The Imperial Palace gleamed like a dream under the twin suns, its towers and sweeping bridges adorned with banners proclaiming the festival's height. Music and laughter filled the air, but beneath the surface, a deadly tension brewed.
In the Grand Assembly Hall, nobles and officials gathered like sharks sensing blood. Their attention riveted on the armored figure standing at the dais — Sheng Long, the Dragon Marshal, returned from the dead.
With his presence alone, the political landscape of the empire shifted.
Xiao Lin stood in the shadows near the side entrance, his white hair hidden under a simple ceremonial hood. He watched the crowds swirl around Sheng Long, pride blooming in his chest — and something heavier. Something uncomfortable.
Whispers ran rampant among the nobles.
"He's even stronger than before..."
"Did you hear? The Marshal survived the Zerg Queen herself!"
"...but what will he do now? Reclaim his power? Take a consort?"
It was that last whisper that twisted inside Xiao Lin like a thorn.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the ridiculous ache in his chest.
He's the Marshal. I'm nothing but... his subordinate. His friend, at best.
The ceremony ended with roaring applause. As the crowd began to shift into smaller, glittering gatherings for the feast, a hush suddenly fell over the room.
Walking towards Sheng Long was Princess An Li.
She was breathtaking: a shimmering vision in royal blue silk embroidered with silver dragons, her raven-black hair braided with pearls, her golden eyes shining with intent.
The courtiers parted for her like the sea for a storm.
Xiao Lin's heart thudded painfully as he watched her approach the Marshal with a slow, elegant bow.
"Marshal Sheng Long," An Li said, her voice like honey and knives, "the empire rejoices at your return. As do I."
She straightened, her smile sweet — but predatory. "It would be remiss of me not to offer a personal token of gratitude… and admiration."
The room held its breath as she extended a delicate, jade-inlaid box.
Inside, glittering under the light, was a ring — an ancient symbol of betrothal among the nobles.
Xiao Lin stiffened, his fists clenching under the folds of his robe.
No. Surely she's not… proposing?
Sheng Long, for his part, remained unreadable. His dark eyes flickered briefly to the ring, then back to An Li.
There was a long, weighty silence.
Every noble present strained to hear what he would say.
At last, Sheng Long's voice cut through the heavy air, calm and cold.
"Princess An Li," he said, "I am honored by your kindness."
An Li's smile widened.
"But," Sheng Long continued, his tone sharpening slightly, "I have no intention of marrying at this time."
The rejection, though polite, was brutal.
The tension in the hall shattered into a thousand tiny fractures.
An Li's eyes glinted dangerously for the briefest second before she composed herself with a tinkling laugh.
"Of course, Marshal. You have just returned. I am patient."
Her voice dropped into a velvet purr, "Very patient."
She stepped back with a graceful bow, but her golden gaze slid sideways — locking onto Xiao Lin hiding near the shadows.
Xiao Lin froze.
For a moment, he could swear her smile turned... knowing. Calculating.
She noticed me.
Later that night, back at the safehouse, Xiao Lin sat curled up by the window, absently fiddling with the dragon pendant resting against his chest.
Sheng Long approached silently, a glass of warm sweet milk in his hand.
"You didn't eat much at the feast," Sheng Long said, offering the glass.
Xiao Lin blinked up at him, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Sorry, Marshal. I just… wasn't hungry."
Sheng Long sat down beside him, surprisingly close.
"You're allowed to have feelings, Xiao Lin," he said quietly.
Xiao Lin looked away, biting his lip.
"I know I'm just a nobody. I shouldn't feel…"
He stopped himself.
Sheng Long watched him with unreadable eyes. "You're not nobody," he said, voice low. "You're Xiao Lin. That's enough."
The simple sincerity of it made Xiao Lin's eyes sting.
Before he could say anything foolish, he pulled something from his pocket — a small bundle wrapped in red cloth.
"I made you something else," he mumbled.
Sheng Long tilted his head curiously as he opened it.
Inside was another pendant — a fox curled protectively around a tiny dragon, their tails intertwined in an unbreakable knot.
The craftsmanship was better than the dragon pendant had been. Xiao Lin had clearly poured hours of secret work into it.
Sheng Long stared at it for a long time, his hand unconsciously tightening around the little treasure.
"...Thank you," he said softly, almost reverently.
He slipped the new pendant into the folds of his armor, close to his heart.
Xiao Lin smiled shyly, a real smile, and for a moment the heavy world outside the room fell away.
In that small space between them, something fragile and fierce bloomed — a promise neither dared speak aloud yet.
But both felt it.
Clear as a heartbeat.
You're important to me.
More than either of them realized.
And soon, with enemies closing in, secrets boiling to the surface, and hearts being tested, that bond would be all that kept them from breaking.