He let out a warm, affectionate chuckle. "Her stitching was always crooked, but every single child in the territory treasured those little toys more than gold."
Wang gently turned the tiny cloth rabbit over in his hands, his thumb brushing over the soft, uneven fabric. The stitching truly was charmingly crooked, and one of the long rabbit ears was noticeably longer than the other.
For the very first time on that long, exhausting day...
A deeply warm, genuine smile appeared across Wang's handsome face, chasing away all lingering traces of fatigue.
"Keep this safe," Wang said softly, handing the delicate cloth rabbit back to Captain Bren with great care. "If one of the palace attendants or scouts comes looking for it near the border... we will see that it is returned to them."
Wei Xiang looked toward the distant, grand silhouette of the Supreme Citadel once more, a quiet, lingering smile resting on his lips. "She is going to be a truly wonderful mother to those children."
