Pov Author
Anna walked in silence, but her mind wasn't silent at all.
Shou Feng's story echoed inside her — the loss of his mother, the loneliness carved into him since childhood. And then her own words, sharp and careless, thrown at him during their argument.
I shouldn't have said that… I shouldn't have said any of it…
Her throat tightened with the familiar thought.
I always ruin things. I always mess up. Why can't I ever be better?
But before guilt could swallow her whole, another image pushed itself into her mind — flames swallowing Tsukigawa, Shou Feng standing in the ashes, Shoto's body…
Her chest twisted.
Everything was complicated with him — every emotion, every memory, every truth.
By the time she reached the palace, she had already decided to apologise.
She found him near the courtyard. He looked at her once, then looked away, as if their entire argument had been erased from existence.
"We have to go to Tukru Palace," he said flatly. "Kiyoshi needs this book."
Anna nodded.
The dragon ride there was painfully quiet. Wind roared around them, but neither spoke. Not even once.
When they landed, Shou Feng hopped down first, then reached up to help her. His hand was steady, gentle — unchanged, even though things between them were not.
Anna stepped past him, but her heart tugged.
She reached out and caught his sleeve.
Shou Feng stopped mid-step.
He turned, confusion flickering in his eyes. His eyebrows raised the slightest bit. "What?"
Anna's voice trembled. "I… I'm sorry. For what I said. I shouldn't have said those things. I didn't mean them. Please… forgive me."
Her eyes burned, tears rising before she could stop them.
Shou Feng froze.
No training, no discipline, no kingdom had prepared him for this moment — someone apologizing to him with sincerity.
He looked away quickly, swallowing.
"It's okay," he muttered. "I don't mind it."
But he did.
Not the insult — he'd been called far worse in his life — but her apology… it unsettled something deep inside him.
Something he couldn't name.
They met Kiyoshi soon after, handed him the book, and before they could even breathe, a servant rushed in.
"Lord Kazan has called for the three of you."
They followed him into the grand hall — the same place where Shou Feng's hair-cutting ceremony had taken place. The air was heavy with the memory of old rituals and silent expectations.
Lord Kazan sat on the throne, reading a scroll. Kiyoshi bowed immediately.
Anna didn't.
Shou Feng didn't.
Kazan rose with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You retrieved the book. Excellent work."
Shou Feng nodded.
But when Kazan's gaze shifted to Anna… something changed.
His eyes lit with a strange enthusiasm.
Shou Feng noticed instantly. His own eyes narrowed, sharp as a blade.
Kazan stepped toward Anna, speaking warmly.
"You helped Tsukigawa even though they were once our enemies. You freed Shou Feng. You risked your life. You aided the theft of the book…"
So far, normal praise.
Then his tone softened.
"You are simple. And beautiful. Your simplicity… is truly beautiful."
Before Anna could step back, Lord Kazan reached out and gently stroked a strand of her hair.
Anna's breath caught.
And Shou Feng moved.
His hand shot out and grabbed Kazan's wrist mid-air.
A sharp silence cut through the hall.
Kiyoshi stiffened.
The guards froze.
Even Kazan blinked, startled.
The two men held eye contact — long, tense, dangerous.
Shou Feng's grip tightened, his voice low. "Don't."
Kazan's jaw clenched. "She did not say she minded."
Shou Feng didn't blink. "She didn't have to."
For a heartbeat, nothing moved.
Anna stood frozen, the shock still tingling down her spine. Shou Feng hadn't even looked at her… but he'd felt her discomfort the second Kazan touched her.
Finally, Kazan pulled his wrist back. "Very well."
But the way he stared at Anna after that made something cold crawl down her spine.
Later—in a chamber
The four of them gathered in a round chamber warmed by lanterns. Maps and scrolls covered the table where Yuvan and Kiyoshi were discussing kingdom matters.
Shou Feng didn't listen.
His eyes stayed fixed on Anna.
She stood on the balcony, staring down at the courtyard below. Her shoulders were stiff, her hands gripping the railing tighter than needed. Her thoughts were somewhere far away.
He watched her for a long time.
Finally, he rose.
His steps were soundless as he approached her.
Anna sensed him before she heard him and looked up, blinking twice as if waking from a dream.
Shou Feng lowered his gaze.
"Stay away from Lord Kazan."
Anna frowned. "Why?"
"Because I said so."
"That's not a reason," she muttered.
Shou Feng inhaled sharply. "Something is off. Don't go near him alone. Stay with me, or Yuvan, or Kiyoshi. Never alone. He's different than before. I've never seen him look at anyone like that."
Anna's eyebrows drew together. "I'm strong. I can handle myself. I don't need anyone guarding me."
"It's not a request," he said quietly but firmly. "It's for safety."
Anna rolled her eyes — but for the first time, not in annoyance.
Mostly because she didn't want to upset him again.
Night settled over the palace.
Anna slept alone in a grand room, unaware that Shou Feng stood outside her door the entire night, leaning against the wall, arms folded, keeping watch.
He didn't move.
He didn't sleep.
He didn't leave.
But down the hallway… a shadow watched him.
Then slipped away silently.
Morning — The Unexpected Breakfast
Anna sat at the table, expecting rice or soup.
But instead… pancakes. Berries. Warm bread. Exactly like the food from her world.
She blinked. "Who… made this?"
Shou Feng passed by the doorway.
He didn't look at her — but she noticed the faint pink at the tips of his ears.
Before she could say anything, a maid approached.
"My lady, Lord Kiyoshi has called for you."
Anna stood and followed.
The maid led her to an enormous chamber — red lanterns hanging, silk curtains flowing like water, carvings glowing under golden light pouring from a round skylight above.
"Kiyoshi?" Anna called, stepping inside.
Silence.
She took two steps forward.
THUD.
The door slammed shut behind her.
Anna froze.
She turned slowly.
The door was sealed.
She grabbed the handle — locked.
She knocked once. "Hello?"
Harder. "Excuse me? Is someone there?"
Louder. "Please open the door!"
No reply.
A chain somewhere inside the room rattled softly.
Anna's heart dropped.
She stepped backwards, her back hitting the door.
Her breath shook.
Her fingers trembled as she pounded on the wood.
"Hello!? Help!"
"Kiyoshi!"
"SHOU!!!"
Her cries echoed through the massive room — unanswered.
End of Chapter