AN: Super very sorry for the late update. Things have been crazy~

*****

Min Leilian was a noble miss, trained from a very young age to show little to no reaction to surprises. It was unladylike to gasp or show weakness, especially to one's enemies.

It had served her well since the day she chose to change her fate yet she now found herself faltering at the sight of this man. The feeling of wrongness she sensed as she stared into his violet eyes was... a bit familiar.

Who was this man?

"Have we met before, my lord?" She asked, her tone soft and light despite her mind racing to figure out why he seemed familiar.

Liang Fei flinched, realizing his mistake. He hadn't expected to see the young miss again so he ended up saying her name by accident.

"I... was told about you by Xieren." He stated, looking away. It wasn't entirely a lie. Xieren had mentioned he'd see a few familiar faces while in the Darklands. He just hadn't mentioned any names.

"You are... familiar with His Majesty?" She pressed, smiling tightly. It had been a long time since she heard anyone call the king by name. Even Xuejie, his second in command, didn't dare to speak so casually.

Yet this stranger spoke his name so easily.

"We are... both members of the same sect so we speak of one another as you saw." He explained, really wanting to get off the subject. He didn't want anyone to know their true relationship lest it becomes a burden on Xieren. "I will make sure not to stain his reputation from now on."

Leilian stared back at the man, her brows furrowed as she tried to place him. His face was completely unfamiliar but she sensed he wasn't supposed to be here. It was the same feeling she got from Xuejie and that other man from long ago.

They didn't belong here.

She had come to realize a lot of things when she took her place by His Majesty's side. Glimpses of what could have been and perhaps fate itself. She couldn't comprehend it herself but she could see things had changed somehow.

And she knew there were those who just didn't belong.

She had tried to get rid of Xuejie before but eventually let him off as he posed no danger to her. He was an idiot, swayed by pretty faces and empty words. Better so, since he seemed to be able to speak to the king in ways she couldn't so he was useful.

Then there was that other man from long ago, the first to not belong. While the matter was handled recklessly, it had worked out for her. His death ensured her survival.

Many had fallen to ensure her continued survival. Many were just those who heard or saw too much but if she was to change her fate, it couldn't be helped.

This Lord Fei, it turned out, was just another obstacle in the way of her goal.

"I'm glad Lord Fei is so understanding." She said, her expression serene and sweet. Seeing such a lovely face, most men would flush and stammer as they tried to come up with a response.

Liang Fei on the other hand could only blink back at her, mildly confused. He wasn't sure why but he felt like there was an underlying meaning to her words. He just had no idea what it could be.

Before another word could be said, the air was swamped with a sudden wave of heat. As if flames had sucked the air from the hall. Two pairs of eyes turned, the third shivering on the floor as she struggled to breathe.

There was nothing in the hall other than the trio, making Leilian frown as she tried to figure out what had occurred.

"Xieren?" The elder said, regaining the woman's attention once more. Somehow, the man was now being embraced by her king, his body almost swallowed whole by the man's robes.

"Fei-er." Xieren tipped the elders chin up, staring into his eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

"Picking you up. Is that not what you taught me to do?" Their courting lessons hadn't gotten very far the night before since they had eventually gotten distracted by... other activities.

Liang Fei relaxed as Xieren held him close. "You're done with work?"

"For now." He sighed, resting his head on the elder's shoulder. He still had a lot more to do before he was free for the day. "So shall we, how does Xuejie put it? Hang out?"

Liang Fei stared up at Xieren, recognizing the look in his eyes. He was tired and needed some fresh air. It was a feeling he himself had had many times.

So why not give Xieren what he rarely had himself.

"If you aren't busy." He said, taking the king's hand in his and pressing it to his chest. His heart was racing a bit but surely it was just nerves.

Xieren smiled, feeling glad that his master cared so much. The desire to kiss him grew with every second that passed between them.

Leilian, watching the display, could only clench her fist in her sleeves. Their embrace, the way they spoke, and even the look in each other's eyes. They clearly were a lot more intimate than the human had claimed.

Worse yet, it was clear her king felt the same.

"Your Majesty." She greeted, bowing low. "I hope this day finds you well."

Silence fell but she didn't dare look up until she was given permission. She heard her king send his companion away before he came toward her. He grabbed her chin, tugging it up so he could glare down at her.

"I heard about your little conversation with my second in command." He growled, looking ready to tear her head off.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She hadn't expected to have been caught so soon. She had hoped she could get her usually wary king to cast Lord Fei aside so she could be rid of him but from the way he acted, it was clear his majesty didn't care about her report.

He might have even known his lover was lying but just didn't care.

Still, she was confident she wouldn't be punished. Her king might hate her but he would never kill her.

"My king, it is my duty as your advisor to look into everyone who might be a threat to-"

"Your duty is whatever task I give you." He snapped, slamming her against a wall. Her breath was knocked from her as he continued. "Don't overstep your bounds."

"Y-your Majesty, I-"

A sword slammed into the wall beside the woman's head, her terror reflected perfectly in the blade's surface. Her heart raced as a cold look she was quite familiar with, one that was always directed at others seconds before being killed, fell onto her.

"Don't make the mistake in assuming I allow you to remain here because of any affections you think I might have for you." He stated, his apathetic tone sending chills through the woman as he spoke. "You live only because He died to save you. If you try to overstep your bounds again, don't blame me for being cruel."

"I-I understand." She forced herself to say, her body wanting nothing more than to run at the moment. She had never feared for her life before this moment. Everything else, she could sense but just from his words alone, she could easily see her death looming over her if she didn't respond correctly.

