Chapter Text
The morning air still held onto the chill brought by the previous night. Elongated shadows from the surrounding trees of the forest didn't help matters with blocking out most of the just risen sun. Droplets of water and frost still clung to grass and leaves alike refusing to release their hold until the heat of the day whisked them away. It was always tricky predicting how warm the early spring would be for even the most dedicated scholars. The past winter was a heavy one, the most brutal in many years. So it would seem, even now with the snow fully melted away, it felt the need to remind everyone of it's presence and power.
Zhao Yunlan shivered pulling his cloak tighter around him in a feeble attempt to block it out. The couple hours he sat on the thick tree branch so far proved uneventful. Most hunting trips often involved tests of patience anyways so it wasn't that surprising. He wouldn't trade it for anything though. It was the only time he was able to be alone, away from his duties for a significant amount of time.
Usually, he wouldn't be out here right now, not on an important day like today, but a friend had been needing new game for their shop for a while and the report of a deer herd close by was too tempting to pass up. If he was being honest with himself, the whole thing was just an excuse to get away. Being able to put down the weight of being the crown prince to a powerful kingdom did wonders for Zhao Yunlan's stress level. Tracking the herd wasn't all that difficult even for a beginner. Now he was just waiting for them to pass by his hiding spot so he could go home and warm up. The thought he ended up a bit too close to the main road leading to the Haixing's capitol city gate did cross his mind briefly yet easily brushed off.
The wait turned out to be longer that he probably should've allowed. Zhao Yunlan could not be absent when the envoy from the Empire of Dixing arrived and he was really pushing it right now. A few months ago, a missive from the neighboring nation requested renegotiation of the ancient Dragon Treaty concerning the limits on trade between the two nations. They didn't specify why, but it was easy enough to guess. Stories and rumors of Dixing never painted a pretty picture and winter would've hit them just as hard as Haixing.
Zhao Yunlan would never admit it to anyone outside of his closest friends, especially not to the king, but he was curious about meeting someone from Dixing. Their abilities due to dark energy fascinated the prince never seeing it action before. Besides traders and merchants, normal citizens didn't bother traveling between them. It wasn't strictly illegal, just highly frowned upon. Zhao Yunlan wasn't sure how much of the negotiations he'd be a part of. Perhaps he'd get a chance to talk to the appointed envoy outside of them later. These things always took an unnecessary long time, in his humble opinion, so the opportunity had to come around at some point.
Musings of what the guy's power might be cut short when a soft snort froze him in place. Immediately, Zhao Yunlan spotted an unsuspecting lone deer meandering between the trees nose firmly pointed to the ground.
Finally he thought to himself readying the bow in his hands. Protests of stiff muscles went ignored as he drew the arrow back ready to fire. Stilling a hand against his jaw, focusing down the length of the shaft, going step by step to ensure the arrow hit the mark. Fingers began to relax, ready to let the string go but paused when the animal's head snapped up looking intently to the right. He followed the gaze hoping something wasn't about to take his kill only to find confusion.
It wasn't another predator, not an animal one at least. Walking steadily towards the deer, leading a horse by the reins, was the most beautiful man Zhao Yunlan had ever seen. Pale, sharp cheekbones and an unfairly lethal looking jaw line standing out in the sun. A curtain of shiny black hair held back by various braids falling to his mid back made the observer's own locks tied away with a simple leather strap feel wholly inadequate by comparison. The simple riding clothes – dark trousers and what looked like a blue long sleeved tunic – seemed way too unsophisticated for the man's exceptional beauty. The man had to be freezing without something to counter the cold. Zhao Yunlan spotted a black cloak draped across the horse's back where it did nothing for him. Surely he would be more comfortable actually wearing it.
