The palace was alive again. Laughter, chatter, and Xiaoxi's mischievous antics filled every corner. But now, Haoran followed her everywhere—not openly, but his presence was constant, protective, and slightly possessive.
Xiaoxi (grinning, whispering to a servant): "Quick! Hide this in the Frog Prince's room. He won't even notice!" 😏
Haoran, pretending not to hear, smirked quietly from behind a pillar. Inside, his heart raced. She's so… tempting when she's like this.
---
Later, in the garden, Xiaoxi spotted Liwei approaching. She waved him over, laughing and joking. Haoran, who was watching from a distance, felt a sharp twinge of jealousy. His jaw tightened slightly, and he crossed his arms, trying to hide the flare of possessiveness.
Liwei: "Xiaoxi! Morning!"
Xiaoxi: "Morning, Liwei! Want to help me check the flowers?"
Haoran's eyes narrowed subtly. Every smile she gave Liwei made his chest ache. He realized he couldn't bear the thought of her laughing with someone else… not even an old friend.
---
That evening, Xiaoxi entered the hall, unaware that Haoran had been waiting quietly by the stairs.
Xiaoxi (teasingly, to a servant): "I bet the Frog Prince will never catch me today if I hide here…"
Haoran, unable to hold back, suddenly appeared behind her, sweeping her into his arms effortlessly. 😏
Haoran (low voice, teasing, possessive): "Oh? And you think you can hide from me? My little pufferfish… I always find you."
Xiaoxi's cheeks flushed crimson. She struggled playfully, but he held her gently, his eyes locked on hers.
Xiaoxi: "Frog Prince! Put me down! I… I'm not hiding from you!" 😤
Haoran (smirking, tightening his hold slightly): "Sure? Then why is your heart beating so fast?"
Her eyes widened. That statement made her pause, heart thundering. She tried to look away—but his gaze was magnetic, teasing, and… unrelenting.
---
Later that night, Haoran escorted Xiaoxi back to her room. She was unusually quiet, her mind replaying the day—the teasing, the laughter, the possessive glances.
Haoran (softly, voice low): "Xiaoxi… don't think you can act normal around me and get away with it. I… I notice everything. Every smile, every laugh… every little thing that belongs to you."
Xiaoxi's cheeks burned. She had never felt so exposed, yet so… safe.
Xiaoxi (softly, almost a whisper): "Frog Prince… I… I don't know what to do with you sometimes…"
Haoran chuckled, low and teasing, and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Haoran: "Then don't do anything. Just… stay. That's all I want." 😏
Xiaoxi leaned into him unconsciously, their closeness sparking warmth and tension all at once. His hand slid to her waist, holding her just a little tighter, and she felt her heart skip wildly.
Haoran (smirking, teasing, voice husky): "Do you feel it, little pufferfish? How much I've wanted this… wanted you?"
Xiaoxi's lips trembled as she whispered, almost inaudible:
Xiaoxi: "I… I feel it… Frog Prince…"
Haoran chuckled and pressed his forehead against hers, whispering:
Haoran: "Then stay… always stay… with me." 😏💖
---
Back in the palace, the servants and family whispered again.
Lianhua: "Look at them… they're teasing each other more than ever!" 🤣
Grandma: "The little pufferfish has truly captured our prince's heart."
Empress: "And it seems… he's not letting her out of his sight anytime soon."
And so, life returned to its chaotic rhythm, filled with laughter, whispers, and mischief—but beneath it all, the bond between Haoran and Xiaoxi grew stronger, deeper, and impossibly intimate. 💕