Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows that fell on Hanabi's slightly lowered eyelashes.
She gazed at her sister's anxiously furrowed brows, unconsciously clutching her skirt, her eyes quickly avoiding her sister's gaze.
The embarrassment of having her thoughts exposed made the tips of her ears subtly flush red, and her cheeks also felt slightly warm.
But this embarrassment lasted only a moment. She quickly composed herself, replacing the panic in her eyes with a docile expression.
She gently took Hinata's cool hand, and with her other hand, lightly patted her hand, as if comforting her, or perhaps masking her own discomfort.
"Sister, I know you mean well, I understand everything. I've really thought it through. Going to Immortal Village is purely for training, so I can help the clan in the future. All those silly things I said last night were just jokes, please don't take them to heart."
Although her words were earnest, her other hand, hanging by her side, was secretly clenched into a fist, and a hint of unconcealed triumph lurked deep in her eyes.
As long as she could go to Immortal Village, as long as she could narrow the age gap with Shun-sama, one day, she too could marry him, and then she could stay by her sister's side.
This hidden obsession, like a seed, had long taken root in her heart.
Hinata stared intently at her sister. How could she miss that familiar stubbornness in her eyes?
That was the look Hanabi had since childhood. Once she set her mind on something, she would never turn back, even if she hit a wall.
The moment she saw that look, Hinata's heart felt as if it had been doused with ice water, instantly chilling by half, and even her breathing hitched for a moment.
Now that Hiashi had personally agreed, and Hanabi was so disingenuously hiding her true intentions, there was nothing she could do to stop her within the clan.
A feeling of disappointment coiled around her heart, making it almost impossible to breathe.
Just then, a name abruptly sprang into her mind—Shun.
Besides him, perhaps no one else could persuade Hanabi or change any of this.
Thinking this, Hinata's clenched hands slowly relaxed, and a new hope rekindled in her eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace's council hall, sandalwood incense wafted, dispelling the chill of the morning dew.
Maids, dressed in uniform plain palace attire, came and went with tea sets or documents, their steps extremely light, their breathing deliberately slowed. In the vast hall of the Royal Palace, only the faint sound of brush on paper remained.
Shun sat at his desk, holding a golden betrothal gift list, his gaze slowly scanning each item.
There was an ice bracelet found from the far north, its color translucent like moonlight.
Exquisite cloud brocade offered as tribute from the Western Regions, embroidered with intertwining lotus patterns, shimmering delicately in the morning light.
...
Every single item was personally chosen and finalized by him.
Thinking of Hinata in a crimson wedding dress, adorned with these betrothal gifts, entering the Royal Palace, a carefree smile graced his lips, and the tenderness in his eyes nearly overflowed.
"Your Excellency, Hinata-sama requests an audience."
The attendant tiptoed into the hall, bowing to report, his voice perfectly modulated, fearing he might interrupt Shun's thoughts.
Upon hearing the name "Hinata," the tenderness in Shun's eyes flashed instantly.
He immediately put down the list, his palm gently tapping the desk, his eyes showing a hint of eagerness. "Invite her in quickly, don't let her wait outside any longer."
A few minutes later, Hinata hurried in, her skirt rustling softly across the polished white floor. Her brows were tightly furrowed, her eyes filled with anxiety, and even her usual gentle expression was replaced by urgency.
Shun's heart tightened and he quickly rose and walked to her side, gently stroking her furrowed brow.
"Hinata, what's wrong? Has something unexpected happened? Is it your father who refuses to agree to our marriage? Or should I send someone to 'persuade' him?"
As he spoke, a hint of imperceptible authority flashed in his eyes, as if as long as Hinata nodded, he would immediately send people to the Hyuga residence. Even if by force, he would gain his father-in-law's approval.
Then, he naturally took her hand, tightly enclosing her cool fingers in his palm, and covered it with his other hand, gradually warming her icy palm with his body temperature.
Enveloped by the warmth of his palm and feeling his unique, crisp, cool scent, the panic in Hinata's heart seemed to be soothed, gradually calming down a bit.
She clasped his hand back, with a hint of unconscious reliance, her voice even trembling slightly.
