The direct path to longing is futile, yet the heart aches with a poignant passion. As the night deepened, Claire found herself unable to sleep after attending to Princess Isabelles bedtime. She draped a thin robe over her shoulders, lit a candle, and sat at her writing desk, leafing through a collection of poetry.
*Knock! Knock!* The silence of the night was broken by the soft tapping on her window, as if pebbles were striking the pane.
Claire pushed open the casement, just in time to dodge a pebble that flew towards her. She peered into the garden, her eyes narrowing at the source of the disturbance.
"How dare you be here?!" she exclaimed.
Edward Cullen approached with a grin, stepping through the open window. "I was playing chess with my father today, and it took longer than expected. Ive been thinking about you, and I just wanted to catch a glimpse of your room. I didnt expect you to be awake."
"So you thought youd vandalize my window and terrorize me?" Claire retorted, a smile playing on her lips as she teased Edward.
Seeing Claires playful demeanor, lit by the soft glow of the candle behind her, Edward couldnt help but pull her into a tight embrace and carry her out of the room. The sudden movement startled Claire, causing her to let out a series of surprised squeals.
"Quiet now," Edward whispered, silencing her with a kiss. Claire, caught off guard, closed her eyes, unable to resist Edwards unexpected advances.
"Now, are you quiet?" Edward asked with a smirk.
"Yes... but dont take advantage of the solitude," Claire murmured, her face flushed with warmth. She knew she could never predict Edwards spontaneous actions.
"Claire, I want to ask my father for your hand in marriage..." Edward said, his voice filled with determination.
"Impossible!" Claire gasped, her head snapping up in shock.
Seeing her reaction, Edward furrowed his brow. "Why? Do you think it would be a misfortune to be with me?"
"No, my heart has long been yours. How could I feel wronged? But..." Claire trailed off, thinking of the kings intentions for her to accompany Princess Isabelle on the marriage mission. If she allowed Edward to request a marriage now, it would be denied, and it would backfire.
"But what, Claire? Dont hesitate any longer," Edward urged, his grip on her hands tightening.
Claire struggled with her words. "But... today the king summoned me. The princess is to be married to the Summerland, and I am to accompany her."
"Why must you go too!" Edward exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration.
Claire quickly covered his mouth, whispering urgently, "Dont raise your voice. The king told me to consider it. Its not a forced order. If you insist, I wont go. But the princess..."
"Its not up to you to decide whether to go or not. Once the king has spoken, its already his plan. As a princess, you have no right to refuse the emperor. I should go and plead with the king to take you for me."
"No, Edward, you know that as a prince, you are to assist the emperor in governing the kingdom. If you ask for me now, it would look like a conspiracy between the harem and the court! Besides, the princess has been kind to me, and weve grown up together like sisters. Parting is painful for me too."
"I cant ask for you, and its not appropriate for you to refuse. So, are we to be separated?! The distance between Xiayun and Fengming is thousands of miles. How can I bear the constant longing?" Edward pulled Claire into a tight embrace, his heart filled with frustration at his perceived inability to protect her.
"Claire..."
She and Edward had known each other since childhood, their affection blossoming into love. In her heart, Edward was the destined one. She wished his heart was like hers, and he would not betray their yearning.
Suddenly, Edward took Claires hand. "Claire, lets elope."
Edward, who had always been a stickler for rules and never overstepped his bounds, had shocked Claire by suggesting they run away together.
"Edward, dont talk nonsense. Youre a prince, destined to bear the weight of the entire kingdom. Do you understand the consequences of your words?!"
"So what?!" Edward tightened his grip on Claires hands. "All I want is you. What does a vast river and mountain mean to me if I dont have you?"
"But what about the princess..."
"Sister has been in your care for so many years, and youve done your best. Think about our future..." Edwards eyes were filled with anticipation, and Claire couldnt bring herself to refuse. She knew she was being selfish, but she and Edward shared a deep connection, and she hoped Princess Isabelle would understand her decision.
"I agree," Claire whispered, and Edwards face lit up with joy as he enveloped her in his arms.
"I knew you would, I knew it!" Edward exclaimed, his happiness overflowing.
"But how do I leave the palace without an edict or a token?" Claire asked, her mind racing with the implications of their plan.
Edward caressed Claires face, his eyes filled with affection under the cold moonlight. He handed her his personal jade token, saying, "This is my token for entering and leaving the palace. Ill wait for you at the West Palace Gate in three days, at midnight."
Claire took the exquisitely carved jade token. "Alright, its getting late. You should leave the palace quickly, lest others discover your prolonged stay in the Purple Hall."
With that, Claire had effectively issued an eviction notice to Edward. He reluctantly took one last look at her before turning to leave. Claire watched him disappear into the night before closing her window and retreating back into her room.
The once tranquil courtyard was now silent, with only the rustling of leaves in the breeze. A dark figure swiftly moved through the shadows, disappearing as quickly as it had come.
For the next few days, Claire was preoccupied, her mind burdened with the weight of her decision. At times, she was so lost in thought that she barely registered Princess Isabelle calling her name several times.
On the day of their约定, Claire attended to Princess Isabelle as usual, tucking her in for the night. As she let the gauze curtains fall, Isabelle suddenly grasped her arm. "Claire, Claire, you wont be gone when I wake up, will you?"
Claires heart skipped a beat, and she avoided Isabelles gaze, stammering, "Your Highness, rest now. Where could Claire possibly go? I will be by your side first thing in the morning."
Isabelle, as innocent as a child, nodded and smiled sweetly at Claire, drifting off to sleep. Claire watched her, tears welling up in her eyes, remembering the day Isabelle had spoken of being alone.
"Im sorry, Your Highness. In another life, I would still choose to serve by your side. Tonight, let me be selfish," Claire whispered, taking one last look at the Purple Hall before leaving with her packed bag. From this night on, everything within the imperial city would be irrelevant to her.