My Husband Is A Stranger (BL)

Li Yuan was not a man given to reflection.

For years, he had carved his way through the world with unshakable certainty. His sword had decided fates, his word had built and destroyed empires. Hesitation was weakness, and attachment—true attachment—was a liability.

So why, for the first time in his life, did he feel uncertain?

Why did the sight of Rui walking away leave a hollowness in his chest?

Unraveling Control

The imperial court was bustling with movement, yet Li Yuan's attention was fixed on one thing. Or rather, one person.

Rui stood across the hall, speaking with a group of advisors. He was composed, his expression unreadable, his silver robes shimmering under the lantern light. A perfect mask. But Li Yuan had begun to recognize the cracks. The way Rui's fingers tightened ever so slightly when forced to stand too close to him. The way his breath hitched when their eyes met, even as he turned away.

Li Yuan knew control when he saw it. And Rui was holding on too tightly.

Zhang, ever the opportunist, approached Rui with a smirk. "Your Highness seems distant today. Is court life not to your liking?"

Rui's expression did not change. "I have no complaints."

"Ah." Zhang glanced at Li Yuan. "Then perhaps the emperor has complaints of his own?"

The slight jab made Li Yuan's patience thin. He stepped forward, his voice cool. "Minister Zhang, I was not aware you had an interest in my personal affairs."

Zhang immediately lowered his head. "Of course not, Your Majesty."

Rui exhaled quietly, as if suppressing his irritation. Without another word, he bowed and left the hall.

Li Yuan didn't stop him.

But he did follow.

A Different Kind of Battle

Rui stood in the gardens, the moonlight casting silver over his hair. He had sensed Li Yuan's presence long before the emperor spoke.

"You should not have interfered," Rui said without turning around.

Li Yuan stepped beside him. "You would rather I let him question you like that?"

"I would rather fight my own battles."

Li Yuan exhaled. "I know."

Rui turned to him, frowning slightly. "Then why are you here?"

Li Yuan did not know the answer.

Or rather, he did, but he did not know how to name it.

He had pursued Rui because he had wanted him. Because Rui had refused to break. Because something about him was unlike anything Li Yuan had encountered before.

But now… now it was different.

Now, it was not just possession.

It was something more dangerous. More uncontrollable.

Li Yuan searched Rui's face, the sharp angles and the guarded eyes. For the first time, he did not want to conquer.

He wanted to understand.

"Why do you push me away?" The question left him before he could stop it.

Rui's eyes narrowed. "You ask as if you do not know."

"Tell me anyway."

Rui exhaled, shaking his head. "You are a king, Li Yuan. And I was taken as a prize. Do you think I will simply forget that?"

Li Yuan felt something unfamiliar twist in his chest. Guilt.

He had won Rui by force. He had claimed him in a moment of victory. And now, he expected Rui to accept his pursuit without resentment?

"Then why did you not fight me harder?" Li Yuan asked.

Rui froze.

Li Yuan stepped closer. "That night—was it only regret?"

Rui's breath caught.

Li Yuan saw it, that flicker of hesitation. The answer Rui wanted to deny.

And in that moment, Li Yuan knew.

Rui was not indifferent.

He was afraid.

Not of Li Yuan himself, but of what he might feel.

Li Yuan's voice softened. "I do not expect you to forgive me, Rui. But I will not stop pursuing you."

Rui swallowed, his eyes dark with something unreadable. Then, just as quickly as it came, the moment passed.

He stepped back, putting distance between them.

"This changes nothing," he murmured.

Li Yuan let him go.

For now.