She recounted everything about Hanabi's insistence on going to Immortal Village for training, which was actually to shorten their age gap and marry him.
"Shun, quickly think of a solution. We really can't let her continue this nonsense. What if something happens to her in Immortal Village, or she goes down a dark path? What then?"
As she spoke, she unconsciously leaned closer to him, her shoulder gently touching his arm, instinctively seeking his protection.
After listening to Hinata's narration, a hint of surprise first flashed in Shun's eyes. He clearly hadn't expected his sister-in-law to actually set her sights on him.
His heart stirred subtly, and a triumphant smile formed on his lips.
Both sisters marrying him...
This would be an interesting matter.
In his triumph, a cackling laugh almost escaped his throat.
He quickly composed his expression, his fingers gently tapping the tabletop, producing a crisp sound.
"Oh? That little girl Hanabi actually has some nerve to set her sights on me."
Hinata couldn't discern his mood, making her even more anxious.
"Shun, do you have a way to resolve this matter?"
Shun looked at her worried expression, and his own face instantly became serious. He gently pinched her cheek, the touch feeling soft and delicate. "Hinata, don't worry, I have my own plan. But you also need to consider, if I were to directly refuse or forcefully prevent her from going to Immortal Village, with Hanabi's stubborn personality, she would definitely think you were behind it, and she might hate you for life, which would be counterproductive and ultimately harm your sisterly bond."
Upon hearing this, Hinata was at a loss.
Shun gently patted her hand and continued, "You know the time flow in Immortal Village, six years inside is only one year outside. Hanabi will be training there for several years, so you might as well go and live in Immortal Village with her. You still have several years to persuade her to change her mind, perhaps making her fully understand. After all, some paths, if not walked personally, will not be abandoned. And with you by her side, you can also look after her safety."
Upon hearing this, Hinata was about to nod in agreement, her heart filled with gratitude for his thoughtful consideration.
Unexpectedly, the next second, Shun suddenly leaned in, his hot breath washing over her, carrying his unique dominance. Before she could react, his warm lips pressed heavily upon hers.
This dominant kiss seemed to carry the urgency suppressed all night, twisting and grinding, his tongue gently prying open her teeth to intertwine with hers.
At this moment, every one of his actions was filled with love and desire.
He reached out and pulled her tightly into his embrace, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist, making her whole body press against his chest.
Hinata could clearly feel his heart accelerating.
His other hand gently patted her back, as if to make her let down all her guard.
Hinata instantly went soft all over, all her words caught in her throat. Her breathing became rapid, and her cheeks flushed crimson.
Her hands unconsciously clung to his chest, feeling the vibration of his ribcage. Her heart trembled slightly, and even her body couldn't help but shiver gently.
Shun then scooped her up in his arms, his arms steadily supporting her knees and back. He looked down at his beloved in his arms, whose heart was racing and eyes were shimmering, the tenderness and fervor intertwined in his gaze, his expression growing increasingly ambiguous.
"Last night, I originally wanted to quietly come find you, but then I saw Hanabi, refusing to leave your room, so I had to endure it all night."
He feigned a deliberate hint of grievance, lowering his head to plant a series of soft kisses on her lips, from her lips to her chin, then to her neck. Each kiss carried a scorching temperature, gently tickling her skin like feathers.
"Hinata, this fire in me has been suppressed all night. How do you think I should punish you?"
Hinata was numb from his kisses, her heart racing even more uncontrollably, even the roots of her ears were flushed with a delicate red, and she looked at him with hazy eyes.
Feeling his quickening heartbeat, her shyness and affection intertwined. All the anxiety and worry she had felt moments ago were greatly diluted by this overwhelming love.
She lowered her head slightly, avoiding his overly fervent gaze, and whispered with a flushed face, "Shun... no... it's still... morning. This is the council hall, what if someone comes in?"
Shun looked down at her flushed, warming face, the smile in his eyes deepening.
He lowered his head to kiss her lips again, his tone carrying an undeniable dominance. "It'll be fine."
With that, he carried her step by step towards the inner chamber.
A little later, sounds of tenderness and ambiguity emanated.