Ashes. A promise beyond death

Chapter 8: The Day The Sun Sang

The sun spilled across the silk-draped floor, golden and gentle, casting soft halos on the edges of the room as if it, too, had missed her laughter.

"Yu Bin! Wake up already! How long do you plan on sleeping?" a girl's voice cut through the morning hush, followed by the dramatic flutter of heavy curtains.

Light poured in like music.

Beneath a tangle of blankets, a muffled groan emerged. "Just a little longer… please…"

"No chance," the girl chimed, planting her hands on her hips. "His Highness sent me. Word is, you're starting training today."

The words struck like a match.

A blur of motion. The lump under the blanket jolted upright with such enthusiasm that Ming Fang, standing beside the bed, jumped back with a laugh. Yu Bin's face peeked through her disheveled hair—eyes wide, heart awake, soul ablaze with excitement.

"Today? Really? My mother said I'd be trained by the wisest, strongest woman in the entire kingdom!"

She leapt from bed and darted to the window. The palace gardens shimmered below, drenched in morning light, alive with flowers and soft winds. She pressed her hands to the sill and inhaled deeply.

"Even the sky feels excited today," she whispered.

Ming Fang rolled her eyes affectionately and tossed her a robe. "Only because you begged until the Queen couldn't take it anymore."

Yu Bin grinned, mischief flickering behind her eyes. "And now I get to meet her. The great Master Bao Fang." She slipped into the pale blue robe, the embroidered fabric catching the light like stardust.

"You're lucky," Ming Fang said, pulling her hair into a neat twist. "She doesn't train just anyone."

Yu Bin winked. "Then it's a good thing I'm not just anyone."

Outside, the breeze carried the scent of cherry blossoms. Servants bowed as Yu Bin passed, her steps light, her heart lighter. She was sixteen and full of fire, untouched by sorrow, unshaped by loss.

She paused beneath a flowering tree, her arms spread wide to the sun. "What a beautiful day!"

"Please lower your voice," came a calm, clipped reply.

Startled, Yu Bin turned.

A young man sat in the shade, legs crossed, a book in his lap. He didn't even look up. "You're disturbing the peace."

Her mouth dropped open. "Excuse me? And who are you to tell me how loud I can be?"

He flipped a page. "If you're looking to shout, try the parade square."

"Unbelievable," she snapped. "Do you even know who I am?"

Finally, he looked up—eyes cool, unreadable. "Princess Yu Bin."

Then, without another word, he stood, closed his book, and walked away.

She stood frozen, fists clenched at her sides.

Who was he? And how dare he walk away so calmly, like she were just anyone?

Her thoughts scattered as a familiar voice called out.

"Yu Bin!"

She turned. The Queen approached, radiant and composed, flanked by guards. "We mustn't be late. Master Bao Fang is waiting."

Yu Bin swallowed her annoyance and followed. Her excitement returned, quietly blooming in her chest.

---

"Master, are you sure about this?" the boy from the courtyard burst into a quiet study, face flushed with disbelief. "That girl is a hurricane."

Bao Fang didn't glance up from her tea. "And you are a puddle, Xian Chen. She'll be trained. It's been decided."

"She's impulsive. Loud. Spoiled."

"She's also the future ruler of this realm," Bao Fang said gently. "And I hear she's quite beautiful."

Xian Chen crossed his arms, saying nothing.

Bao Fang smiled, teasing. "Ah. So you did see her."

A knock sounded.

"That must be them," she said, rising. "Don't look so terrified."

Xian Chen stepped back. "Master… please don't tell her I'm your disciple."

"Why not?"

"I don't know. Just… please."

She arched a brow but nodded. "Very well."

He slipped out the side window just as Bao Fang opened the door.

The Queen stood tall, her presence commanding. "Master Bao Fang. How are you settling in?"

"Well, Your Majesty. The palace is gracious."

"I'm relieved to hear it. This is my daughter, Yu Bin. I entrust her to you. Make her strong, no matter what it takes."

Bao Fang bowed slightly. "You have my word."

As the Queen turned to leave, she added, "Yu Bin… behave."

"I'm sixteen, not six," Yu Bin muttered.

"All the more reason to act like it."

Once the door closed, Yu Bin squared her shoulders. "So… you're the famous master. I hear you're wise. That means you'll understand I'm not a morning person."

Bao Fang tilted her head. "Then why did you come here at dawn?"

"Because I want to be strong."

"And do naps make you stronger?"

Yu Bin blinked. "Sometimes."

Bao Fang gestured to the cushion across from her. "Sit."

"You can't talk to me like that."

"And yet I just did."

After a moment of stunned silence, Yu Bin obeyed.

Bao Fang studied her with quiet eyes. "You have fire. But fire without control is just destruction."

Yu Bin lifted her chin. "I'm not afraid of destruction."

"Then we'll begin tomorrow at dawn. Bring your sword."

"Can't we start now?"

"I thought you were tired."

"I changed my mind."

Bao Fang smiled. "Good. That's a start."

Outside, petals danced on the breeze like soft laughter. It was a perfect day, unaware of what would come.

---

From the shadows of the garden wall, Xian Chen watched.

He didn't know what troubled him more—the way she smiled like the sun belonged to her, or the way her presence left him breathless.

He didn't understand her.

Not yet.

But something deep inside whispered that their fates were already stitched together.