(Read the end of chapter II to refresh your memory a bit on this part.)

"I am undeniably in love with Huang Zitao," Yixing leaned closer and felt his heart clench as Tao's eyes went wide with surprise. "I always have been."

                Tao felt Yixing's breath tickle his face and felt time freeze at his next words. There was something about Yixing that felt a little odd, but the butler simply took a step back. The prince's face saddened slightly, but he grinned nonetheless. That look made Tao's heart chew at itself and he turned, grasping the edge of the stone rails that gave whoever standing here a good look of everything. Tao took deep breaths, trying to process what the prince told him.

A prince in love with a butler? Impossible. It's the other way around.

"Tao?"

The butler lowered his head, eyeing the sturdy looking ivy-vines that ran up the edge of the walls of the castle. "Please, your Highness, don't talk to me."

"But, Tao—"

"I'm begging you," Tao vaulted over the rail, hanging on with one hand still on the rail and his foot barely on. Yixing looked alarmed and went forward to stop him, but Tao jumped and caught the ivy. It was attached fairly well to the walls and the butler expertly climbed down, soon disappearing from Yixing's worried eyes and into the darkness given by the thick trees. It wasn't long until he was about two feet above ground when he jumped and rolled slightly to break his fall when he landed. The butler sighed and gazed onward, admiring the moon light streaking through the streets and the mist interlacing with the trees.

Tao walked by himself, still holding himself highly like any butler should. Why did he run away, he didn't know. He was in denial of a prince, especially the prince of Vultaria, having any sort of feelings for someone as low as a butler. Is the prince mocking him? Did Yixing expect Tao to fall on his knees and bask in his love and riches? He scoffed and headed towards a small pond, where he caught sight of a few flowers he didn't know the name of, but found extremely beautiful. The butler believed he knew everything of this kingdom, but he guessed there were still mysteries that applied here and there.

"Those are Henry Lilies, exquisite flowers that were originally found in Vultaria. They're symbols of fertility and simplicity, a common favorite among the female population," a familiar voice rang out from behind Tao, but it didn't startle him. "They're my favorite as well."

"They do have quite the charm," Tao responded, turning to see Yixing walking calmly through the forest in a calm demeanor, despite seeing a few droplets of sweat on his forehead. The butler sighed. "What are you doing, your Highness? This isn't how royalty should behave."

"I wasn't lying to you earlier," Yixing took two steps closer to Tao, refusing to look him up in the eye. "I have strong feelings for you."

"Your Highness, that's impossible—"

"Listen to me!" Yixing yelled and Tao was rendered silent. Yixing's lips trembled ever so slightly as the prince continued on. "This isn't about me being a prince, or you being a butler. It's about my feelings for you...as a woman."

Tao's eyes widened, and he frowned in disbelief. "A-a woman you say, your Highness?"

Yixing lowered his eyes, "I'm not a man, Tao."

"But, that's, just—"

"My parents always wished their first child to be a boy, since princes hold higher authority than princesses, but when they discovered I was a girl, they planned from the get-go to raise and treat me like I was a boy, from the way I should act and how to dress. However, I always knew I was different," Tao was still in disbelief. "It was harder as I hit puberty, and eventually had to tape down my chest. I had to learn how to make my voice deeper, but it's still higher pitched than all the other men." Yixing looked up at him with tears in his/her eyes. "My own sister believes I'm her big brother, and in my late teen years, I almost believed I was a boy myself until Yifan came over via invitation and you came along. You were so nice and gentle, yet the look in your eyes reminded me of myself..." the prince looked away. "You don't believe I'm a woman."

"But...your face looks—"

"It's all makeup," Yixing spoke over Tao calmly. "And my height? My shoes are all heeled or either raised. Everything about me is fake and I absolutely hate it."

Tao was silent for a moment until he took a deep breath. Yixing looked like he...she was at his/her breaking point. The butler approached the prince and planted his hands on his/her shoulders. "Why didn't you go against your parents' wishes?"

"Because as I said before, princes hold higher authority than princesses, and Vultaria is extremely powerful as it is right now."

"What about when it's time for you to marry?"

"We'll search for princess candidates who will understand the situation, yet I doubt there will be any. As for children, well, I'd have to go to Vultaria's orphanage and adopt some children to raise as my own and declare them mine."

Tao's face fell. "And you're happy with this?"

Yixing's head shook, "I've never been happy, Tao." the prince looked down. "The main reason why I'm opposed of my sister marrying Yifan is because of my own selfish dream of wanting to marry the man of my dreams and have children."

Words came out of the butler's mouth that he didn't process until after he said it: "Have you ever felt like running away?"

