The palace had changed.
Not in structure.
Not in power.
But in something harder to see—
Balance.
—
The whispers hadn't stopped.
They had only shifted.
"…She turned it around."
"I didn't expect that from her…"
"Princess Xueying… she's not simple."
—
For the first time—
They were watching her differently.
—
Xueying stood by the lotus pond again.
The same place.
The same water.
But this time—
She wasn't the one drowning.
—
"You shouldn't come here alone."
She didn't turn.
"…You always say that."
Gu Yichen stepped beside her.
Closer than before.
More familiar.
—
"And you never listen."
A small silence followed.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
Not anymore.
—
"…You didn't come to stop me this time," she said.
"No."
"Why?"
Yichen looked at her.
"…Because I don't think you need saving anymore."
Her fingers stilled slightly.
—
"That's a dangerous thought," she said quietly.
"It is."
"Then why think it?"
A pause.
Then—
"Because I trust you."
—
The words landed softly.
But deeply.
—
Xueying looked away, her heartbeat betraying her calm.
"…You shouldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because I might disappoint you."
The honesty slipped out.
Unexpected.
—
Yichen didn't hesitate.
"I don't think you will."
—
Silence again.
But this time—
It lingered.
Warmer.
Closer.
—
"Why?" she asked softly.
His gaze didn't waver.
"…Because I've been watching you."
Her breath caught slightly.
"And?"
"And you don't break."
—
Something in her chest tightened.
Not from pain.
From something else.
—
"Not anymore," she whispered.
—