Chapter LXVIII - Before Departure
The days before Prince Rui's departure passed far too quickly.
Every hour felt precious now.
Dangerously precious.
The entire estate understood it too.
Servants moved quieter. Guards became more protective. Even the plum blossom courtyard seemed softer somehow beneath endless winter snow.
Because everyone knew: Prince Rui would leave soon.
And no one wanted disturbing the fragile warmth between him and Princess Rui beforehand.
—
Meanwhile, Prince Rui himself had become impossible.
Truly impossible.
Because after deciding Shen Li would accompany northern military relief operations later—
he somehow became even more attached instead of reassured.
For example:
If Shen Li disappeared from sight longer than ten minutes— Prince Rui noticed.
Immediately.
If she skipped even half a meal during preparation work— Prince Rui personally carried food into the study.
And worst of all—
he had started memorizing her daily schedule.
Dangerous man.
Very dangerous man.
That afternoon, Shen Li sat organizing winter medicine records while Qingyu looked increasingly emotionally exhausted nearby.
"His Highness asked three times whether Princess Consort drank enough tea today."
Shen Li almost smiled faintly. "Your Highness worries excessively lately."
Before Qingyu answered—
another voice entered calmly behind them.
"Because Princess Rui exhausts herself excessively lately."
Shen Li turned instantly.
Prince Rui stood near the doorway still wearing military training robes, snow dusting faintly across dark shoulders.
And the moment he saw her properly—
the coldness around him softened again.
Always instantly.
Dangerous man.
Prince Rui walked directly toward her afterward.
Then naturally lifted the medicine ledger from her hands.
"You've worked enough today."
Shen Li looked helpless already. "Your Highness leaves for war in days."
"Which means Princess Rui should rest more before traveling."
The possessive concern inside the statement warmed her chest painfully.
Meanwhile Qingyu quietly escaped for survival purposes.
Wise woman.
—
Once alone, Prince Rui sat beside Shen Li beneath warm lantern light while snow drifted softly outside the windows.
The silence between them felt comfortable now.
Intimate.
Then suddenly Prince Rui spoke quietly:
"This prince dreamed about battlefields again last night."
Shen Li immediately looked toward him fully.
Because since his injury— the nightmares had become more noticeable.
Prince Rui's gaze lowered toward their intertwined fingers. "This prince dreamed returning home too late."
The words settled heavily between them.
Shen Li's chest tightened softly.
Then she moved closer beside him naturally.
Close enough that their shoulders touched afterward.
Prince Rui relaxed immediately from the contact.
Dangerous habit.
Then quietly Shen Li asked:
"What happened in the dream?"
Prince Rui remained silent briefly.
Then honestly:
"The palace harmed you while this prince remained at war."
The room cooled instantly.
Because beneath all Prince Rui's possessiveness—
this was the real fear.
Not jealousy. Not control.
Failure.
The possibility of failing to protect her.
Shen Li reached up softly afterward.
And brushed gentle fingers along the scar near his jaw.
Prince Rui immediately leaned slightly into the touch unconsciously.
Then softly she whispered:
"This daughter isn't so easy to harm anymore."
Prince Rui looked at her quietly.
Then:
"No."
"Now Princess Rui is dangerous too."
The answer almost made her laugh softly.
Almost.
Instead, Shen Li leaned forward slightly.
And pressed a gentle kiss against his forehead.
Warm. Tender. Comforting.
Prince Rui froze instantly.
Because no matter how often Shen Li initiated affection lately— it still affected him too deeply every time.
Then softly she murmured:
"This daughter will wait for Your Highness carefully."
"So Your Highness should stop frightening himself with nightmares."
The tenderness inside her voice nearly shattered him.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous woman.
Then Prince Rui suddenly wrapped one arm tightly around her waist.
And pulled her directly into his lap.
Shen Li gasped softly. "Your Highness!"
Prince Rui buried his face briefly near her shoulder afterward.
Warm breath. Strong arms. Dangerously attached.
Then quietly— with frightening honesty—
he admitted:
"This prince suddenly understands why generals lose wars."
Shen Li blinked softly. "...What?"
Prince Rui lifted his head slightly afterward.
And looked at her with devastating sincerity.
"Because leaving someone behind becomes unbearable."
The confession hurt her chest painfully.
Because Prince Rui— who once walked toward battlefields without hesitation— now looked reluctant to leave warmth behind at all.
Then Shen Li wrapped both arms gently around his neck.
And softly answered:
"Then return quickly."
"This daughter will still be here."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Prince Rui stared at her afterward like someone memorizing sunlight before winter.
Then slowly— very slowly—
he kissed her again.
Deeply. Carefully. Like promise instead of desperation this time.
And somewhere beyond the warm chamber—
the palace prepared its next move against them already.