The 3 B's- Beauty, Brains and Bravery

Edinburgh Palace, Scotland, 12:30;

Accoutred in a stunning mustard yellow high waist gown, Rong Xinghe took her darling's outstretched hand as she got down the Bugatti Chiron, an enthralling smile plastered across her lips. Xi Yuan, on the other hand, had put on a casual Olive Green shirt, along with a pair of black jeans and his black overcoat. But even so, they had the aura. The 'match made in heaven' aura. They complimented each other. They always did. 

The second she laid her eyes upon the enormously regal castle, Rong Xinghe felt an odd sensation of exuberance crawl up her spine. Edinburgh Castle, a stronghold that was once the residence of Scottish monarchs, now stood mostly as a museum. For a girl who cherished the world of dragons and magic, majestic palaces such as these served as a warehouse in the storm. Naturally, the palace was bound to stir quite some unexplainable feelings inside her.

Xi Yuan didn't care much about the magnificence, but. He had been to royal houses before. For different reasons, through different seasons. And yet, to him, nothing in this world had ever been as captivating and marvelous as the woman in front of him. Her smile, her eyes, the mole behind her right ear, and every other bit of her body; he found all of those so damn more compelling than the royal building in front of him. 

Hence, today, while she planned to study the princely gland walls, he intended to gaze at his Queen. The two had their priorities sorted, after all. And thus, their visit to the Edinburgh Castle began.

Holding onto his DSLR, he would click her pictures every once in a while, as she walked a few steps ahead of him, pointing and telling him everything she knew about the vast building, giving him her version of the tour. 

"You know we are approximately 135 meters above Sea level.", the girl said, a smile never leaving her mouth, "Between 1296 and 1341, this castle was captured by the English invaders twice and twice was it re-claimed by the Scottish warriors. Heroic, isn't it?

"Look, the Stone of Scone! Also known as the Stone of Destiny, it is a block of sandstone, upon which, monarchs were traditionally crowned for years. This stone came to Scotland only in 1996.

"And this outer place is well-known as Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, wherein a seating is installed every year for the international military music festival, called as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and for other summer concerts. Isn't it bizarre?!"

"It is.", the man laughed, capturing yet another picture of her, in the camera, and his mind, "How do you know so much? Internet?"

"A little bit.", the girl shrugged, "But mostly books."

"Ah. And I thought we would need a guide.", Xi Yuan smiled to himself, "Aren't you hungry?", he questioned then. 

"I am. But we are almost done watching the palace. Just a bit more, okay?", she turned to look at the man, earning a gentle nod from him. It was not until three in the afternoon, that the girl was done admiring the impressive beauty of the city of Edinburgh.

Then, the man brought her to a fairly famed restaurant by the castle later. Whilst she sat opposite him, looking through his camera gallery, he requested one of the staff to get him a menu.

"A Shellfish bisque, garlic croutons, rouille and Gruyere for Starters. As for the main course... Roast grouse from Balmoral Estate, Parsley porridge, young turnips, brambles, and game chips.", the man placed both their orders by himself, for he was au courant of her tastes, "And a Sloe Royale for the drinks."

"Yes, Sir.", the waitress noted down the final order, smiling shyly at the man. The young woman was used to serving a lot of foreigners by now, provided their facility was located beneath the scrutiny of one of the world's most famous tourist locations. But none of those as charming as him. She liked this one. This man. His facial features, his voice, his eyes. God! He was handsome. "Anything else, Mister?"

"No. That'd be alright.", Xi Yuan shook his head plainly. The man then waited for the woman to disappear before he finally turned to his lover, "What's up?", he then asked, "Good enough?"

"Excellent clicks, Baby!", Rong Xinghe looked up at her darling appreciatively, "I look like a princess in all of them. Specifically, this one...", she said, turning the camera's display for the man to peep, "Beside the fireplace. Damn! I look hot."

"Tell me about it.", the man laughed out heartily. 

"No. I am going to post some of these on my Instagram and Weibo. For sure.", she announced, resolute. 

"Up to you. I'll mail them once we get back to Earlston.", he said, "But let's frame the fireplace photo in our bedroom."

"No. It should be the picture of both of us.", the girl smiled, "You could keep it in your office, though."

"You're the in-charge.", Xi Yuan raised his hands in surrender, "Just don't post anything yet. Your fans would know your whereabouts in seconds if that were to happen. And the last thing I want is for the media to show up at our doorsteps."

"Of course."

About a few minutes later, the hotel staff returned with the food they'd ordered and left shortly after. But Rong Xinghe didn't dig in at once. Instead, she just sat, staring at him, not uttering a single word. 

"What are you thinking?", Xi Yuan asked, noticing the girl's silence. 

"That waitress over there likes you.", the girl said, leaning back against her chair, squinting her eyes at the man, "How troublesome!"

"What? How do you know?", the man raised his brows, stunned. He then looked at the woman standing in the corner of the place, her eyes traveling to him now and then. She did seem interested! But how could Rong Xinghe have known about it since she didn't so much as squiz at her earlier? Did she have some radar or something?

"She stammered about seven times while suggesting you the specials of this eatery, what do you think?", the girl stated the matter-of-factly, "She's been blushing ever since we came, and do not even get me started on how quickly she changed her hairstyle to mine."

"..."

"Bringing me to Scotland won't change who I am, Yuan.", Rong Xinghe laughed then, "Observing things around me and keeping all my senses alert round the clock, that's what I do.

"But that's not the point here."

"Then what's the point?", Xi Yuan let out a defeated sigh. Her Sherlock Holmes obiter dictums scared him sometimes, honestly. But then again, as she just said, Scotland couldn't change everything. And not her extraordinarily active brain cells at that. 

"The point is your charming-ness.", she said earnestly, "What should we do about it now?"

"Makeup?", the man suggested.

"No."

"Mask?"

"Maybe."

"Sulphuric acid attack?"

"Considerable enough."

"..."

Such a ruthless woman, the man gasped at the thought. But she was kidding. They both knew that. She just loved to see his expression change because of her. Truthfully, she'd never let anyone hurt him. To her, everything he cared about was for her to protect. His life, his belongings, his family. She intended to protect these things for the littlest of eternity they had together. How could she scar him then? 

Let the world admire him, and desire him, she would often think in silence. She'd never felt intimidated or insecure by other women before. He'd never given her the reasons to feel so, all past incidents considered. And for that, she couldn't be more thankful. With someone who'd read her expressions like a book, by her side, why would she need to bother herself with such trivial issues? She trusted him. His intentions, his willpower, his sincerity, and above all, his love. She had expectations from him, not the ones who craved for him. It was all just as simple as that.