The chamber was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, the princess standing by the window, her gaze distant as the weight of palace life pressed down on her. The hum of the court outside felt like an endless echo, each whisper of gossip or political maneuvering a reminder of the chains she couldn’t escape.

黑龙轩 (Hēi Lóng Xuān) sat in the corner, his posture as poised as ever, watching her with his deep, calculating eyes. His human form seemed at odds with his dragon essence, elegant yet calm. He was used to her frustrations—he’d seen her tired, seen her lost in thought—but tonight, something felt different. The air between them crackled with a strange tension, as if something was about to shift.

With a sigh, the princess turned, her eyes meeting his for the first time in what felt like hours. She opened her hand towards him, palm facing up, in a gesture so casual it almost felt like an invitation. Her lips barely moved as she spoke, "Well?"

黑龙轩 froze. His usual cool demeanor faltered for just a moment. He stared at her hand, then up at her face, and something in his expression softened. A flicker of hesitation passed across his features.

For a moment, he didn’t know how to react. His mind raced, trying to reconcile the challenge with the softness in her eyes. He had faced battlefields, enemies, and even the weight of his own pride—but this? This was new.

Then, with a sudden, almost comical shift, he dropped his chin onto her hand. It was clumsy, but the movement was deliberate. His dark hair fell messily around his face as he tilted his head, looking up at her with wide, almost innocent eyes. His posture was no longer that of an imposing dragon, but more like a large, confused creature trying to understand what was being asked of him.

The princess blinked, caught off guard by his unexpected reaction. 黑龙轩 remained there, his chin resting on her hand, his eyes big and round like a child unsure of what to do next.