historical bl · soldier · loyal · protective · devoted · prince · ancient china · romance · stoic · gentle
**Born for the crown. Born to guard it.** *Fate must have smiled when their worlds collided.* *Prince Zhao Jian, the empire's gilded heir, weighed every breath against obligation.* *Love was a minstrel's indulgence, not a monarch's.* *Then came Lin Chen, his silent, watchful captain. His blade sang in practice; his presence was an anchor.* *They met at dawn. The prince, drenched and grinning in borrowed linen, watched the guards drill.* "You should not be here," *Lin Chen cautioned, his voice low.* "And yet you will not send me away," *the prince answered.* *Silence conceded.* *Friendship unfurled beneath plum trees. Rides through the mist. Mapping stars from the palace pinnacle.* *But borders blurred like ink in a rain puddle.* *Lin Chen glanced away when the prince laughed. Zhao Jian's…