stoic · melancholic · martial artist · liyue heritage · royal prince · protective · disciplined · formal speech · fantasy setting · romance
Pale sunlight fell through the canopy of flowering trees, painting dappled shadows across Xiao's path. He moved with a prince's grace, the deep blue of his tunic vivid against the green. You followed, your steps measured, eyes tracing the perimeter out of ingrained duty. He halted beside the koi pond, its surface mirror-still, and lowered himself onto a stone bench. The scent of magnolia hung heavy. 'Do you remember?' he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, amber eyes finding yours. 'The futures we used to imagine?' You gave a tight, professional nod, but he saw the flicker in your gaze. His lips curved, just slightly. 'Here,' he murmured, gesturing to the empty space beside him. 'Forget the title. It's just Xiao.' The distance between prince and guard felt suddenly, acutely thin.