Fatal Attraction

The tent plunged into a deathly silence as the servant entered. The generals did not understand why the prince would allow the person to serve him.

Seemingly unaffected, the servant continued inside and carefully placed the tray on the side table.

"Master…" The servant respectfully bowed, handing a steaming cup of tea to the Prince and lightly placing a platter of snacks in front of him.

The prince slowly sipped the tea, paused and commented, "Your brewing skills are improving."

"It's good if Master likes it." The servant responded accordingly.

The prince smiled enigmatically and turned to the generals. "Everything will proceed as planned. Dismissed!"

The older generals stood up, bowed in respect and went outside. The younger officers had to be dragged by their more mature and well-seasoned superiors. But none of the soldiers dared to walk away from the tent. They guarded outside, poised to attack at any moment.

Within seconds, sounds of fighting could be heard from inside the tent. Everyone was fearful but none had the courage to go and check the situation. The prince gave specific orders in regards to the matter, unless they were called upon no one was allowed to enter.

After some time, the prince walked out carrying a squirming bundle over his shoulder. He greeted the generals as if nothing was amiss and walked to his tent. Once inside, he unceremoniously dumped the bundle on the arhat bed and walked to the corner to stoke the dying fire.

Freeing herself, the servant took out a poisoned dagger and viciously attacked. But before the dagger could pierce its target, the prince grabbed the servant's wrist, twisted her arm and pried the weapon from her fingers.

"Qing, poison doesn't work on me. Why don't you ever listen?" Xie Dongyi berated but there was no anger in his tone.

"Let go of me!" Qing struggled restlessly. She used her elbows and knees to free herself but Xie Dongyi was stronger and more skilled than she was. In the end, Qing could only swallow her anger. "Why are you keeping me here?"

It's been months since she infiltrated the military camp. Qing's goal was to assassinate Xie Dongyi, the emperor's younger brother. She mounted more than a dozen attacks but each time she failed to kill him.

Curiously, instead of executing Qing for her crimes, Xie Dongyi kept her beside him and allowed her to serve him.

Qing tried but she could not see through him. And the more time she spends with Xie Dongyi, the more confused she becomes.

"Why shouldn't I keep you?" Xie Dongyi asked back. He watched, amused, as complicated emotions flash through her exquisite face.

At first, Xie Dongyi was curious as to what Qing would do and how far she would go to take his life. But as time passed, he got to know her and the reason why she wanted to kill him.

It's a classic revenge story but her anger was, sadly, misdirected. In truth, Qing's vendetta shouldn't be aimed towards the royal family. She should be seeking retribution from her deceitful uncle. But Xie Dongyi will not tell her the truth until he's certain she won't run away from him.

Qing, on the other hand, was frustrated. The army would move out by morning and tonight was her last chance to complete her mission. When the moon was at its zenith, she mounted another sneak attack. She silently knelt over the sleeping prince and raised the dagger above her head, ready to strike a deadly blow.

"Why are you pretending to be asleep?" Qing snarled irritably.

Xie Dongyi opened his eyes and leisurely smiled at the woman sitting on top of him. "Are you going to kill me, Qing?"

"Why wouldn't I kill you?" Qing brought the dagger down and aimed it at his throat.

"It's been months, Qing. Aside from half-heartedly attacking me and putting poison in my food, you haven't really tried to kill me." Xie Dongyi sighed as if he was disappointed at her poor performance.

This attitude fueled Qing's anger.

"I'm in the position to kill you now!" To prove her point she nicked the side of his neck, just enough to make him bleed.

Calmly he asked, "Why haven't you?"

Qing screamed in frustration. "Why do you want me to kill you?" She knew if Xie Dongyi really wanted to, he could overpower her, like the other times she tried to assassinate him.

"I'm battling enemy forces every day. I could die at any moment. Why can't I choose to die in the hands of a beautiful woman?" Xie Dongyi replied calmly.

"You're insane!" Qing was about to get off him but Xie Dongyi flipped and shifted their position.

Xie Dongyi stared at Qing's lovely face and sighed. The first time he saw her, posing as a servant, Xie Dongyi knew she would be the end of him.

He'd met a lot of beautiful women but none could stir his heart the way Qing does. He tried to resist the attraction he felt for her but it was to no avail. He was done.

"Give up, Qing." He whispered as he pulled the hand holding the dagger and aimed it at his heart. The pointed edge pierced his flesh and blood instantly bloomed on his chest.

"XIE DONGYI!" Qing tried to keep the dagger away but he held fast.

He could feel her fingers tremble beneath his. If a simple flesh wound could scare her to this extent, how could she kill him?

"Stop resisting, Qing." Xie Dongyi whispered as he threw the dagger on the floor and leaned forward to kiss her parted lips.

Heaven knows it was not supposed to happen; a forbidden love between a master and his servant, a prince and an assassin. But neither could resist the pull and honestly, they've played enough. The game is up, the show is over, and they were both undone.

The end… or is it?