The palace was brighter than usual.
Preparations had begun.
Silks, decorations, whispers of celebration—
All for a marriage that hadn't even happened yet.
—
But for Xueying—
Everything felt… distant.
—
"You should be smiling more."
She turned slightly.
A noble lady stood nearby, watching her.
"You're getting married to Lord Gu," she added.
"Most girls would envy you."
—
Xueying forced a small smile.
"…I see."
—
But when she walked away—
The smile faded immediately.
—
Because something felt off.
—
Not with the marriage.
Not with the palace.
—
With him.
—
—
That evening—
She found him in the training courtyard.
Gu Yichen stood with a sword in hand, his movements sharp, controlled.
Precise.
—
He didn't notice her at first.
—
Or maybe—
He did.
—
"You've been avoiding me," she said quietly.
—
The sword stilled.
—
"…I haven't."
—
"You have."
—
Silence.
—
Yichen lowered the blade slowly.
Turning to face her.
—
"I've been busy."
—
"With what?"
—
A pause.
Just a second too long.
—
"…Preparations."
—
The answer felt—
Empty.
—
Xueying studied him.
Carefully.
—
"You used to come to me," she said.
—
His expression shifted slightly.
—
"That was before."
—
The same words he had used on Meilin.
—
But this time—
They hurt.
—
"Before what?" she asked softly.
—
"…Before things became complicated."
—
Her chest tightened.
—
"Am I… the complication?"
—
Silence.
—
Yichen didn't answer.
—
And that—
Was answer enough.
—