A Love Written In The Stars

"Cheng had never been mine, and he never would be."

———

Mei's Pov:

I tossed and turned, my body restless and mind churning. Each time I closed my eyes, the words of the palace maids replayed in my head—Cheng's engagement to Princess Chán Juān. It couldn't be true, could it? The way the maids had spoken, the look Yú Yuè gave when she confirmed the news... I replayed it again and again, hoping somehow I'd misheard, misunderstood.

———

The afternoon sun bathed the palace in golden light, casting long shadows through the carved lattice windows.

Mei walked briskly, while Yú Yuè trailed just a step behind, her voice light and cheerful.

"You're going to love the view at the garden, you'll see." Yú Yuè said with a wide smile.

"It's breathtaking this time of day. The light hits the pond just right, and the lilies look like they're glowing. It's like something out of a dream."

Mei barely glanced at her, her attention fixed ahead. "I didn't agree to this for the view for the hundredth time, yú yúe. I came only because it would make a perfect training ground."

Yú Yuè let out an exaggerated sigh, tilting her head to study Mei's expression. "You're too single-minded, you know that? There's more to life than practicing sword forms and engaging in combat."

Mei smirked faintly. "And yet, you seem perfectly content to follow me around while I do exactly that."

"Someone has to make sure you don't become a complete recluse," Yú Yuè teased.

"You can't spend all your time wielding a sword, sometimes you need to stop and appreciate the beauty around you."

"I'll appreciate it when I'm old and grey," Mei said flatly, her eyes scanning ahead, already impatient to reach their destination.

Yú Yuè sighed but kept her tone light. "Well maybe when you enjoy your moment at the garden, you'd stop scaring everyone with that intense glare of yours." She said, clasping her hands behind her back.

"I don't glare," Mei shot back.

Yú Yuè grinned. "You absolutely do. You scared off three servants just this morning."

"Oh come on, they invaded my privacy,"

As they passed a cluster of maids arranging trays of freshly cut flowers, Mei's ears caught snippets of their conversation.

"Have you seen Princess Chàn Juán?" one maid whispered, her voice carrying just enough for Mei to hear. "She's even more beautiful in person. Her grace is unmatched."

"And the Crown Prince is so lucky to be engaged to her," another replied. "They'll make such a perfect couple."

Mei's pace slowed almost imperceptibly.

"Yú Yuè noticed immediately, tilting her head curiously. "Mei? Something wrong?"

"Is it true what they said? That Cheng is engaged?"

"Yes, It is. The official announcement was made weeks ago." Yú yúe replied happily.

Mei stopped in her tracks, her face paling slightly, she turned her head away as though the admission had stung.

Yú Yuè stepped closer, her cheerful demeanor fading into something more somber. "Why does this news upset you so much? Did I say something wrong?"

Mei blinked and shook her head quickly, as if shaking off the impact of the news. A faint, almost dismissive smile curled her lips. "You're mistaken, Yú Yuè. It doesn't bother me. I'm just… surprised, that's all. I can't believe I didn't hear about it sooner."

She pulled away before Yú Yuè could say more. "Let's keep going. You wanted me to see the garden, didn't you?"

Yú Yuè frowned, sensing the shift in Mei's mood, but she nodded, deciding not to press further. "Of course. It's just ahead."

———

Mei's Pov:

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the thoughts to fade, but it clung to me.

How had I not heard of this sooner? He'd been engaged this entire time? Even when we met those times beyond the palace walls?

The more I thought about it, the more foolish I felt. How had I let myself believe that Cheng's kindness meant anything more than just...kindness? How had I misread that moment when he held me close, his arms wrapped around me, as if they could shelter me from all the world's pain?

The worst part was that Cheng never said a word about it. Not once, in all our conversations, did he mention the engagement. He'd had countless chances.

Had he simply not gotten around to telling me? I mean, that would be his best excuse.

Whatever.

it didn't matter.

It shouldn't matter.

I had no right to feel betrayed, we never had anything serious to begin with.

A crown prince could never offer more than fleeting friendship. His duty to the empire would always come first.

As I lay there, grappling with the constriction in my chest, I couldn't help but question everything. Had it all been so meaningless? The conversations, the lingering glances—had I misread it all, fabricated significance where there was none?

No. No, I didn't imagine it. There was definitely something between us, something that felt real, that I couldn't explain. But real or not, it didn't change anything. Cheng had his responsibilities, and I was just a foolish girl who had let herself dream of something more.

The night dragged on, the stars outside mocking my sleeplessness. My body was exhausted, yet my mind refused to relent. The truth I had been avoiding now loomed, undeniable and unyielding. I had fallen for him. The realization struck with the force of a blow, leaving me reeling.

"Better this way," I told myself, the words harsh as my hands clenched the blanket, knuckles white with the effort of holding myself together. If I gripped tightly enough, perhaps I could keep the torrent of emotions from breaking free. Better to endure this pain now than to live in a fragile illusion. How foolish I had been to think our friendship could ever be more. What was a peasant to a prince? Just another face in the throng, destined to fade from his memory when the time came to fulfill his royal duties.

Cheng had never been mine, and he never would be.

If I could just forget, bury these emotions deep where they belonged, perhaps I could shield myself from the heartbreak that was inevitably on its way.

Eventually, exhaustion took over. My thoughts slowed, and I drifted into a restless sleep, haunted by dreams of what could never be. The last thought I had before sleep claimed me was of our final encounter—Cheng's face, the way he pulled me close, and the words he spoke when he held me near.