- Li Xun -

Several people were engaged in conversations, but unlike them, he sat in his seat, quietly sipping his tea. Not once did his eyes drift away from Long'Er, drinking in her ravishing appearance.

Today's outfit was by far the most extravagant one she had worn before him. A flowing, midnight blue dress with shimmering moons and stars, accentuated her beauty and elegance. Luscious white pearls hung from thin, silver chains that were clipped to her ears. The top half of her raven hair was braided and attached with an elaborated headpiece, forming a small crown on her head. The rest of her hair cascaded down her back beautifully.

Her skin was fair. Her cheeks and eyes were dusted in a light pink powder, her lips covered in a rosy red colour like an apple. They curved into a small smile when she caught him watching her dazedly.

Just like the first time, she stole his breath away.

Be it a bodyguard or a maiden... It didn't matter to him which side of her she showed him, because his heart just would not stop pounding madly around her.

Thinking back, he realised how he had been fooled by the father-daughter pair. Clearly, Minister Han had put on a perfect act when Li Xun confronted him earlier.

Even though he still couldn't seem to grasp the fact that Long'Er was his daughter, it would make sense that this was the reason she accepted his job offer after rejecting him a few times. She had come to the palace to find her biological father. Yet, at the same time, she didn't wish to tell Li Xun his name because she didn't want to paint him in a bad picture if he happened to know the man. Which he did.

Regardless of what had happened, everything seemed to work in Li Xun's favour and that was all that mattered.

He continued staring at her, knowing that she could sense his gaze on her. The mischief that she possessed earlier vanished in her eyes, followed by a lovely blush that scattered across her cheeks. She glanced away shyly and busied herself by sipping her cup of tea.

One of the ministers sitting at the table exclaimed loudly and raised his cup for a toast.

"Congratulations on your reunion, Minster Han! Is this girl the child that your first wife gave birth to?"

A smile broke out on Minister Han's face.

"Indeed, that is true."

The sudden news of him having a biological daughter took everybody in the room by surprise. They began raising several questions which he answered one at a time.

Amidst the excitement, Li Xun felt his mother watching him from the side and was forced to shift his attention away from Long'Er.

"Mother?"

The Empress shot him a knowing look. "So, has any girl in this room caught your interest?"

Amusement flashed in her eyes and Li Xun knew that he was caught red-handed. He groaned out loud. "Mother!"

She nudged his feet with hers impatiently. "What are you waiting for?" she whispered. "You better hurry or the girl will be eaten up soon!"

They turned back to their guests. True to the Empress's words, the rest of the noblewomen in the hall were growing restless by the minute. Unhappy at the fact that Li Xun wasn't paying them any attention. They glared at Minister Han's daughter, their lips curling in disdain because she had stolen the limelight ever since her arrival.

The Empress rested her hand on her son's arm and spoke loudly. "Son? Can you escort Lady Han and bring her around the palace? This is probably her first time here and I'm certain she would love to see the scenery."

Throwing his mother a look of appreciation, he stood up quickly, trying his best not to display too much eagerness in complying to her wish. He extended a hand towards Long'Er and greeted her with a warm smile.

"Allow me to escort you, my lady."

Being in the centre of attention, Long'Er nodded stiffly and placed her hand on his, instantly earning jealous looks. She followed him, and he noticed her footsteps were a little hurried as if she had the urge to run out of the room for a breather.

They left the Grand Hall. Shooing his attendants away, he led her into gardens and along the footpath by the side of the lake.

At last, they were alone.

She peered up at him through her long eyelashes, their hands still intertwined. "Is it alright for us to leave just like that? Everyone was staring at us. I could feel the women hurling daggers at me with their eyes."

Li Xun shrugged. "You heard Mother. She gave us permission."

"But they were looking forward to speaking to you."

"Well, that's too bad because I don't have time for them. I'm busy."

"Busy? Am I holding you back from–"

Before she could finish her sentence, he advanced towards her so suddenly that she was forced to retreat until her back hit a tree. His hands rested on the trunk on either side of her face, trapping her in before she could escape.

