The night market of the mortal realm was swallowed by a sea of amber light. Millions of delicate paper lanterns floated toward the heavens like a river of fallen stars, casting a warm, flickering glow over the cobblestone streets. The air was thick with the scent of roasted chestnuts, sweet osmanthus wine, and the lively chatter of a festival in full bloom.
The Cat and the Mouse
Emily navigated through the dense crowd, her feet aching beneath her worn leather sandals. For the festival, she had traded her drab gray linen for a slightly better, though still faded, peach-colored wrap dress. The fabric was cheap, but the soft hue caught the ambient lantern light, adding a flush of color to her otherwise pale complexion.
"Why did you leave me alone at the house?"
The deep, entirely unbothered voice echoed directly behind her, cutting through the festive music. Emily halted. A surge of pure, exasperated annoyance rushed through her veins as she closed her eyes tightly, taking a sharp, calming breath before spinning around.
"How, Mike? How did you find me again?!" she erupted, her hands dropping to her hips. "I have already told you a thousand times—I do not know where Jade is! Got it? Now stop hunting me down!"
She whirled back around, her peach skirt flaring. "Do not follow me again!"
Emily snapped her jaw shut, picking up her pace to escape him, but Mike simply elongated his stride. Moving with a fluid, predator-like grace, he easily caught up and passed her. He twisted his torso, walking backward with his hands casually tucked behind his back, his sharp face perfectly illuminated by the passing gold lanterns.
He was dressed impeccably for the mortal crowd in a deep charcoal-gray robe pinned at the shoulder with a simple silver clasp, his long dark hair partially pulled back.
"Fine," Mike said, a mockingly playful glint dancing in his golden eyes as he looked down at her furious face. "I am not following you. But surely, a weary warrior is allowed to enjoy a mortal lantern festival, isn't he? Or do you always think the entire world revolves around you, Emily?"
Emily blinked, her chest heaving with a sudden, boiling fury. Her lips parted, but her mind short-circuited under his smug arrogance. "You—you—!" She couldn't find the words to fight him.
Mike let out a low, amused huff. Turning back around, he laced his fingers together behind his head and picked up his speed, walking faster into the crowd. Emily scoffed loudly, stomping her foot in the dirt before begrudgingly trailing behind him, entirely unaware that his sharp eyes were constantly tracking her reflection in the shop windows ahead.
The Dance of Ice and Embers
On the exact opposite side of the same bustling street, a very different silent war was being waged.
Prince Herrick and Merida walked side by side, yet an intentional, rigid gap remained between their shoulders. Merida looked utterly ethereal, wearing a layered midnight-blue hanfu embroidered with silver thread that mimicked the constellations of the Celestial Mountain. A delicate silver hairpin shaped like a crescent moon held her dark tresses in place, accentuating the porcelain purity of her face.
Beside her, Herrick walked like a true apex commander. He wore a structured, dark sapphire silk robe trimmed with heavy silver borders, his broad shoulders and commanding presence causing the mortal crowd to instinctively part before them.
Despite the grand festival around them, Herrick's eyes were completely, unyieldingly fixed on his wife.
Merida had desperately tried to avoid coming tonight. Her heart was a heavily guarded fortress, still healing from past wounds, but Herrick had been so profoundly patient, so unceasingly kind to her since his return from the war that she simply hadn't found the cruelty within her to deny him.
As they passed a brilliantly lit stall, Merida's distant gaze suddenly snagged on a beautifully crafted lantern shaped like a round, glowing rabbit. For a split second, the cold mask of the goddess cracked, and a pure, genuinely amused smile bloomed across her lips.
Without a single second of hesitation, Herrick stepped toward the stall.
"No—" Merida blurted out, her hand reaching out to catch his sleeve. "I was just looking at it. There is no need."
Herrick didn't listen. Offering the merchant a soft, breathtakingly handsome smile, he traded a silver coin for the glowing rabbit. As he turned back, Merida instinctively reached out to push the lantern away, her fingers accidentally brushing against the warm, calloused skin of his palm.
The physical contact felt like a shockwave. The moment she realized what she was touching, Merida pulled her hand back in a panicked rush, her chest tightening with awkwardness.
