A Love Written In The Stars

Palace guards and royal wrath for a taste of potato fries?

———

Mei's Pov:

I walked down the palace corridors, inhaling the enticing aroma of potato fries as servants passed by, trays in hand. The smell was so intoxicating that I couldn't resist stopping one of them. "Pardon me, but might there be any extra fries available?" I asked, aiming to sound casual.

The maids offered polite but regretful smiles. "I'm afraid this was the last batch, made specially for Prince Bai. But if you'd like, the kitchens could prepare another portion for you."

My heart leaped with excitement. "Yes, please. That would be wonderful!"

As they went on their way, my thoughts stayed fixed on the fries. I wasn't usually one for snacks, but potato fries? They were my one weakness, the one indulgence I couldn't resist. My mouth watered, imagining those crispy, golden strips. With any luck, the kitchens would have enough ingredients left to satisfy this craving.

I continued down the corridor toward Xiao's manor, where I'd been staying since moving into the palace. As soon as I arrived, I summoned Yú Yuè, a palace maid who had quickly become a friend. "Could you please bring me a portion of those potato fries from the kitchen? And maybe a bottle of plum liquor too?"

Yú Yuè nodded with a smile. "Right away, Mei. I'm sure the chefs have some left."

As I waited in the sitting room, I breathed in the scent of dried herbs, flowers, ink, and paper that filled Xiao's manor. This place felt cozy—more so than anywhere else in the palace. I hoped the fries would arrive soon; my stomach was already protesting loudly, and the thought of pairing them with plum liquor later brought a smile to my face.

But when Yú Yuè returned, her expression was apologetic. "I'm afraid the kitchen staff said there are no more potato fries."

"What?" I gaped at her, my stomach growling even louder. How could they be out already? I'd been so certain I'd get some.

Frustrated, I began pacing the room, searching for a solution. There had to be a way to get those fries. Maybe I could sneak into Prince Bai's chambers and help myself to his stash? But the risk of getting caught…no, too dangerous. Bribery, then? The kitchen boys sometimes took breaks in the gardens. Maybe I could charm or bribe one into giving up his share. Though, at this hour, even that seemed like a long shot.

I slumped into a chair. Was my craving really going to go unsatisfied? I wasn't ready to give up yet. A bold plan began taking shape in my mind. If I couldn't get the fries now, I'd just wait until the palace was asleep, then sneak into the kitchens myself. Surely there'd be something left.

Night fell, and with it, the stillness of the palace. I moved silently through the halls in the darkness, senses sharp and alert. But when I reached the kitchens, disappointment hit hard—there was no smell of fries, no trace of oil or salt. I rifled through the cupboards, growing more desperate by the minute. Empty. Every last one of them.

Suddenly, a noise shattered the silence. I froze, eyes wide, as a kitchen boy stepped in. "Hey, what are you doing in here?" he demanded.

Caught off guard, I stammered, "I was just—"

But he wasn't buying it. "Thieves are punished. Leave now, before I fetch the guards!"

Humiliated, I had no choice but to slink away. To make matters worse, word of my little misadventure soon reached Cheng, and before long, I was summoned to his chambers.

I laid under the covers of my bed, my heart thundering so hard it felt like it might leap into my throat.

How had a simple craving for potato fries spun so wildly out of control? Now, somehow, I was on the verge of facing Cheng, and the thought clawed at my insides with a fierceness that overpowered the hunger I'd felt earlier.

No, I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't prepared to face Cheng.

The cool floor underfoot did little to cool the heat burning in my chest. I wracked my brain for excuses, anything that might soften the humiliation I'd feel when I finally stood before him. It wasn't as if I'd actually stolen anything! I'd only… searched. Unsuccessfully.

Still, that kitchen boy. Why did he have to make such a fuss? I was certain I hadn't been that loud. My fists clenched as i replayed the scene in my mind, wishing I could undo it all. There had to be a way to fix this, right?

Could I just ignore the summons? No, it was too late—I'd already been caught. There was no escaping it now. How was I even supposed to greet him? What was the proper way to address royalty here?

With no other choice, I adjusted my clothes and reluctantly made my way to Cheng's chambers, dreading the conversation ahead.

As I approached the grand double doors, I paused, taking a relaxing breath, What am I even going to say? Should I bow? Offer a formal greeting? The protocols were still unfamiliar to me, and this wasn't just Cheng, the man I'd once known from the marketplace. This was Cheng, the crown prince.

Two guards stood on either side of the door, their stony gazes fixed on me. One stepped forward, his voice deep. "Lady Mei," he said. "The crown prince is expecting you."

I gave a small nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. There was no turning back now. As the doors shut behind me, I took a shaky breath and forced myself to step inside.

