Romancing the Son of Heaven

Stratagem 15: Make Your Loved One See Things in a Different Light (3)

Jing He slightly shivered but it was not because it was cold outside. Instead, this reaction stemmed from a coldness that permeated his heart. He had the vague feeling that after tonight, he would not be able to go back to how things had been before.

Well, maybe it had long been too late for that. If he was honest with himself, then maybe he had already started to think about this man differently quite some time ago. Maybe since the festival when he had seen them with different eyes. And each day he looked at him with this different gaze was another day he was pulled deeper into the quagmire.

There was no way for him to escape any longer. Not if Longjun insisted to come by and spend time with him. He was unable to extricate himself just by his own effort. In the end, he might be too weak-willed to do so or maybe ... maybe he didn't want to do so either.

Jing He sighed lightly and then turned back to Qiu Ling. Anyway, there was nothing he could do right now. Since he had already agreed to accompany the dragon king on a short stroll, he could only do so and he owed him his attention for that period of time.

Qiu Ling had been observing Jing He the whole time since he stepped out of his palace. Seeing his attention return to him, he gave a slight smile. This kind of stroll where nobody was around but the two of them with everything being quiet had more benefits than just getting away from some Heavenly Emperor's influence for a while. He should probably make use of that.

Qiu Ling thought for a while and then looked at the robe that Jing He was wearing, his lips curling up a little further. "The last time we were able to spend a little more time together was the day I took you out of the capital to have a picnic. Do you remember?"

Jing He's heart pounded fiercely and he nodded. "How could I not? Longjun was patiently answering my questions that day. I truly felt enlightened about some characteristics of the dragon race that eluded me before. Longjun has opened my eyes."

"I was happy to do so. I was ... Even more happy that you shared something personal with me that day."

Jing He looked at him with confusion. "Longjun is referring to ...?"

"Well, weren't we talking about your favorite color? It might not seem like much but I've noticed that Your Highness seldom shares any details about your life."

Jing He stopped in his tracks and looked away. "I hope Longjun doesn't feel that I am being distant on purpose." Well, he had been but not because his conversational partner had been the dragon king. That was a misunderstanding he couldn't let happen.

Qiu Ling took his other hand and held them tightly, taking a moment to gaze at Jing He's face. "It's not so much being distant as it might be being careful, isn't it?"

Jing He glanced up before lowering his gaze to their hands. He should probably take them back or tell him that he was once again going too far. But with what they were currently talking about, he didn't feel like that was a good idea.

"Your Highness doesn't need to feel as if that is something bad. In fact, I think that it is very understandable. You have a high position. Never mind that the demons would likely want to find out more to be able to use that against you and the gods somehow, even in the Nine Heavens themselves, there might be people who are not necessarily on your side. It's good to be a little more careful."

Jing He hesitated but finally still spoke up. "I'm surprised that Longjun of all people would say that. With everything I've heard so far about the dragon race and everything I've seen Longjun do, I would be unable to describe you as anything but a courageous man. You certainly wouldn't be afraid of something like that. It should seem ridiculous to you."