Oh My, How Extra!

One Winter's Tale C1: Snow White ... and a Certain Dragon King

Author's Note: Since I've started posting Romancing the Son of Heaven as well I figured I also shouldn't keep the extras from you. So, happy holidays! Here is the first part of a five-part fairytale-themed OMF special. I hope you'll like it! 😊

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Dragon king Qiu Ling very earnestly looked at the book in his hands and furrowed his brows. This strange thing had been brought back by An Bai when he went out to gather new books to study. Who knew where he had gotten it but it seemed to be a collection of stories. They were ... very strange. He really didn't know what else to call it.

"Why would a wolf dress up as an old woman?" He raised his head and looked at Fu Min who could only shrug his shoulders.

"I don't know. I'm a dragon as well, not a wolf."

"Mn, that's also true." Qiu Ling looked back down and turned the page. He paused when he looked at the illustration that decorated it. This was the beginning of a new story but judging from the painting, it was much more promising than the ones he had read before. Qiu Ling started to read and finally leaned back, his eyes glued to the page.

Fu Min blinked his eyes in confusion and watched his king. Could somebody tell him why His Majesty was suddenly so transfixed? He leaned to the side but couldn't see anything. Mn, what a pity!

Meanwhile, Qiu Ling reached the end of the story. He lowered the book and stared off into the air in a daze. This story ... too beautiful! Actually, it reminded him a little of what his beloved and he had experienced themselves. Ah, might this actually be crafted after their experience?

He straightened up, threw the book into his spatial ring and got up, leaving the palace without another word.

Fu Min scratched his head. "I guess that means we won't discuss anymore?" He shrugged his shoulders and got up as well, leaving the king's chambers to go do something on his own.

Meanwhile, Qiu Ling reached the Nine Heavens. He stealthily rushed to that familiar palace and peered through the window. His beloved was sitting inside, a brush in hand and a scroll of paper in front of him. A cup of tea stood at the side, steam wafting into the air.

Qiu Ling's gaze very naturally focused on Jing He's face, looking very thoughtful this time. Mn ... His skin was indeed as white as snow, his lips indeed as red as blood, and his hair indeed as black as night. This had to be a sign!

Qiu Ling slipped in and knelt down next to Jing He, looking at the painting he had drawn: A young couple stood below the branches of an ebony tree, one of them holding something out as if offering it to the other. Their gazes seemed to meet above this gift. Very romantic! Mn, this had to have a deeper meaning as well.

Qiu Ling leaned closer. "My love ..."

Jing He flinched, finally noticing Qiu Ling next to him. He almost dropped the brush but Qiu Ling caught it in time, even conscientiously holding it away from the scroll of paper to make sure the ink wouldn't smear on the painting. He certainly couldn't let his beloved's unspoken confession get ruined!

"Qiu Ling ..." Jing He gave a weak smile and took the brush from him, cleaning it and hanging it onto the brush stand. Then, he rolled up the scroll and put it away before turning back to Qiu Ling. "I didn't think you'd come by again today." After all ... hadn't he only been here in the morning? Why had he come running over again in the afternoon? Hadn't he said that he had to do something important?"

Qiu Ling smiled happily. Ah, he knew his beloved would miss him! "I came to see you."

Jing He looked at his suitor, his gaze complicated. "Well ..."