Meili set about preparing a revitalizing broth for Prince Zhiyuan, to provide some nourishment and help restore strength sapped by the physician's sinister tonic. As she worked, her thoughts lingered on Lady Xia's devotion to the prince. Meili could not discern if Xia's affection ran deeper than that of childhood friends, though the way her face lit up around him hinted at tender feelings kept hidden for propriety's sake.

She pondered whether awakening a heart capable of profound love in Prince Zhiyuan might prove key to saving him. But his reluctance to trust or let anyone close made kindling a spark between them difficult, if one existed at all. Meili sighed, uncertain of her own ability to ignite such warmth in one so jaded and aloof. Her duty was to guide and protect him, not meddle in affairs of the heart—even if she found his rare unguarded smiles and moments of humor caused her pulse to flutter strangely at times.

Meili shook off such idle thoughts, scolding herself for a foolishness Lin would surely tease her over. She carried the broth into Prince Zhiyuan's chambers, where he sat gazing moodily out the window. His eyes followed the graceful flight of birds over the palace gardens, betraying a longing for freedom caged spirits knew well.

He turned at her approach, raising an eyebrow. "You mean to ply me with another foul-tasting concoction, little guardian? I begin to think your desire to dose me with various remedies stems from a wish to torment, not heal." A glint of wry humor lent his words an odd charm when delivered with such melodramatic airs.

Meili set the broth before him with a smile. "If torment were my aim, I could devise far worse than restorative broths to subject you to, Your Highness. This may not suit your palate but will return warmth and vigor."

He sniffed at her remedy suspiciously before tasting a spoonful. His eyes widened in surprise. "This mixture seems nearly palatable. I commend your improving skills." Prince Zhiyuan glanced up at her, that disarming half-smile quirking one corner of his mouth. "It seems my nursemaid's desire to play physician may be less objectionable than first assumed."

Meili felt an odd flush rise in her cheeks at his teasing praise and smile. She bowed her head, busying herself with tidying the room. "You are too kind, Your Highness. I aim only to restore health, not prove any particular skills."

He continued eating in thoughtful silence for a few moments. "Tell me—what do you make of Lady Xia's devotion in calling upon me daily?" The question caught her off guard.

Meili pondered her reply carefully. "Lady Xia cares for your well-being as a childhood companion and friend. Her concern seems born of long affection and a desire to see you whole in health and spirits."

"Her doting hovers on the cusp of tiresome, yet I find I cannot ignore or push her away entirely." Prince Zhiyuan sighed, shaking his head. "How is one to discourage such persistent affections gently without causing hurt, I wonder?"

Meili frowned. "You speak as if Lady Xia's regard were some nuisance to be rid of. Do you not value her friendship and care, which she has given freely since childhood?"

He glared at her presumption. "You overstep yourself, little nursemaid. My relationships and heart are not your concern." The brooding man shut himself off from her once more behind an icy veil.

Meili bowed again, chastened. "Forgive my boldness, Your Highness. You are right—I spoke out of turn." She made herself busy until he finished eating in tense silence. But inwardly her thoughts roiled in frustration.

Prince Zhiyuan's darkness seemed rooted in a reluctance to let anyone near enough to care for, lest they be pushed away or prove untrue. His wounds ran soul-deep, instilling a wariness of revealing vulnerability or accepting another's light to brighten his days. Meili began to despair whether even the most patient, caring heart could reach his—or if he would lock all out and face his shadows alone to the bitter end.

Yet she refused to give up hope. A heart once open to the light could be so kindled once more, no matter how long it hid itself in darkness. Meili needs only continue gaining his trust, to let her hand warm his spirit and guide his steps into a dawn that could vanquish the night forever. For without love to heal his deepest scars, the future remained bleak as endless night.

Her duty seemed suddenly a more daunting trial of the heart than skill or courage against hidden enemies. But fail him she would not—not as long as breath and life endured. His fate and future were worth fighting for, until the shadows receded into light at last.

Meili left Prince Zhiyuan to rest, her thoughts still worried. In the outer chambers, she found Lin gathering dirty dishes from the prince's meal with a frown of concern.

