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

The palace was alive with color that evening.

Lanterns lined the walkways, their warm glow reflected in the polished floors as nobles arrived in embroidered silks, the air thick with perfume and quiet laughter. This was the annual Mid-Spring Festival Banquet, meant to show stability, wealth, and unity under the royal family's rule.

The Prince arrived in a deep blue robe embroidered with golden clouds, hair tied half-up, a jade pendant resting against his chest.

At his side, Shèng Lín—Lǐ Wú, as the world knew him—walked in his knight's uniform, posture straight, expression neutral, only his longer hair framing his face giving him a softer, almost ethereal presence.

To the courtiers, they looked like an untouchable prince and his loyal guard.

But beneath the surface, a storm churned.

As they moved through the banquet, the Prince kept close, every now and then his fingers brushing Shèng Lín's sleeve—so quick no one else would notice, but each touch sent heat crawling up Shèng Lín's neck.

> "You're mine," the Prince whispered near his ear, lips barely moving. "No one here can take you away."

He knew the Prince was testing him, waiting to see if he would break. But surrounded by watching eyes, Shèng Lín only clenched his jaw, stepping back into position behind him.

They made it through the greetings and pleasantries until the orchestra began to play.

Couples began to gather in the courtyard to dance under the lantern light.

> "Your Highness, the nobles wish to see you dance with Lady Lán for tradition's sake."

The Prince's eyes flickered toward Shèng Lín, then back to the lady.

> "No," he said coolly. "I've chosen my partner already."

Gasps rippled across the courtyard.

The lady looked confused. "Your Highness?"

The Prince turned fully and extended his hand—

> "Dance with me," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Shèng Lín froze, every eye burning into him.

> "Dance," the Prince repeated, eyes unblinking.

Unable to refuse, Shèng Lín took his hand.

They stepped into the courtyard as the music shifted to a slower melody, the lantern light painting gold across their joined hands.

The Prince's hand rested on Shèng Lín's waist, pulling him closer, while Shèng Lín's trembling hand rested on the Prince's shoulder.

They began to move, slow and graceful, the world around them blurring into silence.

> "You're trembling," the Prince murmured.

> "Everyone is watching," Shèng Lín whispered back.

The Prince's thumb brushed against the back of Shèng Lín's hand, grounding him.

> "You're mine," he said again, softer now. "And I won't let anyone question that."

Shèng Lín's eyes softened, just for a moment.

> "You're going to start a scandal."

> "Then let it be a scandal," the Prince smiled faintly, "as long as it's with you."

Around them, whispers spread like wildfire, but neither of them cared.

For a moment under the lantern light, in front of an entire kingdom, they let themselves dance as if they were the only two people in the world.

And though Shèng Lín's heart was still heavy with secrets, he let himself close his eyes, leaning into the warmth of the Prince's embrace—

Chapter 39 — Masks Beneath Lanterns