The wind softened.
The drifting petals slowed, as if even the world had quieted for this moment.
Yu Shayue stood beneath the peach tree, unmoving.
For a long moment—
No one spoke.
Then—
Mei Yi stepped forward suddenly.
Her usual clumsy energy was gone.
Her eyes were slightly red.
"Your Highness…"
Her voice trembled despite her effort to steady it.
"…you're really leaving."
Shayue did not answer immediately.
Behind her, Ying lowered her gaze, her hands tightening slightly at her sides.
"…We will go with you," Ying said quietly.
Not a question
A decision
Mei Yi nodded quickly, stepping closer.
"Yes! Wherever you go, we go too!"
A pause
"For as long as I live," Ying continued, her voice calm yet firm,
"I will stand by Your Highness."
Mei Yi sniffed lightly before adding—
"Even if it's the Lin Empire… even if it's dangerous… I won't leave you!"
Silence fell.
Shayue slowly turned to face them.
For a brief moment—
Something softened in her eyes.
Something only they were allowed to see.
"You both…"
Her voice was quiet.
"…are foolish."
Mei Yi froze.
"…Huh?"
Ying lifted her gaze slightly.
Shayue stepped closer.
"The path ahead is not simple," She said calmly.
"It will not be kind."
Her gaze rested on them—steady, searching.
"You may not be able to turn back."
A pause
Mei Yi clenched her fists.
"I don't want to turn back!"
Her voice shook—but did not break.
"I've already decided!"
Ying stepped forward beside her.
"We made that decision long ago."
Silence
The wind stirred again.
Petals drifted between them.
Slowly—
Ying knelt.
Mei Yi followed immediately.
They lowered their heads.
"In this life," Ying said softly,
"We will follow You Highness."
"Through life or death!" Mei Yi added quickly.
A brief pause
"…Through honor or ruin," Ying continued.
Mei Yi nodded, voice trembling but determined—
"Through happiness… or suffering."
Together—
They spoke.
"We will never leave your side."
Silence.
The petals fell.
Soft. Endless.
Shayue looked at them.
Truly looked.
Then—
Slowly—
She extended her hand.
"Then stand."
They lifted their heads, surprised.
Shayue's voice was calm—yet carried something deeper.
"If you walk this path with me…"
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"Then do not kneel."
A faint pause
"We stand together."
Ying's eyes widened slightly.
Mei Yi blinked rapidly, holding back tears.
"…Yes, Your Highness."
They rose.
Three figures stood beneath the falling
petals—
Not bound by rank.
Not by duty alone.
But by something far stronger.
A promise.
Unspoken—
Yet unbreakable.
"Where you stand—we stand.
Where you fall—we rise.
And no force in this world will tear us apart."
"Then let this world stand against us—
We will still stand together."
To Be Continued...