Before the sun rose, Yue danced with danger—and desire. But as shadows closed in, the past she can't remember may become the future she can't escape…
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As the faint light of early morning touched, Yue dressed in plain gray training clothes.
The fabric was rough yet easy to move in, quite different from the soft silks she usually wore in the palace.
"My Lady, are you sure you're not going to tell me where you're headed?" Hong whispered while tying the simple belt around Yue's waist.
Yue shook her head gently. "It's better if you don't know,"
Hong looked concerned but nodded understandingly.
"I prepared a simple breakfast for you. You'll need your strength for whatever you're planning."
Yue quickly ate a bowl of rice porridge with some preserved vegetables.
While Hong braided her hair tightly, Yue chose not to wear any ornaments to avoid drawing attention or making noise.
"I'll be back before the morning bell," Yue assured Hong.
"I'll make up some excuses if needed," Hong said, worry written in her eyes.
"Please be careful, my Lady."
Yue slipped out through the servants' path, her breath visible in the cold morning air. The palace grounds were shrouded in darkness, with just a few torches showing where the guards stood.
Hugging the cold stone wall, Yue counted in her head as two guards walked by.
After waiting a moment, she dashed across an open courtyard, keeping close to the ground.
Ahead lay the servants' quarters, their windows still dark.
Beyond them waited the old cypress grove where General Wan instructed.
A dog's bark echoed in the distance. Yue halted and crouched behind a water barrel until the silence returned.
Her heart raced, but she maintained calm, steady breaths.
Navigating the edge of the kitchen garden, she spotted morning dew glittering on the leafy vegetables. The scent of burning wood lingered in the air as cooks began their early preparation for the day.
Yue carefully ducked under a clothesline, avoiding contact with the hanging garments. The dark and silent cypress grove came into view.
General Wan stood in the clearing, his strong figure blending into the cypress shadows.
He wore simple attire—a fitted dark tunic showing his broad shoulders, loose trousers tied at the ankles, and soft leather boots.
His hair was pulled back in a practical knot, revealing the defined lines of his jaw.
"You arrived without anyone seeing you." It sounded more like a statement than a question.
Yue nodded, noticing her quick breaths.
"Everyone in the palace sleeps deeply at this early hour."
Wan moved closer, the early light revealing his face's angles. A thin scar marked his right cheekbone.
He handed her a wooden practice sword, its surface smooth from years of use.
"This might feel strange at first," he said as she took the sword, "but your body will remember."
Wan quietly moved behind her, his footsteps making no sound on the dew-covered ground.
She sensed his presence before his hands touched her sash, gently securing it around her waist.
"Your stance needs to be strong," he murmured near her ear.
"Everything depends on that." His hands lingered on her waist, steadying her.
She felt the warmth of his palms through her robe, aware of how close his chest was to her back and the subtle scent of leather that surrounded him.
"Is this right?" she asked, her voice strange to her own ears.
Wan faced her, his eyes unreadable in the dim light. Their silence felt charged with unspoken things.
"Yes," he finally replied, stepping back and drawing his practice sword.
Wan took his position across from Yue, demonstrating the first stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, holding the wooden sword at an angle.
"Do as I do," he instructed.
"Balance your weight on both feet."
Yue tried miming his position, but her foot slipped on the damp grass. She stumbled forward, dropping her practice sword.
Wan reacted swiftly, catching her at the waist before she could fall. His strong hands steadied her, fingers spread across her side.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, embarrassed by how close they suddenly were.
"Don't apologize." His voice was barely audible.
"Your body understands, but your mind hesitates."
He held her a moment longer than necessary, then released her, clearing his throat as he picked up her fallen sword.
"Let me help you with the grip." Wan positioned himself behind her, nearly touching her back.
He reached around, his hand enveloping hers on the hilt.
"Like this—thumb resting along the ridge, fingers firm but not tight."
The roughness of his hand brushed lightly against her softer skin. Yue caught her breath as his fingers adjusted hers, the contact feeling unexpectedly intimate.
"Now, lift and strike," he instructed, guiding her arm with his smoothly.
They practiced the movement repeatedly, each swing drawing them closer until she could feel the warmth coming from him, his breath moving the loose strands of hair near her face.
