Their first night together
Yun-hu led Sauji to the house he had prepared for her with profound tenderness. A soothing, earthy fragrance wafted from the wooden walls, carrying an air of unspoken peace. Noticing the lingering shadow of pain on Sauji's face, Yun-hu spoke softly.
"From this day forward, Sauji, this home is yours. Here, you are free. No chains of servitude will ever bind you again, and no master shall command your will. This is your sanctuary."
Sauji stood frozen. Her eyes were a whirlwind of wonder and a flicker of lingering fear. Shrinking back slightly, she stammered, "If I stay here… will you be here too? I mean… being alone with you might feel… a little unsettling."
Yun-hu paused, the weight of her words momentarily stilling him. Then, a mysterious yet deeply reassuring smile graced his lips. He averted his gaze to the horizon and replied, "Do not fear. When the city's clamor fades and the world is draped in the velvet of night—I will leave. Use the darkness to rest as you please. I shall return with the first light of dawn. Believe me, you are safe."
The Silent Vigil and Shadows in the Dark
As night descended, the lights in the neighboring houses flickered out one by one. Yun-hu knew it was time for his departure. He gave Sauji one final, stern warning: "Once I leave, do not open this door for anyone. Stay vigilant."
Inside, Sauji curled up on her bed, seeking comfort in the silence. Yun-hu stepped out, but his heart refused to leave her unprotected. His keen eyes suddenly caught movement—sinister shadows lurking in the periphery. Sauji's aunt and uncle were there, circling like vultures in the dark. Sensing the imminent threat, Yun-hu abandoned all thoughts of departure. Casting aside his royal dignity, he spent the entire night leaning against the cold exterior wall, a silent sentinel in the biting chill.
Dawn's Light and the Royal Secret Unveiled
When the first rays of dawn painted a crimson streak across the brow of the sky, Yun-hu remained slumped against the wall, drifting in a shallow sleep. It was then that Dian, his loyal attendant, arrived. Distraught after searching for his master all night, Dian's breath hitched at the sight before him.
The magnificent Yun-hu—a man whose single nod could make empires tremble—was sleeping on the bare ground against a commoner's wall. Dian stood paralyzed, a single thought racing through his mind: Has this simple girl truly captured the heart of a King?
Bowing low, Dian whispered urgently, "Your Majesty…"
At the mention of his title, Yun-hu's eyes snapped open. Seeing Dian, a flash of rare awkwardness crossed his face. He pressed a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. "Why are you here so early?" he hissed.
Dian bowed his head in supplication. "My Lord, I could not rest while you were missing. But you must return to Fairyland immediately. Your rivals are already weaving webs of treason to seize the throne. The Lord of the Island awaits you; he has urgent, clandestine matters to discuss."
A Reluctant Goodbye and Gathering Clouds
Yun-hu knocked softly on Sauji's door. When she appeared, her eyes still heavy with sleep, he spoke gently. "I must leave now, Sauji. There is urgent business to attend to. I will return by evening. Take care of yourself."
A shadow of worry crossed Sauji's face. "If anyone asks about you?" she whispered timidly.
Yun-hu offered a small, reassuring smile. "Tell them I have gone to seek my fortune."
The moment he stepped back into Fairyland, Yun-hu's persona shifted. The commoner's garb was replaced by royal armor, and a chilling gravity settled over him. The Lord of the Island summoned him and declared, "Yun-hu, my time of rest has come. I have chosen you as my rightful heir. Your coronation shall be held soon, and on that same day, your royal marriage shall be sealed."
The words struck Yun-hu's heart like a lightning bolt. His mind could conjure only one face—Sauji. In the midst of the council, a suspicious member of the court remarked, "Your Highness, you were nowhere to be found in Fairyland last night. Were you perhaps… elsewhere?"
Yun-hu met the man's gaze with a gaze of ice. "I was here," he replied, his voice cutting through the room. "Perhaps your eyes were simply not sharp enough to see me."
The Flames of Wrath
The moment his royal duties were concluded, Yun-hu raced back to the mortal world. He arrived to find chaos in front of Sauji's cottage. Her aunt was raining down a torrent of vile insults. Just as the woman raised her hand to strike Sauji, Yun-hu's hand clamped down on her wrist like a vice.
His eyes, once soft for Sauji, now burned with the ferocity of a waking volcano.