Under the moon's rays, the carriage rolled through the quiet streets of the capital.
Shen Miao sat pressed against her brother's side, both hands wrapped tightly around his sleeve. She did not speak. She simply held on, her fingers gripping the fabric like it was the only solid thing left in the world.
Shen Yao glanced down at the hands tightly clenching his sleeve for the fourth time since they sat in the carriage and sighed.
The contact made him slightly uncomfortable. Still, he remained where he was. He directed his gaze outside the window in an attempt to distract himself.
Beside them, on the other side of the carriage.
The Bai twins sat in silence; their hands folded in their laps..., ready to comfort but not yet intruding.
They had long realized that their eldest young master seemed to have an aversion to physical touch and so they had been afraid he would push their young miss away.
And so, looking at the handsome but cold face glazed by the hazy rays of the moon, they realized that perhaps their young miss had been right.
"Maybe the young master...."
Hearing the movement coming from below the two watched as Shen Miao slightly moved
Maybe adjusting herself before she leaned back relaxing against the cushions they had prepared earlier on.
Shen Yao looked out the window. His brow still furrowed; his gaze fixed on the dark streets passing by. He appeared lost in thought—but he could still feel the weight of her hands through the fabric of his sleeve.
He sighed.
---
After a long journey.
The carriage stopped.
After everything that had happened, everyone finally felt as though they could breathe again.
The Bai twins moved first, stepping out and turning to help Shen Miao down.
Bai Yue reached for her arm.
"Fourth Miss, let us help you."
Shen Miao shut her eyes
Her grip on Shen Yao's sleeve tightened.
And for a long moment, she didn't move.
No one did.
As if feeling her hesitation, Shen Yao turned his head slightly. His gaze met hers—brief, quiet, unreadable. He didn't speak. He didn't reach for her.
She lowered her head.
Her eyes fluttering open
Before completely letting go of his sleeve and shakily reaching out for Bai Yue's hand.
She let Bai Yue guide her out of the carriage and into the residence.
He remained seated, waiting for the residual warmth to fade from his sleeve.
He watched them lead her through the gates, his face still, his gaze steady. She disappeared into the main hall, surrounded by the Bai twins, their arms wrapped around her shoulders.
He did not look away until she was gone.
For a moment he stayed seated his gaze unreadable.
A while later when he stepped down from the carriage.
Xi Shu appeared at his side. Having given his and Shen Yao's horses to the guards stationed not too far away.
"Young Master," he began, his head lowered—
"I failed to protect—"
"We'll discuss this in the morning," Shen Yao said quietly.
"You may go."
Shen Yao waved his hand before walking forward into the residence.
Xi Shu's jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists at his sides. He wanted to say more—to explain, to apologize, to take the blame—but the weight of Shen Yao's words pressed down on him.
He hesitated, unsure whether to follow or obey.
In the end, he chose to obey
He bowed once in the direction Shen Yao had gone.
"Yes, Young Master."
He turned and walked away, his footsteps slow and heavy.
Shen Yao did not turn to watch him go.
He stood in the main hall for a moment longer, looking at the dark doorway where his sister had vanished.
Then he walked toward his study.