Herrick noticed the flinch. A flicker of quiet sorrow crossed his dark eyes, but it was gone in an instant. Maintaining his gentle smile, he carefully placed the bamboo handle of the rabbit lantern into her small hand. Merida fell completely quiet, her fingers wrapping around the wood as she stared down at the glowing toy.
As they moved deeper into the crowd, Herrick's gaze drifted to her empty left hand swaying against her blue robes. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to anchor her to him.
First try: He slid his hand closer, his fingers brushing hers, but a laughing mortal child suddenly ran right between them, forcing them a step apart.
Second try: Herrick didn't hesitate. Reaching through the space, his large, warm hand closed firmly around her small, cold fingers.
Merida froze in the dead center of the crowded walkway, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes locked onto their joined hands. Slowly, deliberately, she began to twist her fingers, trying to slide her hand out of his grasp. But Herrick merely tightened his grip, a firm, possessive, yet gentle squeeze that completely barred her escape.
Merida snapped her head up to look at him, her heart hammering against her ribs with an intense, suffocating tension. But Herrick didn't look back at her. Keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead, his jaw set in a stubborn, unyielding line, he quietly led her through the busy, chaotic street, refusing to let her drift away into the dark.
A Passing Shadow
On the other side of the crowded avenue, Mike was walking alone, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of celestial interference. The festive lights flickered across his sharp features as he navigated the sea of bodies.
Suddenly, his eyes caught the distinct, glittering flash of silver embroidery—a pattern that explicitly belonged to the high nobility of the Celestial Mountain.
Through a brief parting in the dense crowd, Mike caught sight of a woman's back. The elegant midnight-blue robes, the crescent moon hairpin, and the regal, distant posture were entirely unmistakable.
Merida? Mike's eyes narrowed into sharp slits, his body going rigid as he stared at her retreating figure. How could a princess of the High Peak be walking in the mud of the mortal realm?
Before he could take a step closer to confirm his suspicion, a sudden surge in the festive crowd blocked his view, burying the silver-and-blue robes back into the golden sea of lanterns.
The vibrant warmth of the mortal realm's Lantern Festival seemed to split the night into two entirely different worlds. On one side of the cobblestone avenue, the roaring crowd pushed forward to watch the floating lights, while on the adjacent riverbank, the atmosphere grew heavy with the quiet, lingering sorrows of two drifted souls.
The Divine Message
Mike stood amidst the swirling sea of moving bodies, his eyes still narrowed as he stared toward the distant walkway where the midnight-blue silk of Princess Merida's royal hanfu had just vanished into the crowd. His hand rested firmly on the hilt of his hidden dagger, his mind racing. How could a daughter of the Heaven King be walking in the mud of the mortal realm? He took a sharp step forward, intending to navigate the dense crowd to trace her path.
Suddenly, a faint, crystalline chime resonated directly beside his ear.
A shimmering, violet bubble message—a secret audio-transmission spell cast from the higher realms—materialized right before his face. It was completely invisible and inaudible to the passing mortal crowd. Mike reached out, his gloved fingers puncturing the glowing membrane.
The frantic, deeply relieved voice of King Justin vibrated directly into his consciousness: "Mike, I found my Jade. I am with her now in a safe sanctuary. The search is over. Order our elite forces to stand down and safely retreat our army back to the borders of the Fox Realm."
A wave of profound relief washed over Mike's sharp features, a genuine smile breaking through his usual stoic expression. He raised his hand, his fingers gathering a small trace of spiritual energy to form a replying bubble.
"I am so glad to hear this, Your Majesty," Mike spoke softly into the magical sphere. "Wait... where are both of you holding out? If you need any reinforcements or supplies, tell me immediately."
With a soft flick of his wrist, he released the glowing violet bubble. It floated gracefully upward, blending perfectly into the thousands of burning paper lanterns drifting into the night sky. Mike watched it vanish, whispering to himself, "Finally... now I can finally go back to the Fox Realm."
But the moment the thought crossed his mind, his smile withered into nothingness. His golden eyes slowly turned back toward the dark alleyways of the market town, a sudden, heavy weight tightening in his chest as the image of a stubborn, broken mortal girl flashed through his mind. Emily.
