— It was very bold of Mr. Xiao Feng to dare to do something like that.

  — Yes, how dare he demand something in such a situation? Absurd!

  — Is the young lady alright..?

  — Why wouldn’t she be? There’s no reason for her to be bothered by something like that. But the madam...

  — She’ll be fine, won’t she? Mr. Undric seemed more upset today than when it actually happened.

  — Who wouldn’t be after such an affront?

  Ting gazed at the sky, trying to ignore the whispers, failing again and again. Few pale clouds drifted across the sky, scattered through the vastness of stars. Blue and ethereal, the moon’s glow illuminated everything it touched, like a lamp moving steadily across the heavens. But it wasn’t as interesting as that conversation. The silence they were immersed in also didn’t help her stay away from it. She felt a new weight on her shoulder. She looked and saw a fallen leaf on the top of Noah’s head, which she promptly removed.

  — Aren’t you going to eat your dessert? — he reminded her.

  — Oh, yes. — she took the cake from her spatial bag; these were the last pieces. She picked up hers and was about to put the rest away — Do you want some? — she decided to ask.

  — No, I— the silence that fell when Noah let his head rest fully on her shoulder was strange, almost suffocating — Personally, I don't really like sweets. — he revealed with a bitter smile — I don’t have good memories from when I used to eat them.

  — You don’t like them... just like Aunt Ling. — she muttered, then stowed the rest away.

  — But if you want me to eat a piece, I will.

  — If you don’t like it, there’s no reason to force yourself.

  — Alright, so is there anything you also dislike eating?

  Something I don’t like...

  Ting swallowed the piece in her mouth. She licked her lips, trying to remove any crumbs or syrup left. She felt that if she didn’t, Noah would. The thought made her nervous.

  — I don’t think so.

  — Of course. — Noah smiled.

  — What do you mean by that? I just don’t know, okay? There must be something; I just haven’t tried it yet.

  — Alright, alright. I’m not making fun of you, I just thought it was cute.

  Cute...?

  Small lines appeared between her eyebrows. Ting didn’t really believe those words.

  She swallowed the last piece, then took a pitcher of water from her spatial bag.

  — It looks like it won’t be easy to figure out your tastes. — she said as she poured water beside her to wash her fingers. She moved her hand when finished, shaking off the excess water, and put the jar away — What exactly do you consider to be “cute”?

  — In short? I think you are.

  Noah straightened as he heard her chest jump at a different rhythm, only to find her standing still, looking at him.

  He brought his hand to her face and removed the small crumb that Ting had missed. He ate it. And then the urge to vomit came with a wave of nausea. He held back.

  Shifting position, he lay down in her lap.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Ting’s eyes followed each of his actions, but she said nothing. She seemed lost in thought, processing something she felt wasn’t quite right.

  She smiled suddenly, as if coming to a difficult understanding. The conclusion didn’t seem very positive.

  — Funny. Even though you don’t like sweets, you say that too often, don’t you think? — she said, running her clean hand through his hair. Her distant gaze wandered with the relentless wind.

  — And you, what do you consider “embarrassing” and “out of bounds,” exactly?

  She pondered for a while.

  — Excessive touching in public and, out of bounds..., anything far beyond hugs.

  — In public?

  Their eyes met, but she didn’t answer.

  He already understood, so why is he asking again? She looked away. Doesn’t he notice that this is also embarrassing?

  Ting resumed caressing and leaned against the trunk to observe their surroundings. Without her noticing, the whispers had completely ceased. She was curious, wanting to know the rest of the story. However, she wouldn’t dare ask anyone else about it.

  Her eyes wandered aimlessly with hesitant movements, finally stopping on Noah. She tapped his head three times to get his attention.

  — Is that some habit you have?

  Despite her hesitation, she repeated the gesture.

  — I can stop if you like. — she said, ceasing both the tapping and the caresses.

