The night after the banquet, feiyun was in her willow pavilion. She dressed in a light silk dress and chose to sit on the front porch just Infront of the garden. Leaning against the wooden pillar she took out a white jade flute. Her memories showed her this was the previous feiyun's biological mother's keepsake.

She brought the flute to her mouth and played a melody, soft like the winds and sweet like a bird. A sorrowful and lonely melody. The while way through the piece, feiyun kept her eyes on the bright moon above the garden. It's light illuminating the area making her seem even more mysterious and enchanting.

When she was done, she looked down on the flute and breathed a sighed. Standing up to keep the flute back in the wooden box in her room, she turned.

"Who are you?..."

Behind her, a dark figure emerged from the shadow. He was tall and broad. A aura of coldness and bloodthirst emitting out from his body.

Narrowing her eyes. She did not realise he was there. which only means his power is way above her. To be able to hide such a presence from her. But that did not stop her from initiating an attack. She disappeared and appeared behind the man, a series of powerful blows. but he avoided her like the wind and in an instant appeared behind her stopping her movements with the acupuncture points.

🌟

Tian Huo knew that she was not what she appeared to be. But he never thought she could actually be this strong. To be able to combat with him on this level. He was even more drawn to her.

Before, he did not know why he wanted to come to this place. Whether it was to confirm his suspicions or not. He did not know. His heart felt a sense of excitement when he saw her at the banquet. She did not look away from him like the rest. She was different.

When he stepped in, he only saw a lonely girl, playing a flute. With the moonlight playing down on her , in white silk dress. The way her hair cascaded down her shoulder and blew in the wind and her long slim fingers playing up and down the flute. Her round phoenix eyes closed as she played her sad melody. He did not understand why but he wanted to hold her. Never had he felt this way about other women. Why was it that a girl managed to draw this out of him.

From behind her, when he was this close, he could smell her scent of fresh flowers. Alluring, he thought.

"Why?" He asked, his voice was deep, cold and devoided of emotions. But it was also magnetising and made the back of her neck stand.

"Who are you? " She replied.

He asked again "why do you hide your face and the fact that you can walk?"

The atmosphere began to chill. Under the moonlight they stood still. Silence creeped with only the sound of night bugs.

Feiyun recognised this voice, this aura. Could it really be?

" 4th prince... Why are you sneaking into a maidens house and attacking her?" She asked cautiously.

There was no response from him.

"Undo the acupuncture. I will not retaliate. It is cold and the walls might have ears. Let's talk inside." Her voice was firm.

Jab jab

Tian Huo grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room, shutting the door behind them.

He took of his outer black robe and flung it over her shoulders and pointed to the chair.

She understood that he wanted to talk. Was the robe his way of apologising for making her cold? She walked over and sat down, crossing her snow white legs and pouring a cup of tea, which she offered him.

Tian Huo eyed the woman like a predator watching his prey.

Feiyun watched him in return only silence accompanying them.

Under the candle light, she saw his eyes, just as she thought they were not black. A deep blue accompanied with the devilishly appearance.She felt strange in her heart. she actually did not fear him but instead want to know him.

'birds of the same feathers flock together.' she thought to herself.

The look in his eyes, she recognise it.

"You... Have not answered me" Tian Huo broke the silence. His eyes falling down to her fingers that grasped the teacup. He wanted to caress her lovely face, dominate her entire body. Feelings he never knew about suddenly came to him while listening to her melody. It irritating him. but he did not show it

She felt their conversation was not going anywhere. So she sighed and gave in afterall if he wanted to harm her, they would not be sitting here drinking tea staring at each other.

" To fool the people I call family. " Feiyun honestly did not know why she suddenly became so honest. Was it the pair of eyes that seem to see through her every word? Or was it the feeling of security he gave off.

"Mmh." He put his cup down and poured another cup.

Feiyun was in a pit of her own thoughts. ' what the fuck was that? That's his reply?'

Breaking out of her thoughts , she caught his eyes on the white jade flute.

" Do you want it? " She asked.

Tian Huo shook his head, as his eyes met hers.

Feiyun was getting tired of this conversation. He would not reply her but expected her to reply him. She could not understand his intention and the meaning behind the slight emotions in his eyes.

"Play it. " He spoke.

Feiyun was surprised. Did he come here just for that? She leaned back and brought the flute to her lips. Gently blew a piece from memory. It was melody that told a story of a bird who could not fly but yearned for the skies.

As she played, she never took her eyes off him, he just looked deeply into her dark phoenix eyes.

He was trying to understand his feelings. Why did he have a thump in his chest? Why was it feeling constricted? Why could he not look away from her eyes?

When the melody stopped, he closed his eyes for what seemed like a minute and stood up and left.

Leaving a very puzzled feiyun behind, wrapped in his coat.

Feiyun did not know what to feel. She had never encountered a man like this prince. The coat he left with her was really big and warm, she wrapped it tightly around herself and she sat in bed. The smell of mint remained on the coat. She did not know when but she had fallen asleep.