Eunseo darted upwards and pulled her into her embrace. 

“B-Bona!” Eunseo cried. 

“Oh my god Eunseo, you’re... Here.” Bona hugged her back.  

“C-Cheng Xiao, she...” 

“Eunseo, listen to me.” Bona pulled away, looked around, and made sure the guards were out of sight before she continued. 

♚♚♚

Cheng Xiao had been locked in her room from the moment Eunseo left and the guards got a hold of her. The only person who could authorize her to leave her room was her father. She was not to leave unless her father showed up on her door accompanied by a battalion of guards. Needless to say, she was guarded all 24 hours of the day by just as many armed guards. 

Two times a day, Bona would visit her for fifteen minutes, to bring her meals and keep her company. If it wasn’t for her, Cheng Xiao would have gone pathologically insane in an instant.  

She would ask Bona to bring her books so she could occupy her time with something. Meditation was another way to spend time and maintain her mind at peace with her reality.  

But as time went by, she found it harder to focus on either of those activities. She stayed in Xiwang because she had wanted to, and needed to do something for the kingdom. But what could she do for her people when locked behind a door? 

Thinking about Eunseo soon turned painful. She promised Cheng Xiao she would come back, but what if she didn’t even survive? What if she was dead, and Cheng Xiao was waiting for something that would never happen?  

Running away seemed like more of an option each passing day. When she went to look outside her window, she could only see herself jumping and letting her body hit the ground, ending all of her suffering in peace. But that wasn't who she was. Cheng Xiao did not give up, and Cheng Xiao did not break promises. She must have gone crazy. 

One night, her father called her for dinner. It was one of the rare occasions in which she was allowed to leave her room. Ironically, she would rather stay there forever than have to go out for that reason. 

Cheng Xiao couldn’t look at him without remembering what he did to her, and what he would have done to Eunseo. She hated him more than she had ever thought herself capable of. More than her beliefs usually allowed her to.  

That night, her father wore an unsettling smile while he told her he would start arranging meetings with princes to find her a marriage contender.  

She always knew that was going to happen, but after hearing it from him, she thought about her body hitting the ground once again. Why didn't it seem scary at all anymore? 

But the promise she and Eunseo made to each other was still stronger, and whenever she felt like hitting the bottom, she would put the flower crown on her head. It kept the bad thoughts away, as if the flowers had magical powers.  

Somehow, Cheng Xiao convinced herself she was strong and she could handle the first meeting with a prince, some man she had never seen in her life. Maybe she could look at it as an opportunity to finally do something about Xiwang. 

She entered the dining room and sat in front of the prince. He was perhaps older than her and conventionally handsome.  

The dinner was a nightmare. The prince was like a replica of her father – he had the exact same greed and bloodlust, the same sort of endless expansion plans. Cheng Xiao forced herself to eat, but the conversation was making so dry she couldn’t swallow the food.  

After eating, her father decided to leave them alone for a bit, so they could get to know each other better. Instantly, a knot replaced her stomach. But she forced herself to speak, smile, and laugh when he tried to make small talk with her. He told her she was the prettiest woman he had laid his eyes on, and a disgusting smile crept on his lips as he rested his hand on top of hers. Cheng Xiao ended the meeting right there, saying she wasn’t feeling very well, and left the room with an apology. 

What in the world was he up to? All of them knew the meeting wasn't about her. It was about attaining the power of ruling over Xiwang in the future. A political arrangement, like all marriages. She was there as an accessory, her body and her very existence presented as some piece of meat, a bonus prize to a disgusting man with disgusting interests. 

As she left the room, she barely made it to the bathroom in time to throw up. She ran back to her room after, hid under her blankets and cried herself to sleep. 

On the next day, she woke up feeling like a different person. 

“Bona, I've been thinking. Anywhere is better than here.” She said in a mere whisper, so the guard outside wouldn’t hear. 

Bona’s eyes widened when she read her expression. 

“What are you talking about? You're...?" Bona didn't even dare say the word out loud, even though both of them knew what she meant. "What about... your promises? And how exactly do you think you can do it?” 

