The palace walls faded behind them.
For the first time that night, the air felt different—lighter, freer, untouched by the weight of status and expectation.
Yue Ning walked ahead, her steps unusually quick, almost eager.
Xu Chen followed, watching her quietly.
"You're in a hurry," he said.
Yue Ning didn't turn back.
"Of course."
She lifted a small cloak from a hidden corner near the outer passage and threw it over her shoulders. Then she tied her hair differently—looser, simpler.
In a few movements—
The composed noble lady of the Yue family disappeared.
In her place stood a girl.
Young.
Unrestrained.
Almost… ordinary.
Xu Chen changed as well.
His robes were replaced with simpler clothing, dark but unremarkable. The intricate patterns that marked his royal identity were gone.
His presence, though still strong, was now subdued.
Not a Crown Prince.
Just a man in his twenties.
Watching over a girl who clearly had no intention of behaving quietly.
The night market was alive.
Lanterns glowed in rows, casting warm golden light over crowded streets. Vendors called out loudly, laughter mixed with bargaining voices, and the scent of roasted food filled the air.
Yue Ning stopped at the entrance for just a moment.
Her eyes lit up.
Then—
Without waiting—
She stepped in.
"This looks fun."
Her voice carried a light excitement—completely different from the calm, controlled tone she used in the palace.
Xu Chen followed her slowly.
"You sound surprised."
"I am."
She turned slightly, walking backward now, facing him.
"I've never actually enjoyed this before."
She stopped at the first stall she saw.
Bright-colored hairpins were laid out neatly.
"Oh, these are nice."
Without hesitation, she picked one up, examining it closely.
Then another.
And another.
Xu Chen stood beside her, watching.
"You're not even asking the price."
Yue Ning waved her hand casually.
"I don't need to."
The vendor smiled.
"Miss has a good eye."
Xu Chen stepped forward calmly, placing coins down without question.
"Wrap them."
Yue Ning glanced at him, amused.
"You didn't even bargain."
Xu Chen looked at her.
"You were going to take all of them anyway."
She paused.
Then smiled.
"…True."
---
Walking Together
They moved through the market slowly.
Yue Ning stopping at nearly every stall.
Food.
Accessories.
Small trinkets.
Things that held no real value—
Yet she looked at them with genuine interest.
---
A Rare Sight
At one point, she stopped near a stall selling candied fruit.
The bright red coating glistened under the lantern light.
She stared at it for a moment.
Then pointed.
"I want that."
Xu Chen didn't question it.
Moments later, she held it in her hand.
She took a bite.
Then blinked slightly.
"It's sweet."
Xu Chen looked at her.
"That's usually the point."
She gave him a look.
"I know that."
Then added,
"But it's… different."
---
Watching Her
He didn't respond.
He just watched.
Because this Yue Ning—
The one who smiled easily.
Who spoke without calculation.
Who acted without restraint—
Was rare.
Even for him.
---
A Subtle Tease
She noticed his gaze.
"What?"
Xu Chen shook his head slightly.
"Nothing."
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You're thinking something."
"Yes."
"What?"
He paused for a moment.
Then said calmly—
"You're acting your age."
Yue Ning blinked.
Then frowned slightly.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
Xu Chen looked at her.
"You're fourteen."
She crossed her arms.
"And?"
"You usually don't act like it."
For a brief moment, she said nothing.
Then—
She turned away.
Took another bite of the candied fruit.
And spoke casually.
"I didn't have time to."
No drama.
No sadness.
Just a fact.
Xu Chen didn't reply.
But his gaze softened slightly.
Then suddenly—
Yue Ning turned back, her expression shifting instantly.
"But now I do."
She smiled.
"So I will."
Before he could respond, she grabbed his sleeve.
"Come on."
Xu Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Where?"
She pointed ahead.
"There's more."
They moved deeper into the market.
The crowd grew thicker.
The noise louder.
But neither of them minded.
Because here—
No one bowed.
No one watched carefully.
No one measured their words.
At one point, Yue Ning stopped again, looking at a group of performers.
Without thinking, she stepped forward into the crowd.
Xu Chen followed immediately, his gaze sharpening slightly.
Not tense—
But protective.
Always aware.
Always watching.
As the crowd shifted, Yue Ning moved closer to him naturally.
Not thinking.
Not calculating.
Just instinct.
Xu Chen noticed.
But said nothing.
When someone brushed too close, he simply stepped slightly forward—
Blocking the path.
Subtle.
Effortless.
Unnoticed.
The performers finished.
Applause spread through the crowd.
Yue Ning clapped lightly, her expression bright.
Then she turned to him.
"That was good."
Xu Chen nodded.
"Yes."
They continued walking.
Slower now.
Quieter.
But lighter.
Because for once—
They weren't rulers.
Not creators.
Not Crown Prince and noble lady.
Just—
Two people.
Walking through a night market.
Eventually, the crowd began to thin.
The lanterns dimmed slightly.
The night grew deeper.
Yue Ning slowed her steps.
Then stopped.
She looked around once more.
Then at him.
"That was nice."
Xu Chen looked at her.
"Yes."
And as they walked back toward the quiet shadows of the palace—
The world they had created felt distant.
Because for one night—
They had chosen something else.
Not power.
Not control.
But something far simpler—
To just live.