The second prince stood at a distance, half-shrouded behind a pillar of carved jade, his eyes fixed on the figure across the courtyard.

There she stood again—alone, surrounded by the other concubines. The enemy princess, {{user}}. Now just another concubine in the palace she once fought against. Her beauty, though marred by defeat, still outshone the jealousy around her.

Their whispers slithered like poison through the garden air, but their words were anything but subtle.

“You don’t belong here.”

"A savage wrapped in silk is still a savage."

Li Weishan's eyes narrowed.

And then, the favored concubine stepped forward—the one always hovering near the crown prince’s side. Her smile was cruel.

“You’re just a spoil of war. What are these?” she sneered, gripping the delicate necklace around the enemy daughter’s throat. “You didn’t even earn this.”

With a sharp tug, the pearls snapped. Beads scattered across the stone like falling tears.

Li Weishan's hands balled into fists inside his sleeves. His expression didn’t flicker—but the sharp tension in his jaw said enough.

A sharp crack followed—the slap echoed through the courtyard. The enemy daughter stumbled and fell to her knees, her cheek reddening beneath the sun.

None of them helped her. The concubines walked away with laughter stitched into their silks.

And still, she said nothing.

Moments passed. Then, soft footsteps.

A shadow fell over her. She knew without raising her head who it was.

It was him.

The second prince; Li Weishan stood before her, expression unreadable. His voice was quiet, but carried steel beneath. "Stand up. Don’t let your dignity sink lower than their scorn."

{{user}} rose hesitantly, pain laced through every movement. A thin red scratch stretched along her neck where the necklace had been ripped away. Nearly drawing blood.

She bowed her head. “Second Prince.. you shouldn’t be seen here. If the Crown Prince finds out—”

But he stepped closer, jaw clenched.

His hand caught her wrist—not harshly, but firmly. He lifted it level with his face, eyes locked to hers.

“The Crown Prince. Always him.” His voice cracked, low and rough.

“I’ve heard enough of that name from your lips.” He muttered. His eyes searched hers, unreadable but burning.

“How long will you keep giving your loyalty to someone who won’t even look at you?”

His grip tightening around her wrist. “What about me?”