The General’s Spellbound Heart

The dungeon air was as stale as ever, but Luo Xian couldn't stop staring at the key. It glinted faintly in the lantern light, mocking him with its simplicity. Was Zi Han truly foolish enough to leave him with the means to escape? Or was this another one of the general's mind games?

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Well, this is a first. A villain giving me a key instead of a monologue about their tragic backstory."

The door creaked open again, and Yue Ling stepped back inside, carrying another tray. This time, it was stacked with steaming dumplings and a small pot of tea.

"Back so soon?" Luo Xian drawled. "Let me guess, you're here to poison me with snacks."

Yue Ling's lips twitched in amusement. "If I wanted to poison you, I wouldn't bother with dumplings. I'd lace the tea. Much more elegant."

Luo Xian snorted, though he couldn't help but glance at the tea suspiciously. "Good to know. I'll stick to the dumplings, then."

Yue Ling set the tray down and sat cross-legged across from him, his amber eyes flicking to the key still clutched in Luo Xian's hand. "So, he gave you the key. That was... quicker than I expected."

"Quicker?" Luo Xian raised an eyebrow. "You mean this is part of some grand strategy?"

Yue Ling shrugged, pouring himself a cup of tea. "Zi Han likes to test people. He'll give you just enough rope to see if you hang yourself—or if you use it to climb out of the hole you've dug."

"Charming," Luo Xian muttered, setting the key down on the tray. "And what about you? Are you here to offer me sage advice? Tell me to trust the man who's been hunting me for years?"

Yue Ling sipped his tea, his expression unreadable. "I'm here because I was curious. I wanted to see what you'd do."

"Curious?" Luo Xian narrowed his eyes. "You're awfully nosy for a healer."

Yue Ling smiled faintly. "And you're awfully sarcastic for a prisoner."

Luo Xian opened his mouth to retort, but Yue Ling cut him off. "You want to know why I stay with Zi Han, don't you?"

The question caught Luo Xian off guard. He hesitated, then nodded. "It crossed my mind."

Yue Ling set his teacup down, his fingers idly tracing the rim. "Zi Han saved my life once. Years ago, when I was... let's say, in a very precarious situation. He didn't have to, but he did. And now, I repay that debt by keeping his soldiers alive."

Luo Xian frowned. "That's it? You're here out of obligation?"

"Obligation is a powerful thing," Yue Ling said quietly. "It shapes us, binds us. Much like those chains you're wearing."

Luo Xian glanced at the enchanted shackles, their dull glow pulsing faintly. "You don't seem very bound to him. You speak your mind, come and go as you please."

"Appearances can be deceiving," Yue Ling replied. "But enough about me. What about you, sorcerer? Why do you think Zi Han gave you that key?"

"To mess with my head," Luo Xian said immediately. "It's his specialty."

"Perhaps," Yue Ling said, his tone thoughtful. "Or perhaps he sees something in you that even you don't."

Luo Xian snorted. "What, potential? Redemption? Spare me the clichés."

Yue Ling chuckled softly. "I was going to say usefulness, but sure, let's go with redemption."

Luo Xian couldn't help but smirk. "You're a strange man, Yue Ling."

"And you're a stubborn one, Luo Fei," Yue Ling replied, his amber eyes gleaming with amusement. "But I suppose that's why you're still alive."

The door creaked open again, and a young soldier peeked in nervously. "Uh, Healer Yue Ling? General Zi Han needs you in the war room."

Yue Ling rose gracefully, brushing imaginary dust from his robes. "Duty calls," he said, casting Luo Xian a final glance. "Try not to do anything reckless while I'm gone."

Luo Xian waved him off. "I'll be here, chained up and contemplating my life choices. Don't worry."

As Yue Ling left, the dungeon fell silent once more. Luo Xian stared at the key, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

"Redemption," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "What a joke."

But as he leaned back against the cold stone wall, he couldn't shake the feeling that the joke was on him.