Peach blossoms danced in the serene breeze with an innocence that unlocks one's heart. The trees were blossoming with beautiful roseate buds, their scent bewitching like a spell.

'Fluttering cherry blossoms dye my heart in a light pink', a phrase sprang within me like an aimless verse of enchantment.

I let myself bath under the flower petals which were falling like snowflakes. I couldn't stop breathing it all in...the angelic beauty mixed with the soft fragrance of flowers. The scenic beauty was too tempting to ignore.

It gave me a little solace after all, in this unexpected moment which has befallen on me. I clenched onto the hem of my hanfu and bit my lip which was my own way of showing displeasure.

"Don't you like the new hanfu I bought for you Ziyi?" amma patted my shoulder softly making my anger subside.

"Oh! I like it amma. I really do. The details are so charming," I smiled at her. I truly loved the hanfu. It was a red hanfu with intricate designs of white lotuses and cranes which was very striking to the eye. 

 I didn't think amma could see my smile from within the veil I was wearing. It was tied around my forehead to conceal myself from criticizing eyes so that mockery would not affect me. But nevertheless, I brightened up my mood for her. She smiled at me in a manner of response and continued talking to the lady standing next to her, whose hair stood heavy with so many golden accessories.  Looking at her hair was a sight of pain that it even ached my eyes.

 Like everybody else, she was a typical aristocratic woman who only thought of showing off. 

...

I sighed to myself. The occasion was too boring. Elite people were walking to and fro in their flashy costumes, jabbering about this and that. Nobody took note of me except for amma who checked on me from time to time. 

I puffed my cheeks and looked towards the clear blue sky to contemplate on my miserable situation. It was at this moment that I saw something from the corner of my eye.

 It was a soft glow.

Actually, it wasn't just a glow and it wasn't an orb of light either. Instead, it looked like a glowing butterfly...it was a glowing white butterfly! and it was flying above me!

"A silver butterfly? No way," the words escaped from my lips.

It wasn't possible. How could it be? I blinked several times to realize that I wasn't dreaming.

Curiosity got the best of me, so I looked over at amma. Seeing that she was too busy talking to the lady, I took my cue.

Should I follow it and was it right of me to follow it? I had no idea. This strange feeling started to burn in the pit of my stomach and I didn't like it. 

 I finally got to see a silver butterfly which was one of my rapturous desires. And I was following it. Guess I couldn't control myself after all. 

 I was out of my mind. I just couldn't understand what came over me to feel so possessed by a pellucid butterfly.

The question of whether it was the emperor's doings roamed in the back of my head.

Pfft! I decided it was just some absurd thought and swapped it away. I laughed at myself for having silly suggestions. 

Maybe I came across a rare species of butterflies, that's all. I never believed in amma's fantasy tales and nor do I wish to believe them.

With a small giggle, I kept my eyes on the butterfly and followed it fantasizing over its beauty along my way. I had flipped completely and my mind was possessed by an unknown force. . .

The butterfly led me away from the courtyard and took me deeper and deeper into a hidden corner of the palace.

After a lot of walking which ached my legs, we reached a garden.

I was not in the imperial gardens. This was a different arena.

The scent of flowers permeated the air. The wild grasses and plants which were left untended had flourished over a vast expanse of land as if it were to join with the horizon. A brush of wind swept up the flower blossoms from the trees. I raised my sleeve past the flower blossoms dancing in the air and saw someone standing amidst the floating petals.

A man.

He was standing a few feet away from me with his eyes locked on my frail profile. He didn't move a muscle and was rigid like a stone pillar.

"Oh I I'm sorry. I didn't think anybody was here. Please excuse me," I bowed.

'I should leave,' my mind screamed.

"Don't leave," he said coldly as if he could hear my inner thoughts. Slowly, he started to walk towards me. My body went frigid with fear. What would happen?- my mind raced with anxiousness.

With every step, he drew nearer and finally he was standing right in front of my face. His heated gaze penetrated through my veil. He was a lot taller than me so I had to raise my head to face him. 

As I met his heated gaze, the enigmatic beauty he possessed shocked my eyes. His features were flawless as if God himself has carved him in a particular style. His face was a work of art with an incomparable beauty and handsomeness that would ache anybody's heart. He had the most handsome face I have ever seen.

"How dare you intrude the palace rules and enter the inner imperial gardens! And how dare you intrude the emperor's peace and sneak in here without shame!" He spat his words at me, dragging me out of my reverie.

My eyes landed on the attire he was wearing. He was clad in gold from head to toe. A five-clawed dragon embroidered his delicate hanfu, and a golden crown sat on his head. He had a bright blinding aura circulating around him.

Then it hit me. A lump started to form in my throat. My entire body froze with fear. Heat rushed into my face and my heartbeat pulsed frantically.

 He was the emperor!

The terrifying, merciless emperor Xander Melin,

was standing right in front of me!

Author's note=

Hey guys! Hot diggity romantic chapter up next! Be prepared!

Sorry that the last chapter was boring! I tried my best with these two chappies and I hope you will love them! ;)