Cheng's Pov:

The quiet scratch of my brush on parchment was the only sound in the room that morning. Pale light slipped through the narrow windows, marking the arrival of dawn. The calmness of the early hour gave me a chance to gather my thoughts before the day's work began.

Then a knock broke the silence. I set down the report with a sigh. "Enter," I said.

The door creaked open, and a guard stepped inside, bowing low. "Your Highness," he said, his tone low and respectful, "a kitchen staff member requests an audience. He claims it concerns an incident in the kitchen last night."

I barely reacted, only raising an eyebrow. What business could a kitchen matter have with me? Still, I nodded. "Send him in."

The guard left and returned moments later, bringing a young man with him. The staff member, likely in his early twenties, stepped in cautiously, his head lowered. His slightly wrinkled uniform suggested he had been working through the night.

"Your Highness," he said, bowing deeply. "I am Jian, an assistant under the Yu Chu Guan." The Yu Chu Guan, the Imperial Kitchen Council, managed all matters of the palace kitchens—this wasn't a simple issue of a missing utensil.

"Speak," I told him, gesturing for him to rise.

He had hesitated for a moment, his hands nervously clasped. "Last night, Your Highness, someone snuck into the kitchens. I was cleaning the storage room when I heard movement. When I checked, I saw a figure going through the stores in haste. At first, I thought to report it to the supervisors of the Yu Chu Guan, but then I feared it might be a matter of greater importance, so I came to Your Highness instead."

I leaned back, hands pressed together. A late-night intruder in the royal kitchens wasn't unusual—it could be a desperate servant or a daring thief. But Jian choosing not to involve the kitchen council seemed odd. "Did you confront this person?" I asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," he replied. "It was a woman who seemed surprised to see me, but I made her leave."

I nodded. "Alright. Inform the Yu Chu Guan about this. They will make sure it doesn't happen again."

Jian bowed deeply. "As you wish, Your Highness." He turned to leave, but just as his hand touched the door, a thought came to me.

"Wait." My voice stopped him mid-step. He turned, looking apprehensive.

"Describe her," I said. "This woman you saw—what did she look like?"

Jian paused, clearly wracking his memory. "She was... petite, Your Highness. Slight of frame. I couldn't see her face clearly in the dim light, but her movements were quick, almost cautious. She wore plain clothing, nothing that stood out."

A petite frame. The description felt oddly familiar. "Hold off on reporting this to the Yu Chu Guan for now," I instructed. "Say nothing to anyone until I give further orders."

Jian bowed again, though I caught a flicker of confusion on his face. "Yes, Your Highness."

Once he left, Yize, who had been silently standing by the door, stepped forward. He had been observing me, his keen eyes catching details others might overlook.

"You seem preoccupied, Your Highness," he had said. "Does this woman remind you of someone?"

I faced him, my mind circling the description Jian had given. "Perhaps," I said after a moment. "Or perhaps it's nothing."

Yize tilted his head, his gaze probing. "Do you want me to look into it?"

I shook my head, walking toward the window to look out into the clouds. "No. Not yet. But summon someone for me." I had hesitated before continuing, "Lady Mei."

Yize had bowed without question. "At once, Your Highness."

Back to the present

Mei's Pov:

The room was dim, with lanterns throwing long shadows on the walls. Cheng sat at the far end, holding an open scroll, but he looked up as I came closer. I stopped a few steps away, unsure of the proper distance.

"Mei," he said calmly, folding the scroll in his lap. "I've heard an interesting tale from the kitchen staff. Something about a late-night visit to the kitchen. Care to explain?"

Really?

That's how he wanted to play it?

Act all high and mighty, as if we didn't have any history? Like this was the first time we'd crossed paths?

His tone wasn't outright accusatory, but it still stung. It felt like he was deliberately keeping me at arm's length, pretending there wasn't a connection between us.

I stood tall, refusing to let him see how much his cold demeanor affected me. He might be the crown prince, but I wasn't about to let him put me on edge.

I looked him straight in the eye and replied in the calmest, most composed voice I could manage. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. It was just a misunderstanding."

For a moment, something flashed in his eyes, but he kept his expression unreadable. Fine. If this was the game he wanted to play, I'd go along. Two could play at that.

"I was... hungry." I cringed at how pathetic it sounded. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I didn't even take anything. It was just... the fries. They smelled so good earlier and I thought—"

He raised a hand, cutting off my rambling. "Potato fries?"

I nodded, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "Yes."

For a moment, there was silence. Cheng leaned back in his chair, staring at me. I couldn't tell if he was angry or amused.

"You risked being caught in the kitchens for potato fries?" His eyebrow arched slightly, and I could almost swear the corner of his mouth twitched with the faintest trace of a smile.

I bit my lip, unsure how to respond. Was he mocking me?

