With a few long strides, Prince Xian Rong closed the distance between them. He grabbed her wrist firmly and pulled her along, heading straight for his chamber.
Gasps rippled through the hall as the doors shut behind them.
While Yun Rong room mate took the children inside, leaving the whispering behind.
Inside, prince Xian Rong slammed the door closed.
"Now tell me," he said coldly, walking towards her, his presence pressing down on her. "What do you want? And how long have you been working here?"
Yue Rong's throat felt dry. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak.
"Last week," she murmured, lowering her head.
"Are you here to seduce my brother?" he asked, moving closer, leaving almost no space between them.
"No," she replied, frowning.
"I have children to take care of," she said quietly. "I don't want to burden Mr. Ha and his anymore."
"And their father?" he asked sharply. "I heard you are not married."
Yun Rong felt shame burned her chest.
Slowly, she lifted her eyes. Their gazes met.
She had never stood this close to him before. His face was only inches away now, his breath warm against her skin. For a moment, memories blurred__ she tried to recall the face of the man who had ruined her life, but the only face it show her was just inch away from her face.
Prince Xian Rong narrowed his eyes, as he saw the way her eyes danced around his face.
"Are you trying to seduce me again?" he asked, studying her expression.
"Again?" Yue Rong echoed softly, confused.
He paused. Then stepped back abruptly, his voice faltering.
"You tried to seduce my brother before. And now you're here, staring at me like that."
"I am not trying to seduce anyone," she said firmly. "I was raped. I don't know who the father of my children is. I came here only because I was given a chance to work."
"You truly don't know the father of your children?" Xian Rong asked, staring intensely at her.
Yue Rong slowly raised her eyes and her gaze met his. For a long time, their eyes remained firm on each other.
Those eyes, that nose, that face, the lips.... It's all Mimi and Lili. What?. Her eyes widened. Could he be the man from that night? She thought, disbelief washing over her.
How could he be? She asked herself.
"Yue Rong!" Xian Rong yelled and Yue Rong flinched, snapping out of her thoughts.
"Y...Your majesty." She stammered.
"Couldn't remember which of the men you seduced have the children?" He asked, his vouce dripping with irritation.
Yue Rong gasped in anger.
"Your Majesty. I have only been with one man all my life and I'm also not a seductress. Please, don't call me that again." Yue Rong said, her face glued to his face angrily.
Xian Rong scoffed, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He then held her chin, as if examining her face.
Yue Rong stared at his handsome face. Her anger melted immediately. His gaze was soft and he stared deep into her eyes. Yue Rong found herself lost in him mesmerizing eyes. The closer he was, the more she remembers that night. It was driving her crazy.
"So the only man you've been with is the father of the children? The man you claimed, raped you?" He asked, his voice soft but dangerous.
"Y... Yes, your Majesty." She answered, trying to control her breath.
Xian Rong smirked before tossing her face aside.
"Get out!" He whispered.
"What?"
"Yue Rong, do you need me to tell the guards to throw you out of my chamber or do you want to sleep with me?" He asked, sarcastically.
Yue Rong quickly ran out.
After Yue Rong left, Xian Rong began to pace around the room.
If he had once doubted whether he was responsible for her pregnancy, now he was certain.
"So… I am a father of two," he murmured, a faint smile touching his lips. A strange sense of pride warmed his chest.
Then his father's warning flashed through his mind.
He stopped in his tracks, the smile fading.
"What will Father say?" he murmured, running a hand through his hair.
His heart grew heavy as the weight of it all settled on him.
"What should I do now?"
He suddenly paused, an idea forming in his mind.
Maybe I should take her and the children and run away. Yes… that what I should do.
With his decision made, he left his chamber and headed straight toward the servants' quarters.
-----
Meanwhile, Yue Rong was restless in her room.
Could Prince Xian Rong really be the man from that night? "Why did my heart keep insisting it was him? Why do I always feel it's him?" And the resemblance… she thought, confusion tightening her chest.
Nearby, Mimi and Lili watched her silently.
"What do you think Mama is doing?" Mimi whispered into Lili's ear.
