Chapter XLVI - Sleeping Better Beside Her
Shen Li did sleep beside him that night.
And unfortunately-
Prince Rui had not exaggerated.
He truly slept better with her close.
The realization became painfully obvious sometime near midnight.
Because for the first time since his injuries, Prince Rui finally slept deeply enough that the constant faint tension between his brows disappeared completely.
No restless movements. No sudden waking. No half-conscious reaching for swords beside the bed.
Only calm breathing beside her beneath warm blankets.
Shen Li lay awake quietly watching him beneath dim candlelight filtering through the curtains.
Dangerous man.
Even sleeping, Prince Rui remained unfairly beautiful.
His dark hair had loosened across the pillow while softened shadows hid some of the severity usually sharpening his features.
And for once-
he looked peaceful.
The sight touched her chest unexpectedly hard.
Because Shen Li suddenly realized something painful:
Prince Rui probably slept alone for most of his life.
No one waiting for him. No one noticing his nightmares. No one calming him when war memories returned.
Only silence.
The thought hurt.
Then softly- almost unconsciously-
Shen Li reached toward him.
Her fingers brushed gently through his hair near his forehead.
Prince Rui immediately moved closer in his sleep.
Instinctively.
As though unconsciously seeking warmth.
Shen Li froze softly afterward.
Because now he rested partially against her shoulder beneath the blankets, breathing warm against the fabric near her collarbone.
Too close.
Far too close.
Yet somehow- she did not want to move away.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous woman.
Then suddenly Prince Rui murmured something quietly in his sleep.
Shen Li blinked softly.
"...Your Highness?"
Another faint murmur followed.
Barely audible.
Yet enough.
Enough to make her chest tighten painfully.
Because he whispered her name.
Even asleep.
Even dreaming.
Prince Rui still searched for her.
Shen Li lowered her gaze slowly toward him afterward.
And somewhere deep inside-
the last fragile walls around her heart finally began collapsing completely.
-
The next morning, Shen Li woke first.
Soft winter light filtered quietly through the curtains while snowfall drifted gently beyond the windows again.
Prince Rui still slept beside her.
One arm remained around her waist beneath the blankets.
Protective even unconscious.
Shen Li tried moving carefully without waking him.
Mistake.
The moment she shifted slightly-
Prince Rui tightened his hold immediately.
Then buried his face faintly closer against her shoulder.
Still half asleep.
Shen Li stopped breathing for one dangerous second.
Because this terrifying prince- this war god feared across kingdoms-
currently behaved like someone unwilling to release warmth in winter.
Impossible man.
Then Prince Rui slowly opened his eyes.
The moment he realized Shen Li remained in his arms-
his expression softened completely.
No embarrassment. No awkwardness.
Only quiet satisfaction.
"...Morning."
His voice still rough from sleep nearly destroyed her composure instantly.
Shen Li lowered her gaze slightly. "Your Highness should release this daughter first."
Prince Rui looked entirely unconvinced. "This prince's injuries still hurt."
Silence.
Shen Li stared at him.
Prince Rui stared back calmly.
The shamelessness nearly made her laugh.
"...Your Highness is pretending."
"No."
"You are."
Prince Rui actually looked thoughtful afterward.
"Perhaps slightly."
Dangerous man.
Then suddenly- before Shen Li recovered-
Prince Rui pressed a slow kiss against her forehead.
Soft. Warm. Completely natural now.
The atmosphere melted instantly.
Shen Li's heartbeat softened painfully.
Because somehow- morning affection from Prince Rui felt even more dangerous than late-night intimacy.
Then Prince Rui finally released her reluctantly beneath the blankets.
Only to immediately catch her hand again afterward.
Possessive habit now.
Shen Li noticed too.
And unfortunately-
instead of discomfort, warmth spread through her chest.
Very dangerous.
-
Outside the chamber, the estate servants had already begun noticing another terrifying change.
Prince Rui smiled now.
Rarely. Briefly. Usually only around Shen Li.
But still.
The silver wolf guards remained emotionally unstable about it.
One guard whispered near the courtyard: "His Highness actually told the kitchen to make sweeter breakfast dishes this morning."
Another looked horrified. "For Princess Consort?"
"...For himself."
Silence.
Then: "Our prince is beyond saving."
Meanwhile Steward Zhou quietly watched servants preparing breakfast trays with increasing emotional exhaustion.
Because recently:
Prince Rui returned earlier from court,
ate meals regularly,
rested more,
and stopped terrifying the estate daily.
All because Princess Rui existed nearby.
Amazing.
Absolutely terrifyingly amazing.
-
Unfortunately, peace never lasted long.
Just after breakfast, another palace messenger arrived beneath heavy snowfall.
This time- the Emperor requested Prince Rui's presence immediately regarding military matters.
Prince Rui's expression cooled faintly reading the decree.
Shen Li noticed immediately. "Something serious?"
"The northern border."
His answer came quietly.
Shen Li's chest tightened unexpectedly.
War matters again.
Prince Rui looked toward her instantly afterward.
And somehow- his expression softened before she even spoke.
Then slowly:
"This prince will return before evening."
Again.
Promises of return.
As though he understood she would wait now.
Shen Li lowered her gaze slightly. "...Your Highness should recover properly before handling military matters."
Prince Rui stepped closer naturally.
Then brushed one loose strand of hair behind her ear carefully.
The servants nearby instantly looked away for survival purposes.
Prince Rui's voice lowered softly:
"This prince recovers faster when you worry."
The shameless answer nearly destroyed her composure again.
Then suddenly- before leaving-
Prince Rui paused.
And looked at her for one dangerous second too long.
His gaze darkened softly afterward.
Then quietly- almost like confession-
he admitted:
"This prince dislikes leaving you alone lately."