Back at the market, Xiao Zhi and Kabil walked side by side. She laughed at one of his jokes, feeling a rare lightness in the middle of all the palace chaos.
"I knew Thugril was different from what I expected when we visited the market last time. But this time… this evening view makes it even livelier, brighter," she said while she glancing around the lively view. "The streets, the lanterns… it feels almost magical."
Kabil smiled, his gentle gaze lingering on her. "I'm glad you think so. There's more you haven't seen yet, but tonight… I wanted you to enjoy it without ceremony or boring lessons."
Xiao Zhi nodded, appreciating the gesture. She could use some distraction right now. She took a deep breath, letting the cool night air settle her nerves. For the first time since her arrival, she felt like she could simply exist. Not as a pawn in someone else's story, not as a princess bound by fate, but as a simple person wandering through a glowing marketplace. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to forget the unfortunate events that had unfolded lately, as well as the looming tragedy that seemed written for her.
For now, she let herself walk beside Kabil beneath the lantern lights, hiding the secret flutter in her chest and the tiny pang of worry that all of this might just be the calm before the storm.
Little did Xiao Zhi, or even Kabil, know that a pair of eyes was watching them from afar. They were not eyes filled with schemes or suspicion, but ones clouded with jealousy and a quiet sadness.
Ruhan stood in the shadows behind one of the houses in the alley. Back in the palace, he was unable to shake off the sight of his Princess Lian Zhi laughing beside his cunning stepbrother. So, he had decided to come to the market, telling himself he only wished to make sure she was safe. But deep inside, he knew that was only half the truth.
He watched them from a distance, feeling jealousy twist painfully in his chest as she laughed at Kabil's words. Yet beneath the sting, there was warmth...because she looked happy. And even though he knew he could never have her, not as a servant and not even as a khan, he understood her destiny was tied to Kabil. Even knowing what kind of man his stepbrother truly was.
"I'm sorry… I promised to protect you, but I couldn't," he murmured behind the wall. "For now… please be happy. Even if it's short-lived." His chest ached as the words left him.
He turned away, heading back toward the palace.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhi began feeling tired from all the walking. Yes, she had enjoyed herself and had briefly forgotten her worries. But the thought of Ruhan kept drifting into her mind again and again. She couldn't take another step with Kabil while Ruhan's face kept appearing in her thoughts. She even swore she saw a glimpse of him earlier in the crowd, though she brushed it off as her imagination.
"Prince Kabil, it's getting late now. Maybe we should return to the palace," she said gently, careful not to offend him.
"Of course. Let's head back. "Unexpectedly, he didn't seem upset that she had ended their date early.
Wait… was this even a date? Her face warmed at the thought.
Kabil signaled the guard who had been following them to bring the carriage.
"You must be tired from our long walk. I had a carriage prepared to take us back."
At this point, Kabil was dangerously close to qualifying as the best fiancé in the history of tragic novels. He had surprised Xiao Zhi again and again with his uncharacteristic kindness.
During the ride back, Kabil's gaze remained fixed on her, far too intense for her comfort. Xiao Zhi had to keep turning toward the window, pretending to admire the passing lights, just to hide her flustered cheek.
After what felt like an unusually long journey, they finally arrived at the palace. Kabil stepped down first and offered his hand to help her. She accepted, smiling politely at the gentlemanly gesture.
"Thank you for the lovely night," she said, preparing to head back to her quarters.
"Thank you for accompanying me. Sleep well." He smiled softly, then tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "We will be wed in two days. I can't wait to marry you."
Xiao Zhi's heart drummed wildly. She wasn't sure why. Was it anticipation? The way he said it? His touch? Or was it the crushing reminder that she would soon marry someone she didn't know, someone she didn't love, while another person already occupied her heart?
She took a quick step back, bowing politely. "Good night, Prince Kabil." Then she walked toward her quarters, her mind a tangled mess.
This wasn't how a girl was supposed to feel after a romantic evening with her fiancé. She couldn't even name the emotion twisting through her.
And when she finally reached the hallway to her chambers, everything became worse.
There he was.
The person who had occupied her thoughts the entire night stood waiting in front of her door, as though he had been unable to leave.
"Ruhan?" she said softly. "What are you doing here?"
Ruhan had been pacing, staring at the floor. At the sound of her voice, he looked up, relief washing over his features.
"Princess, you're back," He said with a glimpse of a smile on his lips,
"I was just… worried."
"Worried?"
"I heard you were unwell, so I came to check on you. But you weren't here."
"Ah… yes. Prince Kabil took me to the city to help me feel better."
"I see… And are you feeling any better?" He wished, desperately, that she would say no.
"Yes, a little," she replied. For some reason, the answer made his chest tighten.
"In that case… that's good." He bowed slightly. "I'll leave you to rest then. Have a good night, Princess."
Xiao Zhi wanted to say more. She wanted to ask him to stay. But no words came out.
"Thank you. And… good night to you too, Ruhan."