Zhao Yunlan watched in absolute awe, bow and arrow now held loosely, as the man calmly approached the deer. Even more amazing the deer let him. It didn't run off. He's pretty sure his jaw slammed to the ground when the man held out his hand as the deer sniffed and nuzzled into it. Zhao Yunlan rubbed his eyes thinking he was somehow hallucinating the whole thing, but nope. Man and deer were still there.
He wasn't sure how long he sat there; long enough his crouched legs began to cramp up uncomfortably. Shifting slightly to find relief wasn't the best idea when thoroughly distracted. His boot slipped off the branch pulling the rest of him with it with a startled yelp. A mad scramble to find purchase on the way down only left him with scratched up palms. The weightlessness lasted a mere second followed by the air rushing out of his lungs as he hit the ground hard leaving him shocked and unable to move for a moment. Zhao Yunlan laid there sucking down breath after breath until they finally evened out. Pushing himself into a sitting position didn't help much.
“Are you alright?”
Zhao Yunlan startled at the voice and found the man jogging towards him with clear concern. Damn even his voice was soothing. Shaking the thought away, Zhao Yunlan gave a breathy chuckle. “I'm fine. More embarrassed than hurt.”
The man let go of the reins and the horse obediently stopped waiting for it's master. Was this guy an animal whisperer or something? Stepping closer to Zhao Yunlan, he decided the stranger was even more breathtaking up close. Those dark eyes held so much warmth Zhao Yunlan was almost convinced that was the reason he didn't need the cloak. He seemed to hesitate a moment before offering his hand which Zhao Yunlan gladly took. The warmth of the palm was just as surprising as the strength used to easily pull him to his feet with no visible effort.
Zhao Yunlan gave the biggest smile he could muster. “Thanks. I'm Kunlun,” he lied. The lesson never to use his real name with strangers outside the city like this was drilled into him from a young age. “May I have the honor of knowing my beautiful savior's name?”
The man offered a small smile of his own ducking his head slightly. “Surname Shen. Shen Wei.”
Zhao Yunlan tested the syllables on his tongue. “Shen Wei? A good name!”
The reddening of Shen Wei's cheeks deepened further than the chill could accomplish. He glanced up at the tree Zhao Yunlan had just graciously fallen out of. “Are you sure you're alright? That was quite the fall.”
“I'll definitely bruise later, but nothing feels broken.” Except his ego definitely took a hit, Zhao Yunlan thought sourly. Shen Wei's horse snorted as if agreeing with Zhao Yunlan's thoughts. He glared at the unbothered animal. “Hey! No need to be so judgmental. That deer probably has better manners.”
The faux grumpiness melted at the ringing of the other man's quiet laugh. Was this guy even real? How could everything about him be so perfect? Silence and mirth fill the air between them and Zhao Yunlan found himself not wanting to leave. The beautiful, strange man captivated him; a mystery just waiting to be unraveled and the prince loved a mystery.
“So do you live around here?” he asked. “I'm not trespassing on your land am I?”
“No, on both accounts. I'm on my way to stay in the capital city for a while.”
Ah ha! Perfect. If a chance to see Shen Wei again dangled right in front of him he'd gladly take. “Well it just so happens I've lived there my whole life! Perhaps we can meet up sometime and I'll give you a tour. Show you all the best spots in the city.”
Shen Wei smiled taking Zhao Yunlan's breath away a second time. “Perhaps.”
Zhao Yunlan opened his mouth to ask where he was staying when the faint chiming of the city bells reached his ears. Dread settled at the bottom of his stomach like an anchor. If it truly was already that late into the morning, he was so screwed.
“What wrong?” Shen Wei asked noticing the change.
“I gotta go or I'll be late to something I really can't be late for.” He located his dropped bow and slung it on his shoulder with practiced ease. “I'm really sorry. I'd escort you to the city but...”
The other man just nodded. “I understand. Don't let me keep you. Go.”
Zhao Yunlan started running though the trees knowing he'd have to sprint the whole way for even a chance of making it on time. Still he turned around and shouted. “We'll meet again Shen Wei!”
