To Love & To Loathe (Jingliu X Fem Reader)

Chapter 19: Declaration

Jingliu's body lay motionless as her body slowly recovered from all the exertion of the action the two lovers just recently had, her breath coming in deep and slow as she stared at her Y/n's face. The sword champion could still see they both were panting as they looked at each other, feeling the heat of their bodies as they remained entwined with each other in the glade after what they have just done.

"Mentor, about reclaiming me... You should just give up on it." Y/n mumbled out softly, her voice was soft and quiet.

Jingliu stayed silent for a few moments by this sudden request. She had been so focused on her goal of reclaiming her lover again, not stopping to realize just how deep and firm Y/n's words can sound for her. The silence from the sword champion felt heavy as she took a moment to think deeply about their relationship and what is best for the two of them.

"Is this... truly what you want?" Jingliu whispered slowly.

"...Yes..." Y/n answered with a bit of hesitation.

Jingliu’s eyes only drifted away slightly as she felt the sting of her lover’s words, taking this in slowly before she looked back at her again. She was silent for a short moment until she finally let out a quick sigh. The sword champion could see the reluctance in Y/n's voice, realizing that even her lover was finding it difficult to say her true feelings out loud.

"...Alright. I respect your wish..." Jingliu finally replied, her voice remained as quiet as before, not carrying much emotion in her tone.

"...I really am sorry, mentor... For this isn't something in my control..."

Jingliu let out another small sigh as she nodded her head slowly. She understood at least for now what her lover meant as she tightened her grip slightly on Y/n's body.

"I know..." Jingliu whispered slowly, her voice carried no hint of disapproval or anger at the words from the woman held within her arms.

She was just slightly disappointed that her goals won’t come to fruition, but she won’t pressure her lover to do anything she doesn’t want to do since if Y/n refuse to obey Yaoshi means death for her.

Jingliu just put her blindfold back on as well as her clothing. The sword champion remained quiet as she watched her lover getting back to her feet as well, her eyes shifting to her lover's body briefly before going back to looking at her face. She didn't say anything as she watched her lover, not knowing what more to say after her lover's request. She only watched silently, wondering what will happen from now on.

Y/n then gaze at the Ambrosial Arbor before speaking in a low tone.

"Hey mentor, I forgot to mention... Yaoshi will be assigning me to another planet to influence them with the Abundance's blessings since they noticed that my stay here has been of... no progress after the final war."

"I see." Jingliu replied calmly as she looked over at the giant tree.

She could only notice her lover's tone had become a little bit more tense with the mention of Yaoshi and having to work somewhere else.

"Do you know which planet you should be assigned to work with?" The former sword champion then asked in a mild curiosity.

"I... don't know yet... But there's one thing that I'm certain of..."

"And that would be...?" Jingliu asked slowly, tilting her head as she stared back at her lover's face.

She was aware that her lover had something new to say, something that she wasn't aware of. She just stayed silent and patiently waited for her lover to complete the sentence. Y/n also stayed silent for a moment before she continued looking at the Ambrosial Arbor.

"Yaoshi... now noticed my hesitation in influencing the Luofu with their blessings. I was not as sturdy as before where I completed their will without further delay."

"As for that, they realized the source of my hesitation and... banned me to stay nor to visit here in the Xianzhou, especially when it comes to seeing you."

"...."

Jingliu knew Y/n had always been loyal to work with the Abundance, but she had no idea that her lover's hesitation also made Yaoshi realize something else about her as well.

"That means..."

"Yes... If I disobeyed them for this second time... They will not hesitate to... kill me..."

"...."

Jingliu’s expression immediately became grim and dark when she heard those words from her lover. She had no intention of letting something like that happen to her lover, even if it meant fighting off Yaoshi and the rest of The Abundances. The sword champion would never forgive herself if she let something happen to Y/n when she could have protected her.

"I won't let them harm you." Jingliu finally spoke, her voice carried a bit of determination as she locked eyes with her lover once again.

Yet Y/n only chuckle.

"Mentor, listen to me. Despite Yaoshi's benevolent nature, They are still an Aeon. A stronger being compared to the two of us. They could eliminate us with just a flick of their fingers."

"Perhaps destiny decided to play a cruel joke on us. But nevertheless, they still gave me at least three days before my parting here in the Xianzhou."

Jingliu couldn't deny the truth in her lover's words and the sword champion knew that Yaoshi would certainly be able to eradicate her quickly enough.

"Three days is not a lot of time..." She said and slowly shakes her head.

"Then I shall make a deal to Jing Yuan by surrendering myself after those three days but give me freedom for your last day here. At least with that day, I can spend them with you to the fullest."

Y/n was just surprised by her master's declaration as she looked back at her lover.

"Mentor, you don't have to surrender yourself just for me..."

"Y/n, listen to me," Jingliu said as she reached out her hands to grab her lover by her arms and held her tightly. "This is something I must do as your master and lover."

"In the last couple of years, I have been at odds with the Abundance yet you brushed those animosities off and continued your love for me. So please, just let me have this. Respect my wishes just as I respect yours."

"....I... okay..."

The sword champion knew that her lover could be stubborn most of the time, but she can also be kind and respectful like this as she did now.

Despite the bittersweet feelings that flooded her, Jingliu still felt determined to make the remaining days she had with Y/n be the fullest they could ever be, even if they were to become their last moments together.

"But before anything else, mentor... I would like to ask you something more personal... something... I never ask you before..."

"Oh?"

Jingliu listened to her lover's request, though she wondered a little about what it could be based on her lover's shy body language.

Despite her curiosity, she patiently waited, letting her lover go ahead and ask her whatever she wanted.

"On the day of my departure..." Y/n paused before smiling at her lover.

"...Shall we took that time to get married?"