The words spilled out faster than he meant. Too sharp. Too much. And the moment he said them, he knew he pushed too far. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to breathe through the ache in his chest. He wasn't good at patience. And he was worse at fear. Especially now, when he had read that cursed scroll and realized that the warmth she gave him might one day disappear. That her soft smile, her laugh, her gaze, all of it could fade into something cold and distant. Not because she chose to, but because that cursed array would take it from her piece by piece.
He was afraid. Afraid she wouldn't have anything left to give. Afraid she'd forget how to love. And even knowing that, he still wanted to hold her. Even knowing she might become hollow, he still wanted her to be his. That was the kind of fool he was.
Linyue was stunned. His words were sharp, but it wasn't just what he said, it was the way he said them. His grip on her waist had tightened, as if he was afraid she'd slip away. His expression was tense, and in his dark eyes… she saw it. Sadness, disappointment and something else, too.
Fear?
Her chest ached. What had happened? What made him like this?
Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. As close as she could. She didn't want him to look at her like that. He was supposed to be smug. Bold. Shameless. Annoying in the way only he could be. That was the Shu Mingye she knew.
She looked up and met his eyes. "I like you," she said softly. And yet, he didn't smile. He just stared at her like her words hadn't reached him. Like he didn't believe her. A flicker of worry passed through her. Slowly, she let go of his waist and reached up, cupping his face with both hands.
She leaned close, brushing her cold fingers against his warm cheeks. "What happened?" she asked. "Are you okay?" She wasn't used to seeing him like this. So quiet. So still. So… fragile. It scared her more than anything else.
Shu Mingye didn't answer. He was too busy trying to carve her into his memory. The way her brows furrowed in worry. The way her voice softened when she asked if he was okay. The way her cold hands cupped his face so gently. If one day he couldn't hear it again. If one day she forgot how to say those words. Then he wanted to remember this moment clearly.
That she liked him. That she worried. That she cared.
A faint smile pulled at his lips. "I'm not fine," he admitted quietly. His voice was low and rough. "But… I will be. If you say it again."
"Say what? I like you?"
He nodded, and his smile grew a little wider. "You should've said it more often."
She gave him a teasing look. "Alright. I'll say it until you get sick of it and tell me to stop."
Shu Mingye's eyes gleamed. He grinned. "Then be prepared. I'll never get sick of it. I'll never tell you to stop." Then he leaned closer, his voice dropping with mischief as he added, "I'll only ask for more."
The way he said it, low, suggestive, entirely shameless, made her ears heat up. He looked far too pleased with himself. And finally, he looked like himself again. That smug, shameless smile. The spark in his eyes. The confidence that always made her want to roll her eyes and smile at the same time. Linyue felt her heart settle. Yes. This was the Demon King she knew.
She smiled softly. "Don't you want to ask something?"
Shu Mingye didn't miss a beat. "You haven't answered my proposal."
Linyue blinked. He really was stubborn.
She thought for a moment. She was twenty. He should be twenty-four. A perfectly normal age to marry. In fact, plenty of people married much younger. And they liked each other. That was already more than what most arranged marriages started with. She had promised his mother she'd marry him once, long ago, when she was only six. A child's promise, but she hadn't forgotten. Besides, they had already slept in the same bed. Held each other like this more than once. That had to count for something, right? So maybe it wasn't too fast. Maybe it even made sense. She didn't dislike the idea. She just thought she should tell him more about her past first, but he hadn't asked. He didn't seem to mind.
She looked into his eyes and said simply, "Alright."
Shu Mingye stilled. Then a slow smile spread across his face. One so bright and full of satisfaction that she could practically see the pride bursting out of him.
He pulled her closer with one arm and pressed his forehead to hers. "Too late to take it back now, Pie," he whispered, his voice rough with possessiveness. "You're mine."
Linyue smiled, her eyes soft and a little amused. "I know."
That was enough for him. He leaned in and kissed her, slow and unhurried. His lips were warm. His touch careful.
Linyue closed her eyes, her heart beating a little faster. She melted into the kiss, drawn in by the calm and the steady warmth that always seemed to come with him.
He shifted slightly, guiding her down onto her back. One hand supported the back of her head while the other stayed wrapped firmly around her waist. His kiss grew deeper, filled with something that felt like longing.
Linyue's heart thudded louder. Her breath caught as her thoughts started scattering. She liked his warmth. She liked the way he kissed her. She liked that he never asked her to be anything else but herself. Yes… marriage really didn't sound so bad.
She kissed him back, matching his gentleness. But then Shu Mingye's lips pressed harder, the kiss turning hungry and demanding. Then his hand slid under her robes. Linyue's eyes flew open. His fingers brushed her skin lightly, warm and teasing. Her heart jumped so hard she thought it might leap out. She froze. Completely.
He noticed right away. He pulled back a little, lips still close to hers, eyes locking onto her face. Then he smirked. It was unapologetic, playful, and so very him.
"Let's continue our lesson," he murmured, his voice low and rough in a way that sent heat crawling up her neck. "Learn well, Pie."
Her eyes went wide. She tried to speak, but before a single sound came out, he kissed her again. Her breath caught. His fingers moved lightly, never pushing too far. He was testing her. Teasing. Waiting.
Linyue felt her whole body flush. She was flustered. She could feel his heartbeat steady and strong against her. Hers was doing the opposite, racing wildly. Her hands clung tighter to him, unsure whether to pull away or pull him closer. But she didn't stop him. She smiled faintly into the kiss, her thoughts blurring into warmth and his scent. Maybe she really had fallen too deep. And maybe that wasn't a bad thing. After more teasing, soft kisses, and what felt like forever in his arms, he finally let her go.
Shu Mingye sat up, eyes flicking down at her. Her eyes were closed. Her hair was a mess. Her robe slightly loose. Her cheeks and ears flushed pink. She looked soft. Adorably so. He couldn't stop the grin tugging at his lips. With one arm still snug around her waist, he helped her sit up. Then he leaned close and pressed a light kiss to her forehead.
"Have you learned, Pie?" he asked, voice low and teasing.
Linyue's eyes flew open. She stared at him for a long moment before saying flatly, "Shameless."
"But you like it," he replied, still grinning.
She narrowed her eyes at him like she was trying to stay mad. But then her lips curved into a small, soft smile. "Yeah… I like it."
Shu Mingye froze for half a second. She admitted it so easily. No blushing denials. No clever dodging. Just plain, honest words. His grin turned smug, stretching even wider. "Then, shall I do more?"