Chapter Nine: The Choice
338 Words
The western wing was forbidden.
Which meant it was exactly where she needed to be.
Li Yue moved through the corridor quietly, each step calculated, controlled. The palace was quieter here—too quiet.
The kind of silence that meant something was wrong.
Voices echoed faintly from behind a closed door.
She stopped.
Listened.
“…the prince is becoming distracted.”
Her breath stilled.
“He’s always been controlled,” another voice said. “But now? He watches her. Follows her. It’s a weakness.”
Li Yue’s chest tightened.
“We can use that.”
A pause.
Then—
“Or eliminate it.”
The words landed like a blade.
She stepped back instinctively—
And hit something.
No.
Someone.
Her breath caught.
She turned—
And found Xiao Zhen standing behind her.
Silent.
Watching.
His expression unreadable.
“How long have you been here?” she asked quietly.
“Long enough.”
Silence.
Heavy. Dangerous.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he said.
“Neither should you.”
His gaze darkened.
“That’s not the same.”
“Isn’t it?”
Another pause.
Then his eyes flicked toward the door.
“You heard them.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.”
“And yet you’re still here.”
Li Yue met his gaze.
“I wanted to know the truth.”
“And now you do.”
The words should have ended it.
Should have sent her away.
But instead—
She stepped closer.
“They’re right,” she said quietly. “Aren’t they?”
His expression didn’t change.
“That I’m a weakness.”
Silence.
Then—
“No,” he said.
Her heart stilled.
“You’re not a weakness,” he continued, voice low.
“You’re a risk.”
A breath.
“And I haven’t decided yet…”
He stepped closer.
“…whether to protect you—”
His hand lifted, brushing lightly against her cheek.
“…or destroy everything that threatens you.”
Her pulse raced.
Because somehow—
Both felt equally dangerous.
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