Zeya saw the line of blood, faint at first, then slowly seeping into the fabric, stark crimson against the lily-white of the cotton. The cut was deliberate. Relief and guilt struck him simultaneously.

  “You’ll need to draw blood. Yes, I’m afraid it’s the only way. A little cruel, perhaps, but essential. It’s how you tell if what stands before you is flesh and bone or some wandering, nefarious spirit. They’re cunning, you see, masters of mimicry. They’ll wear the faces of those you hold dearest. That’s how they slip in, right through the front door, smiling sweetly.”

  Lord Ray had warned him. And that was what Zeya had done to prove Bayin was real. Under the pretence of sword training, he’d fenced with her using his sword, knowing she wouldn’t anticipate his true intention. He chose a spot on her arm, one that would heal easily with the help of Lord Ray’s master healer’s concoction.

  However, carrying out the pn was far more difficult than he’d anticipated. He didn’t want to hurt Sein. It took all his skill and experience to guide the bde, piercing just the skin without going too deep. Even though the cut was light, his stomach twisted the moment steel met flesh. Had he gone too far? Had he caused more harm than he’d intended?

  “I’ve nded a hit. Let’s get you patched up,” Zeya decred, keeping his voice steady.

  A part of him longed to embrace Sein, to allow his relief and jubition to pour out. However, she still believed she was Bayin, and until he uncovered why, he had to hold back.

  Zeya beckoned to his attendant, who promptly jogged over. As the Queen had predicted, Saw Win insisted on accompanying the Crown Prince when Zeya was stationed in the Northern Hills. He’d even volunteered to train in swordsmanship under Khin Yu, determined to hold his own should the need arise.

  To everyone’s surprise, Saw Win proved a quick study, gaining enough skill to be considered a capable swordsman by the time they set off on their test mission. He now served as their supply officer, operating under the name Denpa.

  “General?”

  “See to Bayin’s wound,” Zeya instructed.

  At first, Saw Win didn’t fully register the figure beside the prince. But as the face came into focus, a jolt of recognition stalled his breath.

  Noticing this, Zeya cleared his throat and repeated, “Denpa, take care of Bayin.”

  “Yes, sir,” Saw Win responded swiftly, managing a smile as he caught on that there was some kind of pretence at py.

  “I am fine. Really. There is no need,” Bayin insisted, stepping backwards.

  Before she could retreat further, Zeya rested a hand on her shoulder and said, “I apologise I injured you. Enough training for today. Let Denpa treat the cut.”

  Their eyes met briefly as he released her. He wanted to say more but held back. He mustn’t push too soon. For now, he had to remain watchful and patient.

  As Saw Win stepped forward, guiding Bayin to one side so he could tend to her wound, Zeya turned away and retraced his steps back into the cover of the forest. He clenched the hand that had touched her shoulder into a fist. She was real and alive. Once more, relief surged through him, and he allowed himself to drift with its current.

  Sensing Khin Yu following behind, he paused under an oak tree to wait for him.

  “What are your thoughts, sir?” Khin Yu asked, with a furrowed brow, arms folded.

  “We’ve finally found Sein, Khin Yu,” Zeya said softly, gncing up at the wide spreading branches overhead.

  Khin Yu narrowed his eyes, catching a flicker of pain on the prince’s face.

  “After all these years searching, it scarcely feels real,” Zeya admitted. “There were moments I truly thought we’d never get to this day. Too many dead ends. Too many saying it wasn’t possible. And still, I can’t expin it, only that I always believed, deep down.”

  “You were right, sir, to continue the search despite the odds,” Khin Yu spoke up trying to comfort the prince. “After the first year passed, I’ll admit, I began to doubt. I apologise for not having more faith in your belief.”

  He bowed deeply.

  “I’m gd you’ve found her.”

  Zeya faced his guard, eyes glistening with emotion. Khin Yu had been by his side since childhood and was one of the very few to whom he’d revealed his true feelings for Sein. Khin Yu had already known, having observed it himself, but it was still a comfort to be able to speak it aloud.

  When the Crown Prince first met Khin Yu, he cut a striking figure, with a chiselled jawline and keen dark eyes. Hand-picked by the Queen, he’d been entrusted with the duty of protecting the young prince.

  At the time, Khin Yu himself was still a young man, and managing a spirited child proved no easy task, especially during the years when Zeya was prone to mischief. He couldn’t scold the prince, so he endured the pranks and tricks with stoic patience. In time, his constant and unshakable loyalty earned Zeya’s respect.

