After a day of inner turmoil, Cendrarsa had yet to prepare the medicine she intended for her husband. By the time she saw off the last patient, darkness had enveloped the sky.
She sat in the room, staring blankly at the bottles and jars in her medicine chest. Tonight, she must consummate their marriage, and it had to feel natural. Just then, she reached for a bottle of sexual drugs, and at that very moment, Zagonnas arrived.
"My wife?"
"Yes?"
Feeling a twinge of guilt, Cendrarsa quickly hid the sexual drug within her garments and closed the medicine chest, rising as though nothing had happened.
"My dear, you've come!"
"Yes, I wanted to arrive earlier. You mentioned it was cold, so I took a moment to plaster the walls at home before coming here."
Zagonnas spoke with a smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth, like the radiant hues of a sunset he had seen on his way. It stirred something deep within her.
"Have you finished your work?"
"Yes, shall we go? I'm quite hungry. What shall we have for dinner?"
As Cendrarsa spoke, she lit the lanterns. Zagonnas assisted her in securing the doors and windows of the clinic, then quipped, "How about tofu?"
"Tofu?"
"Ah, do you not like it?"
"I'm fine with anything, as long as you enjoy it." With the lanterns extinguished and the doors secured, Cendrarsa stood beside Zagonnas, her cheeks tinged with warmth.
Noticing her blush, Zagonnas realized that his words could easily be misconstrued as if he were teasing her with a double entendre.
"Let's go, my dear. The night is getting late."
"Mm."
Even though they were already married and had shared an entire night, they had only just become acquainted. Walking side by side, neither knew what to say.
With their brisk pace, they would soon reach home. As they observed the moon rising in the sky, Cendrarsa thought that the autumn night was perfect; it would be a shame not to take advantage of such a wonderful opportunity.
Grinding her teeth, she spotted a small stone in their path and deliberately stepped on it.
"Ah!"
"My wife?"
Just as Cendrarsa prepared to feign a fall, Zagonnas swiftly caught her.
"What's wrong?"
"I twisted my ankle."
Cendrarsa's performance was convincing, her tone filled with feigned distress, tears nearly brimming in her eyes.
"Are you alright? Let me take a look."
Zagonnas, although not a doctor, could handle minor sprains with his years of martial arts training. But just as he bent to examine her foot, Cendrarsa hurriedly protested.
"No, no, my dear, I'm fine. I can walk."
Though she said that, the moment Zagonnas straightened up, Cendrarsa continued to play the part of the injured.
"Ouch, it hurts."
"Let me check it!"
"No need, no need! I'm a doctor; I assure you, I'm fine." She took another step, and as her foot touched the ground, she winced again.
Zagonnas observed her, initially convinced she had hurt herself, but the longer he watched, the more he suspected she was simply toying with him.
What was she trying to achieve? Did she want him to carry her? If that was the case, she should just say so instead of putting on this exhausting act.
"My dear, let me carry you."
"How could I impose? I assure you I'm okay; I just need a moment to recover." Cendrarsa was adamant; she didn't want him to see her as overly delicate, continuing her limping act.
If it weren't for her desire to conceal her true identity, Zagonnas would have questioned his wife, the head of a dark sect, about why she felt the need to play these games.
But the charade had gone this far; if she wanted to perform, he would play along.
"We are husband and wife, so there's no need to feel shy. Come, let me carry you."
Zagonnas said gently, squatting before Cendrarsa.
"Climb on."
"Well, if it's not too much trouble. If you get tired, please tell me."
Cendrarsa's heart soared as her plan succeeded, but she still felt the need to vocalize her gratitude.
As Cendrarsa settled onto Zagonnas's back, he effortlessly stood up and began to walk quickly. But soon he realized that this was not quite right.
He was meant to be a scholar, not a robust warrior who could stride effortlessly. He had to exhibit a touch of weariness.
Gradually slowing his pace, Zagonnas lifted his gaze to the now fully dark sky, illuminated by the moon.
"My dear, does your foot still hurt?"
"Not anymore."
Cendrarsa's voice was soft, her body relaxed against his back, providing him with a comforting warmth.
"That's good. Tonight, soak it in hot water, and I'll give you a massage; it will be better by morning."
"But what if it isn't better? I won't be able to walk and will miss my clinic."
"Even if you're injured, you're still thinking of treating others?"
"I'm just being compassionate, aren't I?"
With that, Cendrarsa naturally rested her chin on Zagonnas's shoulder, her warm breath brushing against his ear and cheek, an enjoyable sensation that was not unwelcome.
"Don't worry, if you can't walk, I'll carry you."
"Am I too heavy? Are you not tired?"
"…"
Their conversation halted at this point, leaving Zagonnas unsure of how to respond.
If he admitted to being tired, it might seem unmanly; if he claimed not to be tired, it felt unrealistic.
After much pondering, Zagonnas finally settled on an answer he found satisfactory.
"I carry my wife; no matter how tired I get, it doesn't feel tiring. As long as you can't walk, I'll always carry you."
"For a lifetime?"
Cendrarsa had merely intended to tease him, but his heartfelt response stirred something in her, making her heart flutter. She asked another question without overthinking.
Yet, after that statement, Zagonnas fell silent.
Cendrarsa sensed she had broached the subject too soon and was about to say something to ease the tension when Zagonnas hummed in affirmation.
"As long as you don't disdain me, I will carry you for a lifetime."
Although Cendrarsa couldn't see Zagonnas's expression, his words struck a chord in her heart.
Why would he say something like that? How could she ever disdain him?
Her mind was fraught with questions, yet Cendrarsa chose to remain silent, tightening her embrace around the man who carried her.
With this action, she silently declared that she would never disdain him.
Though their steps were slow, they eventually completed the journey home.
Once they arrived, Cendrarsa insisted on walking on her own, prompting Zagonnas to let her down.
As she switched her weight from her right foot to her left, he wanted to remind her that she had switched her charade, but he held his tongue.
Fine, if she enjoyed the performance, so be it.
They prepared dinner, and after eating, Zagonnas went outside to chop firewood. By the time they cleaned up and lay down in bed, the night had deepened.
The room was dim, illuminated solely by the moonlight filtering softly through the thin paper windows."