Someone Who Struck My Heart
“You…” Tears filled my eyes at his beautiful confession.
“Don't cry, dear.” His fingers swept across the tears on my cheeks. “I don't want to see a stain in those beautiful eyes of yours.”
“Hmm.” I nodded, stopping myself from crying. A smile spread across my lips. “I like you too.”
Hearing the confession, San's heart was full of happiness. But the next words that came out made his heart quiver.
“But…” I could see the love in San's eyes. However, my current situation caused me to have a bit of hesitation in my heart.
“But what, darling?” San’s tone was soft.
Hearing his soft call of ‘darling’, my face flushed red. How come I didn't know that he is this sweet-mouthed?
“I don't know if the one you like is me or my soul. What if… What if I changed into someone else, would you still like me?” I looked at him with a hopeful expression.
“Of course,” San replied right away.
“Really?” My eyes gleamed brightly at his answer. However, his next sentence caused them to dim instantly.
“Even if you are reincarnated as a plant, I would still choose you, my darling.”
Plant? Reincarnation?
Ha. He must have thought that I was just making up things.
But recalling the drawing I had told an artist to help me draw this morning, I immediately reached into my sleeve and brought out the drawing scroll.
“Look at this.” I spread out the scroll, looking at San with an anxious gaze. “What if the girl in the picture was me? Would you like her back?”
San stared at the girl inside the scroll. He didn't know what trick Zanillia was playing, but he still chose to be true to his word.
“It is unclear to me why you are putting up such questions. But I promise you, Zanillia. I won't take in any other girl apart from you. The person in the picture is not even as dazzling as you. I like you. The current you before me. So, don’t be afraid that any girl will come between us. I promise.”
“Is that so?” His words were so beautiful. But why do I feel as if my heart is being squeezed to death?
I forced a smile on my lips. “That's touching. I'm deeply grateful to hear that.”
“Yeah, should we—” San was cut in before he could finish his sentence.
“Ah, I forgot that I scheduled an appointment with Janice this morning. I have to go now. Bye. See you later.” I immediately ran away before he could say anything.
The scroll in my hand fell to the ground, but I made no attempt to pick it up. My heart was in pain right now.
\---
The moment I entered my room, Janice was already waiting for me. She began to question.
“Where were you last night? I saw that your bed was untouched.” As she was talking, she suddenly noticed my red eyes. “What's wrong with your eyes? Did anyone bully you? Is it the princess or Natasi?” She strode forward and held my shoulder. “What's wrong? Don't scare me to death, Zanillia.”
“He doesn't like me.” The long-held back tears pour down like rain.
“Come here.” Janice pulled me into her embrace, gently patting my back. “It's okay. Don't cry anymore. Everything will be fine.”
“He said I'm not as dazzling as her.”
“Who? Feiye? Damn that guy. If I ever see him, I'm going to beat him to a pulp.”
Feiye, who was innocent in the matter, was instantly dragged into the boiling river.
“I want to go home. I want to leave this forsaken place. Mom. I miss my mom so much.” The tears in my eyes flowed down, and Janice could only continue to pacify me.
\====
When San arrived at the emotionless palace, he saw that the enchantment barrier at the door had already been removed. He pushed the door open and entered the room.
Vagamound, who was holding a scroll in his hand, lifted his head to meet the uninvited guest.
“I don't think I summoned you here, did I?”
“We need to talk.” San looked over at the handsome man who was sitting languidly on the jade seat, with his black hair draped loosely across his shoulder.
“Talk?” Vagamound's lips raised into a smile. “Sure.” He folded the scroll he was holding and placed it next to him. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
San didn't hesitate before saying. “I like Zanillia.”
“So?” Vagamound lifted his brow, staring at the latter confusedly. “What does your likeness for her have to do with me?”
“It does. Since I've now told you about my feelings for her, I want you to stay away from her. The Feiye she has been talking about, I know that it's you. There's only one person in this world who can execute the moon-splitting sword move. How can a mortal girl like Zanillia learn such a move without your teaching? So, I hope that you can accept my request.”
“Did she tell you about what happened between us?”
“What happened?” San was bemused at the unexpected question.
A playful smile emerged on Vagamound's lips while he saw this reaction. “Looks like she didn't.”
“What are you trying to say?” San didn't feel good when he saw the playful smile on Vagamound's lips.
“Nothing. This is a private matter between me and her.” Vagamound gave a low chuckle.
Although he didn't know what happened between them, San knew that it mustn't have been something that sat well with him.
He clenched his fists and glared furiously at Vagamound, which was something he would never dare to do in the past. “I know that I'm not as powerful as you. But if you dare touch my bottom line, I won't stand by and do nothing.”
“Calm down. There's no need for you to get angry.” Vagamound spoke out.
Although he had meant to tease San a bit, he had no intention of making the latter angry.
“I'm sure that your girl wouldn't be my destined bride either. Even heaven wouldn't want to reward a low-witted girl like her to me.”
“Do not say anything bad about her. Zanillia is the smartest girl I've ever seen.”
“Yeah. Forgive my rudeness.” Look at me, I almost forgot that you're already a love—brained fool.
Vagamound stood up from his seat and walked down towards San. He lifted his hand and placed it on the latter's shoulder.
“Stop thinking too much. I have no interest in your Zanillia.” That's because I've met someone who struck my heart.
“Bye, brother.” Vagamound gave San a last pat before walking out of the palace.