The return of her highness

Chapter three

Dragon Capital

In a small forest on the outskirts of Dragon Capital, Xiao Yao wandered aimlessly along a narrow path. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead, while the distant cries of birds echoed through the quiet woods.

As she walked, something caught her attention.

A man lay motionless on the ground.

Xiao Yao immediately stopped and hurried over.

"Hey! Wake up! Are you okay?" she called, gently tapping his shoulder.

There was no response.

Her eyes widened.

"Is he... dead?" she wondered.

She carefully observed him, but the stranger remained completely still.

"If he's really dead, I shouldn't stay here," she thought nervously. "What if someone finds me beside him and blames me?"

She quickly stood up and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, however, she paused.

"Wait a minute..."

She glanced back at the unconscious man.

"He looks quite handsome. And those clothes are impressive too."

A mischievous smile appeared on her face.

"Besides, traveling as a man would make things much easier. I don't even know who I am anymore. Maybe using a different identity isn't such a bad idea."

Without thinking too deeply about the consequences, Xiao Yao exchanged her clothing with the stranger and adjusted her appearance to resemble a young man.

When she finally looked at herself, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Wow! I actually look pretty good like this!"

Feeling pleased with her new disguise, she continued on her journey.

Moments after she disappeared into the distance, the unconscious man slowly opened his eyes.

He blinked several times before staring down at himself in complete confusion.

"What... happened?"

He looked around frantically.

"Why am I wearing different clothes?"

The more he thought about it, the more bewildered he became.

"No way..."

He shook his head.

"This can't be happening."

Completely confused, he rose to his feet and headed off in the opposite direction.

By the time night arrived, Xiao Yao was exhausted.

After hours of walking, a magnificent estate finally appeared before her.

The grand walls, elegant architecture, and beautifully decorated gardens looked almost unreal beneath the moonlight.

Xiao Yao's eyes lit up.

"What an amazing place!"

Curiosity got the better of her.

With surprising agility, she climbed over the outer wall and landed softly inside.

Rows of colorful flowers stretched across the garden, filling the air with a pleasant fragrance.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

As she explored further, she noticed something strange.

"Why doesn't anyone seem to be here?"

She wandered through several courtyards before entering an enormous room decorated with luxurious furnishings.

"Wow!"

Her excitement grew.

"Could this place be abandoned?"

A grin spread across her face.

"If it is, maybe I can live here!"

Her imagination immediately ran wild.

"And tomorrow I'll bring homeless children here too. Nobody should have to sleep outside."

Pleased with her plan, she continued exploring until she discovered a private hot spring hidden within the residence.

Warm steam drifted into the air.

"There's even a hot spring?"

She approached the water and dipped her hand into it.

"It's warm."

Smiling, she sat beside the spring and relaxed.

Suddenly—

A powerful force seized her arm and pulled her into the water.

Splash!

Xiao Yao resurfaced, coughing in shock.

Before her stood a young man with sharp features and cold eyes.

His expression was filled with fury.

"Who are you?" he demanded. "How dare you trespass into my private chambers?"

This man was none other than Prince Wu, the Second Prince of the Dragon Palace.

Before Xiao Yao could answer, his hand closed around her throat.

"Speak," he said coldly. Do you have a death wish?"

This man was none other than Prince Wu, the Second Prince of the Dragon Palace.

Before Xiao Yao could react, his hand seized her collar.

"I'm sorry!" she cried. "I thought this place was empty!"

Prince Wu's eyes narrowed.

"Empty?"

His voice turned colder.

"Are you blind? Can you not tell the difference between a royal residence and an abandoned building?"

Realizing her mistake, Xiao Yao laughed nervously.

"I can explain..."

"I don't want explanations."

Prince Wu stepped closer.

"I want answers."

His powerful aura immediately made Xiao Yao nervous.

"I... I..."

She stuttered.

"What?"

Prince Wu's gaze sharpened.

"Who sent you?"

"What?"

"Don't play dumb."

His eyes flashed with suspicion.

"You appeared in my chambers in the middle of the night. You expect me to believe that's a coincidence?"

Before Xiao Yao could answer, Prince Wu drew his sword.

The blade gleamed beneath the moonlight.

It stopped inches from her throat.

"If you refuse to speak," he said coldly, "I'll send you to meet your ancestors."

"WAIT!"

Xiao Yao nearly jumped out of her skin.

Then, without thinking, she muttered under her breath:

"You're so fierce. Good looks are completely wasted on you."

Prince Wu heard every word.

His eyebrow twitched.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"You're truly tired of living."

Xiao Yao slowly stepped backward.

"I'm doomed..."

She suddenly turned and ran.

Unfortunately, she only made it a few steps before Prince Wu caught hold of her robe.

The sudden movement loosened her disguise.

Her carefully tied hair fell over her shoulders.

Prince Wu froze.

His sword lowered slightly.

"You're... a woman?"

Xiao Yao's eyes widened.

She hurriedly fixed her robe and stepped back.

For the first time, genuine surprise appeared on Prince Wu's face.

A mysterious stranger disguised as a man had somehow entered his private chambers.

The situation had become far more interesting.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

"So. Hiding your identity?"

"I wasn't hiding anything!"

Prince Wu folded his arms.

"Then explain yourself."

Xiao Yao hesitated.

Finally, she lowered her head.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I don't remember."

Prince Wu frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know who I am."

The playful expression vanished from his face.

"I lost my memories," Xiao Yao said quietly. "I was just wandering around until I ended up here."

Prince Wu stared at her.

She looked sincere.

Confused. Lost.

Almost innocent.

Yet he couldn't allow himself to trust her.

"Whether she's telling the truth or not," he thought, "I need to find out who she really is."

"Is that so?" he asked.

Xiao Yao nodded.

Prince Wu's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

For the first time that night, he lowered his sword.

But he did not lower his guard.