Su Sheng awoke in the depths of night.
The bedchamber was eerily quiet, the golden feathered canopy draping softly from above, warm candlelight casting a hazy glow across the room. A quilt embroidered with feathered patterns lay gently atop her.
Beside her—the bed was empty.
She slowly sat up, and the memories from the previous night surged back like a tide.
Rong Yu had placed the queen's coronet in her hair, crowned her before all of Jin Yu Palace—then vanished.
She thought he'd been teasing. That he'd return with his usual brazenness.But he didn't.He hadn't even touched her.
As she was lost in thought, the faint sound of feathers brushing echoed beyond the door.
The door creaked open.
Rong Yu entered quietly, a bowl of steaming soup cradled in his hands, the silver spoon catching the moonlight like a blade.
"You're awake?" he said casually. He walked to the bed and helped her sit up, his palm firm and warm against her back.
Su Sheng looked at him, emotions tangled in her gaze. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"You're awake," he said, sitting beside her, "so how could I sleep?"
He handed her the bowl.
She took a sip. It was sweet, warm, smooth—mulberry soup. Her favorite.
Her eyes lifted in surprise. "How did you know I liked this?"
Rong Yu didn't reply immediately. Instead, he reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her brow. His voice was quiet, almost reluctant.
"You mentioned it in your sleep."
She stilled. Her cheeks flushed with the warmth of surprise—and something else.
A long moment passed.
Then she asked softly, "Why didn't you come to bed last night?"
Rong Yu was silent for a beat. Then, with a faint smile, he said—his voice laced with restraint, gentler than she had ever heard him:
"I'm a beast, not a thief."
"If you're unwilling… even if I starve, I won't take."
Su Sheng's heart skipped.
This was the same man who once seized her with feathers and fire, bold and unrelenting.But here, in her most vulnerable moment—he chose patience.Chose to wait.
Chose not to break her.
She lowered her head, unsure if it was the soup's heat or the rising sting in her nose, but the corners of her eyes glistened with tears.
Rong Yu caught the flicker. He quietly set down the empty bowl and rose.
"Sleep, my Queen," he whispered.
"I'll keep watch for you."