Chapter L - For the Rest of Our Lives
Prince Rui stopped breathing for one dangerous second.
The warmth of the chamber, the snowfall outside, the quiet intimacy beneath shared blankets—
everything disappeared after Shen Li’s whisper.
“Then this daughter will say it for the rest of our lives.”
His arms around her tightened instinctively.
Not painfully.
Just enough to reveal exactly how deeply those words struck him.
Because no one had ever promised Prince Rui forever before.
People promised loyalty. Victory. Duty.
Never warmth. Never peace. Never a lifetime beside him willingly.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous woman.
Shen Li felt the subtle tremor pass through him before Prince Rui lowered his face slowly against her hair.
And for one long moment—
he simply held her silently.
As though trying to believe she truly meant it.
Then quietly— so quietly—
he asked:
“…Do you know what you’re promising this prince?”
The question carried no teasing now.
Only frightening sincerity.
Shen Li’s heartbeat softened painfully.
Because she understood.
Prince Rui did not love halfway. Did not protect halfway. Did not survive halfway.
If he gave his heart—
he would give it completely.
And once given, he would never take it back.
Shen Li lifted her gaze toward him beneath dim lantern light.
Then honestly:
“Yes.”
Silence.
Prince Rui stared at her.
Then suddenly— before she could breathe properly again—
he kissed her.
Not restrained this time.
Not patient.
The kiss carried something deeper:
relief,
longing,
gratitude,
fear,
and terrifying devotion all tangled together.
Shen Li’s fingers tightened instinctively against his robes as Prince Rui held her impossibly close beneath warm blankets.
Every trace of restraint between them had become dangerously thin lately.
And tonight—
Shen Li finally understood why.
Because Prince Rui loved like someone starved too long.
Every touch from her affected him too deeply. Every word stayed too long inside his chest.
Dangerous man.
When the kiss finally softened, Prince Rui rested his forehead lightly against hers again.
Breathing uneven now.
Then very quietly— almost like confession against her lips—
he admitted:
“This prince truly cannot let you go anymore.”
The words should have frightened her.
Instead—
warmth spread through her chest so strongly it almost hurt.
Because somehow—
she did not want him to let go either.
—
The next morning arrived peacefully for once.
No assassins. No palace summons. No military alarms.
Only soft snowfall and quiet warmth inside the plum blossom courtyard.
Prince Rui still slept beside her when Shen Li woke.
And once again— he held her tightly enough that escaping the blankets became nearly impossible.
Shen Li almost smiled faintly.
Then suddenly noticed something else.
Prince Rui looked younger while sleeping.
Not in appearance.
In expression.
The constant coldness usually surrounding him faded completely in rest now.
As though sleep beside her finally allowed him peace.
The realization touched her chest painfully.
Then softly— without thinking—
Shen Li brushed gentle fingers through his hair again.
Prince Rui immediately woke.
Too fast.
War instinct.
Yet the moment his eyes focused on her—
all tension disappeared instantly.
“…Morning.”
His voice rough from sleep remained unfairly dangerous.
Shen Li lowered her gaze slightly. “Did this daughter wake Your Highness?”
Prince Rui looked entirely unconcerned. “This prince prefers waking because of you.”
Dangerous man.
Always saying things impossible to answer properly.
Then suddenly Prince Rui frowned faintly. “You slept poorly.”
Shen Li blinked softly. “…What?”
“You turned three times after midnight.”
Silence.
How could he possibly notice that?
Prince Rui looked faintly smug afterward.
Which somehow made it worse.
Shen Li sighed helplessly. “Your Highness truly watches everything.”
“Yes.”
The answer came immediately.
No embarrassment whatsoever.
Then Prince Rui reached up slowly and tucked loose hair behind her ear again.
Habit now.
Natural habit.
His voice lowered afterward.
“You were thinking about war.”
Shen Li stilled slightly.
Because again— he was right.
She looked toward the snow outside quietly. “…This daughter dislikes the idea of Your Highness leaving.”
Prince Rui watched her silently.
Then unexpectedly— he sat up despite the injuries.
Shen Li frowned immediately. “Your shoulder—”
“It’s better.”
“That is not permission to ignore recovery.”
Prince Rui almost smiled faintly hearing the familiar scolding tone.
Then he reached toward her slowly.
And intertwined their fingers together naturally.
Warm. Steady. Comforting.
His gaze remained fixed on her quietly afterward.
“This prince will return.”
The certainty inside his voice should not have affected her so deeply.
Yet somehow—
Shen Li believed him instinctively.
Dangerous trust.
Then Prince Rui lifted their joined hands slightly.
And very softly— with terrifying sincerity—
he said:
“Because now someone waits for this prince.”
“How could I not come home?”