“She can be dead by now and I won’t know, Bona! I can’t take part in what's about to happen to me! I don't even have a say in it.” Cheng Xiao cried. “Please, help me. I'll take care of the rest myself.” 

On the next day, Bona went to the kitchens earlier than the usual, to make sure only one person was there at that hour. She stepped inside and there she was, baking fresh bread. She smiled at the sight of Bona. 

“It’s nice to see you so early.” 

Bona approached her, looking around. When she was sure they were alone, Bona closed the distance between their bodies and kissed her lips for a couple seconds. 

“Xuan Yi, I need you to do something for me." 

The cook raised an eyebrow at her and flashed her a smirk, sliding her hand behind Bona's waist.  

"Not that kind! I'm serious here!" Bona glared at her, slapping her hand away. Immediately, Xuan Yi's face matched the seriousness of Bona's. 

A few hours later, Bona brought Cheng Xiao a special lunch. 

“There’s a small knife and a hair pin inside your bread. Grab the extra food Xuan Yi sent you, unlock the door and ambush them.” Bona whispered. 

“Thank you, Bona. I'll come back. Until then, please be safe. I know my father's going to suspect of you, but you have to be strong. He doesn't have any proof.”  

Bona stared deeply into Cheng Xiao’s eyes and hugged her close. 

“You too, be safe. I’ll be waiting for you, Xiao.” Bona said, trying not to cry.  

“Keep this.” Cheng Xiao handed Bona the flower crown. “Keep it until I come back.” 

“I will.”  

After another hug, Bona left, praying everything would go well. 

Cheng Xiao grabbed whatever she needed and prepared herself. The early hours of the morning were the best possible time to leave. It was near the end of the guards' night shift and they were usually drowsy and unaware. Fools. 

Using the hair pin, Cheng Xiao unlocked her door and opened it carefully, knowing that was sure to catch the guards' attention. She swiftly hid to the side of the door, with her back pressed against the wall. As she predicted, they kicked the door open. When she saw the first foot, she made the move. The back of her knife hit one head, and a body fell to the ground, unconscious. Before the other could realize what was happening, he was next. 

Hiding her head with the hoodie of her cape, Cheng Xiao moved like a shadow, silent and invisible, through the corridors of the castle. 

At that time, she wished she had her sword. She walked towards the right wing, stepping outside and quickly hiding, as two guards walked in her direction. She held her breath and resumed her run when they were out of sight. Gladly, there were no training sessions at that hour, so she could easily get a sword from the armory. 

As she ran down the road towards the stable, she heard someone yelling at her to stop, coming from behind. Without looking back, she sprinted, mounted a horse and headed towards freedom. 

♚♚♚

Eunseo would have fallen to the ground if Bona wasn't there to hold her. She cried even more, but now, it felt like everything in the world made sense again. 

“The King was so embarrassed she managed to run away he preferred to tell the whole kingdom she died of illness, and even put this stupid grave together. She’s out there looking for you, Eunseo. She can’t be too far. Please, go and find her.” Bona begged. 

Eunseo regained her forces and cleaned her eyes once more. 

“Bona, I came back as a prince to marry her.” She said, earning a wide eyed look. “It’s a long story, but I became the prince of Shanliang. I can marry Xiao now, by law. I’ll find her, take her to Shanliang and prepare a revolution, King N will support us, and even help us. Talk to Exy and Seola from the army, and with Meiqi and Yeonjung from the guard. Tell them to prepare an army to fight within two weeks. I assure you they are to be trusted if you manage to talk to them alone. I’ll be back as soon as I can, and we’ll put an end to this, once and for all.”  

Eunseo grabbed the flower crown and turned to Bona. 

“And keep this until we come back. I want Xiao to wear it at our wedding.”  

Bona smiled. 

“Stay safe, and I’ll be waiting for you both to come home.” 

Eunseo smiled back and removed Cheng Xiao’s sword from the ground before dashing back to the carriage. 

