The Royal Party

The majestic castle decorated with countless lanterns and fairy lights buzzed with soft whispers of the guests. Xixi's eyes widened, spotting a few pretty fairies with colorful wings, flying around the lake. Their appearance resembled that of magical entities described in fairy tales. Xixi looked at their glowing bodies reflected in the tranquil lake water.

She couldn't help but ask Ziran, "They are not real, are they?". Ziran who was in a trance, drinking in Xixi's appearance and every single miniscule expression on her face, moved away his gaze to look at where she was pointing her fingers at. "You mean the winged creatures? Fairies? Some are lab made and some are born with the wings due to uncertain gentical mutations. You have never seen one?" He asked amused by how comically excited she was just seeing some weird creatures.

"Let's go in." He grasped her soft palm slightly irritated at how she didn't compliment the handsome prince in front of her.

Xixi frowned for being interrupted from sighting the pleasent scenery. This world was surely different. How could he not admire fairies? FAIRIES. Jesus. She shook her head. 

The ball has just started. Xixi stiffly tried to pull her palm from Ziran's firm grasp only to make him glare at her unhappily. "Hmph, why is he being so domineering, I am not even obliged to listen to him since I don't even belong to this place."

Xixi thought to herself unable to raise her voice.

Before she knew, his hands which were holding her hand a moment ago, was wrapped around her slender waist. She looked away as she felt embarrassed from the closer than usual interaction.

"Greetings, Second Prince, I am Marshall Ru Ar from the North-Eastern zone. We have collaborated on a land-project previously." A gentleman politely greeted Ziran as his brows raised upwards noticing.

"She is my partner." Ziran gently looked at Xixi who was squirming in his arms to slip away.

Marshall Ru Ar laughed dryly to cover up his embarrassment. Ziran, didn't bother to pay him any attention and called over a waiter.

"Two moonlight pastries and a celestial wine please." Xixi's eyes shone brightly.

Ziran's lips curved upwards. "There you go." He took the wine glass from the waiter and handed it over to Xixi.

The bluish sparkled drink glittered in the light. Xixi tilted the glass slightly and took a sip. The sweet yet spicy taste lingered in her mouth for a while before she found herself craving for more. She savored the drink little by little and found herself to be greatly disappointed when there was not even a drop left in the glass.

Before she could mull over whether to ask for another one or not, Ziran's voice interrupted her train of thoughts.

"It's addictive, don't drink anymore. Have these pastries and the craving will go away." Ziran took the glass away from her reluctant grip with a chuckle. Her gloomy eyes lit up once again recieving the plate of bunny shaped cut pastries from Ziran. She slowly nibbled on the pieces with the help of a fork.

The entire ballroom was filled with whispers as the elites, royals and special guests were shocked to behold the sight of the ever so scheming and nonchalant second prince being so caring towards a woman.

"It could just be a spy he is keeping his eyes on." Stephanie consoled herself. She was a mixed witch and fairy, since he wasn't seduced by her, it was close to impossible for him to get romantically involved with a common woman. She walked away from the hustle to calm herself down.

The fairyland was currently under pressure of the royals, she has to marry into one of the royal families to settle the situation over there and Ziran, the second prince of Northern Zone was the best choice . Otherwise along with all other fairy familes her own prime league family will also lose its glory. She couldn't back out now.

_______________________

"Why did you bring me here as your partner?" Riwansa growled at Steven in the desolate balcony.

"Or else? You were wishing for Wei Yisheng to ask you out?" Steven's voice burnt with a strong jealousy.

"We already talked about it Steven. And anyways I was going to accompany Xixi. She doesn't even know Ziran. But 'cause of you, now she has to deal with hatred from his admirers." Riwansa could almost imagine how lost Xixi would be feeling .

"My brother isn't a monster, ok? Stop interfering with his love life." Steven's anger noticeably disappeared knowing that she wasn't going to be Yisheng's partner.

"Your brother's love life? Good joke." Riwansa couldn't help rolling her eyes.

"Look at them." Steven pointed at the corner of the room where Ziran took a bite from the left over pastry piece from Xixi's plate.

"Damn, that's so cringe." Riwansa could barely look at the overly sweet scene.

"That's called romance, princess." Steven grinned.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the annual royal party. This year, we have witnessed immense improvement in the northern zone's economical and technical field. We are all grateful to the three young princes. Cheers to the future of our kingdom." The present guests along with the emcee drank up the wine due to show respect to the princes.

Steven dragged Riwansa with her in the middle of the stage and the toast from the emcee, since Zibao was away from the castle to spend some quality time with his consort and his second brother was definitely in no mood to follow the courtesy.

They performed the first dance elegantly with the soft melody. They collaborated perfectly and descended from the stage with a polite bow.

The others also partnered up with their own companions in the soothing note of zither.

"Would you please accompany me for a dance, Milady?" Ziran stared deeply into Xixi's eyes and could sense her nervousness.

"I ...." Xixi could feel herself being attracted towards him. But she didn't belong to his world, she had to go back some day. She didn't want to get entangled into a romantic relationship at such a wrong time. She couldn't control her emotions but she could definitely not let her decisions get affected by her emotions. Looking at the gentle and patient prince before her, she found it extremely difficult to utter rejection .