As Princess Yuyan entered her chamber, the warm hues of the setting sun filtered through the silk curtains, casting golden rays across the room. Mei, her loyal maid, was already waiting patiently, her hands folded neatly in front of her. At the sight of Yuyan's heavy expression, Mei tilted her head slightly in concern.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" she asked softly.
Yuyan gave a faint smile and waved her hand dismissively. "I'm fine, Mei. Just tired."
Though unconvinced, Mei said nothing more. Instead, she quietly prepared a warm bath, adding herbs and flower petals to calm her mistress's nerves. Afterward, she dressed the princess in a soft lavender nightgown embroidered with golden thread and helped her brush out her long pink hair.
As Mei was about to excuse herself for the night, Yuyan's voice stopped her.
"Mei… can you stay with me tonight?"
The maid blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly. "Of course, Your Highness." She took a seat beside Yuyan on the edge of the bed.
A peaceful silence settled between them before Mei decided to lighten the mood. "Remember all those suitors who came to win your heart? The Prince of Rensha who wore five rings on each hand?"
Yuyan burst into laughter. "He looked like he was wearing armor on his fingers!"
"And what about the one who couldn't stop looking at the mirror during dinner?"
"Ah! Prince Zhenlong," Yuyan rolled her eyes. "He complimented his own reflection more than he complimented me!"
The two girls giggled uncontrollably as the moon rose into the night sky, casting a silver glow over the room. Just then, a knock echoed against the door.
Mei froze. "Who's there?" she called cautiously.
There was no response.
Goosebumps crawled up Yuyan's arms. The door creaked slowly open.
They screamed in unison and clung to each other.
A tall figure stood in the doorway—Prince Lingyun.
He leaned against the frame, arms crossed, and chuckled mockingly. "You two are so cute when you're scared."
Yuyan exhaled sharply, letting go of Mei. "Are you crazy? Why didn't you answer when she asked?"
Lingyun ignored her protest and pulled a chair closer. "So... do you know why Father asked us to stay indoors?"
Yuyan rolled her eyes. "Some tyrant king or whatever. He said the kingdom might be in danger."
"Oh, Hei Xiezhi," Lingyun muttered casually. "Took him long enough to realize. That guy's been hovering for weeks. Jobless tyrant."
Yuyan's brows shot up. "Wait… how do you know his real name?"
Lingyun leaned back coolly. "I've been gathering information. Hei Xiezhi—also known as the Black Scorpion—is famous. He owns two pleasure houses, three death-wrestling pits, and dozens of conquered kingdoms. He runs underground trade networks and corrupt businesses across five regions. He's quite the pest."
Yuyan and Mei exchanged astonished glances.
"How do you even know all this?" Yuyan asked, suspicion in her voice.
Lingyun smirked. "I told you, sister. I know everything."
Then his tone softened, unexpectedly sincere.
"I just came to warn you. I know you're probably thinking of sneaking out, but don't. Just this once… listen to Father. I can't afford to lose you, Jei. You're one of the jewels I have left."
His words struck her like a bell. Lingyun rarely said such heartfelt things.
With a lingering presence that left the air charged, he turned and walked out of the chamber.
"Prince Lingyun is so sweet," Mei whispered with a dreamy smile. "Did you hear what he just said?"
Yuyan huffed. "Yeah, and he's been acting weird. Whatever. He's not my elder. If I want to sneak out, I will."
She yawned loudly, and Mei laughed, gently nudging her into bed. "Sleep, Your Highness. You need rest."
As she shut the door behind her, Yuyan sat up and reached for the ancient book her father had given her. There was something about this book… something more than just words. Her father's voice echoed in her mind:
"This book could be hope for you."
She opened to the bookmarked page, her fingers trembling slightly. And once more, she began to read.
---
The Tale Continued…
The great obsidian gates of the witches' palace creaked open as Queen Xi Wang returned from her perilous journey. Her golden robes shimmered under the fading light, and in her arms, she carried a small child—barely three or four years old.