“Eunseo-" Wonho said as soon as she returned. 

“I called their bull. I was right, Wonho. No time to explain. Return to Shanliang and tell King N that Princess Cheng Xiao is alive. I'll be back with her as soon as I find her.” Eunseo talked fast and low, as she took one of the horses from the carriage and mounted it herself. 

Wonho only nodded as he watched her take off into the distance. 

♚♚♚

What would Xiao do after running away? If she was looking for Eunseo, would she ask about her around other kingdoms?  

At least, that was what she would do. Just like when she ran away, she stopped at every kingdom, but now, she wasn’t a refugee from Xiwang. She was Shanliang’s prince. Guards would tell her to stop by and rest, but she was always straight to the point: 

"I'm looking for some information about a few refugees. Did your kingdom happen to take in any recently?" 

It wasn't as if she could go around asking for a dead princess and not raise attention, but this did the trick. She had her methods of getting information, whether they gave it to her willingly or not. But no refugees she found out about even resembled her. 

The night was about to settle. Her horse seemed to be getting tired. Even though Eunseo wanted to keep looking for her, it wasn’t wise to do so if her horse couldn’t keep up. 

So, she stopped by a river to drink some water and let her horse do the same. Eunseo sat down on the grass, leaning against a tree, and looked up at the sky for a couple seconds before closing her eyes.  

She dozed off, opening her eyes without knowing how much time went by. The sky was pitch dark, with the starts and the moon shining brightly. Her horse laid down. Eunseo stood up and approached him, petting his neck. 

“I’m sorry, I know you’re tired, but I need to find Xiao.” She whispered. 

The morning arrived as Eunseo reached another kingdom. She approached the guards and asked the same question. 

“We have not taken in any refugees in over a year, Your Highness. But some guards from Xiwang stopped by not long ago and asked the same question. Perhaps that is helpful to you.” The guard explained. 

“Guards... from Xiwang?” Eunseo repeated.  

Eunseo knew some of her colleagues from the guard were sent on expeditions to track down refugees, but she also knew they happened every six months and the last one had been shortly before she left. It didn't add up. 

“Yes. Then they just followed their way.”  

”Which way did they go?” 

The guard pointed at the road following south. 

“Thank you for your help, sir.” Eunseo bowed, and not wasting another second, resumed her way. 

Cheng Xiao was being chased. Eunseo couldn’t be late again. She needed to find her, and fast.  

♚♚♚

The further she went, the further she was from finding her. At least that was what Eunseo felt like... until she saw what she did. 

Three men sitting under a tree, wearing the same uniform she used to wear when she was a guard. Three horses stood close, drinking water. Eunseo got off her horse and approached, taking care not to be seen or heard, until she could make out what they were talking about. 

“She knocked all three of us out on her own! It's useless, we lost her.” 

“Shut your mouth!” The guard smacked the other's head. “We may have lost her for now, but she can’t run forever. Don’t forget the reward for bringing her back. Can you imagine all that gold... ours?”  

“She can't be far, anyway. Don't forget that she was hurt.” The third voice spoke. 

Hurt?! 

“We're getting our hands on her, alright. And she'll get what she deserves for humiliating us like that. Little princess decided to play hide and seek...” He spat. 

Eunseo used all of her restraint not to jump at their necks. She couldn’t afford to have her plans found out, so she controlled her raging mind and backed away. Not to mention Cheng Xiao was hurt, and she was probably going to have a hard time keeping up her pace and her head start. 

The sun was setting down. Eunseo reached yet another kingdom and approached the guards at the entrance, and at Eunseo’s usual question, the guards looked at each other, frowning. 

“N-No, no outsiders came through these doors lately.”  

“Did some Xiwang guards stop here asking the same question?” Eunseo added. 

“Xiwang guards? No, no. No one from Xiwang stopped here, Your Highness. No refugees or guards.” 

“T-That’s right.” The other guard agreed, nodding his head.  

Eunseo looked at the both of them alternately. Their bodies had stiffened and their eyes couldn’t properly focus on Eunseo. 