"His temper seems more waspish than usual today," Lin commented. "What remedy did you give to provoke such irritation, I wonder?"

Meili sighed. "The soup itself did not provoke him. I...spoke out of turn regarding Lady Xia's feelings, and the prince rebuked me sharply for my presumption."

Lin snorted, shaking her head. "If speaking truth deserved rebuke, all in the palace would stay quiet. What foolish idea did you express about Lady Xia to anger him so?"

"Merely that he should value her lifelong friendship and concern, rather than see it as an irksome burden." Meili shrugged helplessly. "I fear the prince keeps all who would care for him at a distance, lest they come too near."

Lin nodded in agreement. "His wounds of heart and trust run deep, keeping even the most loyal at arm's length. Lady Xia refuses to be pushed away so easily, to her credit. Though whether her persistence stems more from affection or stubbornness, I cannot claim to know." She gave Meili a sideways glance filled with meaning. "Nor can I discern if our young guardian's concern for His Highness arises solely from duty."

Meili flushed at the suggestion in Lin's look and words. "You imagine things not there. My duty is to assist and watch over Prince Zhiyuan, nothing more." Even as she denied any tenderness beyond duty, Meili found her heart quickened strangely at the nearness of the brooding man who puzzled and frustrated her to no end. She shook off such foolish ideas, attributing them to Lin's nonsensical teasing.

A crash from the prince's chambers stopped them. They ran in to find Eunuch Jiang sprawled amidst the remains of a table he had stumbled into, items spread across the floor.

Prince Zhiyuan stared in anger at the chaos. "Must you prove so utterly incompetent at all you do?" he snapped at the cringing eunuch. "Now this room lies in chaos and echoes plague my rest. Remove yourself at once!"

Eunuch Jiang scrambled up, bowing heavily and backing away. "A thousand apologies for my clumsiness, Your Highness! I will tidy this disorder and begone quickly, not to disturb your peace again." He hurried about restacking things as Lin helped reassemble the table.

Meili hid a smile at the silly eunuch's foolish mistake and fluttering distress. She began helping Lin set the room to rights once more while Prince Zhiyuan grumbled under his breath at the inept servants fate had saddled him with. But his glare held a hint of long-suffering amusement with Eunuch Jiang's dramatics, revealing he did not find all as objectionable as claimed.

Eunuch Jiang finished and hurried out with a final bow and apology. Lin followed, shaking her head at his silliness.

Meili rose to leave as well, but Prince Zhiyuan halted her. "Stay a moment." He sighed, regarding her thoughtfully. "I must apologize for my rudeness earlier. You spoke with care and wisdom I was too stubborn to listen. I am unaccustomed to such from any, even those I..." He faltered, as if afraid to continue that thought.

Meili blinked in surprise at his tentative apology and effort to express regard, however awkwardly. Her heart swelled with hope she had gained another small measure of his trust at last. She bowed her head. "Thank you, Your Highness. I spoke out of concern for your well-being and happiness. It pleases me you took my words in the spirit intended."

Prince Zhiyuan shook his head with a hint of a smile. "You see far too much and hide your keen sight behind artless smiles and softly chiding words. I begin to wonder who shall prove the more dangerous opponent—you, or my illness."

A hint of playful warning and dare remained in his eyes and wry tone. Meili felt another odd flush rise in her cheeks at this subtle flirtation, uncertain how to react. She settled for a simple smile and bow. "I aim only to guide one who would walk into shadow willingly back into light, Your Highness. No hidden danger lies in healing hearts or showing them life's beauty once more."

He laughed in amusement at her pretty speech but seemed mollified for now. Meili took her leave, thinking about the strange effect his changeable moods and occasional humor or praise had upon her composure. The tender seed of affection appeared to have taken root in her heart for this infuriating man, though she denied its existence still.

The days ahead promised no less frustration in reaching one so determined to stand alone. Yet Meili knew without love to ease his deepest scars, the bleak path he walked led to total ruin. She need only continue blazing a trail through shadows into dawn, and pray that this growing feeling guided her true to lead his lonely spirit back to happiness and life at the last.