When Yue finally turned to face him, their faces were only inches apart. A flush crept up Wan's neck, disappearing under his collar.
He abruptly stepped back, running a hand through his hair.
"You're a fast learner," he said, voice rougher than before.
"Oh really?" Yue asked, lowering her practice sword.
Wan circled her, making gentle adjustments to her stance. His fingers brushed against her elbow, lifting it slightly.
"That's better. You always picked things up fast."
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Remember when I taught you to skip stones on the lake? Only three tries and you were already better than me."
Yue tilted her head in thought.
"Did that really happen?"
"You were quite proud of it." Wan's eyes softened with the memory.
"You insisted we go to the lake every day for a week so you could show off. My father thought I was going crazy, disappearing every afternoon to entertain a little girl with river rocks."
"You didn't have to humor me," Yue said, mirroring his stance.
"I would have taken you anywhere you asked." The words escaped before he could catch them. Wan cleared his throat, looking away.
He stepped back and raised his practice sword. "I'm going to attack now. Don't overthink—just react."
Wan lunged forward, his wooden sword slicing through the air. Yue sidestepped quickly, her movements surprisingly fluid.
He pivoted, attacking from another angle. She ducked and spun away from his strike.
"That's it," Wan said, increasing his speed. His attacks came faster now.
"Trust your instincts."
Yue moved with a natural flow, dodging with unexpected skill.
"You're holding back," Yue said, breathless but excited.
Wan raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"
Suddenly, he rushed at her. Yue blocked the first hit but missed when his leg aimed for her ankles.
She stumbled back, and Wan pressed on.
"Imagine an ambush with several attackers. What do you do?" he shouted.
Before she could think, Wan knocked the practice sword from her hand and tackled her. They fell together onto the wet grass, with Wan taking most of the impact.
He ended up pinning her gently, arm across her collarbone without pressure.
"What now?" he whispered, close. Their faces nearly touched. Wan's quick breaths warmed her cheeks.
Yue's pulse raced, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Their eyes locked—his intense and searching, hers holding something unnamed. Yue lay still, aware of every connection they made.
Wan abruptly rolled away, breaking the tension.
He stood swiftly and offered his hand to Yue.
She felt the warmth of his fingers in the morning chill as he pulled her up effortlessly.
They stood, saying nothing about what had just passed between them.
Wan cleared his throat and picked up the practice swords.
"Your instincts are sharp, but you hesitated."
"I didn't want to hurt you," Yue explained, brushing frost from her robes.
"In a real fight, hesitation can be fatal," Wan said, his tone stern and commanding.
"You must act without holding back, even against those you trust." Yue studied his face in the growing light.
"Even you?" asked Yue.
Wan's expression gave a flash of vulnerability.
"Even me," he said softly.
The palace bells rang out, breaking the morning calm. Yue glanced toward the sound, knowing she had to leave soon.
"I have to leave," she said, slowly handing back the practice sword. Wan nodded, taking the wooden sword from her.
"I'll see you around," replied Wan.
Yue quietly stepped back towards the path where she came from.
Wan stood there, watching her go. His eyes followed her as she became a smaller figure in the distance.
His eyes followed her diminishing figure with a longing he wouldn't allow himself to voice. He knew the futility of his feelings—she belonged to the Emperor now.
As Yue disappeared into the cypress trees, his heart felt heavy with the understanding that there was no future for them together.
He exhaled slowly, turning to gather the practice weapons. Birds began their morning songs, oblivious to the turmoil in his heart.
Suddenly, he heard the snap of a twig.
Wan halted, his soldier instincts kicking in immediately.
His hand moved to the real dagger hidden at his waist as he scanned the trees with his eyes.
Nothing seemed to move.
Then, a shadow swiftly darted between two ancient cypress trees.
"Stop!" Wan shouted, his voice cutting through the morning silence.
The shadow dashed away, crashing through the underbrush. Wan sprinted after it, hardly touching the ground as he gave chase.
Whoever it was knew the area well and moved quickly between the trees.
As the figure reached the grove's edge, something slipped from its hand—either dropped or intentionally thrown.
Wan skidded to a halt, breathing heavily.
Continuing the chase could attract unwanted attention.
His eyes focused on the object lying on the ground—a small scroll tied with red thread bearing the symbols of the Yun kingdom.