The Shelter on the Bank
On the opposite side of the bustling festival, far away from the bright merchant stalls, the riverbank was cloaked in cool, amber shadows. Emily sat alone on the damp grass of the riverbank, her knees pulled tightly to her chest. Her faded peach wrap dress was tucked around her ankles, and her dark eyes reflected the flickering gold of the lanterns floating down the black water.
Her mind was a chaotic ledger of grief and nostalgia. Exactly one year ago, she and Jade had been laughing together in a similar festival, sharing cheap street food and making foolish wishes for the future. A soft, devastatingly sad smile touched her lips at the memory.
She was so deeply buried in her thoughts that she completely failed to notice two creepy men standing near a nearby willow tree, their predatory eyes locked onto her vulnerable, solitary form as they began to whisper to one another.
Before the men could even take a step toward her, a massive, warm hand suddenly dropped onto Emily's shoulder, gripping her with a firm, fiercely protective weight.
Emily's eyes widened in sudden terror, her body jumping—until a familiar, deep baritone brushed against the back of her neck.
"Sorry I am late, honey," Mike said loudly, his voice carrying clearly across the quiet riverbank.
Emily's breath hitched, her head spinning around as she looked up at his imposing figure. "Honey... what?!" she whispered in a frantic, bewildered hiss.
Before she could ruin the ruse, Mike smoothly lowered himself onto the grass beside her, placing his long index finger directly over her parted lips to silence her. He offered her a warm, incredibly tender smile that didn't match the lethal alertness in his eyes.
"Are you still angry with me?" he murmured loudly for the benefit of the onlookers. Then, leaning his head down until his lips were brushing the soft shell of her ear, he whispered in a low, commanding breath, "Act with me. Right now. Those two freaks under the willow tree are watching you with bad intentions."
Emily's internal panic instantly dissolved into understanding. Shifting her posture, she forced a sweet, compliant smile onto her face, leaning slightly into his broad chest. Seeing that the vulnerable girl was suddenly backed by a tall, dangerous-looking warrior, the two creepy men muttered curses under their breath, turned around, and quickly vanished back into the crowded market street.
The moment the threat was gone, Mike smoothly removed his heavy hand from her shoulder, giving her a respectful amount of space.
"Thanks," Emily said.
The word was spoken in a voice so soft, so fragile, that Mike actually paused, his golden eyes widening slightly in genuine wonder.
A soft, rare smile touched his lips. "Why are you smiling?" Emily asked, looking away as a light blush crept up her neck.
"I was just wondering," Mike murmured, his tone filled with a dry, affectionate amusement. "The incredibly brave, stubborn mortal girl who once refused to show a single ounce of vulnerability to anyone... is now quietly saying thanks to me."
Emily let out a short, hollow scoff that vibrated with deep, internal pain. The defensive walls around her heart seemed to crumble in the quiet dark of the riverbank, and Mike's smile instantly vanished as he saw the sudden, heavy sorrow taking over her face.
"You are right," Emily said, her voice trembling as she stared fixately at the black river water. "But everything changed the moment I lost my grandmother. I am different now." She snapped her head up, locking her dark, teary eyes directly onto his.
Looking at the raw, unadulterated grief swimming in her gaze, Mike's warrior heart melted completely. "Emily... I am sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"No, it's fine," she interrupted, a painful, self-deprecating smile breaking across her face. "There is no one left here with me anyway. Only... I have just been trying so hard, working multiple miserable jobs day and night just to pay off the interest of that debt." She let out a sharp, breathless laugh that sounded dangerously close to a sob. "I think... I think my whole life is just going to go like this. A endless cycle of running and scraping for coppers."
"Don't you dare say something like that," Mike commanded, his voice dropping into a deep, intense register as he leaned closer to her. "You are stronger than this realm. You must have a better, brighter future ahead of you."
"No," Emily whispered, a single tear escaping her lashes and tracking down her cheek. "Once, I had everyone. I had my grandma... I had my Jade and her beautiful family. And then... there was the person I had a massive crush on. But he betrayed me too, completely shattering whatever trust I had left."
Mike's face changed instantly, his jaw tightening as a dark, synchronous understanding filled his eyes. He knew that exact brand of agony. He knew the precise, suffocating weight of holding onto a love that had ripped his soul to pieces.
