The next morning, Syaoran stretched and walked toward the door. As he opened it, the warm sunrays spilled into his room, making him squint. Just then, Taio appeared in front of him and cast a quick sleeping spell.
With a soft thud, Syaoran fell back, fast asleep.
Fang stepped out from behind Taio, smirking. The two of them lifted Syaoran and gently carried him back inside, locking the door behind them.
The Queen, watching the scene unfold, gasped. "Fang! Taio! What are you doing to my son?! This is supposed to be a birthday, not a kidnapping!"
Fang and Taio burst into laughter.
"My Queen, you know how His Majesty is. If we act even a little suspicious, he'll catch on," Taio explained.
Fang nodded quickly. "Exactly. That's why we had to improvise."
With that, she grabbed both Taio and the Queen's hands and pulled them along to begin decorating.
---
By evening, Syaoran finally stirred. He sat up, groaning, and rubbed his eyes. His expression turned dark.
He stormed to his door, flung it open, and folded his arms, clearly frustrated. "TAIO!" he bellowed.
Marching through the palace, his fury growing, he noticed something strange—none of the candles were lit. The hallways were dim and quiet.
As he neared the resting area, he noticed a flicker of movement—and suddenly, candles burst to life, their warm glow illuminating the space. Red and white roses fluttered from above, showering him.
"Happy Birthday, Syaoran!" Fang, the Queen, and Taio cheered in unison, clapping their hands.
Syaoran froze, completely stunned. He blinked, looking from one face to another in disbelief.
Fang stepped forward and pointed to the table. "Cut the cake!"
Snapping out of his daze, Syaoran smiled sheepishly. "Thank you… all of you."
He walked over to the cake, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… this is my favorite cake! How did you get it?!"
Fang chuckled. "We didn't buy it. We baked it just for you."
"Come on now," the Queen urged. "Make a wish."
Syaoran closed his eyes with a smile, made his wish, and cut the cake. He served slices to everyone.
One by one, he received his birthday gifts. When Taio handed him a box, Syaoran playfully grabbed him by the neck and pretended to strangle him.
"You've got guts, Taio. You put me to sleep!"
Taio's voice trembled. "It was Fang's idea, Your Majesty! We had no other way to surprise you!"
The Queen and Fang laughed heartily.
Once the celebration settled, the Queen gave him her blessing once again and motioned to Taio. Together, they guided her back to her chambers. Fang and Syaoran bowed deeply as she left.
Then the two turned to each other, grinning.
Later, under the soft moonlight, they sat together beneath a tree.
Fang looked up and said softly, "It's been years since we celebrated a birthday together."
Syaoran glanced at her. "Yes… but I've kept my promise."
Fang narrowed her eyes and gave him a light smack on the arm. "I told you to fulfill that promise on my birthday, not yours!"
He laughed and gave her a teasing smirk.
---
The Disappearance
The next morning, Fang stepped outside, stretching. She ran into Taio, who asked, "Where are you off to?"
"I'm just going to buy some meat," she replied with a smile.
Taio nodded, and she left for the marketplace.
Fang weaved through the bustling stalls, bought fresh meat, and turned to walk back. But suddenly, something shifted.
She froze, dropped the meat, and her eyes glazed over. As if drawn by an invisible force, she walked forward, her steps mechanical.
A dark, magical hole opened beneath her, and she vanished into it.
She tumbled into a hidden cave and collapsed, unconscious.
From the shadows, Lucian emerged, smirking wickedly. "So… you're enjoying your love life, while I still live in fear of that stone…"
He lifted her effortlessly with dark magic and placed her on a stone bed.
---
Syaoran's Panic
Meanwhile, Syaoran went to Fang's room. The door was ajar.
"Fang?" he called.
There was no answer.
He stepped inside—empty.
He came back out, calling her name again, his voice growing tense. Still no reply.
Taio approached. "Your Majesty, Fang told me she was going to the meat shop earlier."
"When did she leave?"
"It's been about half an hour."
Panic set in. Syaoran rushed to the Queen and said urgently, "Mother, Fang is missing."
The Queen tried to calm him. "It's only been thirty minutes. Let's wait a little longer. Don't panic yet."
But Syaoran couldn't sit still. He waited another hour—still, no sign of her.
Without hesitation, he ordered his guards to search the entire city.
Hours passed.
Finally, one of the soldiers returned. Syaoran ran to him, his voice trembling. "Did you find her?!"
The soldier knelt. "Your Majesty… we've searched every corner. There's no sign of her."
Syaoran's hands clenched into fists. "WHAT?!"
He slammed the table with fury and desperation.
"Fang…"
The Queen placed a hand on his shoulder. "Calm yourself. If you let panic take over, you won't be able to think clearly. Where else could she have gone? Think, Syaoran. Slowly."
Syaoran shut his eyes, trying to push through the fear and piece together anything he might have missed.