The Crown Prince's Guard

chapter 10: The Crown Prince's Fight and Anger

As those people took a step forward, Long'Er glared at their movements. He drew out his sword slowly, while continuing to stare at his opponent steadily.

"Son, hand over the beautiful woman and your money. Otherwise, we won't let you out alive," the leader demanded his minions sneer and shout mockingly, clearly excited about their new prey. Ignoring their threat, Long'Er clutched the hand of the princess, who clasped her arm tightly. He squeezed lightly reassuringly.

"Go away," he ordered the frightened girl firmly.

"Run and don't look back." With a trembling nod, the princess hugged her books to her chest, turned around and left as fast as she could. Seeing him blurry, amusement emanated from the man's expression.

"Impressive, male lover. You really want to save her, don't you? But baby you won't reunite with her." Undeterred by their ridicule, he simply gestured for them to get close.

"Enough with your barking. Come and get me, if you can." Provoked by his words, the burly man approached him while swinging their axes, swords, and sticks threateningly. When they attacked him, he dodged their attacks and attacked them without restraint.

He seems to be worried too much. In a matter of minutes, he had managed to take down every single man without being injured in the slightest. They were just wild bandits with uncoordinated fighting skills, roaming around to steal items from easy prey. But his relief only lasted for a moment, before a roar of shouting and thunderous footsteps approached the scene. A group of over twenty bandits appeared as backup, ready to fight him.

This time, Long'Er was clearly at a disadvantage. Fearing that he might actually get caught at this rate, a new plan must be made. He turned around and ran out of the city, towards the dense trees for cover. From there, he would make use of the darkness and surrounding to rid them of his tracks. After a long run, he found himself deep in the forest, alone.

He crouched behind a thick bush, taking the opportunity to observe the area to look for signs of his pursuers. Holding his breath, he focused on listening to the footsteps around him. Other than the rustling of leaves and chirping of crickets, there were no signs of danger. Yet.

He moved slowly, darting from the bush to the bush. Make sure the steps are as calm as possible. He had to find his way back to the palace without leaving a trace. And to make matters worse, he was unfamiliar with the directions in this forest.

Oh, Ibuu, he thought, his heart beats faster when he gets scared.

Save me.

The snapping of a hard twig from behind Long'Er made him jump. He turned around quickly, finding him standing face to face with the bandit leader.

With a loud snarl, he swung his sword at her, which nearly missed out bit by bit as he leapt aside. Before he could stand, the man gave a powerful kick to his back, making him lose his balance. He grimaced as a sharp pain radiated into his body.

"Dead, bad boy!" He lowered his sword, aiming at his heart.

But before he could stab his target, his body and smile of victory froze. At that moment, his eyes became lifeless like porcelain dolls and he fell to the ground, revealing to Long'Er the silhouette that killed the man from behind his back.

With a stifled breath, Long'Er silently stared at her new enemy, wondering if she should run away. When the figure took a step towards him, he got up to his feet and pointed his sword towards him.

"Stop there."

"Wait," a familiar-sounding male voice replied.

The mysterious man emerged from the shadows and stepped into the moonlight, illuminating the well-defined features on his face. As he closed the distance between them, Long'Er's eyes shone in pure recognition and relief.

"Your highness?" he flinched in surprise.

Standing in the middle of the courtyard, Long'Er found herself caught in the middle of a staring contest that took place between the royal siblings. After Li Xun saved him from the bandits, he immediately escorted him back to the palace.

According to him, there are reports that the princess is missing and he has sent his men to look for his sister. Fortunately, the missing noble appeared at the gate directly, but his appearance looked somewhat disheveled and out of breath. He kept shouting about how a group of bandits were trying to kidnap him.

Which explains how he was able to trace Long'Er's whereabouts. On the way back to the palace, he assured her that the bandits had been arrested and would be sent to the Law Enforcement Bureau where they would be locked up for a while until their sentences were determined.

The princess squeezed Long'Er's arm and hid her face, curled up under her brother's sharp gaze. He turned his gaze down with a frown.

"Li Xue," he spoke, without a smile.

"Do you know how big of a problem you've caused?" He pouted shamelessly, clearly not regretting his mistake.

"Sister. It's not my fault that the bandits decided to attack us tonight!"

"You snuck out in the middle of the night and stole my bodyguard in the process. Don't you understand the dangers lurking out there for a girl, let alone nobles? You can be killed at any time without us knowing. Don't you have anything to say? " The princess remained silent, pondering loudly about what to say. He finally apologized to her calmly.

"I'm sorry."

"Not for me."

"Good." Li Xue turned to Long'Er, looking at her timidly.

"Sorry, little boy." But even as he apologized, there was a mixture of admiration and admiration in his glittering eyes.

After how Long'Er saved her earlier like a knight in armor, the princess set her sights on the person she had just found.

"If you get hurt anywhere, please come and find me. I'll help you to be healthy again." Adding to his words, he boldly winked at Long'Er, which made the poor girl shudder involuntarily. Li Xun dispersed his sister by waving.

"Stop messing around, Li Xue. You should go see Mom. He's worried about you." Puckered her lips, the princess turned around and left speechless. No doubt afraid to face her mother's tantrums.

Seeing his departure, the prince returned to Long'Er.

"Come with me." Without waiting for his response, he walked towards his bedroom, believing that he would follow him.

Ever since they returned to the palace, not once had the prince smiled at her.

Was he angry with her too? Should he start the conversation first by apologizing?

He decided he had to do damage control first. Bowing deeply to the prince, he told him,

"Sorry, Your Honor. I should have persuaded the princess to immediately return to the palace." Li Xun's head jolted in surprise.

"It wasn't your fault. I don't blame you, because I know very well the character of my sister. He was born to be a troublemaker." Entering his room, he took out a wooden box from the closet.

He took her to the table and sat down on the chair. Patting the one beside him, he ordered it.

"Come, sit here." He sat down slowly, watching his troubled face. He began to doubt if he was really telling the truth.

"really? Then, what's the problem that pisses you off more than your sister?" He looked up and finally looked into his eyes for the first time that night.

"You."

"I?" he called out not to believe what he heard.

"Remember" he repeated again.

"You're my bodyguard. Don't let my sister wrap you up with her finger, understand?"

"Y-yes, Your Majesty." For some reason, the prince's strict orders prompted him to immediately agree without a second thought.

"Enough with my tirade. Now, let's bandage your wounds, okay?" The troubled expression on his face melted into a small smile as he took a sip of water and nodded thoughtlessly.

He opened the wooden box, which contained many items such as medicine and gauze.

"Good." she said to him,

"let go then."