"Now, there is absolutely no one standing with me," Emily concluded, her shoulders shaking.
"Who said you have no one?" Mike interjected, his voice cutting through her despair with an absolute, unyielding certainty. "We have you. Me, Justin, and Jade... we are your family."
Emily's head snapped up, her breath catching. "Jade... I last saw her when she gave me a final goodbye. Before she completely disappeared to hunt down the monsters who slaughtered her parents. I still have absolutely no news about her. I don't know if she got her revenge, or if... if she is even still alive." More tears spilled over her eyes, her chest heaving with the agony of a friend left in the dark.
Mike couldn't bear to see her in this much pain. Abandoning all protocols of celestial secrecy, he looked directly into her eyes and said firmly, "She is perfectly alright, Emily. She is with Justin right now."
Emily froze, her tear-stained face registering complete, paralyzed disbelief. "What?" A sudden wave of furious, protective indignation rushed through her, her sorrow morphing into a sharp glare. "If you knew she was alive this entire time, why didn't you tell me before?! Why did you even come to this miserable village if you already knew where she was?!"
Mike quickly raised his hands to placate her, explaining everything in a calm, steady voice. "I didn't lie to you. I actually came to this realm to find her myself. Justin was searching for her entirely alone to protect her location. He only just found her a few moments ago."
Emily's fury slowly receded, her deep love for Jade taking priority. "Where is she now? Is she safe?"
"He didn't give me the exact coordinates," Mike replied quietly. "Might be he is afraid that the celestial enemies will intercept the message if he writes it down. He is keeping her hidden."
Emily nodded frantically, a relieved smile finally breaking through her tears. "Yes... yes, you are right. If they are safe together, that is all I have ever wanted."
The Revelation of Betrayals
"And there is one more thing you should know," Mike added, his voice turning dark and serious. "Your friend successfully avenged her parents. She personally executed the one responsible for the slaughter."
Emily's eyes widened. "Who was it?"
"The ancient, old devil king... Demon Zerath," Mike revealed.
Emily went entirely rigid, a cold shock paralyzing her features. "Zerath... Leo's grandfather?"
Mike's eyes narrowed into two dangerous, inquisitive slits. "Did you know him?"
"I... I heard about him," Emily stammered, her voice dropping into a bitter, disgusted whisper. "When Leo mentioned his family line once. Both of them... both of them are nothing but wretched betrayers."
"What do you mean by that?" Mike pressed, sensing a massive piece of the mystery finally falling into place.
Emily let out a hollow, exhausted sigh, leaning her head back against the grassy bank. "Leo... he was the one I had a crush on. It was only a few days before everything went deep... before my entire world was shattered by his sudden betrayal. But now... now I can finally connect the pieces." She looked at Mike, a flash of realization illuminating her eyes. "That is why he was actually hiding Zerath's true identity from us! When Jade gave him her family token to help us find the killer, he acted so smoothly, so helpful... but he was actually protecting his grandfather the entire time."
Mike's chest expanded with a cold, calculating anger. "Oh... might be. He played a dangerous game."
Emily shook her head, trying to clear the heavy atmosphere. "I am sorry, Mike. I am sorry for worrying you with my pathetic, sad stories and my foolish past crushes. Forget I said anything."
"I don't mind," Mike said softly, his golden eyes locking onto hers with a profound, shared vulnerability. "Actually... I know exactly how painful it is when you get betrayed by the one person you gave your heart to. I carry the exact same pain in my chest, Emily."
Emily stunned, her breath catching as she looked at the fierce, untouchable general showing such deep, romantic sorrow. "Who... who is she?" she hesitated, her voice barely a whisper.
Mike shifted his gaze to the river, his jaw tightening as the memory of the silver-and-blue robes returned to haunt him. "One of the twin daughters of Heaven King Ren... Princess Merida."
Emily's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in pure shock. "Merida..." she whispered beneath her fingers. "I... I saw her portrait in the archives of the Blue Moon Kingdom when Jade and I were training there. She is... she is so incredibly beautiful." Realizing what she had just said, she snapped her mouth shut, her cheeks flushing crimson. "I... I am sorry, Mike."
