To Love & To Loathe (Jingliu X Fem Reader)

Chapter 20: Lover's Oath

For a few moments, Jingliu froze upon hearing her lover's request. Despite having accepted the reality of the last three days together that they had, the former sword champion never expected such a request from her lover. Yet, she was slowly drawn out from her frozen state as she slowly nodded.

"Yes..." Jingliu finally replied.

She managed to hide her initial reaction from her face but her heart was beating fast with so many emotions running through it.

"I'm... glad you accepted my proposal for a traitor like me..." Y/n whispered.

"Well, we are both traitors of the Luofu, Y/n," Jingliu spoke, her tone carried strong and bold determination as she stared back at her lover's face.

"From now until the very last breath that I'll take, I shall consider you my wife, my soulmate, my everything."

This made Y/n chuckle at Jingliu's sudden shift of tone.

"Now what happened to the stoic and strict mentor that I love?"

Jingliu just let out a sigh as her lover laughed at her.

"Well, I can always be strict and stoic but at least I can also show my softer side to the person I'm marrying as well." The sword champion replied with a small smile.

The thought of their marriage now made it real that she was going to lose her lover soon. She couldn’t think clearly for a good while until she finally shook her head, snapping herself out of her thoughts.

"Then perhaps I should stop calling you my mentor now and start calling you my future wife, hmm?~" Y/n teased and wink at her lover.

Jingliu would just gave an eye roll and a small laugh but she was still enjoying her lover's teasing despite the heavy feelings that still lay within her heart.

"Maybe you should. Besides, it sounds a lot more appealing than the title of a mentor." Jingliu replied, letting out a chuckle before she continued to speak.

"...And it sounds more passionate and romantic to call me your wife after all."

Y/n just smiled before intertwined her fingers on Jingliu's cold hand and gently kiss it. While she has grown used to her lover being bold at unexpected times.

This part always gets her every time as she can’t help feeling her cheeks burning up whenever her lover makes an affectionate move like this. Y/n was about trail her lips to Jingliu's hands, arms and to her neck but Jingliu stopped her by flicking her forehead.

"Now, now," Jingliu said, "Let’s save that for later, shall we? After all, I already told you that we could only have one round right now."

Y/n just frowned by being turned down but then shrugged.

"Worth a shot."

After that, they then looked back at the Ambrosial Arbor.

"Perhaps they succeeded in defeating the Abundant Ebon Deer, once more?" Y/n asked as she gaze at her lover.

Jingliu would nodded her head in agreement as she stared back at the tree. Based on her knowledge in combat, she could clearly tell that the Ambrosial Arbor is in its weakened state again. This meant that there was indeed some sort of combat and conflict that happened near the tree recently.

"By the looks of it, most likely. Now I'm curious as to who were the ones fighting it, but then again I'm sure Jing Yuan has this all planned out."

Y/n nodded, "Yes, the general is really good in making strategic moves. Nevertheless, I still need to head back to the Ten-Lords Commissions. Meet me later at my place mento— *ahem* my love..?"

"I definitely will." Jingliu replied softly with a small smile as she finally let go of Y/n's hands.

Now that she had said it out, the sword champion couldn't help but feel a bit giddy as she knew that she would soon be able to call her lover her wife.

"We shall meet soon... my dear."

After that, Y/n took her leave. The former sword champion watched her lover’s back as she walked further away from her until she was out of sight, only a faint echo of her beloved’s footsteps sounding from far away.

Jingliu then began to wander off into her own thoughts as she began to ponder on what she should do during these last remaining days together with her lover.

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On the other hand, Y/n, who lied to Jingliu that she'll be going back to the Ten-Lords Commissions, directly went back to her own room to weep.

"Jingliu, I'm sorry..."

Despite the fact that she knew that their time together would soon be cut short and that there was nothing they can do to stop it, Y/n couldn't help but feel a slight guilt within herself for not making this relationship last.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Her room was quiet and still, until a single sniffle could be heard coming from somewhere in the room. The soft sound of crying then gradually became louder and louder as her tears of guilt and loss began to flow freely. Y/n's tears were a mixture of regret and sadness as she continued to lament her time with her lover.

She could feel her heart beating fast as tears poured out from her eyes without warning. The thoughts that swirled within her mind were just getting more destructive and only added to the pain she felt in her heart.

The guilt that she already felt about their situation was increasing with every new thought. The way she was holding on her chest would be enough to tell that her heart was literally breaking from Yaoshi's decision.

"Three days is not enough. No— it will never be enough..."

The pain on Y/n's heart was unbearable at this point. She even wanted to scream loudly from how much she wants to just change all of this. But no matter how much she wished for things to be different, the only truth here is that no matter how hard she tried she only had three days left to spend with her lover. A bitter reality she would have to face, no matter how hard it may be.

She then thinks for a moment before taking a deep breath, wiping away her tears before staring at the ring box on the table that she was supposed to give to Jingliu on their wedding day and smiled faintly.

"At least, I could still make her happy before I depart."

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In the meantime, Jingliu was still wandering the garden, still lost in her own thoughts. The sword champion is now standing by the small stream of water that ran through the garden as she watched the water gently flowing past her.

It was a quiet and peaceful sight but her mind remained far from being quiet and peaceful. Yet, even from across the garden, she could feel her lover's negative energy and her heart could only break more and more with each passing minute that was closer to their separation.

She let out a long sigh as all those different emotions that plagued her mind throughout the day continued to swirl and mix together.

The sword champion was confused and a little bit upset at herself for being so foolish to think she can somehow change anything about their current situation. She knew this was how the world worked but it still frustrated and upset her. However, at the same time...

"At least I could still make Y/n happy before we go to our separate ways."