"That's impossible, Tao. They'll exile me, or even condemn me," Yixing's eyes widened in fear.

Tao took a deep breath. Seeing Yixing here looking so weak, pitiful, yet so sad made him reevaluate his own life and his own feelings. Yixing has suffered far worse than he has, yet the girl had to stand a man for so many years, and not have anyone to talk to about it. At least the butlers in other kingdom's knew of Tao's feelings for Yifan, and it helped get that weight off his chest whenever he wanted to talk. But Tao just wanted to make at least someone else happy, so in return, he'd be happy himself. Loving Yifan only tortured him, so maybe, just maybe, he could bring himself to return feelings for someone who loves him dearly.

"They can't exile or condemn you if you're already dead."

-

Tao devised a plan where he creates some sort of formula they'd both consume and in result, put both in a death-like state but their hearts would beat at an extremely slow rate. They'd be conscious, but their muscles would be utterly relaxed and they'd have no strength to move for sixteen hours. If they were found in a conspicuous enough location, they'd be relocated for further evaluation, and in that moment, would escape from the palace grounds by taking a horse.

To make it obvious, Tao smashed a few wine glasses and added literal poison in it so researchers would know their cause of death. However, he could only hope that the plan would go as smoothly as he planned it all out. There's a chance of the palace going on lock down, and chances of escape would be the more difficult. However, he had hope and that's all Yixing needs right now to be a step closer to her own happiness.

.........."Help! Help! Sir Tao and Prince Yixing are dead!"

"I beg your pardon?"

Tao could hear cries erupt within the palace, but his body didn't dare move. The feeling of being lifted and checked without his consent made him extremely uncomfortable, but it was to be expected.

"Someone poisoned their drinks!"

"Why was the prince here in the first place?"

"Knowing the prince, he likes to be alone and Tao must have escorted him here to get a drink away from the rest of the party!"

"Quick! Alert the bureaucrats and the royalties! Don't let anyone drink anything!"

However, in the midst of things, Tao found himself grow drowsy and unknowingly, he fell asleep. Yet, when consciousness found him once again in his drugged up state, a voice flowed through his ears. A voice he knew all too well.

"I know exactly what it is you and Yixing are doing. It's obvious in my eyes that the poison in the wine and the broken glass, and you two found 'dead' near each other was all your doing because did you forget, Tao? Butlers don't drink when they're in the presence of royalty. I know that you know that all too well. "

"However, I am not against you twos' plan at all. I support it. I've always known Yixing was a woman, yet where we stood, I had to treat her like she was just like me. I know just how much she suffered, but I beg that you bring her happiness, Tao. I know that you as a person is capable of that. I'll cover both of your tracks, but don't let me down. When the drug wears away, take the right wing then go out towards the back courtyard. There will be a horse there with plenty of money, clothes and food for you two. As soon as you can, find a place and change into one of those clothes. Blend into civilization and start your new lives together. You know how to contact me, but I won't know it'll be you unless you add a code word to your letters, say...'it's not my style'. If the world found out you and Yixing's deaths were fake, there's nothing in my power to do to stop your execution."

"You've been a great butler and never once have you failed me, and for that, I thank you. You've not only been by my side when I needed you most, but you also were my best friend. It makes me sad to see you go, but we'll see each other again soon. If I learn how to, I'll even send an owl or pigeon to deliver our messages and so no matter what, I'll repay for how much you helped me through this hardship. If it weren't for you, Tao, I would have killed myself long ago."

"Be happy, Tao. And thank you. Even though it looks like you're sleeping peacefully, I know you're awake in there. I'll ensure you and Yixing never fall into poverty, and will always be protected to the best of my power. So, please, promise me you'll protect her in this hectic world."

"With that, goodbye my friend. I wish you nothing but the best of luck from here on out," Tao heard Yifan stand up and take a deep breath, before slowly leaving the premises. Tao inwardly nodded and swore to himself that he'll bring happiness to Yixing, and that someday he'll return the love Yixing has for him. He'll never stop loving Yifan, but from the moment Yifan said goodbye, was the moment the old Tao died and the new one was born.

________________________

"Why the fuck did you make Yixing a woman?"

Zitao shrugged, "Why not?"

"Tao needed a woman in his life."

Yifan shoved him, "You need a woman in your life." the giant laughed. "He'll knock you from here to Beijing in a split second if he listened to this."

"Don't laugh! I worked hard on this."

"But please, don't make me sound stupid again....please..."

"Fannie, Fannie, Fannie, I don't have to do anything! You do that perfectly fine your—ow, fuck!"

"You little-"

END