A quiet, sad chuckle escaped Mike's lips, though his eyes remained fixed on her.
Emily cleared her throat, trying to regain her footing as she stood up from the grass, shaking the dirt from her peach dress. "Anyway... you can go now. You can return to the Fox Realm. Justin has found Jade, which means you have no more missions left in this mortal dirt."
Mike didn't stand up. Instead, he leaned his broad shoulders forward, his dark hair falling over his forehead as he tilted his head up to look at her. A dangerous, intensely romantic glint flashed in his eyes as he leaned closer to her frame.
"Do you really want me to leave you, Emily?" Mike asked, his deep voice dropping into a velvety, suggestive purr. "Especially after I just publicly confessed to the entire village that I was your wealthy, metrolocal husband?"
Emily blinked rapidly, her heart violently slamming against her ribs as his close proximity sent a wave of heat through her body. "I... but..."
Mike stood up slowly, stepping into her personal space until the tips of their boots were brushing. He looked down into her wide, dark eyes, his expression turning intensely playful yet completely serious. "Tell me the truth, Emily. Do you actually have a husband hidden away somewhere? Is it true?"
"No," Emily whispered, her throat completely dry, her voice disappearing into the narrow, suffocating space between their lips.
Their eyes were locked, mere inches apart, all the lies and false vows finally stripped away to reveal the raw, bleeding truth of their lonely souls.
BOOM.
Suddenly, a massive, thunderous roar echoed across the sky. The grand finale of the festival had begun. Brilliant, multicolored firecrackers exploded directly above the riverbank, illuminating the dark night in blinding streaks of crimson, sapphire, and gold. The radiant light washed over their faces, sealing them in a breathless, eternal moment against the backdrop of a roaring mortal world.
-----------
The air inside the grand pavilion of the Cursed Island was thick with the scent of blooming jasmine and rare, crushed medicinal herbs. Outside, the eternal, protective barrier cast a soft, ethereal violet glow against the high arched windows, shutting out the harsh realities of the warring realms. Inside, the chamber was a sanctuary of warmth. The bed was a massive structure of polished dark wood, draped in layers of heavy, butter-yellow silks that pooled onto the pristine white marble floor.
Jade lay propped up against a mountain of plush velvet cushions. For the quiet evening, she had changed into a loose, flowing maternity hanfu made of the finest, untamed cream silk. The high waistline sat comfortably above her prominent six-month pregnant belly, the delicate fabric embroidered along the hem with subtle silver threads that mimicked soft ripples of water. Her long, dark hair was completely unbound, cascading over her shoulders like a river of ink against the pale silk.
The King's Devotion
A sharp, throbbing ache suddenly shot through Jade's lower leg, causing her to wince slightly and shift her posture. The physical toll of carrying a child destined for cosmic greatness was beginning to weigh heavily on her fragile frame. She reached down, intending to soothe the sudden cramp in her foot.
Before her fingers could even brush the fabric of her skirt, a large, warm hand gently enveloped her ankle.
Jade's breath caught, her eyes flying open to find King Justin already there. He was dressed simply but regally in a midnight-black inner robe, the collar parted slightly to reveal the sharp, powerful lines of his collarbone. His silver hair fell loosely around his striking face, his golden eyes entirely focused on her with a fierce, unwavering intensity.
"Justin..." Jade whispered, her voice carrying a soft, breathless vulnerability. "I can do it myself. You don't need to do this."
"No," Justin murmured, his deep baritone cutting through her protest with absolute, gentle authority. He slid his hands further down, his large, calloused palms cradling her swollen foot with an unimaginable reverence. "I am here for you now, Jade. Leave everything to me."
Sinking onto the edge of the yellow silk mattress, Justin began to slowly, deliberately massage her aching foot. His touch was an intricate balance of strength and tenderness, his warm spiritual energy radiating through his palms to instantly melt the tension in her muscles.
Jade leaned back against the cushions, a soft, genuinely touched smile breaking across her lips as she watched the fierce sovereign of the Fox Realm bend his pride so completely for her comfort. Yet, looking at the faint shadows of exhaustion beneath his eyes, her heart twinged with worry. He had barely left her side for a single second since their reunion, guarding her like a man terrified that the universe would snatch her away again if he dared to blink.
