Deborah_Leo

In the grand empire of Skiiri, a marriage is arranged between the noble Prince Xìn Xuān and the elegant Princess Lù Zhāo—a union meant to strengthen alliances, not hearts. Among her guards is a silent, sharp-eyed knight named Shèng Lín, whose loyalty masks a deadly secret: he is a spy sent to assassinate the prince.

But fate has other plans.

On the final night of their journey through the mountains, beneath pouring rain and hidden desires, the prince and the spy share an unexpected kiss. When dawn comes, they wake up not with regret… but in each other’s bodies.

Forced to switch lives, the proud prince must live as a lowly knight, and the cold spy must pretend to be royalty. They must fool their kingdoms, survive political traps, and navigate the palace’s endless gaze—all while untangling the growing feelings that neither can deny.

Yet when the prince discovers the truth—that the man he’s falling for was once sent to kill him—the fragile trust between them shatters.

Will love survive betrayal?
Or will duty and destiny tear them apart for good

(bl) Swapped lover

It had been eight days since the soul swap.

And the desperation to return to normal was growing.

Inside a secluded chamber of the eastern wing—far from prying eyes—Prince Xìn Xuān and Shèng Lín stood by the window, facing each other beneath the pale moonlight.

"This is exactly like that night," the prince muttered, rolling up his sleeves. "The moon's out. We're alone. The air even smells the same."

Shèng Lín didn't look as convinced. "You were drunk last time."

"…I'd rather not recreate that part."

Xìn Xuān stepped closer, eyes narrowed in serious thought. "What if the rain and the kiss both mattered? Maybe it's about timing. Maybe it's about how we felt in the moment."

Shèng Lín sighed. "So now we have to kiss with proper feelings?"

The prince raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you don't feel anything?"

Shèng Lín opened his mouth, then closed it.

Then, without another word, Shèng Lín leaned in first this time.

It was slower than before—less clumsy. The kiss wasn't urgent. It was careful. Testing. Searching for the answer neither of them could name.

"…Nothing," the prince said quietly, disappointed.

Shèng Lín pulled back, exhaling. "Maybe it's not about the kiss."

"Or maybe we're not being honest enough," Xìn Xuān murmured, eyes lingering on him. "Maybe something's still missing."

They stared at each other in the moonlight, neither able to speak what sat on their tongues.

Elsewhere in the palace, Princess Lù Zhāo walked through the royal garden under the stars—her silk slippers brushing against the stone path.

Beside her walked Shèng Měi, the knight's younger sister, carrying a tray of snacks and wine. She'd been invited by the princess for a casual evening stroll, but her nervous glances gave her away.

"You don't need to be so tense," Lù Zhāo said gently. "We've known each other since we were girls."

"That was a long time ago, Your Highness," Shèng Měi replied. "You've grown into a queen already."

The princess smiled softly. "You still call me 'Your Highness' even when we're alone."

They stopped under a blooming plum tree, petals drifting down around them like falling stars. Lù Zhāo reached up and gently plucked a blossom.

"I used to envy how fearless you were," she said, offering the flower to Shèng Měi. "Back then… you were the only one who made me feel like I didn't have to play pretend."

Shèng Měi's eyes widened slightly, taking the flower with trembling fingers. "…I didn't know you remembered."

"I remember everything," Lù Zhāo whispered.

For a moment, there was silence—filled only by the rustling of the wind.

"I was afraid for so long," the princess continued, eyes flickering. "Afraid of wanting something I wasn't allowed to want."

"But now… with all the rumors about the prince and his knight, maybe… maybe I'm allowed to hope."

Shèng Měi's cheeks flushed, her voice barely above a breath. "What are you hoping for?"

Lù Zhāo turned to her and smiled.

While one pair searched for a way to undo a bond of magic…

Another pair dared to believe they could begin one of their own.

And somewhere in the heart of it all—

Chapter 16 — A Kiss and a Secret Wish