Hidden behind a stack of tall wine barrels, Bạch Xoa held his breath as the footsteps drew closer. Two attendants approached, each carrying a heavy cask.

"Bet these'll all be emptied tonight," one of them said.

"Haha, no doubt about it."

Damn it... If he didn't move now, he'd be discovered.

The moment the courtyard cleared, Xoa immediately crawled out, slipped through a patch of flowers, and pressed himself against a large tree. He exhaled shakily.

"Who are you?"

A voice dropped down from above.

Xoa froze. "I—I'm... lost. Haha..."
He slowly turned around to face the person perched on the branch.

"Hm? No bowing? Then you must be an intruder."

"What!? No—really, I just wandered in by accident!"

The stranger leapt down as lightly as a falling leaf. He stepped closer, lifting Xoa's chin with a finger, his gaze sharp enough to pierce bone.

"Explain."

Xoa swallowed hard, but before he could step back—

Swish!

An arrow shot toward them like lightning. The stranger spun, shoved Xoa behind him, and struck with his sword—splitting the arrow cleanly in midair.

"What are you doing, little brother?" the stranger asked calmly.

"Executing an intruder," Hắc replied, his tone ice-cold.

"But that arrow was aimed at me," the stranger said.

Xoa stood stiff as if glued to the ground.

Hắc folded his arms and glanced at him. "I saw someone crawling around like a worm just now... turns out it was you."

Xoa forced a laugh. "Haha... what did you think?"

The stranger offered a cool smile. "I am Bạch Đình, Second Prince. A friend of yours?"

Before Xoa could answer, Hắc grabbed his wrist and pulled him away. "To my tent."

"Oh? This is the first time I've seen you care about anyone other than your mother," Bạch Đình chuckled.

Hắc cast him a sidelong look and scoffed. "By the way, Second Brother—Tam La is mingling among the guests. You'd better go find your man."

Bạch Đình's eyes lit up with amusement. "Then I'll take my leave. You two... handle yourselves."

Inside Hắc's Tent

Hắc released Xoa, voice cool. "Miss me so much that you had to sneak all the way up here?"

"I was bored... wanted some entertainment," Xoa muttered.

"If they'd discovered you, you'd be dead."

Hắc's voice tightened with a sharpness he didn't bother hiding.

He sighed, lowering his gaze slightly. "You hungry? I'll bring you something."

This brat is unbelievably insolent, Xoa thought, but still answered, "Yes."

Hắc stepped out of the tent.

A concubine blocked his way. "What were you doing in there? I've been looking for you."

"Getting food."
He walked right past her without a pause.

Passing Tam La, Hắc only muttered one sentence: "You're done for."

Tam La's face shriveled like a dried apple.

From afar, Bạch Đình—always acutely aware of Hắc's slightest movements—immediately noticed Tam La. He strode over and slung an arm around the boy.

"Young one, drink with me."

Tam La broke into a cold sweat but was dragged along all the same.

Hắc gathered plenty of food for Xoa, then returned to rejoin the feast. Only late at night, when people finally drifted back to rest, he returned to his tent and found Xoa sitting quietly.

"Where's Tam La?" Xoa asked.

"No need to worry. He's probably... enjoying Second Brother's company," Hắc replied as he changed into sleepwear.

"What!?"

"Sleep."
Hắc said—and pulled Xoa into his arms like hugging a body pillow, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

The Second Prince's Tent

Tam La lifted a cup to his lips, only for his hand to tremble violently, spilling the wine.

"You're drunk. Let me take you to rest," Bạch Đình murmured, his low voice carrying a chill beneath its gentleness.

"Mmm... sleepy..." Tam La whispered weakly.

He was laid onto a soft mattress, and the long night swallowed whatever resistance remained.

Thump... thump... thump...
The bed creaked rhythmically until dawn.

The Next Morning

Everyone rose early to prepare for the second day of hunting. Hắc spoke through clenched teeth:

"No matter what, you two must make it home today."

Xoa shot him a sideways glare. "I'm older than you, you know. Show some respect."

"I've given the order."
Hắc turned and left.

Bạch Đình appeared soon after. Someone commented:

"You look... remarkably cheerful, Second Prince."

"Haha, I suddenly feel very refreshed," he replied with a satisfied smile.

Once the hunting camp thinned out, Xoa ran to the Second Prince's tent—the location Hắc had told him. The moment he opened the flap, he saw Tam La crying, trembling all over.

"What happened?" Xoa hurried forward to support him.

"The Second Prince... forced me again..." Tam La choked out.

Xoa's gaze swept across the marks on the boy's shoulders and neck. His expression darkened.

"Alright. We're leaving. Our identities aren't enough to fight this place. We need to get out first."

The two slipped off the mountain and returned home.

"How many times... has this happened to you?" Xoa asked once they were safe.

"...Ten." Tam La whispered.

Xoa gently squeezed his shoulder. "Alright. Don't think about it."

Thank heavens it's only a fifteen-year-old brat chasing after me, Xoa thought.
If I'd fallen into a situation like Tam La's... I'm not sure I'd still be alive to talk about it.

The thought alone made him shiver.