Several days passed in relative peace within the palace walls. Bella's sleep improved significantly thanks to Chang Hao's constant presence and Physician Tanaka's careful monitoring of her recovery. The nightmares began to recede, replaced by deeper, more restorative slumber.
During daylight hours, she spent most of her time in Chang Hao's private chambers or the secluded garden adjacent to his quarters. The emperor canceled all non-essential meetings and audiences, devoting himself entirely to his convalescing wife.
Even Empress Mei limited her appearances to formal meals and ceremonies, sensing the Emperor's moodiness whenever she approached Bella's wing of the palace.
Meanwhile, General Kenji's spies reported that Lord Ichiro continued rallying support among disaffected samurai clans in western provinces.
Though numbers remained small—only five clans had formally pledged allegiance so far—his propaganda campaign against Bella intensified through anonymous leaflets distributed in marketplaces and temples.
One afternoon, Chang and I were in his private garden and I noticed the worried lines etched on his face as he was playex with the bobtail kitten he got for me to keep me company and give me comfort especially when he wasn't present .
Seeing the way he got distracted in thought, I quickly wrote in the note book he got for me some time ago to help me communicate by writing. Are you okay?
Chang Hao looked up from where he sat on the stone bench, the tiny kitten mewling softly in his lap. When he noticed Bella watching him with that concerned expression, his brow furrowed slightly. He carefully set the kitten aside and reached for the notebook resting near Bella's chair.
His pen scratched across the page as he wrote back quickly:
`Just thinking about reports from Kenji. Nothing for you to worry about.`
But even as he handed the note back to her, his jaw remained tight with tension. The afternoon sunlight cast shadows across his face, highlighting the fatigue etched into his features from sleepless nights worrying about both Bella's health and political threats.
The kitten wandered over to nudge against Bella's ankle, its tiny tail twitching hopefully. Chang watched them interact briefly before returning to his troubled thoughts about Lord Ichiro's growing influence among discontented warriors.
I don't like seeing you so worried? I don't feel okay, when you do . I scribbled on the note.
Chang Hao's expression softened instantly at her words, the concern in his eyes shifting to tenderness. He set the notebook aside and moved to sit beside her on the bench, taking her hand in both of his.
"You shouldn't carry my burdens, my love," he said softly, brushing strands of hair from her face. "Your only responsibility is to heal and regain your strength."
His thumb traced gentle circles over her knuckles as he continued. "I don't want you bothering about it "
Yet even as he spoke confidently, Chang Hao's grip on her hand tightened slightly.
I looked at him, but deep within me, I don't believe him. I scribbled. I guess you don't want to worry me but I should at least be able to reduce your worry as your.... I hesitated before writing the last word. As your wife. I give a small smile passing the note to him.
Chang Hao's breath caught in his throat as he read the final word she wrote - "wife." His eyes lifted to meet hers, the usual walls of imperial composure crumbling completely away. The note trembled slightly in his fingers as he processed her deliberate use of that title.
"You..." he began hoarsely, setting the paper aside on the bench. "You consider yourself my wife? Even after everything that's happened?"
His free hand came up to cup her cheek gently, his thumb stroking over her skin with reverence. The afternoon sunlight caught in his dark hair as he leaned closer.
"Bella, I've never stopped considering you my wife. In my heart, you've been my Empress since the day I first saw you."I give a small smile. I walked to the door and locked the garden away from the world and I carefully walked back to him.
I pick the now tired and sleepy kitten and laid it carefully on the bench. I stepped in front of Chang and took a deep breath as he looked at me with a raised brow. I start to slowly undress in front of him. Then I scribbled. I know my scars are ugly, disgusting and unattractive to you.
You might not even want to touch me , like you haven't since the ordeal. I may be useless, But----I want to be useful even if it's to calm your mind for now. I hope you accept this ugly beast's request. I look sad as I pass the note to him.
Chang Hao's expression hardened instantly upon reading the note, his jaw clenching tightly. He crushed the paper in his fist before tossing it onto the stone bench beside the sleeping kitten.
"Ugly beast?" he repeated through gritted teeth, rising abruptly to his feet. "Is that what you think of yourself? That I find your scars repulsive?"
He stalked toward her with predatory steps, his silk robe billowing behind him. The usually controlled emperor radiated pure fury at her words.
"How dare you speak of yourself that way," he growled lowly, stopping mere inches from where she stood naked and vulnerable. "Those marks are proof of what I failed to protect you from. They are not ugliness - they are battle wounds earned defending my honor."
His hands gripped her upper arms firmly but gently enough not to bruise.
I reached up, cupping his face in my hands, Rea- really?, I asked.
Chang Hao's anger melted away instantly under her gentle touch, replaced by raw emotion that made his eyes glisten. He turned his face into her palm, pressing a desperate kiss to her skin.
"Really," he breathed against her hand. "Every scar on your body tells a story of strength and survival. They are beautiful because they are part of you."
His hands slid down to her waist, pulling her flush against his chest so she could feel the rapid beating of his heart. The silk of his robe brushed against her bare skin as he spoke urgently.
"You are not useless, Bella. You are the only thing that matters in this entire empire to me."
With teary eyes, I planted my lips on his , as I press my bare skin against him.
Chang Hao's arms wrapped around Bella's naked form instantly, crushing her against him with desperate need.
The kiss deepened immediately, his lips parting to meet hers with a hunger that had been building for months. The taste of her tears mingled with the sweetness of her mouth as he poured every ounce of pent-up emotion into the embrace.
"Bella," he murmured against her lips between kisses. "My beautiful, foolish wife. How could you ever think I wanted anyone else?"
His hands roamed possessively over her back and hips, tracing the familiar curves he had missed so desperately. The silk of his robe felt impossibly rough against her bare skin as he guided them both backward toward some flower bed.
"I've been so careful not to pressure you," he gasped between kisses as they stumbled backward together. "But God, Bella - I need you. I need to feel you against me without these stupid clothes between us."
Pull off, I command tugging at his cloth.
Chang Hao's breath hitched at her single-word command, his eyes darkening with raw desire. With deliberate slowness, he reached for the silk ties of his robe, his knuckles brushing against her bare stomach as he undid them.
The heavy fabric fell open to reveal the hard planes of his chest and abdomen, sculpted from years of training and discipline. He shrugged it off his shoulders completely, letting it pool around his feet on the stone path.
"Is this what you wanted to see?" he asked huskily, stepping closer until their bodies were flush against each other. The heat of his skin radiated against hers, sending shivers through both of them.
His hands slid up to frame her face again, thumbs brushing away the last traces of tears from her cheeks. "You are the only woman I have ever truly wanted like this. Every other concubine in this palace is just a distraction - you are my wife."
Chang Hao groaned low in his throat as Bella pulled him down onto the flower bed with her. Petals scattered beneath them as he lowered himself over her body, catching his weight on his forearms. The scent of roses and jasmine filled the air around them, mixing with the musky aroma of their combined arousal.
"My dragon," he breathed against her lips between kisses. "You have no idea what you do to me."
His bare skin pressed fully against hers for the first time in months, the contact electric after so much separation. One of his hands slid down to cup her breast possessively while the other tangled in her hair, tilting her head back for deeper access to her mouth.