Chapter XLV - Because You Asked
The candlelight flickered softly between them.
Prince Rui's fingers remained against the side of Shen Li's neck while his quiet confession settled heavily through the warm chamber.
"Every time this prince restrains himself lately..."
"It's because you asked."
Shen Li's heartbeat softened painfully.
Because he said it so simply.
As though restraining rage, violence, his very nature-
became easy whenever she spoke.
Dangerous man.
No.
Dangerously devoted man.
Shen Li looked at him quietly beneath dim lantern glow.
Prince Rui's dark eyes remained fixed entirely on her face now.
No teasing. No restraint.
Only truth.
Then Shen Li softly asked:
"And if this daughter never asked?"
Prince Rui's thumb brushed slowly once beneath her jaw.
Warm. Thoughtful.
Then calmly:
"The palace would already be drowning in blood."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The honesty should have frightened her.
Instead-
something warm tightened painfully inside her chest.
Because Prince Rui never hid ugliness from her.
Never pretended gentleness he did not possess.
He simply placed every dangerous part of himself quietly into her hands and trusted her not to fear him.
The realization felt unbearably intimate.
Then Prince Rui lowered his gaze briefly toward her lips again.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Closer. Warmer. Dangerously soft.
His voice lowered slightly.
"You should not look touched hearing something so unreasonable."
Shen Li almost smiled faintly. "This daughter thinks Your Highness has become unreasonable for a while now."
Prince Rui actually looked thoughtful afterward.
Then:
"Perhaps."
The shameless agreement nearly made her laugh.
Instead, Shen Li reached up slowly and adjusted the edge of his loosened bandages carefully.
Prince Rui stilled immediately beneath her touch.
Because even small acts from Shen Li affected him too much recently.
The silence between them deepened softly.
Then suddenly-
Prince Rui caught her wrist gently.
Shen Li blinked slightly. "Your Highness?"
Prince Rui's gaze remained lowered toward her fingers. "This prince has a question."
"...What question?"
His thumb moved slowly once across her pulse again.
The dangerous habit he clearly enjoyed far too much.
Then quietly:
"When you became frightened during the armory attack..."
"Were you frightened because this prince was injured?"
"Or because you thought this prince might leave you?"
The room became very still.
Shen Li's breath softened faintly.
Because the question revealed something deeper.
Prince Rui did not merely fear dying.
He feared leaving her behind.
The realization hurt unexpectedly.
Shen Li lowered her gaze briefly.
Then honestly:
"Both."
Prince Rui's expression changed immediately afterward.
Warmth spread visibly through his eyes.
Dangerous warmth.
Then slowly- carefully-
he pulled her closer beside him.
Not enough to overwhelm. Only enough that her shoulder brushed lightly against his chest afterward.
Natural now.
Familiar now.
Prince Rui's voice lowered near her hair.
"Good."
Shen Li almost laughed softly. "...Why is that good?"
"Because this prince dislikes being loved less than he loves."
The answer stunned her silent.
Then Prince Rui added calmly:
"It feels unfair."
The shameless honesty nearly destroyed her composure entirely.
Shen Li turned slightly toward him. "Your Highness truly says anything now."
Prince Rui looked completely unconcerned. "This prince nearly died."
"...That does not excuse everything."
"It excuses honesty."
The room warmed instantly again.
And somehow- Shen Li realized something dangerous.
Prince Rui became more emotionally direct after getting injured.
As though nearly losing his life removed patience for hiding affection.
Dangerous realization.
Then suddenly Prince Rui frowned faintly. "You're tired."
Shen Li blinked softly. "What?"
"You rub your fingers together when exhausted."
Silence.
How did he notice things like that?
Prince Rui answered the unspoken question immediately.
"This prince watches you often."
Shen Li genuinely lost words for several seconds.
Meanwhile Prince Rui looked entirely calm despite continuously saying devastating things.
Then unexpectedly-
he tugged lightly on her sleeve.
A tiny movement.
Yet enough to guide her closer until she sat directly beside him against the edge of the bed.
The distance between them disappeared almost completely.
Shen Li's heartbeat quickened instantly.
Prince Rui's arm settled naturally around her waist afterward.
Warm. Steady. Possessive now without apology.
Then quietly- dangerously soft-
he murmured near her ear:
"Sleep beside this prince tonight."
The atmosphere exploded instantly.
Not: stay nearby.
Not: rest in the chamber.
But: sleep beside him.
Directly.
Shen Li's face warmed immediately.
Prince Rui noticed.
And somehow looked pleased by it.
Then he added softly:
"This prince sleeps better when you're close now."
The simple honesty shattered the remaining resistance inside her chest completely.
Because somehow-
Prince Rui always made needing her sound precious instead of burdensome.
And perhaps-
she needed him just as much already.