Off the coasts of ancient China was the island of a small kingdom. There wasn't much, just a peaceful society on the brink of collapse. The small kingdom was ruled by a noble king, whos heir was his daughter. They didn't care much for earthly bounds and enjoyed life as it was. But not being attached to material things made their economy difficult, trading with other countries became less and less and eventually it's just a small island that doesn't exist.

"Xie! Where did you go?" _______ wondered around her palace looking for my personal guard. Xie didn't show up for their daily morning breakfast in the garden which gave the princess concern. She huffed after wondering the empty hallways with no black haired man in sight. Giving up she sat down at the pond as ducks approach her figure nibbling at her fingers for fun. "Where did you go..."

"I apologize for my absence mi'lady." A voice called our, the princess quickly turned around and jumped into the arms of the taller man.

"Where were you dummy?!" She asked after letting go of his waist.

"I'm sorry, your father called me for a meeting. He'll let you know what's going on tomorrow." Xie pat her head giving her the soft smile she loved so much.

"Why tomorrow?" _______ asked as they made their way out of garden and back into the hallways.

"There's....a special guest coming over." Xie simply said, he grabbed her hand as they made it to her bedroom.

"Guest..?" __________ whispered quietly, confusion ran over her spine as Xie sat down on one of the chairs she had in her room.

"He might be able to save your kingdom." Xie answered quietly, feeling his hair tie being pulled loose, allowing his long black hair to flow outwards.

"It's marriage isn't it..." the princess sighed as she began to braid his hair, pinning followers in whenever a spot was open. "What about...us...?" She asks timidly stopping her movements.

"I promise you, even if you were to marry off to another man, I'll be there by your side." Xie held her hand and face, moving his thumb to comfort her. The princess leaned into his touch, wanting more.

"It's not fair..."

"I know it's not fair, but it's your duty to serve your citizens before yourself." Xie held the princess as she clung tightly onto him. She was living her perfect life, and it was all about to be taken from her.

"Come, we should get you ready for him. From what I heard, the prince isn't the most kindest and subtle person." Xie took her hand as they left the empty room. A eerie silence washed upon the area around them.

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"May I present, prince Fan Wujin of China!" The announcer declared loudly, ______ gulped waiting anxiously to see the prince. Xie patted her head in assurance to keep her calm. The white guard was standing at her side of the throne next to her father. A row of soldiers walked in followed by a tall man with white hair, half of it tied up into a bun pinned with accessories, the rest flowing out in a ponytail. He was decked out in golden armor mixed with traditional clothing, which like him or not, did make him look very sexy. The prince stopped right at the end of the walkway bowing, _______ stood up to bow back in respect. The most peculiar thing about him was the slight gray tinted skin, it didn't seem normal to have that type of skin color around.

"It is a honor to meet you your majesty, and what a beauty your daughter is." The prince smiled as he held the princess's hand.

"We welcome you to our island prince Fan, feel free to make this your home until you are ready to leave."

"Thank you, I would love to explore around with the princess if that's alright?" ______ turned over to her father to see him nod his head in approval, she stood up, her hair flowing behind her as she grabbed the hand given by Fan. "Alone if that's ok." The prince said quietly glaring at Xie who took a step forward.

"That's nonsense sire. I am the princess's personal body guard and I am to stay by her sides 24/7." Xie cut him off with a glare. Feeling the heavy tension around the room, ________ detached her hand from Fan's and walked over to the taller male.

"Xie please don't, I don't want you 2 to have conflict already." She pleaded.

"What if he does something unacceptable?? I won't live with myself if anything happens to you..." the princess held his hand with hers giving him a small smile.

"I'll be fine, plus we're just going to be around the castle there's guards everywhere. Don't worry alright..?" Xie let go of his held breath as he accepted the deal. He pat her head whispering to tell her to be safe. The princess let go of his hand and walked back over to the prince, grabbing his hand again as they leave the throne room. Xie scrunched up his hand in anger, he can feel the aura of the prince and it isn't a good one. He let go of his sigh to retreat back to his quarters to let out his anger.