"I don't know," Lili replied innocently. "Maybe she's thinking about the brother who took her away."
Mimi smiled slightly. "That man is Papa."
Before Lili could respond, the door opened.
"What are you children whispering about?" Yue Rong's roommate Hua Lin asked as she entered, pulling Yue Rong out of her thoughts.
At that moment, a soft knock sounded at the door.
All eyes turned as Prince Xian Rong stepped inside. His gaze swept across the room before settling on the two children. He walked toward them and gently ruffled their hair, a warm smile on his face.
Mimi and Lili froze, staring at him in stunned silence. Yue Rong only watched, surprised.
Xian Rong then turned to Yue Rong.
"Follow me," he said, his tone firm__ more command than request.
Yue Rong stiffened. Before she could react, he had already turned and walked away.
"Yue Rong," Hua Lin whispered urgently, "what are you standing there for? Don't keep him waiting."
Her heart was pounding as she hurried after him. He led her through winding corridors until they reached a hidden, quiet corner of the palace, far from curious eyes and listening ears.
He turned back suddenly and gently caught her hand.
"Yue Rong," he said softly, his voice unsteady, "will you run away with me? You, me… and the children. Let's leave this place and go to a faraway kingdom, where no one knows us."
At his words, tears slipped from Yue Rong's eyes as reality hit her.
"Are you… the man from that night?" she choked, her voice breaking as more tears fell. "The one who slept with me?"
"Yes," Prince Xian Rong answered, almost in a whisper. "But I swear to you, I never meant to hurt you. You were drunk and so was I. You were desperate and pleasing… and I was drunk, lost in my own weakness."
He pressed her trembling hand to his chest.
"I recognized you the very first day I saw you again. But I was afraid__afraid of the truth, afraid of facing you. I didn't know what kind of woman you were, or what you thought of me." His voice cracked.
"I am sorry. Truly sorry—for what you went through, for leaving you alone to carry such pain. I should have taken responsibility sooner. I am ashamed that it took this long." He said, lowering his head.
"Please… let us leave together. Let me protect you and our children. If my father finds out, he may disown me___but I don't care anymore."
Yue Rong pulled her hand away, shaking her head.
"I don't want to come between you and your family," she said weakly. "I'll take the children and leave. No one even knows about us."
Her voice trembled.
"That night… I was drugged. It was my first time. I'm not that kind of woman, and I don't even know how to seduce a man. But don't worry__I will disappear with my children."
She said and turned to leave.
"No"
Xian Rong pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"It's too late," he said, his voice low and urgent. "My heart has already chosen you."
She froze, shocked by his words.
"We barely know each other," she whispered. "Where is this heart coming from?".
He lifted her face gently, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"I've always been drawn to you," he admitted. "That night… it was also my first and only time. You kept calling another man's name, and it shattered my pride. Still, I went back to look for you__ but you were gone."
Pain flickered across his eyes.
"Later, I saw you beside my brother, carrying a child. I misunderstood everything. I thought you had deceived me… and him."
A soft smile touched his lips.
"Now you stand before me with my sons. I can't let you go."
"No," Yue Rong whispered, shaking her head. "They are girls. They dressed as boys to enter the palace."
"What?" He gasped, blinking his eyes.
Yue Rong chuckled.
"It was so real. I thought they were boys. They are still my children," Xian Rong said gently. "I understand disguises better than you think."
He wiped her tears away.
"Everything will be fine. Let's leave tonight."
After a long silence, Yue Rong finally nodded.
"Let me go first," she said weakly. "Before Mimi does something mischievous."
She took one step away__but Xian Rong pulled her back.
Before she could speak, his lips met hers.
The kiss was soft, hesitant at first, as if he was afraid she might push him away if he pressed too hard. His hands trembled slightly as he held her, pouring years of regret, longing, and unspoken love into that single moment. Yue Rong stiffened in shock—then slowly, her resistance melted.
Tears slid down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. As they kissed, the memory of that night flashed through her head. And she was finally so sure, that this was the man she surrendered her first time to that night.