Yuan Wei regretted agreeing to stay the moment Prince Jian quietly closed the door. The sound felt final, like it trapped him inside a situation he wasn't mentally prepared for.
The prince's chambers were quiet at night. Too quiet. The kind of silence that made Yuan painfully aware of every little breath he took. The candlelight flickered softly against the carved wooden walls, casting warm gold over Jian's features. Yuan tried not to look. Because looking came with problems—like remembering what Jian had said earlier.
You matter to me.
Dangerous. Absolutely dangerous.
He pretended to admire the teacup in his hands as if it were the most fascinating object in the world. Jian sat beside him again, not across, as though that was the most natural thing.
Yuan cleared his throat. "So… how long do you think Princess Lian will stand outside my door?"
Jian calmly sipped his tea. "She tends to give up after two incense sticks' time."
Yuan groaned. "That's practically forever."
