The whispers came again.
But this time—
They were louder.
Sharper.
Crueler.
—
"Did you see them?"
"Lord Gu and Miss Zhao…"
"They look perfect together."
—
"And the princess?"
—
"…She doesn't belong there."
—
The words reached her.
Of course they did.
—
Xueying kept walking.
—
But each step felt heavier.
—
Because this time—
It wasn't just them.
—
It was him too.
—
—
Later that evening—
She stood alone in the corridor.
Again.
—
The same place.
The same silence.
—
"Xueying."
—
She didn't turn immediately.
—
"…You came."
—
Yichen stepped closer.
—
"You left early."
—
"Yes."
—
"Why?"
—
She let out a quiet breath.
—
"Do you really need to ask?"
—
Silence.
—
"I saw you," she continued.
—
His expression shifted slightly.
—
"And?" he asked.
—
"And nothing."
—
Her voice was too calm.
Too controlled.
—
"That's not nothing."
—
She turned then.
—
Finally.
—
"You didn't move away."
—
The words were simple.
—
But they carried everything.
—
Yichen held her gaze.
—
"It would have caused attention."
—
A pause.
—
"And this didn't?"
—
Silence.
—
Because there was no good answer.
—
"You're overthinking it," he said.
—
Her lips parted slightly.
—
"Am I?"
—
"Yes."
—
The word came too quickly.
Too easily.
—
And that—
Hurt more than anything else.
—
Because he didn't see it.
—
Or he chose not to.
—
"…I see," she said softly.
—
And this time—
She didn't argue.
—
Didn't explain.
—
Didn't stay.
—
She walked away.
—
And for the first time—
He didn't follow.
—