His height towered over hers and he had to bend his back a little to meet her eyes at the same level. "Remember about the punishment that I told you before? Back when I first discovered your real gender?" he murmured. "I haven't forgotten about it."

She glanced up at him, the innocent eyes of a lamb. "P-punishment?"

"It has doubled by now, especially after your stunning performance earlier. I'm impressed and completely bewitched, but you need to be punished heavily for tricking me the second time."

Her face scrunched up in confusion, her eyes wide and her lips parting slightly. A look of invitation.

"Y-your Highness?"

He didn't answer her. Leaning towards her, his lips came crashing down on her soft ones.

She froze in surprise, but her muscles soon relaxed and she surrendered herself to him. Hands grasping his shoulders tightly for support. When he felt her returning his kiss, this awakened the inner beast that he never knew existed. His next kiss was consuming, hungry yet sweet, teasing her with a hint of promise and driving her body to new heights of awareness. One of his hands cupped the back of her neck and the other held her cheek gently.

When he sucked at her bottom lip, she let out a moan.

They savoured each other in the moment, losing track of time. His hands roamed her body, across her shoulders and down her back. Holding her against him and never wanting to let go. He wanted and needed more, but he could feel her tensed up suddenly. Her shyness crawled up to her cheeks and when she regained her senses, she hit his arm a few times.

"Not here!" she breathed heavily, pushing against his shoulders. "People might see us!"

"Let them see. I bet they'll run away."

He felt her hitting his shoulder again. Chiding him. "Your Highness!"

With great reluctance, he drew back. It was getting really hard for him to keep his hands off her, especially now that she wasn't posing as his bodyguard. There was no need for him to hide his feelings in front of others anymore.

"You're really Minister Han's daughter?" he repeated, disbelief marring his features. "It's not a lie?"

Long'Er nodded. "It's true but it's a long story."

"Han Zhi Ruo is your real name?" he asked and she nodded.

"Well then, you can tell me all about it later." He lowered his head, his eyes boring into hers with a small pout. "Did you plan this on purpose? Disappearing from me and then turning up here again?"

Her expression grew sheepish. "You didn't come back," she complained. "Which was why I decided to come to you instead of waiting about. Your Highness, will you care to explain what had happened?"

This time, Li Xun was remorseful. "I apologise, it was all my fault. Please don't be mad." He brought her hand to his lips, dropping a feathery kiss on her knuckles. "Allow me to make it up to you."

She raised her eyebrow at him in a teasing manner. "How?"

A smile touched his lips. "Be my princess," he answered easily. "That stunt you pulled back there totally won me over."

Suppressing a smile, she challenged him instead.

"What if I say no?"

Pressing his lips to the top of her head, his gaze ran over her face confidently. "I have my ways to make you submit to me. Besides, your mother has given me her permission."

Long'Er groaned in horror and started mumbling under her breath unhappily. "I've always known that she has a soft spot for handsome men, but how can she give me away this easily?" She stared up at the azure sky above them and shook her fist at the heavens. "Mother!"

Li Xun laughed at her flustered state. When his laughter died down, the mood between them shifted.

"I like you," he said quietly. His sudden confession took her by surprise and she gaped at him with a dropped jaw, but he carried on.

"I respect your bravery. I adore your smiles. I love you for being just you. Please stay by my side, Long'Er. I can't bear to watch you leave."

His thumb traced her jawline as he gazed at her with such love and adoration, his heart clearly hoping that she would feel the same way towards him. And when she finally made her move, his breath hitched in his throat and his stomach exploded with nerves.

Framing his handsome face with her hands, she stood on her toes and kissed him. Her lips parted against his to utter the words that she knew he was desperately waiting for.

"I'm not going anywhere, Your Highness, for I'm very much in love with you too. Forever and always."



A/N: This is not the end, because the epilogue comes right after this! Thank you to all my readers who waited patiently for me to edit & update! ❤️ I would have never completed this story if it wasn't for all your support! I apologise for any shortcomings/mistakes made throughout the story, because I still have heaps to learn about writing.

If you truly enjoyed "The Crown Prince's Bodyguard", can you give me a 🙆🏼‍♀️ here as my reward?