Chapter 2 — The Prince's Dog
"You gave me a name, I will offer you a pack. "
—
It was said of Xù Liyan that he did not need anything, or anyone.
But even a sun needs a shadow to shine stronger.
And Xū Fang had become that shadow.
The outside palace was teeming with whispers.
Who was this new boy who followed Prince Liyan like a ghost?
Too quiet. Too strange. Too... weird.
He didn't talk to anyone. He was watching everything.
—
From dawn, he trained to move without noise, to read on his lips, to listen without being seen.
He observed the eunuchs, the consorts. He absorbed everything.
He imitated Liyan: his fluid gait, his cold look, his smile that hurt without a word.
And yet, he never left his place as an animal.
He slept at his feet. He served tea.
And sometimes, late at night, he went to get hot milk for Liyan, a simple gesture...
But he was still on his knees, eyes down.
A dog who serves milk to his master.
But he thought.
And he was learning.
—
One night, while they were alone, Liyan watched him at length.
- "You learn quickly. Too fast. "
Xū Fang looked up.
- "I have no right to fail. "
Liyan smiles, without heat.
- "You remind me of a stray dog that I fed when I was little. He never left me. Even after I beat him. "
He put a hand on his head.
- "You too, you always come back. Faithful. "
Xū Fang replied bluntly:
"Yes, without any hesitation. "
A silence.
Then a burst of laughter. Rare.
- "Nail. That's what I'll call you now. "
It was the first time Liyan looked at him like an animal.
- "I thought at first that we were the same, but I was wrong.
You're not like me. You're just a dog. "
—
The nickname spread.
Nail.
The Prince's dog.
Silent. Loyal. Unbearable.
Some said he wasn't human.
Others, that he was Liyan's animal.
Everyone had pity on him.
—
One day, while a high dignitary disrespected Liyan in public, Nail looked at him.
Just a look.
The man hit Nail violently, until he could no longer move.
"You're just a dog. Don't forget your place. "
Liyan looked at him, without saying anything. Then left.
After a long time, Nail got up, blood at the corner of his lips, the bowl of milk still spilled in his trembling hand.
He wiped his tears. And followed his master, in silence.
It was rumoured that he knew his place.
It was rumoured that he was a fearless dog.
It was whispered that even the gods could not create such a perfect slave.
But Nail stayed there.
Still next to the Prince.
Always behind.
Still watching.
Because one day...
He would no longer be the shadow.
It would be fire.
⸻
End of Chapter 2