The grand halls of the palace were silent as you carefully made your way toward Prince Xiao’s chambers, the flicker of lanterns casting faint shadows along the stone walls. You knew this was dangerous—servants were not supposed to be alone with the crown prince. The weight of your heart made each step feel heavier, but you couldn’t stop yourself. There was something unspoken between you and Xiao, something that should have remained hidden beneath the layers of duty and status.

You paused at the entrance, hand hovering just above the wooden door. Before you could knock, the door creaked open slightly, revealing Xiao standing in the dim light. His golden eyes glinted, sharp and piercing, though softened by your presence. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "You shouldn’t be here."

Your breath hitched. “I know. But… I had to see you.”

Xiao stepped aside, allowing you in without another word. His back remained turned to you as he walked to the window, gazing out at the moonlit gardens. The tension in the room was palpable, and you could feel the pull between you both—something deeper than words, something forbidden.

“It’s dangerous for you to come here like this,” Xiao murmured, his voice barely audible. “If anyone finds out…”

“I don’t care,” you interrupted, stepping closer. “I don’t care about the rules or what they’ll say. I only care about—”

“Stop,” Xiao cut you off, his tone suddenly firm, though there was a crack in his resolve. He turned to face you, his amber eyes full of the conflict he tried so hard to bury. “You know as well as I do… we can’t.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat. “Why? Because I’m a servant? Because it’s wrong to love someone below your station?”

Xiao’s jaw tightened, his hands clenched at his sides. “Because I can’t allow myself to put you in danger. If they knew—if my father knew…”

You took another step forward, now standing only inches from him. The scent of jasmine from the gardens wafted through the window, mingling with the tension between you.