"I admire your determination, if nothing else," he said finally, the smallest chuckle escaping him. "But next time, perhaps it would be wiser to ask for a favor rather than sneak around like a thief."

Oh, that was the final straw. Crown prince or not, he wasn't allowed to mock me... not now, not ever. I saw the amusement in his eyes, like he was savoring this moment, and I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction.

Without thinking, the words flew out of my mouth, sharp and biting. "How about next time you inform the person you're with of your real status instead of playing them for a fool? I know men of your station enjoy toying with peasants, but that doesn't give you the right to do it to just anyone."

I wasn't going to back down now. Let him see that I wasn't the type to be played with. Let him see that his little games weren't going to break me.

"And as for the kitchen incident," I added coldly, "it won't happen again."

I held my chin high, daring him to say something, anything... but I refused to give him any more control over this situation. He could be the crown prince all he wanted, but I wasn't just another palace maid he could push around.

Cheng's pov:

Ouch. Her words cut deeper than I expected. I hadn't thought it would hurt this much, but seeing Mei's anger, hearing it in her voice, it stung in a way I wasn't prepared for. I had assumed that some time and distance would cool things down, but it seemed I had only made it worse.

I felt stuck. Where could I even begin explaining? I never intended for things to unfold the way they did. I opened my mouth, desperate to say anything that would make her understand.

"Mei,"

I called her name softly and took a step closer, hoping she'd listen. Instead, she stepped back, putting more space between us. My heart sank, but I couldn't let it end like this. I stepped closer again and reached for her hand. But she pulled away and turned toward the door.

Panic shot through me as I watched her walk away. If she left now, I wasn't sure I'd have another chance. I might never get the chance to make things right. She wouldn't look back, and we'd be done—maybe for good. I couldn't let that happen. In a moment of desperation, I hurried and caught up to her just before she reached the door.

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her tightly from behind, pulling her close. She tried to pull away, struggling against me, but I held on. "Mei, I'm sorry." The words slipped out before I could stop them, my voice rough and almost broken.

"I'm sorry," I repeated, tightening my grip.

"I... I didn't mean for it to happen this way," I continued, the words spilling out. "I wanted to tell you the truth, I did, but I didn't know how. I didn't know when. I was afraid of how things would change between us."

She relaxed slightly in my arms, and silence fell between us, the only sound in the room was the rapid beat of my heart. I was sure she could feel it, how hard and fast it was pounding against her back, how scared I was that I'd already lost her.

"I was afraid you would see me differently" I whispered.

The silence stretched on longer than I could bear. I prayed she would say anything... tell me she forgave me. I wanted to say more, but the words caught in my throat. All I could do was hold her tightly, hoping she wouldn't slip away.

"Let me go," she said quietly, but I shook my head, refusing to release her.

"Cheng, let me go." Her voice grew firmer, but I held her even closer.

"Not until you forgive me. Not until you say you understand." I could barely breathe, barely think. If she didn't forgive me, I wasn't sure what I'd do.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. My body stiffened as a palace guard called for me from the other side, but I ignored it. Mei, on the other hand, began pushing me away in a panic.

"Cheng, let go," she said, struggling in my arms. "Can't you hear him? What if he comes in and sees us like this?"

"I don't care," I replied, my lips brushing her ear. "Tell me you forgive me, that's all I need. I won't let go until you do."

I knew I was taking a risk, a huge one, if we were seen like this, there would be consequences. But losing Mei would be the bigger risk, the one I couldn't take. I couldn't let her slip away.

"I just need to hear you forgive me, mei. That's all I need right now."

The guard knocked again, calling my name, and Mei struggled harder. "Cheng, please," she said, her voice cracking under the strain. But I didn't budge.

Finally she muttered, "Fine. I forgive you."

"I forgive you, you crazy jerk."

"You really mean that?" I asked, my voice barely audible. She nodded, exasperated, and only then did I release her.

Just as I did, the door swung open, and I barely had time to step back before the palace guard entered, the guard rushed in, his face pale with worry. It was a close call. too close, but I didn't care.

Mei flinched at the intrusion, but quickly composed herself, stepping away from me to a more respectable distance.

The guard, wide-eyed and clearly flustered, fell to his knees in a bow. "My deepest apologies, Your Highness. I called for you several times but received no reply. I entered out of concern, fearing the worst."

I glanced at Mei, but she wouldn't meet my eyes. She simply gave the guard one last look and walked out, leaving the room without a word.

I let out a long, exhausted sigh, running a hand through my hair, still reeling from everything that had just happened. Turning back to the guard, I motioned for him to stand. "Get up"

"And next time, don't enter my room without permission."

He bowed low again, murmuring his apologies, but my mind was already elsewhere... on Mei. I had her forgiveness, but had I lost something more in the process?