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Chapter 9 - The journey begins again

As soon as I got home, I dashed into my room, flinging the door open so fast it nearly bounced off the wall. My hands flew from drawer to drawer, grabbing dresses, robes, and accessories—hairpins, jade combs, bracelets, anything I could reach.

"Let me pack my stuff," I mumbled to myself, my voice half-lost beneath the rustling fabric and the chaos I was making.

Then I froze.

"Wait… where's my suitcase?" I blinked. "Wait!" I shouted, louder this time. "I don't even have a suitcase! How can I pack?!"

I stared at the pile of clothes like it had personally betrayed me.

"Han Pu!" I shouted like I'd summoned a general to war.

"What now?" came his lazy voice from outside. A moment later, he peeked into my room like he already regretted it. "Why does it look like a tornado passed through here?"

"I don't know how to pack my stuff!" I replied dramatically, waving one of his shirts in the air like a battle flag.

He sighed and walked in, placing his hands on his hips like a scolding nanny. "Just put it here. I'll pack it for you, you lazy girl."

"Hey! I am your queen, okay?" I shot back, lifting my chin with exaggerated pride, like a war hero returning in triumph.

"What's the point of having a lazy queen?" he teased, smirking.

"Oh really? Who's lazy? Say that again!" I shouted, leaping toward him.

"No—no! Wait—Xiwang—" he laughed as I grabbed his ear and gave it a good twist.

"Ow ow ow! It hurts! Stop it, lazy queen!" he squealed, wriggling like a caught fish.

"Hahaha! You won't learn your lesson until I give you the full treatment!" I teased, chasing him around the room with a pillow now.

He ducked, laughing. "Remind me why anyone lets you rule a kingdom?"

"Because I'm charming, obviously!"

"You mean chaotic!"

We both burst into laughter, collapsing onto the bed in a pile of clothes and giggles.

After a while, I sat up and sighed. "I should go practice magical archery."

He raised an eyebrow. "You? Practicing willingly? Who are you, and what have you done with my queen?"

I threw a pillow at his head. "Shut up, Han Pu."

He grinned. "Be careful out there. Don't blow up a mountain again."

"That was one time!" I yelled over my shoulder as I left the room.

The Next Morning

I awoke to music. Loud, echoing music. It wasn't the usual soft bells of the palace or the quiet melodies of the Moon Realm. No—it was a full celebration orchestra right outside my window.

I blinked, confused. "What in the—"

Then I remembered.

Today was the day.

I slipped out of bed quickly and reached for my robes. My hands trembled slightly, but I forced them to steady. When I opened the door, Han Pu was already waiting.

"You look… awake. For once," he said with a grin.

"Don't ruin the moment," I replied, brushing past him gracefully.

Outside, the courtyard shimmered with early sunlight. My people stood lined up in quiet rows, flowers in their hands, whispers in their mouths.

And there he was.

Yuzhe.

Dressed in white robes lined with silver, seated on a tall black horse. His long hair shimmered like moonlight, and his eyes met mine as if they had never looked away.

He extended a hand.

I placed mine in his without a word.

He lifted me onto the horse in one smooth motion. As we began to ride toward the Ice Kingdom, my heart beat louder than the music.

Wind brushed my cheeks. My hand remained in his.

I looked ahead, my gaze firm. I will not look back. Not this time.

I made a silent vow in my heart. I swear—this time, I will make up for my past mistakes. No matter how many thorns lie ahead, no matter how cold the ice becomes, I will not fail again.

Not as Xiwang. Not as the Moon Queen. Not as the girl who once ran away from her fate.

I leaned closer to him, whispering into the wind, "Let's go."

And we did.

After a long trip.

The morning sun scatters golden light across the palace steps. Flowers fall like soft rain as Xiwang rides beside Yuzhe through the gates. Behind them, Han Pu watches in silence, a half-smile on his face.

The wind picks up, lifting Xiwang's robe like wings. Her hair flows behind her, her eyes fixed on the distant mountains where the Ice Kingdom waits. She doesn't look back.

The music fades. Only the sound of hooves echoes through the realm—steady, determined, unstoppable.

A silver ribbon flutters from her sleeve, caught in the wind. It shines once, then disappears into the sky.

--🌝🌝🌝--

• here today little sorry gift that xiwang prepare for moonlight travelers cause she come a little late today 

poem

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"This Time" By Xiwang, the Moon Queen

I left with music in the sky, A heart unspoken, questions why. But hand in hand, I chose to ride, No longer one who runs to hide.

The stars recall what I let fall, The silence after every call. Yet now I rise, not just to flee— But to become who I must be.

I swear beneath the endless blue, This time, I'll walk this path with you.

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