Lena and Rocky were strolling down the banks of the river in the moonlight. A soft breeze fanned them gently when it grew too humid. As they walked, they saw many people float boat lanterns down the river, on which their wishes were written.
Lena looked back at Rocky, pursed her lips and then led him towards the edge of the bank. It seemed that something was weighing heavily on her mind.
Rocky quietly observed her as she bought a boat lantern from a peddler. She tucked her hair behind her ear and began writing something on its side.
"Are you making a wish?" Rocky came nearer. "Don't you dare sneak a look!" Lena instantly hid the boat lantern behind her back.
"Oh, come on! It can't be anything that serious," Rocky said curiously. Lena seemed to be too protective of it.
"Please buy me a festive lantern over there. Make sure it's the most beautiful one." Lena took a silver coin from her waist pocket and tucked it into Rocky's left hand. Then she nudged his elbow. Glancing back at her, Rocky shrugged his shoulders and went off to fulfill her request.
When Rocky came back from buying a colorful lantern, he saw Lena standing at the riverbank, watching the boat lanterns flowing through the river in front of her. She looked rather morose and bitter.
'What has happened to Lena?' Rocky wondered to himself and approached her.
Lena said seriously,
reply. 'Is she going to declare her undying love for
few minutes later, they had reached a
dare ask for something which is out of your reach. But today you must agree to one thing," Lena told Rocky
line every day for you. I would even agree to
of Ximen Clan. And you will become an independent man of virtue. You need to stand tall and never back down. But
I'm not capable of doing such things already?"
try to decline the arranged marriage made by your father," Lena replied, gazing back at Rocky.
none. I'd rather be single all my life than be married to that horrid woman. I was planning on asking you to plead
marry Shirley," Lena said with a grim
about? Are you insane?" Rocky was stunned into silence. His shock rooted him to the spot. He had never expected that Lena would demand that he promise to do
her. Once you do that, you will achieve supremacy over anyone in the Holy Dragon Empire!" Lena explained with
explanation. "It's for your own good and for the good of the future of the Holy Dragon Empire. You have to remember that defying your father will only end in tragedy for you. His Majesty has placed high hopes in you. If you let him down, it would be disastrous. Even if you're his flesh and blood, and his son, don't forget that he had no trouble removing your status as a prince!" Lena said adamantly, staring at Rocky with a solemn expression. It was obvious that her statements were backed by
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