an illness or sudden death, whichever was more convincing but the eunuch kept staring at him.

"You are… supposed to follow me now."

A'Xian sighed. It looked like he had no other option.

"Lead the way."

As he followed, his mind raced.

Had he gone too far today? Would Ji Haoyu see him as a threat now? Or…

A part of him, the part he didn't want to acknowledge, knew it wasn't about threats at all.

Ji Haoyu was interested.

A'Xian wasn't sure whether that was better or worse.

They reached the crown prince's quarters. The eunuch bowed low and left him at the gate.

And somewhere inside his mind, he knew nothing could turn out better if he got involved with Ji Haoyu.

"Ah- Prince Ling.. "

The secretary almost bumped into him as he left the quarters hurriedly.

He took a step back, his eyes trying to avoid the person in front of him, wanting to leave as soon as possible but he couldn't bring himself to do so.

He bowed his head slightly, in a hesitated fashion. He didn't knew what had made him do so- if it was his inability to stop A'Xian from meeting the crown prince or the way A'Xian had questioned his own kin impartially in the morning.

He left immediately, without speaking anything more.

A'Xian, given respect out of blue, was kind of awkward. Things had been taking turns very quickly and he did not know what he should do anymore.

He gripped the gate handle of Ji Haoyu's quarters but hesitated to open it.

What more is there to discuss? About why I questioned them in the hall?

Just stop fooling yourself..

He sighed. He knew what awaited him inside these walls.

'He had no power to turn a crown prince down,' was that even a solid justification?

Option 1: Walk away. Pretend he never got the message. Escape responsibility.

Option 2: Open the door. Accept his fate. Suffer.

Option 3: Kick the door open dramatically, confuse Ji Haoyu, and establish dominance.

He exhaled tiredly.

One day, I'm going to choose Option 3.

Not today, though.

Bracing himself, he pushed the door open.

And stepped into his doom.