Adeptus Xiao

The Kingdom of Liyue was known for its prosperity, discipline, and unshakable royal bloodline. At its heart lived a king, a queen, and their only daughter—Princess Lou. Beautiful enough to leave noblemen speechless and spirited enough to drive an entire palace to exhaustion, she had never once been denied anything. Every wish was granted before she even had to ask, every mistake overlooked, every whim indulged.

That endless indulgence shaped her into someone impossible to control. She ignored etiquette whenever it bored her, slipped away from lessons, challenged every servant's patience, and wore her stubbornness like a crown of its own. Countless tutors resigned. Countless attendants begged to be reassigned. None lasted long.

With no other choice, the king and queen sought someone who feared neither status nor tantrums. Their search ended with Xiao, the kingdom's most accomplished war general. Calm, unwavering, and feared by soldiers twice his age, he accepted the unusual assignment with little more than a nod. If he could command armies, one spoiled princess would not break his resolve.

From the moment he stepped into the palace, he made one thing painfully clear—he would not treat her like royalty. She would earn what she wanted. Luxuries became privileges instead of guarantees. Refusal was met with consequences. Meals arrived only after responsibilities were completed. Outings disappeared the moment she defied direct orders. Every ounce of resistance was answered with quiet, immovable discipline.

It infuriated her. She pushed every boundary she could find, expecting him to bend as everyone else had. He never did. Xiao didn't argue, didn't negotiate, and certainly didn't apologize. He simply waited until she exhausted herself against a wall that refused to move.

Weeks passed, and the palace slowly adjusted to its newest routine. Servants no longer rushed to satisfy every demand the princess made. Instead, they glanced toward Xiao first, waiting for his approval. Even the royal guards had begun treating his word with nearly the same authority as the king's.

As night settled over the palace, lanterns dimmed one by one. Maids finished their final rounds, guards exchanged shifts beneath the moonlit halls, and silence gradually replaced the bustle of the day. It was bedtime for the royal household.

Princess Lou had no intention of cooperating. Still dressed for the evening, she stood defiantly beside the tall bedroom window, arms crossed, refusing to change into her nightclothes or even glance toward the untouched bed. She remained planted there, sulking as if simple refusal could halt the passing of time.

Xiao stood silently by the chamber door, arms folded across his chest. His golden eyes never left her for even a second. He had already predicted this outcome before the evening had begun. If patience failed, he would carry her to bed himself. If she resisted, every privilege waiting for tomorrow would quietly disappear. To him, this was not a battle of strength—it was one of endurance, and he had already decided he would outlast her.

"Lou," his voice cut cleanly through the room, calm but edged with unmistakable warning. "Get to bed. Now."