186 The Fiance (1/2)

A trace of emotion rippled across the depths of Kang Jing's eyes upon looking at Rin.

”Bai Rin, is that you?” Lights of stars lit up in the prince's eyes.

An Sun had been observing off to the side the entire time. The corner of his lips twitched. After bearing with it for a long moment, he gave in and spoke up.

”Who are you?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Rin secretly stepped on his foot. He cast a glance at the girl beside him with a slight frown etched on his face.

Rin ignored his accusing glare. She lowered her gaze and bowed her head. ”Greetings your Highness Prince Kang.”

When Prince Kang heard the girl's soft voice, there was a minute shift in his originally controlled expression. The girl's aura was graceful and composed. Even though the veil hid her face, it could not hide the beauty beneath it.

The deep pools of his eyes flashed for an instant, quickly masking over the change as if he had never been surprised in the first place.

He suddenly released a bell-like laugher. ”There's no need for formalities, please rise.”

Rin raised her head but didn't bother to say a single word to initiate a conversation. Prince Wang chuckled, seeming unbothered by the girl's composed and quiet demeanor.

”I heard you left to visit relatives in the Southern Empire for a few months.” He smiled. ”I didn't know when you'd come back, but I have to say, I'm glad to see you again.”

”Prince Kang words are too kind,” Rin replied politely, a smile still on her face.

Prince Kang chuckled lightly and glanced at the man standing beside her. He was momentarily stunned upon seeing his face. The man was surprisingly tall in comparison to most men he had met – including the Bai family's General Guo.

In comparison to Rin's delicate, floral aura, the man beside her was much sharper, fierce even. While he wore traditional northern clothing, his face and demeanor did not match it at all.

At the same time Prince Kang was seizing An Sun, he was doing the same. He directed the bottomless depths of his own pupils at the man before him. A glint flashed through An Sun's gray pupils. His brows drew together.

So this guy was a prince?

Inwardly he clicked his tongue. Not impressive at all.

For a brief moment, Prince Kang thought he saw a glint of scorn flash within the man's pupils. However, when he looked again, only An Sun's bottomless gray eyes were met.

He couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable under his icy gaze.

”And this is?” He shifted his gaze between Rin and An Sun.

Maintaining a calm composure, Rin replied. ”This is my step-brother, Bai Sun. He's returned with me from my relatives.”

”I see.” Prince Kang oddly felt a sense of relief from her explanation. However, looking the two over again, he found the sibling title rather unusual. They held zero resemblances.

She did say they were step-siblings…

”Your Highness Prince Kang…” Rin started speaking.

”Kang Jian.” He corrected her.

Rin offered a smile but was still courteously declined his request. ”Prince Kang, I hate to disrupt our conversation, but my brother and I need to return home before it gets late. I don't want to worry my grandfather.”

After saying so, Prince Kang's expression rearranged into a frown as he looked down at the refined girl. With a light laugh, he scratched the back of his head. He knew how scary the Bai commander could be when it came to his granddaughter.

After all, he threatened to start a war if she were to be engaged to him.

”I understand. Then, please return safely.” His smile held some reluctance. ”And…I hope to see you again, Bai Rin.”

Rin smiled but didn't reply. Then, she respectfully lowered her head. It was only after a courteous pause that she raised her head and turned around, An Sun following behind her. Prince Kang watched her small departing back with disappointment.

He shook his head with a sigh.

A flower that blooms so beautifully, yet unable to ever be plucked.

…

After walking away from Prince Kang, Rin suddenly raised a hand to her mouth and giggled. An Sun swept his gaze toward her, a strange look in his eyes.

”What?” A twitch developed at the corner of his mouth.

Rin's laughter ceased, and she glanced at An Sun briefly. ”How do you think my convenient acting was?”

An Sun stared down at her with wide, disbelieving eyes. He was completely dumbfounded by her words. Then, the stiff expression on his face promptly relaxed and a faint trace of humor emerged in his eyes.

His mouth curled into a smirk. ”Pretty good.”

He seemed to have thought of something and opened his mouth to say, ”That guy is a prince, right? What's your relationship with him?”

Rin blinked. In the next second, she sighed with her shoulders slightly slumped.

”Prince Kang and I were previously betrothed to one another.” She answered honestly.

An Sun's reaction to Rin's explanation was a stunned stare. He continued blinking his widened eyes without speaking. His gaze was upon her now, but there was no smile touching his mouth.

”Previously?” His brows furrowed together.

Rin helplessly smiled. ”My grandfather.”

His name was all it took for An Sun to comprehend her words. That old man was intense.

Meanwhile, Rin looked ahead without much change in expression. It looked as if she was thinking about something deeply.

”I'm glad, though.” She quietly added. ”Right now…I don't see marriage in my future. My heart will rest until I'm ready.”