The four of them returned to the Silver Lantern Inn as the evening lanterns began to glow along the streets. Kael and Lin Wang had already stored the day's purchases safely in their rooms. Little Lila greeted them with a bright smile and led them straight to the same corner table, serving hot bowls of stew, fresh bread, and roasted vegetables with the careful politeness of a child who took her duties seriously.
They sat together, chatting easily while they ate. Luo Feng spoke of the blacksmith's promise, Miya showed off her new hairpin again, and the boys teased each other about how heavy the return cart would be. The mood was warm and light, the kind of easy talk that comes after a long, successful day.
When the bowls were nearly empty, Luo Feng looked at Kael and Lin Wang. "I don't know exactly how many strong young men we have back in the village," he said calmly, "but I want you two to go to the blacksmith tomorrow and buy a full set of armor, a sword, and a spare for each of you. The village guards should have proper protection too. We'll take everything home together."
Kael paused mid-bite, eyes wide. "But… that will be expensive. Even for just the two of us guarding the gates—"
Lin Wang nodded in agreement, looking worried. "The armor and blades the dwarf will make… they'll cost more gold than our whole village has ever seen."
Luo Feng smiled his gentle, steady smile. "The gold we earned today is more than enough. The village will never be helpless again. Buy them. It is my gift to Eden."
The two young men stared at him for a long moment, then bowed their heads in deep gratitude. "We understand," Kael said quietly. "Thank you, Luo Feng. We'll go first thing in the morning."
With the matter settled, they finished their meal, thanked little Lila and her mother, and went upstairs. Kael and Lin Wang took their room at the end of the hall. Luo Feng and Miya entered theirs and closed the door softly behind them.
The moment the latch clicked, the world outside faded away. Miya turned to Luo Feng, her cheeks already flushed. She stepped close, rose on her toes, and kissed him—slow, deep, full of the love that had grown across months of travel. Luo Feng wrapped his arms around her, lifting her gently as their kiss deepened.
They undressed each other without hurry, clothes falling softly to the floor until nothing remained between them. Skin met skin in the warm lantern light. Miya's breath caught as Luo Feng laid her down on the bed, his hands gentle yet sure, tracing the curves he had come to cherish. She whispered his name like a prayer, pulling him closer, legs wrapping around him as they became one—slow at first, then with growing heat and rhythm, the quiet sounds of their love filling the small room.
They moved together as husband and wife in all but name, lost in each other, the long journey and the capital's noise forgotten. When the peak finally washed over them, Miya clung to him, trembling, and Luo Feng held her tight, burying his face in her neck.
Afterward they lay tangled together, skin still warm and damp, breathing slow and content. No clothes, no barriers—just the two of them under the thin blanket, hearts beating in time. Miya rested her head on his chest, fingers tracing lazy circles over his skin. Luo Feng kissed her forehead, one hand stroking her long black hair.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," he answered, voice low and steady. "Sleep now, my heart. Tomorrow we finish our business and start the long road home… together."
They drifted off like that—naked, wrapped in each other's arms, the silver lotus hairpin resting safely on the bedside table. In the next room, Kael and Lin Wang were already snoring softly.