“I see. Thank you anyway, sir.”  

Eunseo couldn't tell if she'd just made them nervous or if they were lying, but at this point, she couldn't afford to trust anyone. 

She knew exactly where she was. Not too long ago, Junwoo had waited for those thirty seconds when the guards changed their post after a drink, then found refuge with Soobin, the nicest old lady she'd ever come to meet. That woman had the eye of a hawk, and with her house being so close to the gates, she was bound to know something.  

Eunseo pretended to turn around and leave, then silently kept her watch until the switch. She took off on a run when the entrance was unguarded, straight to the small house with the farm.  

Eunseo knocked on the door and it opened after a few seconds. Soobin looked up at her. 

“J-Junwoo?” 

“S-Soobin! You know who I am.” She smiled. 

“Your scar is unforgettable, my dear. You seem to be doing quite a lot better than the last time I saw you." She eyed her from head to toe, holding her spectacles. "Say, what brings you here?” 

“I am looking for Princess Cheng Xiao.”  

"Princess Cheng Xiao? From Xiwang?" Soobin frowned. "I heard the poor soul died from illness. So young she was... May her soul be held safe." 

"She isn't, Soobin. I know for sure."  

Soobin’s lips turned a straight line. 

"What makes you so sure, dear?" 

"Her handmaiden informed me and urged me to find her." Eunseo said, her face filled with determination. 

Soobin studied her face for a while, then stepped aside. 

“Come in.”  

“Thank you, thank you so much, Soobin.” Eunseo exhaled. She was right – Soobin did know something. Now, she could only hope it was good news. 

Soobin sat down on the couch and told Eunseo to do the same. 

“Before I tell you what I know, I wish to hear your story first.” Soobin asked. 

Eunseo nodded. It was only fair. Eunseo told everything to her without any interruption.  

"You mentioned you had to present yourself as a man to hide your identity. Tell me, child. What did you use to call yourself?" 

"Son Eunseo, personal guard to the princess." 

When she said those words, Soobin sighed deeply, taking her hand to her chest. 

“God bless your soul, my daughter. Princess Cheng Xiao... she’s hurt.” 

“W-Where is she?!” 

“Here.” 

Eunseo had come here expecting to know her whereabouts, or possibly bad news. But this totally caught her off guard. She laughed in relief as she hid her face in her palms, warm tears running down her cheeks. 

“She’s asleep now, but please, go see her. You haven’t seen her in a long time, right?” 

Eunseo nodded, her chest jumping from the hard sobs. Soobin smiled and rested her hand on her shoulders. 

“Come with me.” 

One door was now everything that separated them. Eunseo stood, her hand in the handle. She wanted to see her so desperately, but she was also afraid that, as soon as she opened the door, it was all a dream and she would wake up. Or that she was seriously hurt. She closed her eyes and with her trembling hand, opened the door.  

An angel laid down on the bed, sleeping peacefully, covered in warm blankets. Eunseo thought for a second her chest would burst as she closed the door and approached the bed.  

Her knees gave in as she caressed Cheng Xiao’s cheek with the back of her hand.  

Cheng Xiao was skinnier and paler, but she was still Cheng Xiao. Eunseo tried to control her sobs and sniffles not to wake her up, but the emotions on her heart were too strong.  

She had not been late this time. 

“I'm here, Xiao. I found you.” Eunseo muttered, observing her closely. 

How much she missed her, her beautiful face, her presence. Eunseo had never felt so relieved, so relaxed. The world made sense again.  

Eunseo hadn’t realized how exhausted she was until she finally was able to breathe again. Her face buried on her arms, and as soon as her eyes closed, she fell asleep. 

“E-Eunseo...?” A voice from heavens called her name.  

Eunseo opened her eyes and raised her head.  

How much time went by since the last time she looked at Cheng Xiao’s eyes.  

“Xiao...”  

It seemed like they had so much to say, yet they couldn’t say anything at all. Cheng Xiao’s eyes widened and her brows knitted together as her lower lip started to tremble.  

