Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

573 I cannot force my feelings [Bonus chapter]

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I had no intention to trouble the Second Princess,” Chang Shi said and looked at the tassel.

“I was drunk last night. I do not remember anything. Because Brother Lóng Wei knows Chang Shi, so I recognize him,” Ai Fen stated her point.

“Should I tell?” Chang Shi asked.

Ai Fen knitted her brows. “I hope I didn’t make any mistakes,” she murmured.

Chang Shi smiled a little. “The Second Princess was sitting at the stairs, drawing circles. Last night, she acted like a child. Since there was no one around I thought to escort Her Highness to her chamber. She was so enthusiastic about giving me a reward, so I accepted it,” He explained to her.

“That was my mistake. The tassel is very special to me. I do not know why I handed it to you,” Ai Fen said.

Chang Shi forwarded his hand. “Her Highness can take it back,” he said. Ai Fen picked up the tassel and hooked it around her waist.

“Thank you, Chang Shi,” Ai Fen said with a smile. “I take my leave then,” she asserted.

“Sure,” Chang Shi said and they both left the room.

.....

“Her Highness should not drink. Luckily, she is the Princess and lives in the palace. If she would be a commoner, then anything could have happened,” Chang Shi advised her.

“I understand,” Ai Fen said.

“What if the Princess’ mother finds out about it? Will the Second Princess be reprimanded?” He asked her out of curiosity.

“Mother will not find out,” Ai Fen replied. They both reached the front yard where Huang Xi was waiting for Ai Fen.

Chang Shi saw them out. After Ai Fen got into the carriage, Huang Xi asked Chang Shi how he had Ai Fen’s tassel.

“It is a long story. I will tell you some other day,” Chang Shi asserted.

“Okay.” Huang Xi went ahead and hopped on the horse. He ordered the chariot to move the carriage and they left for the palace.

Huang Xi escorted Ai Fen to her chamber. However, before going back to work, he decided to speak about his feelings to Ai Fen.

“I would like to say something to the Second Princess,” Huang Xi said.

Ai Fen looked at him and found he was hesitating a little. Ai Fen gestured to the maidservant to leave and now she was the only one around Huang Xi.

“What is it, Commander Huang Xi?” Ai Fen asked again.

“Umm... I want to say that I... I like the Second Princess,” Huang Xi said.

Ai Fen’s eyes grew big as she had not expected him to say such a thing to her.

Ai Fen was unable to speak when Huang Xi told her not to feel uncomfortable because of that. “I wanted to convey my feelings for a long time. I know I didn’t confess in a special way, but confessing in a normal way is also memorable,” He said and smiled at her.

“Commander Huang Xi, I do not like you,” Ai Fen stated.

The smile on Huang Xi’s lips disappeared instantly.

“I know. Her Highness does not need to say it–”

“I mean I will never like you that way,” Ai Fen proclaimed. She didn’t want him to keep his hopes. She didn’t want to keep him in dark.

Huang Xi got saddened to hear that statement. He asked the reason for it.

“There is no reason,” Ai Fen replied. “I hope that Commander Huang Xi stops liking me from now onward,” She asserted.

It felt to Huang Xi like he was stabbed in his heart. Ai Fen straightforwardly refused to like him back. There was no reason for it either.

“I respect Her Highness’ answer. Thank you for clarifying for me,” Huang Xi said and lowered his eyes.

“Thank you for taking me to Chang Shi’s place,” Ai Fen said and descended the few stairs to go to the other side.

Huang Xi watched her going away and sighed. He wanted to cry, but he could not in the middle of the work. He left for the barracks, but the entire day his mood was off. He even shouted at several soldiers when he didn’t want to.

In the evening, when he was ready to return to his residence, he encountered Lóng Wei at the palace gates.

“What happened? Did someone slap you?” Lóng Wei asked.

“Prince Lóng Wei, someone did slap me,” Huang Xi said and walked past him. Lóng Wei frowned and turned around.

“Huang Xi! Stop there,” Lóng Wei said. He took long strides towards him and asked Huang Xi if he would say something.

“I am rejected,” Huang Xi replied.

“What?” Lóng Wei arched his eyebrow.

“I confessed to Princess Ai Fen my feelings,” Huang Xi said. “But she told me she would never like me back. Prince Lóng Wei, it feels terrible. What should I do? I admired Princess Ai Fen from afar for many months,” Huang Xi said. It appeared to Lóng Wei that he would cry at any time.

“Why did she say so?” Lóng Wei asked.

“Princess Ai Fen didn’t give me any reason,” Huang Xi replied. “From her voice, it was apparent that she does not like me at all. Your Highness, am I lovesick? I even shouted at the soldiers,” he said.

“Are you serious about her?” Lóng Wei inquired.

“I do not know. It would be wrong if I pursue Princess Ai Fen,” Huang Xi stated.

“Why?” Lóng Wei questioned.

“Because she clearly told me she would never like me. I cannot force my feelings on Princess Ai Fen. I think I will focus more on my strength or find other ways to remove her thoughts from my mind,” Huang Xi asserted.

Lóng Wei hummed and told him to go home safely. Huang Xi thanked Lóng Wei for listening to him and left for his house.

Lóng Wei thought to ask Ai Fen once. Huang Xi was his dear friend and he wanted to help him before he would leave.

When he reached outside Ai Fen’s chamber, he asked a servant to inform the Princess about his visit.

In a minute, the maidservant walked outside and humbly told Lóng Wei to go in.