~ 𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑶𝑶𝑵 - In the heart of an ancient Chinese dynasty, a young emperor reigns with wisdom beyond his years but carries a heart heavy with unresolved grief. Years ago, he lost his beloved under mysterious circumstances, a loss that has...
The night was calm, the soft sound of the wind rustling through the leaves of the trees outside the palace, and the stars above sparkled faintly. I had carefully spread blankets and pillows on the balcony, the cool evening air making the moment feel even more intimate. A pot of steaming hot tea sat on the small table beside us, the gentle scent of herbs wafting through the air. I leaned back against a pillow, feeling Lian nestled beside me, his head resting gently on my shoulder.
I couldn't help but hum softly, a tender melody that I hadn't sung in years, not since her. Yet somehow, with Lian here, it felt right. He stirred slightly, his breath soft and rhythmic as he nuzzled closer, his body relaxing completely into mine. I smiled, my fingers gently brushing through his white strands of hair, feeling a quiet contentment I hadn't known in so long.
His breathing grew slower, deeper, and I knew he had drifted off to sleep. The warmth of his presence beside me was comforting, and I couldn't bear to move, so we stayed there for a while, the world around us fading away as I held him close.
But the cool breeze picked up, and I knew I couldn't let him sleep out here in the open all night. With a gentle sigh, I carefully shifted, cradling his sleeping form in my arms. Lian barely stirred, his body pliant as I lifted him effortlessly, holding him close to my chest. He was light in my arms, his head resting against my shoulder as I carried him back into the chambers.
As I made my way toward his bed, I glanced down at him, his face serene and peaceful in sleep, his lips slightly parted, his hair falling softly across his forehead. The sight tugged at something deep inside me. There was something so vulnerable about him like this, and I felt a wave of protectiveness wash over me.
I gently laid him down on the bed, pulling the blankets up to cover him. He shifted slightly, murmuring something unintelligible as his hand reached out, instinctively seeking comfort.
I smiled softly at that, brushing the hair from his face as I settled in beside him. His breathing evened out again, and I pulled the blankets over us, making sure he was comfortable before I let myself relax. I watched him for a long time, the way his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the way his lips parted slightly in sleep, his face completely relaxed and free of worry. There was something incredibly sweet about the way he slept, and I found myself captivated by the simplicity of the moment.
