Sneaking around was not my forte, but Parsa was a master at it.
"Where are we heading?" I whispered, struggling to keep pace with his swift, silent movements. Even though I had spent my entire life within these palace walls, I found myself bewildered by the labyrinthine twists and turns he navigated effortlessly.
"The Dragon Pavilion is empty right now, isn't it?" Parsa replied, his eyes gleaming mischievously as we skillfully evaded another guard's vigilant gaze.
"I suppose so," I replied, unable to contain the bubbling laughter within me. Although we remained within the palace's confines, the exhilaration and sheer joy of sneaking around with Parsa coursed through me, impossible to contain. "Father is in his morning court session, and Mother is away on a trip."
"That's our destination," Parsa declared, his grin widening as the imposing gates of the Dragon Pavilion loomed before us, flanked by the ever-vigilant guards. "Don't give me that look. I anticipated guards would be here too. We'll enter through the rear entrance."
"But there isn't a rear entrance."
"Are you certain?" Parsa tugged me closer, and we nestled among the trees, not entirely concealed but difficult to spot with a cursory glance. "I have a map, you know."
"I trust you," I sighed, leaning my head onto his shoulder and planting a tender kiss over his heart. "Just promise me you won't get us caught."
"I won't," Parsa assured, his smile radiating confidence. "Now, let's proceed."
Parsa led me briskly toward the rear of the Dragon Pavilion.
"We should have disguised ourselves as guards," I murmured, taking care to evade yet another guard's scrutiny. "Or eunuchs. Or servants."
"But then you wouldn't be as thrilled as you are right now," Parsa countered, gently urging me against the wall of the Dragon Pavilion. Currently, there were no guards in sight at the back.
"See?" Parsa placed his hand on my chest, directly over my heart. "Your heart is racing because of this."
"I think it's because you're touching me," I replied, grinning as I tugged him closer by the hem of his tunic. "And because you're so close. You're a much better reason for my racing heartbeat."
"..." Parsa paused, and soon enough, that familiar shade of crimson graced his cheeks. His blush always followed the same sequence: first his ears, then his cheeks, and if embarrassment overwhelmed him, his neck would blush just as vividly. "Jie... I'm not sure my heart can handle all these transformations in you."
"Then keep up with it," I teased, grinning playfully. "Sweet-talk this prince, so he won't entertain the thought of taking any other consorts aside from you."
"I had every intention to," Parsa replied, his smile tender as he cupped my face between his hands. "But it seems I've been outdone."
As he leaned in, I could feel the world around us melt away, leaving only the two of us suspended in a timeless moment.
His lips, soft as the petals of the rarest flower, brushed against mine, setting my senses ablaze.
The kiss was an intoxicating blend of sweet and gentle, like a melody that whispered promises of love. It was a taste that defied description, a flavor that lingered on my tongue, a memory I knew I would carry with me forever.
He'd always kiss gently as if he held a fragile treasure in his hands. He would always cradle my face as if it were the most precious thing in the world, his touch warm and reassuring.
The weight of his body against mine was a comforting presence, grounding me in the reality of our love in this stolen moment.
The sensation of his lips against mine was electrifying, sending shivers down my spine. I felt like I was floating, suspended in a world where only our love existed.
As we kissed, time seemed to stand still, and I lost myself in the sensation of his mouth on mine. Every brush of his lips was a declaration of his love, and I responded in kind.
I kissed him back with all the passion and longing that had been building between us.
And I knew, in that moment, that I would cherish every part of him, every kiss, and every touch, for as long as we were together.
"Your date plan," I whispered, our breaths mingling as we leaned back from each other, the air tingling with anticipation. "And yet, we're still outside the pavilion."
Parsa's deep, melodious chuckle sent shivers down my spine. "You make it awfully challenging for me to stay focused."
I rolled my eyes in mock annoyance, and he countered by planting a tantalizing kiss on the back of my hand, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Don't worry. We still have enough time to finish all of my plans," he said with a sly grin, his voice dripping with promise.
I couldn't help but blush at his words, my heart racing in response to his charm.
He had a way of making me feel like the only person in the world as if everything else faded into insignificance when we were together.
"You're the one who made me all flustered," I muttered playfully, my gaze locked on his captivating eyes.
Parsa's laughter, deep and rich, was like a soothing melody that caressed my senses. "I can't resist you, my prince. You're simply too irresistible."
I couldn't help but smile at his words. There was a warmth in my chest, a profound happiness that could only be attributed to him. He had this incredible ability to make me feel cherished and loved.
But we couldn't stay wrapped in each other's arms forever. As much as I wished we could, we had a date to attend to.
"If I remember correctly," Parsa began, breaking the spell that his presence had cast upon me, "our destination should be right around here."
After saying that, he didn't waste a moment as he gracefully crouched down on the ground, his movements swift and sure.
"What are you doing...?"
Parsa grinned mischievously, his eyes dancing with excitement. "We're here. Just as I promised."
Before I could utter another word, he crouched down and began digging into the ground with his bare hands. The sight was both bewildering and exhilarating.
"What in the heavens are you doing?" I finally managed to blurt out.
But before my words could register, I saw it – a handle emerging from the soil. My heart skipped a beat as I realized what it was.
"Is that... the rear entrance?" I asked in disbelief.
"Mhm," Parsa replied, his eyes gleaming with that familiar twinkle that always surfaced when he sought praise and approval. "I told you it was here."
"You're unbelievable," I breathed, my admiration for him growing with each passing moment. I leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the crown of his head. "But please, promise me you won't hurt your hands like this again."
He shrugged nonchalantly, a carefree smile on his lips. "They're already scarred, my prince."
"They are and each scar is beautiful," I whispered, my voice filled with warmth and affection. "But I'd rather you keep those hands of yours safe and away from any more harm."
Parsa's sheepish smile only made me love him more. "I'll be more careful next time."
After that, before I could say anything else, without warning, Parsa sprang to his feet, gripping the handle and lifting it effortlessly, causing a cascade of dirt to fall on both of us, leaving me speechless.
"..." I gazed at him in disbelief. "Parsa..."
"Wha- oh..." He flashed a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry, but we can clean up in the pavilion, I promise! I've already inspected it so everything's fine."
"So, tell me the truth," I said, rolling my eyes. "Was this part of your plan all along?"
Parsa's eyes twinkled mischievously as he took my hand, guiding me toward the secret passageway. "I may have considered it, my love. Respectfully, of course."
A wry smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "Let's just stay quiet for now."
Parsa nodded in agreement as he closed the ground door behind us, enveloping us in darkness. I could feel my cheeks growing warm, but the obscurity concealed my blush.
We continued our silent journey through the hidden passage, my hand firmly in Parsa's. It was a comforting presence, a reminder that I wasn't alone in this clandestine adventure.
As we ventured deeper into the secret passageway, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within me.
The anticipation of what lay ahead and the thrill of being with Parsa in such a clandestine manner all added to the excitement coursing through my veins.
Parsa's voice broke the silence as we neared our destination. "It's just up ahead. Are you ready?"
I nodded, though he couldn't see it in the darkness. "I trust you."
The passageway finally led us to another door, and this one was unlike any I had ever seen in the Dragon Pavilion. It was grand and beautiful, a testament to the opulence of our surroundings.
Parsa paused in front of the door, turning to me with a handsome smile on his face. "This, my love, is where our date truly begins. I had initially planned for a quiet tea first, but it seems we have a more pressing matter at hand."
I looked at him, my heart swelling with affection. "Of course."
At that instant, I was the most joyful version of Li Jie.
