Yanyan’s POV

Just as she was about to say sorry, I raised my finger and gently pressed it against her lips.
Her soft breath brushed against my skin, and for a moment — silence. Our eyes locked. She didn’t flinch, didn’t look disgusted. She just stared back, cheeks slowly turning crimson.

Each step I took closer made her chest rise and fall faster, but she still didn’t move.
Her face was inches away now, the golden hue of the sunset reflecting in her eyes. Before she could speak again, I took her hand and leapt into the sky with Aerial — flying without a sword, just using pure Ki and system-assisted mana control.

The wind rushed against our faces as the forest shrank beneath us. Her grip tightened on my hand, knuckles pale, eyes wide but filled with awe.

“Damn… I take back what I said about those three idiots,” I muttered under my breath, glancing sideways.
“This girl’s on a whole other level.”

Her hair whipped in the air, ponytail unraveling as we ascended higher. She was pressed against me now, arms wrapped tight as if I were the only thing keeping her from falling. When I looked down, her cheeks glowed like embers.

“Is this what they call love at first sight?” I whispered to myself, half-laughing, half-panicking.

To break the silence, I stroked her head lightly. Instead of pushing me away, she leaned closer. Great. Just great. My system can calculate mana flow and sword trajectory — but not the mystery of women.

After a long flight, I asked, “May I know your name, lady?”

She hesitated before answering softly, “I’m Celine… Celine Tong. You, young master?”

“I’m Yanyan. Just Yanyan,” I said with a grin. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you like this.” I tightened my grip slightly — not out of pride, but protection.

Her eyes flickered. “Celine…” I repeated, and she blushed even deeper.

“Call me Yan if you please,” I added, throwing a playful wink.

She mumbled, barely audible, “Ya…n…”
My heart skipped a beat. Man, calm down. Don’t fall too fast — not again.

“Do you have a place to stay?” I asked after a moment.

She shook her head slowly. “No… I ran away from home because—” She stopped herself.

“I already figured,” I said. “Don’t worry. As long as you’re near me, no one can touch you. Stay at my home for now. You need rest.”

“But—”

Before she could refuse, I scooped her up bridal-style. “Heh, I’m awesome, right?”
Her face turned redder than my mana core.

A minute later, a massive fortress-like village appeared below, glowing faintly with defensive runes — the Heavenly Beast Village, home of my allies and family.

“Here we are,” I said, lowering gently. Celesty appeared on my shoulder in her small Fenrir form, growling approvingly.

System Notification:
New Ally Detected — Princess Celine Tong
Potential Title: Protector of a Princess (Trial)

Two powers pulsed inside me — my cultivation core and my system engine — perfectly synchronized.
With both, no empire or prince could touch what was mine.

Celine’s POV

I still remember the day everything fell apart.

I was practicing sword forms when a servant entered, bowing nervously.
“Princess, His Majesty requests your presence in the royal chamber.”

My stomach twisted. “Tell him I’ll be there,” I replied, wiping the sweat from my brow. I thought it was about my magic training. I was wrong.

When I entered, my father — the King of the Tong subsidiary realm — looked... older. Weary.

“Father?” I asked.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he held a sealed scroll with the Dan Clan’s crest. My heart dropped.

“Father, please don’t tell me—”

His eyes were red. “Celine, the First Prince of the Dan family has sent a marriage proposal.”

“NO!” I shouted, tears bursting forth before I could stop them. “I won’t marry that monster! Please, Father, don’t make me!”

He slammed his fist weakly against the throne. “Do you think I want this?! The Dan Clan holds power even over our main family. If we refuse, they’ll destroy our kingdom.”

His voice cracked. My father — the man who never bowed to anyone — was crying.

“Father…” I whispered.

“I am powerless,” he said softly. “I couldn’t even protect your mother then. How can I protect you now?”

I stepped forward, holding his hands. “Then I’ll protect myself. I’ll choose whom to love. Even if he has countless wives — as long as it’s not forced — I’ll accept him. But not that man, Father. Never him!”

He closed his eyes, trembling. “Celine, go. Run. Don’t let them take you.”

My stepmother’s voice cut through the air like poison. “NO! Matthias, if you let her escape, all Tong subsidiaries will fall! Think of your people!”

“I’ve thought enough!” my father roared. “Let her go!”

The door burst open. Ryu, Trey, and Young Master Ken entered — the Dan Clan’s chosen envoys.
“Princess Celine,” Ken said coldly, “please cooperate. Don’t make this difficult.”

I clenched my fists. “You dare!”

My magic flared, symbols forming in my palm, but Ryu and Trey lunged forward. I countered with a Wind Circulation spell, deflecting their attacks, and tore free — though a web spell grazed my shoulder, ripping my outer dress.

I turned one last time toward my father.
“I love you, Papa. Until we meet again,” I whispered — and fled on my sword through the palace window.

The wind howled as I crossed the plains, the three envoys hot on my trail. “PRINCESS! COME BACK!” they shouted. I ignored them, biting back tears.

When the cursed forest came into view, I hesitated only a moment.
“Death Forest,” I murmured. “Then let me die free.”

I darted in. Shadows closed around me. I hid atop a cliff, breath ragged, tears streaming down my face — and that’s when he appeared.

The boy who descended from the sky like light —
Yanyan.