Chapter XL - Too Attached
The bandages slipped slightly from Shen Li's fingers.
Not enough to loosen.
Just enough for Prince Rui to notice immediately.
And of course-
he looked faintly pleased afterward.
Dangerous man.
Very dangerous man.
Warm lantern light flickered softly across the chamber while Shen Li sat close beside him, half trapped between caring for his injuries and surviving his increasingly shameless honesty.
Prince Rui watched her silently.
Then calmly:
"Your heartbeat becomes faster whenever this prince speaks directly."
Shen Li nearly closed her eyes in defeat.
"How does Your Highness even notice things like that?"
Prince Rui answered without hesitation:
"Because this prince listens to you carefully."
The room became unbearably warm again.
Shen Li tied the final bandage perhaps slightly tighter than necessary.
Prince Rui looked mildly injured by the betrayal. "...That was revenge."
"Yes."
For once, Prince Rui actually laughed openly.
Low. Warm. Beautiful enough to feel dangerous.
Shen Li looked away immediately before her composure fully disappeared.
Meanwhile Prince Rui studied her quietly afterward.
Then slowly- unexpectedly-
his expression softened.
Not teasing now.
Only honest.
"You smile more lately."
The simple observation stilled her completely.
Because she realized-
it was true.
Recently:
she laughed more,
slept more peacefully,
waited for evenings without loneliness,
and no longer dreaded tomorrow.
All because this man entered her life like winter sunlight breaking through snow.
Dangerous realization.
Shen Li lowered her gaze quietly. "Perhaps this daughter simply feels more at peace now."
Prince Rui's eyes darkened softly.
Then he reached toward her hand resting near the medicine tray.
Warm fingers closed gently around hers.
No hesitation now.
Natural.
As though touching her had already become instinctive.
His voice lowered slightly.
"Good."
"This prince wants you peaceful forever."
The tenderness behind the words nearly hurt.
Shen Li looked toward him slowly.
Prince Rui still appeared pale from recovery, dark hair loose around his shoulders while candlelight softened the severity usually surrounding him.
And suddenly-
she could not imagine this estate without him anymore.
The thought frightened her slightly.
Because somewhere between:
wedding decrees,
storms,
blood,
quiet dinners,
and sleepless nights-
Prince Rui had quietly become necessary.
The realization settled heavily inside her chest.
Then suddenly- before Shen Li could gather herself-
Prince Rui tugged lightly on her hand.
She blinked softly. "Your Highness?"
Prince Rui looked entirely calm while guiding her slightly closer beside the bed.
Too close.
Far too close.
Then quietly:
"You're thinking too hard again."
Shen Li stared at him. "...And Your Highness knows this because?"
"You look at this prince like someone preparing emotional surrender."
The accuracy nearly destroyed her.
Before she could defend herself, Prince Rui's expression shifted subtly.
Warmth remained.
But something deeper lingered beneath it now.
Something possessive. Something increasingly difficult to hide.
Then very softly- dangerously honestly-
he admitted:
"This prince has become too attached to you."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The confession landed heavier than any before.
Because Prince Rui did not say: fond, interested, or merely affectionate.
Attached.
As though separation itself already became unbearable.
Shen Li's heartbeat softened painfully.
Then quietly:
"...Your Highness says things that are difficult to answer."
Prince Rui studied her face carefully. "Then answer honestly instead."
Dangerous man.
Always pulling truth from her gently. Patiently.
Shen Li lowered her gaze toward their joined hands.
Then after a long moment:
"This daughter also..."
"...does not like when Your Highness leaves."
The room became still.
Prince Rui stared at her silently.
Then slowly- very slowly-
he lifted her hand toward his lips again.
This time, instead of kissing her wrist-
he pressed a lingering kiss directly against her palm.
Intimate enough to make her breath catch immediately.
Prince Rui's voice roughened afterward.
"Shen Li."
"At this rate, this prince may truly never let you go anywhere again."
The words should have sounded frightening.
Instead-
warmth spread through her chest.
Because Prince Rui said them while looking at her like someone who finally found home after surviving endless winters alone.
And perhaps-
perhaps Shen Li looked at him the same way too.
-
Later that evening, the peaceful atmosphere shattered once more.
A palace messenger arrived urgently beneath heavy snowfall.
"The Empress Dowager requests Princess Rui's presence tomorrow."
The chamber cooled instantly.
Prince Rui's expression darkened immediately.
Shen Li noticed.
"...Your Highness dislikes this summons."
"Yes."
No hesitation whatsoever.
The messenger quickly continued nervously: "Her Majesty specifically requested Princess Rui alone."
The silence afterward became dangerous.
Because after:
assassination attempts,
poison conspiracies,
and palace schemes-
everyone understood exactly what this meant.
The palace was moving again.
Prince Rui's gaze shifted slowly toward Shen Li.
Then quietly- with terrifying calm-
he said:
"This prince will accompany you."