Hua Cheng stepped quietly into the dimly lit room, his gaze softening as he saw Xie Lian, fast asleep, nestled among a pile of blankets. Xie Lian’s face was serene, his usual worries absent, leaving only a peaceful calm. Hua Cheng let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, almost in awe.

Moving closer, he knelt beside the bed, brushing a gentle hand across Xie Lian’s hair, careful not to wake him. His heart swelled, as if every unspoken word and unfulfilled vow rested in this one quiet moment. “Your Highness,” he murmured softly, almost to himself. “For you, I would wait a thousand lifetimes more.”

Just as he was about to pull back, Xie Lian stirred, his eyes fluttering open to meet Hua Cheng’s unwavering gaze. A warm smile spread across Xie Lian’s face, and Hua Cheng couldn’t help but smile back, the silent understanding between them needing no words.