"Justin," she asked softly, her eyes tracing his sharp jawline. "Did you even have your dinner yet?"
Justin didn't look up, his hands continuing their rhythmic, soothing motion against her skin as he gave her a brief, reassuring nod. But Jade knew him too well; she could see the truth behind his stoic mask.
Without another word, Jade raised her hand and struck a small silver chime resting on the side table. A maid reached the chamber almost quickly, bearing a heavy lacquer tray filled with steaming bowls of nutrient-rich lotus root soup and roasted spiritual meats. The maid set the tray down with a deep, respectful bow and retreated instantly, leaving the lovers in their quiet world.
The Feeding of Souls
Jade shifted, pulling her legs back onto the bed and patting the space directly beside her. "Come here," she commanded softly.
Justin paused, his golden eyes meeting hers before he smoothly moved up the bed, sitting cross-legged right in front of her. Jade picked up the silver spoon, ladling a perfect portion of the warm soup. Blowing on it gently to cool the steam, she raised the spoon to his lips. "Open," she murmured.
Justin stared at her, his powerful frame going completely still. As he accepted the food from her hands, the fiercely guarded walls around his heart completely melted. The raw, domestic intimacy of the gesture struck him with the force of a tidal wave.
"I missed you so much, Jade," Justin whispered, his voice cracking with a half-year of buried agony and unyielding love. He reached out, his fingers trembling slightly as he brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "It has been far too long since we last fed each other like this."
Jade's defenses melted completely under the heat of his gaze. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she forced them back, offering him a beautiful, watery smile. She opened her mouth softly, waiting.
Justin smoothly took the silver spoon from her fingers, ladling the rich soup and carefully feeding her in return. Each bite was an unspoken vow, a silent reassurance that they were no longer fighting the cruel universe alone.
A Fragile Paradise
After a few quiet moments, Jade rested her hand over her pregnant belly, a playful, glowing warmth lighting up her face as she looked down at the curve of her stomach.
"Look, little one," Jade said in a soft, teasing tone, her voice dripping with affection. "I told you I was right. Your father loves me significantly more than he loves you."
Justin panicked instantly. His golden eyes widened in a comical flash of paternal anxiety, his regal composure entirely shattering. "What are you saying to my baby?!" he blurted out, his voice rising in an adorable, defensive rush.
Without a second thought, the great King lowered his face until his forehead was resting directly against the warm silk covering her belly. "No... dear," Justin said, his deep voice muffled against her stomach as he spoke directly to the child inside. "Father loves you incredibly much too. Do not listen to your mother's teasing... my love is vast enough for both you and her."
He raised his head, a breathless, breathtakingly handsome smile breaking across his features as he looked up at his wife. Jade let out a soft, melodic laugh, her heart overflowing with a deep, romantic joy. Slowly, with infinite tenderness, she reached out and ran her delicate fingers through his silky silver hair, smoothing the wild strands.
Justin closed his eyes at her touch, leaning his head into her palm like a wild creature completely tamed by her love.
When he raised his head again, the playful banter evaporated, replaced by a raw, suffocating intensity. He lunged forward gently, pulling Jade into his broad, muscular chest. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her with a fierce, possessive tightness that anchored her to his soul. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, pressing a long, lingering, and deeply emotional kiss against her head.
Jade smiled, burying her face into his shoulder, inhaling his scent of cedarwood and winter frost.
But as the silence of the room stretched on, the beautiful smile on her lips began to vanish slowly. Her eyes drifted toward the dark shadows dancing on the silk canopy above. The memory of Liora's warning and the terrifying weight of the hidden secrets regarding the White Fox Globe rushed back to choke her mind.
Jade tightened her grip on Justin's robes, a cold, devastating dread clawing at her throat as she whispered into the empty air, "I don't think this will last forever..."
The echoes of the festival fireworks still crackled faintly in the distance, but beneath the sheltering trees of the riverbank, the atmosphere remained heavy with unsaid truths. The cobblestone pathway leading back toward the main market street was illuminated by the dying glow of paper lanterns, casting a soft, golden hue over the dusty ground.