Luckily for her, her words seemed to somewhat satisfy the man, as he extracted his sword from the wall and walked away without another word. He paid no mind to his advisor as she collapsed to her knees, shaking.

Yilan, when she sensed that the king was far enough away, crawled to her mistress' side. "M-my lady, I-"

"Why are you standing around like that?" She snapped, glaring at the servant. "Your 'master' is leaving."

"R-right."

The little servant girl ran after the departed men, leaving Leilian to settle her heart and come up with a solution to her problem. She couldn't leave things as they were.

Her hands clenched hard, blood seeping through her delicate fingers as her frustration rushed through her.

Damn. That man wasn't as simple as she had assumed. She had heard the rumors but to see her enigmatic king willingly embrace someone, like they were something precious, was frustrating.

She'd have to settle this quickly if she wanted to survive and live a good life.

***

When Xieren caught up with his master, he had been hoping they could talk about something important. Something that was pressing on his mind urgently yet the first thing out of his mouth upon seeing his lover was someone else.

"I'm surprised to see Min Leilian here." The elder said, not looking back as Xieren appeared behind him. He had become quite adept at sensing when the junior was nearby and it pleased Xieren to no end that his enigmatic master was so aware of him.

Now if only he would hurry up and fall for him.

"You remember her?"

"Of course." The elder waited for Xieren to catch up with him before walking again. "She was my fiance once upon a time."

"Oh, right..." Xieren clicked his tongue, looking away.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." He grumbled, leaning in close. Xieren couldn't help but pout at how mean his master was being. "I'm just upset my lover is talking about someone else."

Liang Fei felt his heart melt, the desire to pet this man growing by the second. Truly, someone who is feared like Xieren shouldn't be this cute.

"There's no need to be concerned about me cheating on you." He assured, taking Xieren's hand in his. "We only met that one time. Besides, in this new body of mine, we are basically strangers."

"You seemed to have gotten along with her back then."

"Did I?" Perhaps he had. Though it was shocking that Xieren remembered that. For Liang Fei, it was mere weeks ago but for Xieren it was over a decade. How impressive for him to remember all that. "Perhaps it was just nice to have someone who was as talkative as I around."

"Did I talk too much?!" Xieren cried, looking horrified. Had he been annoying his master all that time?!

At such a time, a smart man would reassure their lover, tell them they were wrong. They'd coo and comfort their lover, telling them that no, that dress didn't make you look fat or the like.

Liang Fei, however, wasn't a smart man. He was an honest one.

"Yes, quite a bit actually." He retorted, his eye clear of any malice. "If we weren't sparring, you were talking about something or other. It was rarely a quiet moment when we were together."

Xieren flinched, feeling somewhat embarrassed to be told such a thing. Shizun had told everyone that he was willing to listen if they ever had questions. To prevent the others from monopolizing him, Xieren made sure to take up as much time as he could.

Apparently, it became a bit of a habit afterward.

But how could he not?! Shizun was such a good listener, never judging or interrupting. It made talking to him so easy and comfortable.

Yet Shizun disliked it?

When asked, he saw the elder frown.

"I don't dislike that about you." He assured, looking confused as he cocked his head cutely. "I much prefer those who can fill in the gaps in conversations I create."

Xieren knew better than most how bad his master was at talking to people. His words could be scathing or too short to properly respond to. Xieren found it adorable but he was sure his master didn't share the sentiment.

Grinning, Xieren pressed the elder against a nearby wall. "Perhaps I can fill more than just gaps in conversation?"

Liang Fei flushed, the warm breath of his lover hitting his sensitive neck and heating his blood.

"Xie- don't be so shameless. It's embarrassing." He scolded, his eyes darting about the hall. "What if someone heard us?"

"Would you mind?"

"No, but I don't want you distracting me from my questions."

"Right." The king sighed, leaning away. "What would Shizun like to know?"

"How long has Leilian been here?" Honestly, he hadn't expected to see her again after that night. He still had some concerns over what had happened and seeing her again had brought them back to the surface.

"Since you died."

"You took her with you?"

"She was the person you died to protect. How could I let her wander about?" He truly had wanted to kill her back then. Whether by draining her of all her blood or skinning her alive, the helpless rage he felt at that time could have been inflicted on her.

It wouldn't change anything but he would certainly feel just a bit better.

But he couldn't. Shizun died for her so he couldn't dishonor his master by wasting his sacrifice. Even if it was for someone as undeserving as Min Leilian.

He knew what kind of things she did behind his back. The treachery and scandals she orchestrated against those close to him. He just hadn't cared before. She knew where his bottom line was and as long as she steered clear of it, her life was good.

Yet now she was getting close to Shizun.

Liang Fei, on the other hand, felt happy for them both, thinking it was good for Xieren to have someone as mature as Leilian by his side. It settled some of his guilt to know Xieren wasn't alone after his death.

"Ah," He reached up to caress Xieren's cheek, shocking the man as they gazed into each other's eyes. "I knew my Xieren was a good man."

Xieren flushed, feeling his heart race as he leaned down to press a kiss to his master's lips. It wasn't deep or passionate but it was filled with the love he felt in his heart just then.

Only you, Shizun. He thought, wrapping his arms around Liang Fei. I'll only be yours.

*****

Extra: Theater

Meanwhile, lurking somewhere nearby...

Maid: Uh, is that the king.

Butler: (-_-) Yep.

Maid: A-and that's his rumored lover, right?

Butler: Seems so.

Maid: I see. But, don't we have to clean the hall?

Butler: Do you want to die?

Maid: No.

Butler: Then we wait.