“Good luck Kunlun!”
One last smile sent towards the beautiful stranger and Zhao Yunlan high tailed it towards the capitol city of the Haixing Kingdom. He usually didn't go far from the walls when hunting; a deal he made with his father after one particular accident that nearly confined him from leaving the palace alone ever again. The scar on his leg where the bone poked through a daily reminder.
Soon the looming gray walls separating the city from the rest of the world came into view just as the burning in his lungs became painful. Forgoing the main gate, Zhao Yunlan headed straight for the lesser known side gate. The two city guards snapped to attention but relaxed after recognizing him.
“Good morning my prince,” one called, the tone teasing. Pretty much anyone whose been around him for more than a few minutes knows just how much dislike he has being called by his title.
Zhao Yunlan paused catching his breath and shaking out the ache in his legs. “Hi Rong-ge, Ban-ge. Chilly morning, huh?”
The guards gave each other a knowing look. So much for being discrete about not being where he was supposed to be. “You might want to hurry Your Highness. It's been reported the Dixing Envoy has just arrived at the main gate. They should be escorting him to the palace now.”
A slew of curses flew from the prince's lips drowning out the guard's laughter as he dashed into the city streets with renewed energy. The escort would take the main road, the fastest most direct route to the Haixing Palace. But if he pushed just hard enough, the quieter side streets and alleys should be sufficient. At one point his run took him near the crowded main road. The large group of people gathered along the sidewalks with nervous energy. Their quiet whispers dying away as Zhao Yunlan caught a glimpse of the reason for the silence.
A procession of three people on horseback rode by the crowd. One Haixing guard in front and one in back surrounding who could only be one person. The pure black cloak draped over proud shoulders had intricate embroidery along the hood which was pulled up blocking the mans face from view. But Zhao Yunlan thought he saw the edges of a mask too. Which wasn't too much of a surprise; apparently it's common to wear masks in Dixing on a daily basis. That's about all Zhao Yunlan was able to register before the next building separated them again.
Pushing even more, Zhao Yunlan made it to the inner palace wall in record time. Heaving the servant's entrance open with plans to go straight to the throne room even though he was less than presentable at the moment, the clearing of a throat halted his progress. Chu Shuzhi, second in command of the Palace Guard, stood in the hallway blocking the prince's path. Silently, the man held out a bundle of red and gray fabric and a wet washcloth. Zhao Yunlan smiled, relief flooding his veins.
“Lao Chu, you're amazing.”
The man merely grunted – used to the prince's antic and habits by now – and waited for Zhao Yunlan to wipe away the grime and sweat and change into the much more appropriate outfit for someone of his status. Gray pants with small red designs sewn in, a matching red tunic, and a gray formal coat to finish. Much nicer than his usual style, but considering what was about to happen he didn't argue too much about it.
Lao Chu opted to stay behind so Zhao Yunlan twisted through the halls alone and slipped into the crowded throne room. Large pillars lined either side of the room with stained-glass windows casting colorful lights between. Banners of all different colors hung from the high ceiling denoting the different house symbols of the members of the royal court. His own family's banner, the royal family's, placed directly above the gold-decorated, stone throne.
His tardiness did not go unnoticed. Many members of the king's council subtly glowered at him as he walked by which he pointedly ignored. It was easy to with the amount of practice he's had over the years. That experience, however, did nothing against the outright glare the king was sending his way. The strained relationship with his father was known to all and easy to see. Neither tried to hide it.
So Zhao Yunlan didn't apologize for being late. Merely took his place on the king's right and waited. To be fair, the envoy hadn't arrived just yet so maybe he avoided the worst lecture bound to happen. Not a moment later, the main doors swung open silencing all as the lone figure dressed in all black was revealed. Cloak hood up and mask in place.
“Presenting the Envoy of Dixing!” the harold announced.
Alright Zhao Yunlan thought to himself. Let's do this.