[The First Crack]
"Princess, do you have any idea what you're doing?" Li Yan's voice was a broken rasp. He pushed her away, his hands trembling—careful not to be too forceful, yet desperate to find his footing.
The two sat side by side on the couch, breaths ragged. Li Yan turned his head away, his throat tight. "If word of this gets out... you will be slandered. You are a Princess; I am but a General."
"And so you would abandon me?" Si Yirou challenged, her eyes like cold fire. "You'd rather let the rumors crush me than admit what's in your heart?"
Li Yan's chest heaved. The silence stretched until it felt like it would snap. Just as Yirou turned to leave, his hand shot out, catching her wrist with a sudden, desperate strength.
"Princess!" He gasped. Then, in a voice so small it was almost swallowed by the night wind, he finally surrendered. "I... I have you in my heart."
[The Name of the Heart]
Those five words cost him more courage than facing an army of a thousand. Yirou's eyes welled with tears, but her smile was triumphant. She leaned in, her forehead resting against his.
"Good," she whispered. "Now remember—if you ever try to take those words back, I really will devour you."
Li Yan was drowning in the scent of osmanthus and her presence. When she dared him to call her by her name, "Yi-rou," it felt like a taboo he was finally breaking.
"Yi-rou... the night is late. You should return to the palace," he managed to choke out, his ears burning a deep crimson.
[The Unstoppable Flame]
Yirou didn't leave immediately. She leaned against his chest, listening to the frantic, drum-like beat of his heart. Li Yan stood rigid, his fists clenched so hard his veins popped, terrified that if he touched her, he would lose all control.
When he finally pushed her away again, Yirou didn't look hurt. Instead, she touched a finger to his racing heart. "You think pushing me away works? Li Yan, you've already given me your heart. Where else can you run?"
She left the room with a playful, dangerous laugh, leaving Li Yan alone in the flickering candlelight. He sat on the bed, his hands pressed against his chest, trying to still the tremors.
"Yi-rou..." he whispered into the darkness. He could push her body away, but he could no longer push away the bond that had tangled itself around his soul.
[The Princess's Victory]
Back at Chang-Le Palace, Yirou sat before her mirror, her eyes bright with victory. The image of the great, stoic General blushing and breathless was a prize more valuable than any crown.
"You stubborn stone," she giggled to herself, stroking a branch of osmanthus. "You've given me your heart, and I'm never giving it back."
In the quiet of the night, her smile was both beautiful and predatory. She had broken the shield; now, she would claim the man.