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In front of her was a diagram that contained some military tactics. She scanned through it and spotted some clever war of art tactics.

Who was he? How could one be so talented? Even scribbling down poems would be hard enough, what's more, military tactics that could be read vertically, horizontally, diagonally and alternately?

Probably her surprise alarmed him. He looked over with doubtful eyes. She immediately replaced her surprise with a confused expression. After all, a young child like her should probably not know of the Xuanji Diagram, nor understand the subtleties of it.

When he was done writing, he tore it into half and gave one of the halves to her. Muddled, she took over the diagram. To that, he smiled and said, ”Engagement gift.”

'What engagement gift? From now on, you will be living your luxurious life while I'll be squatting in the cupboard, tolerating the days without sunlight. What interactions will we even have?'

She turned back to the cupboard. Now that she had finally come out, she did not want to go back in. ”Bring me out to take a look, I want to see the view outside!” she requested.

Her plan was to escape while he wasn't paying attention once he brought her out. And from then on, she would be free.

He promised, covering her with his cape and carried her out. From the small slit between the cape, she could see that the place she had been in for 5 years was a tiny vestibule. In front of the cupboard, there was a curtain covering over it. In the palace outside, there were an entrance and pale yellow walls with a dark red door.

She was elated at the prospect of freedom once they got out of the palace. But suddenly, he froze.

And then, he stood still, as though listening to something. She writhed with unease in his embrace. He pressed down on her head tightly, and she immediately stopped moving.

Then, she heard a low, hushed whisper. ”I have something to do, I'll send you back first. I'll fetch you later… alright?”

She was a little disappointed, but her freedom was in his hands, and she could only nod obediently. He sent her back to her tiny accommodation, and she stood by the window and watched as he soared over the tall palace walls. Her eyes filled with envy for the freedom he had. Suddenly, he turned back in mid-air.

She could see his mouth moving, and she read his lips.

”Wait for me.”

The autumn sunshine was bright, reflecting in the sincere eyes of the young man. She looked into those eyes and nodded her head trustingly. She believed that he would do as he said. And so, she looked around her surroundings, took off that lotus on her head, and for the very first time, crawled back into the cupboard willingly, waiting for his return.

Alas, he did not return.

He never did.

Because that night, she lost herself.

… The breeze brought with it a strange stench of metallic blood… that smell… that smell…

In the dark, she hugged her knees, losing hope by the second. Suddenly, she heard footsteps and was eager and ready to rush out towards him. But then, she heard an unfamiliar female voice. ”Didn't they spot that person here? Where is he?”

More footsteps could be heard. She was absolutely frightened, and she dared not even breathe normally. Vaguely, she could hear someone replying to that girl in a low, muffled voice. Then, a crisp slap could be heard.

”I don't even know why the Xuanji even has trash like you all? Even using the word trash is too polite,” that girl said haughtily.

It seemed as though that girl was in a bad mood and ordered all the men to retreat. The surroundings quieted down as she hoped for that girl to leave quickly. Otherwise, if he were to come and see a stranger, he would not be able to take her away.

The surroundings remained quiet for a long time. She thought that the girl had left and just as she was about to move, she could hear footsteps heading into the room. That girl actually entered the room.

That girl paced around the room, seemingly annoyed. ”Uncle Epsilon said that he came. Why did he not come to the palace? Doesn't he know I've been wanting to see him for a very long time? Shouldn't the most renowned prince in the Five Regions Continent meet the most honorable princess of the Five Regions Continent?”