When Will the Shadow Guard Confess His Feelings?

[Opening a fantasy romance on 5/11: After My Ex-Boyfriend Defected. The blurb is after this story's blurb.]

Blurb:

Ji Yanli has been frail and sickly all his life. He thought he would spend his dull life dragging his ailing body along, but one day he suddenly gains an ability.

He can hear the thoughts of the person who loves him most.

At first, Ji Yanli thinks that person will be his father and mother, the emperor and empress. But he soon realizes that's not the case...

One day, Ji Yanli is bathing in the hot spring pool when a familiar male voice suddenly sounds in his mind.

"Your Highness didn't come looking for me today."

He whips around and glares at the shadows where his shadow guard is hiding.

"Is Your Highness finally going to see me?"

Ji Yanli: ...

The shadow guard's incessant thoughts make it impossible for him to keep bathing. He throws on his dressing gown and rushes out to confront the guard, but the moment their eyes meet, he hears the man's thoughts once again.

"So beautiful. Just as expected of Your Highness."

Ji Yanli blushes, then is just about to speak when the shadow guard puts a large towel over his head.

"Your Highness will catch a chill if you don't dry your hair."

-

Mu Ye has been at the Ninth Prince's side since childhood, dutifully serving as Ji Yanli's shadow guard and protecting his safety.

When Ji Yanli needs him, he is the most loyal shadow guard.

But he has a secret hidden in his heart...

His heart belongs to Ji Yanli. He loves him more than anything.

But he doesn't dare tell him. He's afraid that if he says it aloud, he'll never see Ji Yanli again.

Until one day, Ji Yanli suddenly rushes up to him, grabs him by the lapels, and berates him.

"How long are you going to keep holding back? Is it so hard to say those three words, 'I love you'?"

Hearing this accusation, Mu Ye's heart erupts like fireworks.

Unable to control himself, he gives in more than ever before.

He pulls Ji Yanli into his arms and holds him close, taking all he can, as if he could meld him into his very bones and never let him go.

Reader Notes:

Both are each other's first love. Childbirth.

Loyal shadow guard x proud, sickly prince

The shou has a strong princess-like temper: proud, stubborn, and occasionally likes to act cute. If this isn't your thing, please beware. Readers who are particular about their preferred character types may want to avoid this.

A supporting character dies. Please beware.

WB: Xie Shuanghua

Cover authorization information (non-exclusive):

Illustration: Shuimo Danqing - Qishi'er Yin

Additional design: Shumi

Lighting: Jimo Zhijian

Upcoming fantasy romance, After My Ex-Boyfriend Defected, blurb:

Yu Chuchen and Duan Yan served together from military academy through their entry into the military, opening up new territory for the Federation and fending off foreign enemies. Their military achievements were outstanding.

They became the Federation's youngest major generals and were hailed as the Federation's Twin Stars.

After years of love, they had long since completely marked each other and believed they would never be separated.

Until one day.

Duan Yan defected, and the Twin Stars fell apart.

Yu Chuchen endured the pain of his alpha's betrayal, watching Duan Yan transform into an imperial prince, his heart filled with resentment and confusion.

After all their years of affection, how could Duan Yan abandon him so easily for the allure of being a prince?

From then on, Yu Chuchen stepped away from the center of power, believing there would be no chance to see Duan Yan again.

Then the Federation lost the war, and the two nations entered negotiations.

The Federation's leaders sent Yu Chuchen, who had long since withdrawn from the vortex of power, to Duan Yan's bed.

The gentle, attentive boyfriend of the past was gone. Now standing before Yu Chuchen was the man who had seized power and become the Empire's de facto ruler in just three short years.

"Two old lovers meet again."

"General, don't you have anything to say?"

Duan Yan runs his fingers over the omega's delicate gland, his eyes full of dangerous emotion.

Yu Chuchen is as stubborn as he was back then. He forces down the joy his omega body feels at being reunited with an alpha, and refuses to bow his head to Duan Yan.

Theme: Meet the right person at the right time