The room was still heavy with the tension of Haoran's sudden words.
Haoran (serious, voice low): "Let's get married."
Xiaoxi froze, her eyes wide. Then—
Xiaoxi (gasping, pointing at him): "Are you… OUT OF YOUR MIND?! 😳 Who proposes like that?! 'Let's get married'—while pushing me on a bed?!"
Haoran (confused, frowning): "What? You don't want to marry me?"
Xiaoxi (dramatically clutching her chest): "Of course I would! But this?! This is not a proposal—it's a kidnap plan!"
Haoran blinked, speechless. For a Crown Prince who was feared across kingdoms, he suddenly looked like a puppy caught stealing buns.
Xiaoxi (wagging her finger at him): "A proposal must have flowers! Lanterns! A ceremony! And my whole family watching! Otherwise, nope. REJECTED."
Haoran stared at her in disbelief.
Haoran (groaning, running his hand through his hair): "Only you, Xiaoxi… Only you could turn the most romantic moment of my life into a stand-up comedy show."
Xiaoxi (grinning proudly): "That's because you're lucky. Who else will give you romance and comedy for free?"
Haoran (throwing his hands in the air): "I can't with you—"
Xiaoxi (interrupting, smirking): "Correction. You have to with me. Forever." 😏
Haoran choked on his own breath. Then he sighed, completely defeated by her shamelessness.
But then, his expression shifted, growing serious.
Haoran: "Wait. I never asked… Where is your family? Where are you even from, Xiaoxi?"
Xiaoxi stiffened, caught off guard. For once, she didn't have a cheeky answer ready. She looked at him, biting her lip.
Xiaoxi (slowly): "Actually… I'm from Baiyun Kingdom."
Haoran blinked.
Haoran (nodding casually): "Ohhh, Baiyun. Yes, I've heard of it. Beautiful place. I even met the prince once. Polite fellow."
Xiaoxi (nearly falling off the bed): "WHATTTT?! You met Brother?!"
Haoran (raising a brow): "Brother? You've already made everyone in the palace your brother. Don't tell me you adopted a prince too."
Xiaoxi (pouting, slapping his arm): "No! He's not just anyone. He's my real brother!"
Haoran (freezing mid-blink): "…Real?"
Xiaoxi (nodding with mock seriousness): "Yes, my biological brother. Unless my parents picked him up from the street one day and forgot to tell me. 😅"
Haoran's jaw dropped.
Haoran (shouting so loud the windows rattled): "WHAT?! You mean… If Prince Xuanchen is your brother… then… YOU… YOU'RE—"
Xiaoxi (interrupting with a mischievous grin): "The Princess of Baiyun Kingdom? You could say that too~ ✨"
Haoran staggered back like he'd been struck by lightning.
Haoran (dramatic, clutching his chest): "All this time… I've been calling you pufferfish… teasing you… chasing you… And you were a PRINCESS?!"
Xiaoxi (shrugging casually): "What can I say? Princess by blood, pufferfish by personality." 🐡
Haoran (collapsing onto the chair, muttering): "Heavens above… I almost kidnapped… a royal princess…"
Xiaoxi (innocently): "Correction: You did. Many times. Want me to count?"
Haoran (glaring): "Don't you dare."
Xiaoxi (leaning closer, smirking): "So… still want to marry me, Frog Prince?"
Haoran groaned, dragging his hands down his face.
Haoran: "Marry you? At this point, I'll need an army, three ceremonies, and a prayer circle just to survive you!"
Xiaoxi burst into laughter, rolling on the bed dramatically.
Xiaoxi: "Aiya! Imagine! The great Crown Prince, terrified of his little pufferfish wife!"
Haoran (deadpan): "Not terrified of you. Terrified of my future with you."
Xiaoxi (pretending to wipe a tear): "Aw, how romantic. You're already suffering before the wedding." 🤣
---
And so, the revelation turned a romantic proposal into chaos, leaving Haoran utterly destroyed, and Xiaoxi—proud, cheeky, and more impossible than ever.
The palace would never be ready for the storm called Princess Xiaoxi.