He was no ordinary child.
His long, silky black hair fell over his pale shoulders like cascading ink. His eyes—those unmistakable silver-grey irises with a faint scarlet glow—marked his lineage as pure vampire. And yet, there was no malice in his small, curious gaze. Only fear... and the quiet longing of a boy who had already seen too much for his age.
The guards flanking the Queen stepped back respectfully as she passed. Witches, nobles, and palace servants stood frozen, watching in awe and uncertainty. Whispers spread like ripples across a pond.
"Is that... the prince?"
"So young…"
"But his eyes... just like his..."
Queen Xi Wang ascended the palace steps with steady grace, the hem of her robe sweeping across the jade tiles. The heavy golden doors of the throne room swung open, revealing a hall filled with the entire palace court. As ordered, all had gathered—curious, cautious, and ready to witness something historic.
The Queen moved straight to her throne, her head held high. Once seated, she shifted the child gently onto her lap. Her cold, regal eyes scanned the room. But almost immediately, she noticed an absence.
"Where is Princess Mei Lian?" she asked coolly, her voice echoing.
The head maid stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, maidservant Chen Hua went to fetch her."
Moments later, the side doors creaked open and a young girl was led in by a handmaid. Little Mei Lian, barely three, walked gracefully for her age, her bright eyes filled with cleverness and quiet fire. Her dress was pale lilac silk embroidered with plum blossoms, and her hair was adorned with two tiny silver pins.
She bowed respectfully before her mother, her eyes flickering curiously toward the boy on the throne.
Queen Xi Wang rose slightly, addressing the room in a commanding yet warm tone.
"Witches of Yueling Guó" she began, her voice deep with both fatigue and resolve, "I return not only with success, but with hope."
She looked down at the child in her arms.
"This is Tian Yu, son of the late King Xuanyin and nephew to the tyrant Leng Yue. His father ruled the vampires with wisdom and honor… before darkness consumed their house. Today, I have brought this child not as a prisoner or tool—but as a soul worth saving."
Murmurs filled the room. Some eyes widened. Others narrowed in uncertainty. But no one dared interrupt.
"He will be raised among us, taught our ways, and given the freedom to choose who he becomes. This is not an act of weakness, but of vision. May you treat him with the dignity of one born to power—and the gentleness of one born into pain."
The hall was silent for a moment. Then one of the elder witches stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty… if this is your will, we shall follow it."
Others followed suit, bowing respectfully.
Xi Wang nodded once, satisfied.
After the court was dismissed, the Queen rose and beckoned for Mei Lian to come closer. The young girl stepped forward, staring wide-eyed at the boy, who now stood nervously beside the Queen.
"This is Tian Yu," Xi Wang said softly, crouching slightly to speak to her daughter. "He will be staying with us. I want you to be kind to him, Mei Lian. You are both young. You must grow together… as friends, perhaps more."
Mei Lian tilted her head curiously, blinking at the boy. Tian Yu stared at her, clutching the edge of the Queen's robe. After a long moment, Mei Lian smiled—a small, genuine smile—and reached out to touch his hand.
The boy hesitated. Then slowly, he took it.
Xi Wang looked on with rare emotion in her eyes.
Later that evening, she introduced Tian Yu to her close family in the inner court: her younger sister Madam Ling Fei, a gentle soul who immediately hugged the boy; and her inner circle of trusted nobles. They welcomed him cautiously but with kindness.
He was assigned a personal maid—Lan Zhi, a soft-spoken woman who had once served as a nursemaid to the Queen herself. Her touch was tender, and her voice warm, like the sun that melts frost.
That night, for the first time in many nights, Tian Yu fell asleep not to screams or cold stone walls… but to the sound of soft humming and the scent of lotus blossom incense.
The path ahead would not be easy, but the boy had found a place to belong.
And so, the dark blossom began to bloom in the heart of the witch kingdom.