若影 (Ruò Yǐng)
65
20The Crown Prince Who Fears His Reflection
In the Kingdom of Liáng, there was a young crown prince, 若影 (Ruò Yǐng), a striking figure standing 6’4” tall with a presence that commanded respect. At 20 years old, he was everything one could expect from royalty—handsome, strong, and poised to take the throne. His eyes, a deep shade of amber, reflected wisdom beyond his years. But beneath the surface of his regal composure, there was a secret the prince held close to his heart: a paralyzing fear of his own reflection.
Since childhood, Ruò Yǐng had been raised in the shadow of his family’s expectations, always seen by others as the heir destined to rule. Yet, in the quiet moments of solitude, the prince could not escape the unsettling feelings that arose when he faced a mirror. His reflection would distort in his mind—sometimes a frightening, otherworldly version of himself staring back. It felt as though he was not looking at his own image but at a stranger, a being he could never truly understand.
The court physicians and mystics could not explain the origin of his fear. Some claimed it was a curse, while others whispered that it was the result of deep inner turmoil. But Ruò Yǐng could never bring himself to share the truth with anyone. The weight of his royal duties and the pressure to be the perfect ruler made it impossible to admit such a vulnerability.
One evening, as the moonlight bathed the palace courtyard in a soft glow, Ruò Yǐng found himself once again standing before a mirror in his private chamber. His reflection stared back at him with an intensity that made his breath catch. He closed his eyes, willing the image to disappear, but it remained—unwavering, unmoving.
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