On the other side in the garden, the prince and princess say together on the stone bench enjoying the peace and quiet, until Fan spoke up when the ducks waddled over to his feet.

"What's with that guard of yours?" He asks in a serious tone. ________ looked up from the ducks to see the prince starring back at her.

"Xie..?? Well, he's very overprotective of me, we basically grew up together when he was abandoned as a child when my father took him in. He's been training to be my personal guard since. Xie hasn't left my side since, I guess he felt a bit angry not being by my side for once." The princess smiled at the loyalty he had, Xie truly was a one of a kind. She felt fingers running through her hair to see the prince admiring her features.

"You have such lovely hair, I'd say I think I finally found the one." Fan's face went from a poker into a smile like smirk, confusing the female.

"The one...?" She was scared for his answer. No she knew his answer but didn't want to accept the reality of it.

"I'd take you as my bride. I've seen so many women in the past year to find a good bride but they were all selfish people who only wanted me for status. But you...you seem compassionate, accepting and very humble. You enjoy the small things in life rather than riches and status." Fan went from touching her hair to placing his hand on her cheek pulling her closer to almost touching lips. She wanted to scream for help but she knew this marriage would save her kingdom. Sighing internally, she nodded slightly as Fan kissed her lights gently. The prince let go upon a few seconds, seeing her flustered face as her eyes were half lidded. Fan smirked to himself, thinking about how he took her first kiss as well.

"I'll be leaving in a week, make sure you pack everything to move into my palace." Fan stood up leaving her alone in the garden to her thoughts. The ducks around her legs rubbed against her as her head dropped, tears slightly coming out. Patting the wet liquid away with her long sleeves, the princess stood up, and went her way to her bedroom. Sliding open her door, she noticed a lump under her blankets. Quietly closing her door, she walked over to sit down on the edge. Pulling down the covers a bit, revealing a passed out male hugging tightly onto on of her many pillows that decorated the bed.

"Oh...what are we going to do..." the princess sighed as she caressed her lovers face. Xie shifted in his sleep, opening his eyes slight, enough to see _______ beside him.

"How did it go..?" He asked hesitantly, sitting up to be at eye level.

"Prince fan...He's taking me to China in a week to...be wed...it's over for...us." ______ had tears swell up again as she laid her head on Xie's shoulder. Fear rising up inside her stomach as the man held her in his arms. "I'm sorry Xie...there's nothing I can do about it...."

"It's...fine...I'll just stay by your side no matter what." Xie held her tighter as the sun began to set, promising to himself to never let her go.

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Xie and ________ walked into the palace in awe, the place was massive compared to their tiny island. Fan held the princess's hand as he dragged her around giving a tour of the palace, Xie trailing not far behind.

"Must he follow us everywhere?" Dan asks with a pissed off tone glaring at the black haired male standing at the entrance to the garden.

"I can ask him to retreat to his quarters if you want?" _______ asked the prince, Fan nodded angrily, deep down he knew there's something about the guard he didn't like but couldn't put his finger to it. The girl stood up leaving the princes side to converse with her guard. Fan's mind began to click when the guard placed his hands on her shoulders, he knew their secret without them even realizing.

"Sweetheart, why don't we go back to my room?" Fan asks once the guard left.

"Y-your room..?"

"Come, it's very comfortable, plus I would love to spend more alone time with my wife to be." Fan started to walk off down the hallways, followed by _______ not far behind. Leading into the massive room, fan motioned her to sit on his bed. Sitting down, she took a glance around the room. Walls decorated in tapestries and fancy pots surrounded the corners.

"Fancy some desserts? I had my maid bring these egg tarts in." Fan turned around revealing a pot filled with egg tarts. The golden crust covered the edges of the sunset yellow custard that is made of eggs. ________ hesitantly took one and took a bite out of it, the sweet and salty taste filled her tastebuds as she enjoyed the small snack. Fan smiled at her reaction, he truly never felt the need to marry someone so much until he saw her. In the one week he spent on her island, Fan knew deep down she was the one for him.