  Since Sein’s disappearance, Zeya had grown more reliant on Khin Yu, who remained at his side like a sturdy oak: solid, silent, and watchful, offering kind words whenever Zeya faltered.

  “Well, I’ll say this, Khin Yu,” Zeya said, shaking his head. “Of all the ways I’d imagined finding Sein, her marching into our camp dressed like one of the men wasn’t even on the list.”

  “Hmmm,” Khin Yu responded, nodding his head. “Women are already a mystery to me. The way their minds operate, how they rely on intuition, is beyond my understanding. And Lady Sein is indeed one dy whom I cannot fathom at all. They really are a mystery.”

  Zeya let out a chuckle at the thought of Khin Yu finding the dies to be a puzzle. He could just imagine Khin Yu trying to be charming but the man was far more likely to gre than grin. His piercing eyes and stern expression were enough to stop any would-be admirer in their tracks. He was, in all honesty, a brilliant female deterrent. More than once, Zeya had used him as a barricade, blocking the path of any approaching dies he preferred to avoid.

  Seeing Khin Yu rubbing his chin in contemption, Zeya said, “Well, good luck figuring women out, Khin Yu. Might be easier wrestling a tiger. Just appreciate them for who they are and, if we’re fortunate, we get to be close to them.”

  Khin Yu wasn’t listening.

  “Surely, Lady Sein must know who you are. Do you really believe she has no memories of the past? And she think she’s Bayin?” Khin Yu asked, slightly incredulous.

  “That, I’m afraid, I cannot answer at present.”

  “What could possibly have happened to her?” Khin Yu continued to ponder out loud.

  His mind picking at the threads, pulling apart the unknown.

  “Why pretend to be a man? Does she not wish to be found? If she has indeed forgotten who she is, then shall we tell her? Make her remember.”

  “I don’t wish to force it, Khin Yu. I’d rather see if, in time, she remembers me on her own accord,” Zeya responded, doubts and uncertainty toying with him. “Maybe it’s easier for her to forget than to forgive.”

  “You are not responsible for what happened,” Khin Yu asserted, unfolding his arms and standing awkwardly.

  Finally, he reached out and put a hand on Zeya’s shoulder, and added, “If anything, it was my fault that…”

  “I won’t have you bming yourself,” Zeya interrupted, meeting his eyes. “There’s little to gain from dwelling on the past. What’s done is done. I’d rather we focus our minds on the present. We have a mission to see through.”

  He, himself, had no desire to unearth the memories he had long since buried.

  “What will you do with Lady Sein?”

  “We’ll see to it that Sein remains safe by keeping her with this company until we’re able to return to the capital. Now that she’s been found, I’ve no intention of losing her again.”

  Zeya paused. They both looked over at the clearing, hearing the soft crunch of leaves as Saw Win approached.

  “Is the wound deep?” Zeya asked as soon as Saw Win was within earshot.

  “No, sir,” Saw Win replied with a warm smile. “It’s just a shallow cut. It’ll heal cleanly, no scar. I’ve already applied Lord Ray’s ointment. It stopped the bleeding and should take care of any pain. I’ve also bandaged the arm. So all good, sir.”

  Zeya looked visibly relieved, releasing an audible sigh. Saw Win gnced at Khin Yu, then at the prince again.

  As they were not forth coming with what he wished to know, he asked, “That is Lady Sein, am I right? I mean, it sure looks like her and even sound like her.”

  Zeya didn’t respond at first. His mind drifted towards the darkness he’d kept sealed for years. It was a vast, silent void tugging at him like a bck hole, threatening to pull him in completely, never to return.

  He forced the lid back into pce and said quietly, “We believe it’s Sein but she doesn’t remember who she is. Not yet anyway.”

  “Ah… I see. Would you like me to speak with her? Find out what she remembers?” Saw Win offered.

  “No, that won’t be necessary. You’ve enough on your pte keeping the men fed and cared for. Sein is my responsibility, and I’ll speak with her myself. For now, we shall accept her as Bayin.”

  He gnced towards the clearing once more, scanning for the familiar figure. Bayin was seated beneath a tree, speaking with Kyaw and Soe. He stood quietly, observing her. His expression was calm, though the men could tell the prince was weighing his options.

