Xiang Yu lay in bed, his body heavy with fatigue. The sun peeked through the curtains, casting warm light across the room. He squinted at the brightness, annoyed that it was already morning. After tossing around the previous night he had to seriously recharge this he slept so deeply.
He slowly turned his head to the side, expecting to see Han Xin lying beside him, but the spot was empty.
A frown crossed his face wondering where he had gone to. He did remember that Han Xin came to bed last night and slept with. Thinking that Han Xin had disappeared again without a word Xiang Yu pulled the covers over his head sulking.
"Your Highness," came the steward’s voice, breaking through his cocoon of blankets. "You can’t keep sleeping. You need to join everyone for breakfast before leaving for the heritage tour."
Xiang Yu muttered from beneath the covers, "I would rather go to the academy."
The steward sighed, picking up scattered items from the room. "I already asked for leave for you."
Suddenly, the steward exclaimed, "Your Highness!"
Startled, Xiang Yu shot up, his heart racing. "What? What happened?"
The steward pointed, his eyes wide. "Why do you have this? When did you—"
Xiang Yu looked down, his cheeks flushing as he realized he was clutching the body pillow with Han Xin’s face printed on it. He nearly tumbled out of bed, scrambling to snatch it away. "Don’t overthink it!" he insisted, embarrassed.
The steward shook his head, still in shock. "Your Highness, this is not good. What if someone finds out?"
"Who would find out? It’s our secret," Xiang Yu replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
Just then, the door swung open, and Han Xin stepped in, fresh from the training room. Xiang Yu’s heart dropped as he quickly hid the pillow behind him, but Han Xin’s keen eyes noticed the movement.
"What’s that?" Han Xin asked, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
"It’s nothing," Xiang Yu blurted, attempting to shove the pillow toward the steward. "Where have you been?"
The steward, however, knew better than to get involved in this. He quietly excused himself, slipping out of the room as he sensed the tension.
Xiang Yu’s mind raced. He had already forgotten that he had taken the pillow out last night, thinking Han Xin wouldn’t come. Now, he felt trapped in a web of embarrassment.
Han Xin stepped closer, a teasing smile on his face. "I was at the training room... Let me see."
Xiang Yu stammered, "I—uh—"
He wanted to protest, to stop Han Xin from taking it. But the moment Han Xin stepped closer, an intense scent enveloped him. It was so intoxicating that he couldn’t think straight for a moment. It wasn’t that Han Xin was deliberately releasing his pheromones but that he had been training vigorously just now and didn’t take a shower. Xiang Yu felt himself lean in, drawn by something he couldn’t resist.
Han Xin lowered his head, wrapping his arms around Xiang Yu. "I have already seen it," he murmured.
Xiang Yu blinked, still dazed. "Huh?" he managed to say, confusion swirling in his mind.
"I already saw it a long time ago," Han Xin said, holding the body pillow tightly.
Xiang Yu’s face flushed crimson. He tried to appear serious, but the embarrassment washed over him. "Last night?" he stammered.
Han Xin shook his head, a knowing look in his eyes. Suddenly, it hit Xiang Yu like a cold wave. They had caught the rat after all. Han Xin was the one who had torn his body pillow
"You tore my body pillow, didn’t you?" Xiang Yu pushed Han Xin away, the accusation sharp in the air
Realization dawned on Han Xin. He had confessed too soon. The weight of his mistake hung heavily between them.
"How long have you known?" Xiang Yu asked, struggling to hide his embarrassment. This man must have found out the very day he bought it.
Han Xin opened his mouth but no words came out. His silence was loud, echoing the truth.
Xiang Yu snatched back his body pillow, retreating into the bathroom with a huff. Han Xin thought he was angry, but that wasn’t it at all. Xiang Yu was mortified. How could Han Xin know about his secret? It was humiliating for his man to discover that he slept with the pillow every night.
The rest of the day felt heavy. Xiang Yu acted as if Han Xin was air. He spoke to him, but the words were few and far between. Embarrassment clung to him, making it impossible to act normal. He didn’t want to deal with anyone, so he limited his interactions with Sirius and others.
His father noticed. When they left the heritage site, the imperial lord summoned him into the hovercar. Xiang Yu braced himself, ready to endure the lecture. He didn’t protest.
He took it all on the chin, the words washing over him like water. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered more than the blush that still coloured his cheeks and the secret that felt like it was painted all over him.
Xiang Yu leaned back in his seat, the lecture finally over. "I will be more enthusiastic. It’s just that what happened yesterday... I haven’t been in a good mood," he said, his voice steady.
The imperial lord watched him closely as the hovercar glided through the bustling imperial capital. The almost midday sun bathed the landscape in golden light, illuminating the vibrant colours of the city.
"Have you been on Star Net recently?" the imperial lord asked, breaking the silence.
Xiang Yu shook his head. "No, barely had time." After what happened this morning, he wasn’t interested in anything let alone checking what was happening on Star Net. He forced a slight chuckle. "I didn’t see it. Are people still cursing me to die on there?"
The imperial lord studied him, searching for any sign of deception. Xiang Yu met his gaze without flinching like he had nothing to hide. After a moment, the imperial lord said, "Look at it yourself."
Xiang Yu opened his communicator. His brow arched as he scanned the headlines. Here he thought Peng Xiu worked hard, but Han Xin was working even harder. The narrative had shifted in his favour.
Many were appalled by Xiao He’s actions, especially toward Han Xin. They speculated that Xiang Yu was so enraged in the moment after Xiao He’s betrayal and acted out of impulse. They also noted Xiao He’s fuller appearance, suggesting he had not been mistreated after the effect.