“I'm so glad you're-" Eunseo started and was cut by Cheng Xiao’s arms around her shoulders and her face in her neck. 

Eunseo wrapped Cheng Xiao with her arms, hugging her tightly, letting her cry how much she wanted.  

"Wait, Soobin said you were hurt." Eunseo pulled her away, examining her body. "What happened? 

"It's nothing." Cheng Xiao said, pulling down her sheets to reveal the bandage on her left thigh. "Just a cut from a fight I got into with your old buddies. Soobin said it will heal soon if I just rest. It just hurts a bit to walk right now." 

"Thank goodness, I thought it could be so much worse--" 

"I'm fine, Eunseo, that's the last thing that matters right now." Cheng Xiao smiled reassuringly. “How did you know I was here?”  

“I didn't. I was here in Soobin's house when I was on the road, too, and I thought she might be able to help me... I never thought you'd actually be here. I’ve been looking for you since I went to Xiwang and they told me you were dead.” Eunseo explained. 

"You went to Xiwang?!" Cheng Xiao gasped. "And came out alive?! How?" 

"It's... a really long story. But yes, I'm here, am I not?" Eunseo chuckled. 

Cheng Xiao pulled away and cupped Eunseo’s cheeks, leaning in to kiss her lips.  

“Eunseo, tell me, when you went to Xiwang... did you see Bona?” 

"She's alright and out of danger. Bona was the one who found me and told me you were alive. If it wasn't for her, I might have given up. You can't imagine what it felt like to think I might have lost you forever..." Eunseo looked down  

"Oh goodness, I'm so glad." Cheng Xiao sighed heavily. "I couldn't live with myself if something happened to her because of me." 

The look on her face became serious and stern. 

"Eunseo, listen to me. We need to do something. We can't let the people in Xiwang in suffering while we go off and live our happy lives in hiding." 

"I know, Xiao. We’re going to Shanliang now. The King supports our cause, and he is willing to participate in a revolution against Xiwang. It's time. It's going to happen.” 

Cheng Xiao widened her eyes. 

“Wait, Shanliang? Why Shanliang? How do you know the King supports us? Eunseo, you know we can't go around blindly trusting anyone. Are you sure about this?" 

"Yes. A lot has happened since I left, Xiao. I'm Eunseo only for you now. Now, I am Junwoo, prince of Shanliang." Eunseo said, her chest inflated with pride. 

"P-Prince?" Cheng Xiao cocked an eyebrow. "How..." 

"I'll explain on the way. That doesn't matter now. What matters is that I was sent on my first official duty as a prince and there's no way I'm going back to Shanliang without completing it. So here it goes." 

"What are you talking about?" Cheng Xiao observed as she watched Eunseo stand on one knee. 

Eunseo took Cheng Xiao's sword from her belt and laid it out in her hands for Cheng Xiao to see. 

"I, Prince Junwoo, heir to the throne of Shanliang, officially and with the blessing of His Majesty, King Hakyeon, request the hand of Princess Cheng Xiao of Xiwang, to rightfully wed and to cherish, for the rest of my life."  

Eunseo thought about this moment too many times for her to keep count. And among the many ways she thought it would happen, never had she imagined it would be so natural, so right. As Cheng Xiao took her sword, set it aside, and launched herself to her arms, Eunseo knew whatever was to come their way could never overrule what they had vowed to share for the rest of their lives. 

♚♚♚

A/N: *cries silently* I'm sorry for scaring you about Xiao, I would never kill her ;__; 

Omg this was the last chapter already *cries a bit more* I deeply hope you all enjoyed this story, and once again, I'm sorry for the wait on the updates. I hope it was worth it ^-^ 

And such I'm a huge spoil, I'll still gonna write an epilogue for this kekeke so look forward to it! C:

And for those who like Blackpink (or even if you don't kek), I'm writing a Jensoo fic! If you wanna, check it out here!

Thank you so much everyone! ♥️♥️♥️