"Your majesty dinner is ready." A servant knocked on the door alerting the 2. Fan held his hand out for _______, she hesitantly grabbed it as he pulled her up. Still not knowing her way around the palace, Fan led her into the dining hall, where the king sat at the end of the table, the queen on his right. The princess glanced around the room to find Xie standing not far at the edge of the room where most guards stood. She flashed him a smile, the white guards stoic face brightened immediately. Fan sat down in his seat followed by ________ on his right. The food presented in front of the royal family was filled with colors and amazing smells, the princess was internally drooling.

"Let today's meal be a blessing to my son, who after 3 long years, finally picked a bride." The king toasted, bringing his cup to the air.

"To prince Fan." Everyone declared, as everyone took a sip of their drink.

Fan immediately spat his drink out.

The prince was quick to grab a napkin to rub off whatever was on his tongue.

"What's wrong son?" The queen asked.

"Get me the spoon." Fan declared. A butler quickly walked over with a silver spoon on a tray. And it clicked. Fan must've tasted poison. The prince stirred the drink, and next thing you know, it changed color.

"Poison." The prince glared at his cup, he shifted his head slightly to see the shocked look on his fiancée. Proving her innocence that she wasn't the culprit.

"Who would do such a thing?!" The queen yelled in panic. Fan placed his glass back down, standing up to leave his seat and immediately shoved himself on top of xie's body. Clutching his clothes as he shakes him back and fourth demanding a answer.

"You did it didnt you?!" The prince yelled even louder then before. _________ quickly got out of her seat to run towards the males who started to get into a fight of trying to push each other back.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Have you considered how you are a selfish prince who has no concern for others well beings?" Xie retorted back.

"Oh oh, don't think I don't know what's going on. I know you like her, is that why you tried to poison me? So she can run off and marry a low life like you instead of a high ranking prince?!"

"Xie please stop!" ________ shoved herself between the 2 men successful in separating them.

"You're defending him? A killer?!" Fan yelled out as he steadied himself.

"Fan please, I've known him my whole life, at least let me try and figure it out-" The prince didn't bother to listen. He shoved her aside with _______ ended up falling to the ground. The white guard was quick to try and help her up to no avail as Fan stood between them.

"Tell me white guard. What makes you think you can be together with a princess? Especially when she's engaged?" Fan asks, shoving his hand into the small pocket of Xies top. A small packet was between his fingers. "And what do you know? Poison, sitting right on your body." The prince declared. The room went silent at the reveal, Xie moved his trembling head to see ________ starring at him in disbelief. Her eyes were filled with worry as she held her arm in pain.

"I hereby sentence you to death. By hanging." Fan whispered so quietly the room barely heard him. Xie stood there in disbelief as 2 guards quickly grabbed his arms and shoved him to the ground.

"W-wait..! Please you can't!" The princess pleaded to the prince. Fan glared at her reaction, praying that this isn't going to end well for her.

"Sweetheart. Your sweet white guard has attempted murder. The only consequence he gets is death." The prince's voice was cold and dead. _________ turned her head to see Xie struggling to get 3 men off his body as he gets taken away screaming her name. Tears started to form and slide down her cheeks as she watch her long term friend disappear behind closed doors.

꧁ꕥ꧂

She stood in the booth saved for the royal family. Fear rising in her body as a gong was sounded. The doors opened revealing Xie In worn tattled clothes, scars covering his body from his short time in the dungeons. He lifted his head at see _________ crying at the scene, Xie felt immense guilt on his shoulders. He never wanted to see her cry as long as he was alive, but that was going to end soon. A guard shoved him onto the platform where the red rope hung, Xie gulped hard as he started at the thing that's going to end his life. He tried to get rid of his chains that bounded his hands behind his back, his skin was seering with pain from the torture his prison guards gave him the night before. Accepting his fate, Xie let the guards get him ready for his inevitable death.

"Today, we are ending the life that tried to kill my only son. I hope you have a horrible time in the after life." The king declared loudly. _________ starred at her white guard, tears already falling before it even began. Xie started back locking eye contact with her, he gave her that small gentle smile she always adored mouthing his last words to her.

Even broken, Ill still be your blossom to the ends of life.

The lever was pulled as the platform beneath his feet disappeared. Xie Bi'an has been hung.

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