  Finally, having settled something in his mind, Zeya said, “All I ask is that we don’t lose Sein again. We’ll set out for the temple ruins tomorrow. My mind’s made up. Sein will remain with the main company rather than accompany Htoo and I. Though I’d rather not part with her, I believe it’s safer this way. Denpa, I’m counting on you to keep a close watch on her until we meet again.”

  “I will. You have my word.”

  Zeya smiled in acknowledgment, his face brightening as the tension in his jaw eased. His lifted mood was mirrored in Saw Win, who cheerfully set off to prepare the men’s supper.

  Khin Yu, however, remained troubled. He studied the prince closely as Zeya returned to the clearing. He chatted with Cetan and a few others, carrying on as though nothing had changed.

  The afternoon golden hour cast a warm hue over the men as they trained. Their shadows stretched long across the grass, dancing with their movements. A strong breeze picked up, kicking leaves into the air and rustling the trees. A band of low cloud skimmed the sky but failed to catch the setting sun, which slipped just beyond its reach. As the drills came to an end, the cooling air brought welcome relief to the men, their bodies slick with sweat from the day’s exertions.

  Before long, Zeya made a beeline for Bayin. The moment she saw him approaching, her conversation with Kyaw and Soe came to an abrupt halt. All three rose swiftly and stood to attention.

  “Be at ease,” Zeya instructed, pausing in front of them. “We’ll be heading further south tomorrow. We’ll remain here tonight. The men are preparing to camp for the night and make supper. Join in.”

  “I can help cook, sir,” Kyaw offered, eager to be useful in some way, knowing that he wouldn’t make a good warrior.

  “Very well, find Denpa. He’ll be gd of your help,” Zeya suggested. “Soe, help the men set up camp. Bayin, I want to speak with you.”

  He waited until the men had walked away before asking, “How is your arm?”

  “Fine, sir,” Bayin replied, shifting onto one leg and lowering her gaze, refusing to meet his eyes.

  A flicker of familiarity stirred in Zeya. It reminded him of their first meeting in the Archives when she avoided his eyes then.

  “Good, I want to show you something. Follow me.”

  Zeya pivoted and marched eastward, weaving through the oaks and camphor trees. He didn’t gnce back, knowing she was following close behind. For reasons he couldn’t expin, when his mind was still, he could sense her. It felt like the brush of a loose strand of silk, soft and delicate, yet lingering just long enough to be felt. Often, he told himself this connection to Sein was nothing more than wishful thinking.

  The ground sloped upward with each step until at st they crested the hill, where the view stretched for miles beyond. To the north, snow-capped peaks pierced the sky, regal and remote. Below, the forest y swathed in a gze of amber light, its shadows lengthening over the ndscape. Mauve and indigo crept between the trees, the day giving way to dusk. To the east, the broken stupas of a forgotten temple rose in waves, their crowns still catching the sun’s final caress, as roots and vines cradled them.

  “Beautiful view,” Bayin said, her voice soft as a smile danced on her lips.

  “Absolutely.”

  Zeya agreed, watching her intently. She seemed lost in thought and he wondered, has she recalled something? Is there recognition in those eyes?

  The silence lingered and he spoke up, “As I’ve mentioned earlier, we’ll be heading south to the three rivers. Reports of disturbances have been spreading throughout the lownds. Our mission is simple. We must prevent any trouble reaching the capital. There’re two roads to consider.”

  Their original pn had been to head directly east towards the capital, passing the temple ruins where signs of enemy activity had been reported. He already realised that travelling with the entire company would only announce their presence and drive the enemy into hiding. As he weighed the advantages and drawbacks aloud, Zeya caught sight of Bayin studying him discretely. His heart quickened, sensing a flicker of familiarity in her gaze, though she tried to hide it.

  He went on to outline an alternative, speaking in the measured way he always used during their strategy discussions in the Archives.

  “What do you make of it?” he asked, knowing he could anticipate how she would answer.

  Bayin didn’t respond immediately. Zeya looked away and his eyes were drawn to the dark outline of the temple ruins when a sudden unease crept over him. An inexplicable urge to duck seized him, as though some unseen enemy watched from a distance. Logic told him it was impossible for them to be spotted. The light was too dim and they were shrouded by trees. Yet the feeling persisted, heavy and intrusive.

  His thoughts returned to Bayin when he heard her say, “There’s something about those temple ruins.”

  She had said exactly what he was thinking.

  “What is troubling you?” Zeya asked.

  “There’s an evil presence,” Bayin replied, her eyes narrowing as if searching for something. Then sensing Zeya staring at her, quickly added, “It’s just a feeling. It’s probably nothing.”