----------
The Playful Ledger
Mike walked forward with long, deliberate strides, his dark charcoal-gray robes swaying gracefully around his tall frame. His hands were tucked casually behind his back, his jaw set in a stoic line as he tried to process the massive revelations about Demon Zerath and Leo's ultimate betrayal.
Behind him, her small sandals clicking rapidly against the stone to keep pace, Emily was following closely. Her faded peach wrap dress fluttered in the night breeze, her face flushed with a sudden, playful energy that she hadn't felt in months.
"Mike," she called out, a bright, teasing lilt in her voice.
The warrior didn't stop, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
"Honey," she tried again, her lips curving into a beautifully mischievous smile as she used the ridiculous fake moniker he had branded her with just moments prior.
Mike didn't pause his stride, refusing to show her how much that single word sent a strange, unfamiliar jolt through his chest.
Suddenly, a frail, elderly mortal lady carrying a basket of dried osmanthus flowers passed by them. Shaking her head at the sight of the trailing girl, the old lady stopped and patted Mike's arm. "Young man, you should listen to your wife. A beautiful girl shouldn't have to chase you down the street on a festival night."
Emily froze, a vibrant, uncontainable amusement lighting up her dark eyes. She stepped forward, nodding eagerly at the stranger. "Yes, Grandma! He is always like this. He completely refuses to listen to his wife's words!"
Mike halted abruptly. He turned around, his sharp features twisting into a mixture of utter confusion and mild irritation. He bit his lower lip, staring at Emily's gloating face, completely trapped by his own intricate web of lies.
Forcing his deep voice into a soft, remarkably convincing tone, Mike looked at the elderly woman. "No, Grandma... how could I possibly listen to her right now? After I traveled from so far away to visit her after a long separation, the very first thing she says to me is to go back... to leave her and return to the army camps."
The old grandmother smiled tenderly, her eyes crinkling as she looked at the tall warrior. "Don't be furious with her, son. She is right. She is only saying those things for your family's stability and your duty to the realm."
Mike's chest expanded with a mockingly upset sigh, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as he shot Emily a highly amused, warnings-filled glance.
The grandmother then turned her gaze to Emily, her tone shifting into a gentle, motherly scold. "And you, listen to me, my child. This brave man came from far away just to spend time with his wife... alone. Can't you get it? Stop pushing him away."
The weight of the word alone dropped into the narrow space between them like a burning ember.
Suddenly, both Mike and Emily felt a profound, suffocating awkwardness wrap around them. The playful banter evaporated in an instant. Emily's cheeks flushed a deep, violent crimson, her eyes dropping to her sandals as her heart began to hammer erratically against her ribs. Mike's posture went entirely rigid, his stoic mask shattering to reveal a raw, uncovered vulnerability as he stared at the blushing mortal girl.
The old grandmother let out a soft chuckle, stepping past them into the crowded lane. "These young couples... they are always like this," she murmured into the night.
The Ghost of the High Peak
The silence left in the wake of the old woman's departure was thick and heavy. Mike's intense, unyielding gaze remained fixed on Emily's downcast face, his mind racing with the sudden, terrifying realization of how natural the word wife had felt on his tongue.
"Wife...?"
A sharp, beautifully clear voice cut through the ambient noise of the street, freezing the blood in Mike's veins.
"When exactly did you get married, Mike?"
Both Mike and Emily spun around instantly, their breath catching in their throats.
Standing beneath the shadow of a grand arched gateway was Princess Merida.
She was a vision of absolute celestial perfection, her midnight-blue silk hanfu shimmering with silver embroidery that caught the flickering lantern light like stars trapped in a dark sky. The silver crescent moon hairpin gleamed in her perfectly styled dark tresses, her porcelain skin entirely flawless. Yet, her beautiful eyes were wide with a profound shock, her lips parted as she stared at the man who had once sworn his eternal devotion to her.
"Merida..." Mike whispered, his voice dropping into a breathless, hollow register, the name tearing out of his throat like a old, forgotten wound.
Emily looked at her too, her hands clenching the fabric of her peach dress as she recognized the breathtaking face from the grand archives. The fragile paradise of their playful night cracked wide open, leaving three drifted souls standing in the middle of the mortal crowd.
-------
To be Continued....
--------