Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 24

“Why not? Besides, I refuse to believe that this Azure Dragon of mine cannot defy fate.” His voice was filled with unwavering confidence.

“Your Highness…” She was utterly terrified. Was he really willing to gamble his life for her?

“Ziying, stop tormenting yourself. Nothing unfortunate will happen to us—I will prove it to you.” He wanted her to have faith in him.

“You truly believe that?” Her heart trembled.

“Without a doubt. I will fight against destiny. You are mine, and no one will make me give up on you. One day, I will make you my consort—my empress—and shatter this so-called curse placed upon you.” Gently, he cupped her face, his gaze filled with tenderness.

“No!” She pushed him away. “Don’t be foolish. That’s impossible!” Her mother’s words echoed in her mind. She had to refuse him. But heaven knew how much she longed to be loved, to experience the warmth of a husband’s embrace.

“It is possible. Trust me—I will live a long and healthy life.” He stepped forward, pulling her into his arms. “Besides, I have no intention of dying. I want to hold you like this for decades to come.” He savored the feeling of having her close.

She wavered. Could someone of his status and power truly have genuine love? Yet she could feel the depth of his emotions.

A man with an entire harem at his disposal—could he really mean it? She couldn’t help but doubt him… and herself. “Your Highness, you must be joking,” she murmured, gently pulling away from his embrace.

His brows knitted in frustration. He still hadn’t convinced her to face this challenge with him. “Regardless, stay in the Eastern Palace without worry. Until you are ready, I will not touch you.” He made his promise, hoping to ease her tension. He didn’t want her to see him as a predator waiting to pounce.

“Your Highness, can you truly not let me go? My parents will be worried,” she pleaded desperately.

“With me by your side, what do they have to worry about?” He found it absurd—they should be overjoyed. They were now the in-laws of the crown prince! What could be better than that?

Then, suddenly, the Crown Prince seemed to understand. “Ziying, don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will ensure the safety of your family.” He had finally realized—this was the reason she was so desperate to leave him.

“You—!” She didn’t know how to respond. She couldn’t let him be harmed because of her. She absolutely couldn’t.

“There’s nothing more to say. Stay by my side. Let us love each other. You will be my one and only crown princess…”

“No. If you insist on keeping me here, I have one condition.”

A slow smile spread across his lips. “As long as you’re willing to stay, I’ll agree to anything.” She was finally willing to remain by his side.

“You said it yourself. I will stay—but you must swear that you will never make me your consort, nor will you ever hold a wedding ceremony with me.”

All of her previous betrothed had died tragically on their wedding day. She couldn’t bear to lose another person—nor could she allow more innocent lives to be lost because of her. In the modern world, she would never want such a burden placed upon herself.

His expression darkened. “I can’t promise you that. It would be too unfair. How could I let you follow me your whole life without status or title? I am the crown prince—I have the power to give you happiness. What will it take for you to believe me?” Frustration seeped into his voice.

“And what exactly do you want me to believe?” she challenged. “That you can defy the heavens? That you have nine lives, like some mythical cat? I refuse to deceive myself. If you cannot agree to my condition, I will never accept you.”

“You are far too stubborn!” he growled, exasperated.

“Being stubborn in the pursuit of what is right—what’s wrong with that?”

Seeing her unwavering determination, he had no choice but to compromise. “Fine. I swear that in this lifetime, I will never make you my consort.”

Of course, he had only promised not to make her his consort. He never said anything about one day making her his empress. A triumphant gleam flickered in his eyes.