  — I wasn’t complaining. — the caresses returned. Noah sighed — So, what do you want to say?

  Looking away, she muttered so quietly most wouldn’t hear her words.

  He smiled, watching the distant expression she held, trying to appear less interested.

  — Seriously? — she didn't reply — Well, maybe I overheard some things this afternoon...

  Her head turned. Their eyes met. And, feeling deceived, Ting tightened her fist slightly. It was the fist entwined in Noah’s hair.

  Her eyebrows rose immediately and her face paled a bit.

  — S-Sorry.

  It hadn’t hurt at all. Yet Noah felt something else when he noticed the faint tremors spreading through her fingers. They were like tiny needles piercing his chest.

  He closed his eyes.

  — Do you want me to tell you what I heard?

  Ting nodded.

  She closed her fist, making the tremors cease. She hesitated as she reached out, but didn’t pull away. Carefully, she resumed caressing him.

  — Fine, but what will you give me if I tell you?

  — What...? — she frowned and considered for a moment. She looked away — The thing you were going to ask for earlier.

  If it’s just a hug... she thought.

  Noah straightened and then turned to her. He observed her, analyzing her face and stopping at her red lips. He sat beside her and motioned for her to sit in his lap.

  Ting sighed in relief.

  His arms enveloped her with gentle firmness. Touches gliding over her stomach sent tiny shivers through her. Noah’s face rested against her back, letting her feel his warm breath through her clothes.

  — Apparently, someone tried to kill Undric’s daughter a few days ago. This Xiao Feng the servants spoke of is the father of that person. — he revealed.

  So, even before we arrived here, it seems this place wasn’t very peaceful...

  — Why did that happen? Do you know?

  Shaking his head, he denied it.

  — I don’t think anyone knows. At least, I didn’t hear anyone say anything about it. What I do know is that after Xiao Feng came, Mir— Lady Mirabel fainted because she was so nervous.

  — Mirabel... That man’s wife? — Noah confirmed — Aren’t you worried? Their daughter must be very upset about this situation.

  — Isadora? No... I don’t think so. Why would I be? — a question that haunted him.

  — You saved her before, didn’t you?

  — Oh, that? No, that was... just a coincidence... — he wasn’t sure; his memories seemed intact, but revisiting them felt strange. Like walking in thick, cold fog, making it hard to see your next step — No need to get jealous over something like that. — he joked, laughing, as he distanced himself from those thoughts that just didn’t seem right.

  — If you say so...

  Ting sighed. Something slid along her back and stopped on her shoulder.

  But it seems your heart thinks differently.

  Letting herself relax, she rested against Noah’s chest. His heartbeat was calm now, steady. So different from just before, when the names Mirabel and Isadora came up.

  What makes it all stranger is that it seems he really doesn’t notice it... Or is he just pretending?

  — Shall we go inside now?

  — Really? Now that being outside got fun?

  Ting rolled her eyes. She could feel his fingers sliding over her belly and his hot breath blowing near her ears. But more than that, she heard footsteps slowly approaching nearby.

  — ...You can keep doing that inside.

  — Alright. But for someone who said my tastes are hard to understand, you’re handling this pretty well, aren’t you?

  Ting straightened at the slightest feeling of freedom. She looked to the side, catching sight of the guards approaching from afar, turning the corner.

  They looked toward Noah and Ting and stopped. They didn’t know their names, but had already heard some rumors about the man sitting under the tree. God or madman, maybe a bit exaggerated. Neither wanted to test it. They glanced at each other. It didn’t take long for them to change their route.

  — Looks like you’re not too popular here.

  Shrugging, he extended his hand. Asking for help to stand up.

  — I think that’s good. That way, I can have a little peace.

  Hand in hand, they returned to their room.

  Or solitude... Ting lay beside him. She turned her head so she could look him in the eyes. And, if everything he does and says is genuine, it doesn’t seem that Noah wants to be alone.