  “No, really, I’d like to hear your thoughts. Speak your mind.”

  Bayin didn’t. Instead she said, “The two routes you id out, both have advantages and disadvantages.”

  She paused, choosing her words.

  “Would it be possible to do both? Perhaps we need to split into two groups. One head southwest and gather intelligence. The other take the eastern path with caution.”

  That was entirely the sort of thing Sein would say, Zeya thought, unable to stop the bright smile spreading across his face. It was another piece to add to the growing pile of evidence that Bayin was, indeed, Sein.

  And though his heart already knew, he still needed certainty.

  “Exactly. Cleary, great minds think alike,” Zeya said. “Send a small team to head east to quickly assess any threats. You were clearly troubled by the temple ruins. I also felt uneasy. The main group shall take the safer route and gather intelligence. We’ll meet up at the three rivers in three days.”

  Zeya looked at Bayin. He’d hoped the time alone would coax something from her: a word, a sign, a confession of who she was. But none came. However, she did seemed slightly more at ease in his presence. He wished he could press her and ask something that might offer a glimpse into her state of mind, but it didn’t feel right.

  His gaze drifted once more to the mountain range, where the st of the light was disappearing behind the peaks. Overhead, a handful of eager stars had begun to appear as darkness bnketed the nd.

  “Let’s head back,” he suggested softly, turning to retrace their steps.

  As twilight settled over the forest, a cacophony of crickets and cicadas began their concert, filling the silence around them.

  When they arrived back at camp, the fire had already been lit, providing a gathering point for the men. Seated on the grass or crouched near the warmth, their faces glowed softly in the firelight. Saw Win stood at the centre, tending a steaming pot while trading stories with those around him. Somewhere, someone began to hum a tune. The soft, unduting melody drifted through the air, easing the day’s tensions as the men settled into their familiar rhythm.

  Zeya spotted Kyaw and Soe waving to catch Bayin’s attention. Seeing her wish to join them, he gave a quick nod, dismissing her. As she turned away, he drew a steadying breath and made his way towards Cetan and Khin Yu.

  The tormentor within him began to ask difficult questions. It began softly.

  Could five years really be enough to erase me from her memory? Perhaps I no longer resemble the person she once knew. Or… she refuses to recognise who she is because to remember would mean returning to a life she’s chosen to leave behind. Still, surely she hasn’t forgotten me.

  Then the thoughts grew dark, no longer seeking answers, only punishment.

  No, it seems far more likely she doesn’t wish to be found. She has no desire to see me again. And truly, I can’t bme her. After all that’s passed. Why should she? Would she ever forgive me?

  But then, light managed to pierce through as he considered: And yet… she came to me. Why? Was it by chance, or has she been searching for me all along?

  ***

  There was less than a year left, ten lunar cycles to be exact, before the date set for his union with Princess Nanda. By now, Zeya was certain of his feelings for Sein. It had become increasingly difficult to ignore. Ever since she had come to his apartment with her healing balm, he had sensed something in her. It wasn’t what she said, but what she did, and the way she made him feel. He knew she was growing fond of him. That fondness, he believed, could be nurtured and gently encouraged to grow into love, into something enduring.

  Once Zeya had made up his mind, he moved swiftly to act. Before he could decre his intentions to Sein, he knew he must first speak with his parents. The first step would be to break the promise of marriage to Princess Nanda. It was a promise he never made himself. No one had even bothered to ask him. They’d spoken for him, decided his future while he was still too young to fight back. He had always complied, eager to please. That puppet was gone. He had enough of pretending.

  However, he wasn’t foolhardy. His thoughts were grounded in reason and possibility. True, no engagement had ever been broken in the kingdom’s history. But just because it hadn’t been done didn’t mean it couldn’t be. His marriage was meant to secure an alliance with the South, one he believed unnecessary. As far as he could see, their realm already held the upper hand, boasting formidable military strength and strong ties to the North. The South would surely recognise the value of continued peace, even without a union.

  The real problem y with his parents. They were the ones pushing for this union, the ones who heeded Saryet’s predictions and pced their faith in the stars. They had no true understanding of who he was.

  It would be a challenging conversation. One that demanded every drop of courage and tenacity he could muster.

  As the saying goes, “You may sit beneath the tree all you like, but unless you reach for it, the lychee will never be yours.”

  Armed with that thought, he’d requested an audience with his parents. At the very least, he had to take a step towards what he truly desired. He owed it to himself.