The Persistent Royal Prince

Xixi couldn't help but sigh in relief after hearing the second half of his words.

Yeah surely she did steal away his coupon but he can't be petty enough to hold a grudge against her for that till now, right? And even if he does definitely the grudge won't be enough to evoke a strong sense of hatred in his mind.

Love? That also a strong sense of? Who is she kidding, that would be the universe's incredible wonder if this annoying, weird tempered second prince strongly loves her.

But well, the universe is indeed miraculous at times.

While thinking all these her expressions changed from time to time. After a few minutes or so she mindlessly took a step forward only to bump into a strong wall once again.

"Umph" her muffled voice stirred up a sense of deja vu from Ziran.

He chuckled lightly with his deep voice, patting her head. He lowered his head by a few inches calmly, staring at Xixi.

"Scared? Already?"

Xixi rubbed her nose pitifully. Lifting her head only to find a handsome exquisite face close to her. 

'Even though he is annoying at times, he looks good. Nah, good would be an understatement this is the so called devilish heaven defying seductive allure. He would surely be an eye candy if he was a student in my university.'

She only saw his cherry thin lips move, unable to digest a single word.

"Huh?" She asked in a daze. A few seconds passed by without any movement from either side.

As the realization hit her she distanced herself embarrassingly.

"Sorry, I…"

"It's ok." 

Ziran smiled at her assuringly.

She is already trying her best to distance herself away. He has to be extremely careful and get close to her step by step.

Even if she wants to get away then it would be impossible for her.

'At least she thinks I am good-looking, it's a good start.'

He thought to himself, smiling at her politely to not startle her.

When Xixi was looking away for a moment he glared hard at Reliott who was still rolling over the bed diverting Xixi's attention constantly. 

The creature nonchalantly stared back at it for a moment before going back to rolling over and roaring grumpily. 

"How about we go for a stroll nearby?"

Xixi continued tapping on Reliott's nose pretending not to hear a single word.

"I am a royal prince, in case you don't remember."

Xixi turned her head, her brows furrowed, taken aback by his persistence.

"We can visit the light hazel lake, the mountain forest, the farchanted bridge or the peach valley." He continued.

"Alright, I am okay with any place." Xixi replied partly due to the curiosity regarding the magical sounding place names and partly due to her reminiscing about the earlier time spent with him inside the wooden cottage inside the forest.

Ziran grinned contentedly. 

He isn't sure whether he loves her or not, but he is sure that he doesn't want her to leave him.

In this kingdom and even in the other ones he can investigate anyone's whereabouts. But she is from another dimension.

None he is aware of. If she leaves….he probably would never be able to find her.

___________

"Give me the key." 

Steven uttered with a ferocious expression, his index finger and thumb tightly pressing over the dungeon guard's fatal point in the neck.

Atlas struggled desperately to breathe. The pain spreading across his chest grew stronger with each passing second.

He finally gave up, slipping away the small magnetic button, the key of the dungeon lock.

Steven poured a small amount of powdery Rexotix, just enough to keep him asleep for the day.

If by any chance someone informs his elder brother it will all be in vain.

It's been over an hour already. So many things can happen within this 

span of time.

He quickly jumped into Riwansa's personal room. He felt an ominous feeling creeping up as his hawk-like gaze roamed around the room finding no trace of any of the familiar products he knew she used.

His heart jumped out in fear. He dashed away from the room. The royal gate was surprisingly open. He hurriedly grabbed Eliott from the stable and flew towards the eastern portal. 

After a few minutes he came across Atlanta.

"Heyy, wait, weren't you temporarily in charge of the sub exit of the southern portal?"

He blocked her way as he sensed she was trying to avoid him.

"Yeah, but I took the day off today." Atlanta tried to sound as natural as possible. However, her fidgety fingers immediately gave her away.

"Either you confess at this very moment or I let the royal court know about what you did that year."

Steven asked, the threat prominent in his voice.

Atlanta's face turned pale. She stumbled back a few steps. It's been so many years, if not for him bringing it up the memory would probably never even resurface in her mind.

"She has gone to take charge of the southern portal main entrance." She said in a flat voice. 

Steven looked at her in pure disbelief before pulling Eliott's rein fiercely rushing away towards the southern direction in panic. 

'How can she be so reckless. Am I such a disturbance in your life that you don't even care about your life anymore?'

'If anything happens to you, I...Why don't you ever care the slightest about me?'

Steven felt helpless with the brewing anger and sorrow consuming him completely.

________________

Atlanta stabilized herself leaning against a lantern tree. Her eyes fixed on the way he left.

She was mistaken to think that he would probably notice her efforts once Riwansa leaves his eyes. 

He had never considered her to begin with. In his heart there was only place for that one person, even though she broke his heart countless times.

Still she can't give up. She cares for her dignity but she can only be happy with him. Love can grow with time. If it doesn't, harmony will be enough.