Chapter 7 : The Blade Drawn in Moonlight

Chapter 7: The Blade Drawn in Moonlight

The rain fell softly that evening, wrapping the palace in a thin mist that made every shadow seem heavier and every whisper more dangerous.

Mei Lian stood on the balcony of her chamber, watching droplets form on the polished stone rails. The chill in the air seeped into her skin, but she welcomed it. The cold was honest. It didn't hide its intentions.

Unlike the people inside these walls.

Her fingers traced the edge of the crimson silk token laid flat before her — the mark of her old life.

Li Zhen was baiting her. He was testing how far she had fallen into this world of silks and perfumes.

But she wasn't the frightened pawn she once was. Not anymore.

Behind her, the door creaked open again. She didn't need to turn.

"You shouldn't be here, Rui."

His footsteps were quiet but determined. "And yet here I am."

She turned to face him.

Even after nights spent in quiet conversations, hidden glances, and whispered promises, seeing him still pulled something sharp and warm inside her chest.

Tonight, he wore black — simple, elegant, and dangerous.

"I'm breaking every rule by being here," he said softly, stepping closer. "But I can't leave you unguarded."

"You shouldn't risk your position for me."

His voice was steady. "You are worth any risk."

The words hit harder than any sword strike she had ever faced.

For so long, she believed that attachment was weakness and love was a vulnerability her enemies could exploit.

But when he looked at her — like this — she wondered if love could also be armor.

Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed from outside the balcony wall.

Instantly, both of them tensed.

Prince Rui's hand was already at his waist, drawing his concealed blade. Mei Lian's body tensed as instinct flooded her veins.

The air shifted.

A flash of movement sliced through the mist — an arrow.

It whistled through the rain-soaked air straight toward her.

Mei Lian reacted before she could think.

She lunged sideways, pushing Rui out of the way as the arrow struck the stone pillar behind them with a violent crack. Splinters flew across the balcony.

Another flash — a second arrow. But this time, Prince Rui deflected it mid-air with the speed of a trained swordsman.

"Stay behind me!" he growled.

Mei Lian gritted her teeth. "I'm not some helpless noblewoman, Rui."

He glanced back — just once — enough to meet her eyes. And in that instant, they shared unspoken understanding.

They were equals in this fight.

More shadows shifted beyond the garden wall. Figures moved — fast, efficient, trained. This wasn't a lone assassin.

It was a coordinated attack.

Three cloaked men scaled the outer wall, blades glinting in the lantern light. They moved with precision — not palace guards.

Not amateurs.

Mei Lian's pulse raced, but her mind focused like a blade returning to the hand of its master.

The assassin in her awakened fully.

"Li Zhen sent them," she hissed. "These are my old brothers."

Rui stepped forward, sword raised. "Then they've made a mistake attacking you here."

The first man lunged. His blade aimed directly at Mei Lian's throat.

She sidestepped smoothly, grabbing a decorative hairpin from her hair and driving it into the man's shoulder before twisting away.

He crumpled.

The second attacker moved to flank her, but Rui intercepted him mid-strike. Their blades clashed with a shower of sparks.

The third man circled, targeting her exposed back.

But Mei Lian was already moving.

She picked up the fallen assassin's discarded blade and met the third attacker's swing with perfect precision, steel screaming against steel.

"I trained with you," she whispered coldly, twisting the blade. "I know your every move."

A clean slice — and the man dropped.

Rain mixed with blood on the stone tiles.

The final attacker fell beneath Rui's blade, his throat slashed open with swift, merciless precision.

Silence followed.

Only the soft patter of rain remained.

Mei Lian stood breathing hard, soaked in rain and sweat, her silk robe clinging to her skin.

Across from her, Prince Rui stood still — his gaze locked on her.

Not with fear. Not with judgment.

But with awe.

"You're extraordinary," he whispered, stepping toward her.

The storm inside her finally broke.

"Now you see me," she whispered back. "The real me."

"I've always seen you."

The words made her chest tighten painfully.

"I've killed people, Rui," she confessed, her voice raw. "I am not some innocent you can save."

His voice was fierce and unwavering. "I don't want innocence, Mei Lian. I want you. The woman who fights. Who survives. Who protects herself. Who protects me."

Her walls finally cracked.

When he reached for her, she didn't pull away.

His arms wrapped around her, holding her close as the rain continued to fall. Warm. Steady. Unshaken.

The scent of blood, rain, and sandalwood filled the air.

For once, she allowed herself to surrender — not to fear, but to him.

For the first time in both her lives, she whispered words she never thought she would say:

> "Don't leave me."

And his answer was immediate, whispered against her wet hair:

> "Never."

To be continued.....

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