In life, partings are inevitable, yet no matter how many times they occur, one can never truly grow accustomed to them.
The thought of farewell stirred an unbearable emptiness within Shanaoya's heart.
Though the land was rich and fertile, it felt inexplicably parched.
The burning sensation of alcohol in his chest intensified this drought, igniting an even greater yearning for the nourishing rain.
The knight's riding posture was seamless, and as she sought to connect with him, his warmth filled the void within her soul.
"Is it due to the blood dragon lineage? You feel a bit hot, as if you're feverish," she observed.
At first glance, Shanaoya's words seemed calm, yet Chu Yan could distinctly sense the reluctance entwined in her tone.
It appeared she had come to realize the implications of the conclusion of the family trial.
Rather than succumbing to drunken revelry, perhaps she sought to embrace the moment without regrets?
Uncertain if she felt a tinge of embarrassment, before Chu Yan could respond, Shanaoya leaned down and enveloped his head in her arms.
"Why are you silent...?"
"My face is being smothered, what do you expect me to say? If you're going to talk about warmth, Shanaoya, you are no less so; it must be the wine, right?"
Only then did Shanaoya realize the contradiction between her actions and words, yet she found it hard to resist the embrace, having grown accustomed to it over the past few days.
She attempted to release him from her grasp, but the air felt particularly frigid at that moment.
The thought of future separations made even a single hug seem a luxury, prompting Shanaoya to tighten her hold once more.
"I want to remain like this tonight."
"Shanaoya, regarding my family trial..."
Chu Yan hesitated, his words interrupted by the knight.
"Let's not discuss those matters tonight; I don't wish to hear about them."
"Okay."
Their light-hearted chatter dissolved into whispered tenderness, reminiscent of a solitary serenade resonating through the dark night of the Dead Sea.
Her slender waist, akin to a delicate branch, bore the weight of ripe, snow-white fruit, while the chasms within her held an enchanting power that repeatedly ensnared Chu Yan's consciousness.
...
Morning arrived.
As Shanaoya opened her eyes, the intoxicating haze dissipated, leaving her with a rigidity of expression and memories she wished to erase from the previous night.
Yet the unease within her heart was flooded with a tranquility that beckoned her to reminisce.
It resembled a lake after a tide, where satisfaction overflowed.
"Shanaoya..."
Chu Yan's voice broke the silence, and sensing his gaze, the knight's fair skin flushed with crimson, her radiant countenance aglow.
She refrained from turning her head, adopting a stern tone to mask her inner turmoil, saying, "If there's something to discuss, speak up."
"I had intended to wait until that day to share this—the matter of my family trial—but seeing how much it weighs on you..."
"Are you referring to the debts left unpaid and fleeing responsibilities?"
"No, I mean upon returning to report, I plan to request a permanent position here; after all, with the nobility wiped out, there must be a reliable presence to oversee things."
"...?"
Such a straightforward statement left Shanaoya somewhat baffled, her thoughts momentarily blank.
"So, I will indeed be away for a while to report back, but we will meet again afterward."
The Dead Sea border had indeed become a habitable place, and he had become its lord, free to indulge as he pleased.
Considering the trials he faced, now that the potential for complications had arisen, there were likely still remnants of discontent within the Dragon Flame family.
Why then, would Chu Yan not simply settle at the Dead Sea border?
Here, he could laze about without a care, unencumbered by anyone's oversight!
Moreover, he could await the return of his guardian.
It was beneficial and posed no harm!
Shanaoya, incredulous, stammered, "Are you... serious?"
Chu Yan, abandoning his playful demeanor, nodded earnestly. "Indeed, I am."
Shanaoya's emotions became a tangled mix of excitement and embarrassment.
Hadn't her "drunken antics" from last night made her seem foolish?
She felt as if she were petrified in place; a gust of wind might shatter her stillness.
Remembering the myriad of sadness, worries, and reluctance she had revealed the previous night, Shanaoya genuinely wished to faint to obliterate those memories!
It was simply too shameful!
"Why, why didn't you clarify last night?!"
She demanded, her beautiful eyes filled with irritation.
"I wanted to, but you smothered me and insisted you didn't want to hear... or perhaps you'd prefer to pretend I said nothing and wait for a 'surprise' upon my return?"
"Is that self-deception?!"
Faced with Shanaoya's self-defeating demeanor, Chu Yan found himself at a loss for comforting words.
Yet observing her frantic face-palming, he found it somewhat endearing.
As Chu Yan contemplated shifting the conversation to lighten the mood, he noticed an unexpected detail—
A vintage metal leg ring adorned Shanaoya's luscious thigh, inscribed with intricate patterns that occasionally shimmered with an arcane glow.
This was a new addition, absent the night before, when Shanaoya had openly revealed everything.
The designs reminded Chu Yan of that "key" from the realm of nightmares, its motifs strikingly similar to the mysterious leg ring.
As Shanaoya pondered the glaring bloodstains on the sheets, she heard Chu Yan suddenly inquire, "Shanaoya, does the leg ring cause you any discomfort?"
"What leg ring, hmm?"
Only then did Shanaoya notice the peculiar adornment on her right thigh, which slightly imprinted on her skin.
"Did you secretly place this on me during the night?"
"Uh... I suppose that could be one way to put it."
Chu Yan felt it was rather strange, but it was indeed his responsibility.
When it came time to explain the reasoning, he found himself at a loss, even he was uncertain of what the nightmare realm represented.
What did the so-called "key to controlling power" signify?
How this leg ring had manifested remained a mystery to him.
Shanaoya attempted to remove the leg ring, but just as it neared her bare thigh, it swiftly "teleported" back.
After much tinkering, confirming that it posed no adverse effects, she had no choice but to concede for the time being.
...
The time spent awaiting the conclusion of matters was undeniably blissful.
That entire day, Chu Yan ventured into the outer city to sign off on construction plans, and afterward, he returned to the lord's chamber to relax.
Unbeknownst to him, night fell once more, marking the hour of sunset and rest.
Yet, after keeping track of shared bed accounts for so long, Chu Yan hesitated to sleep in the bed tonight.
Especially considering he had genuinely held the thought of "once the days of sharing a bed end, I can make my escape."
He felt a wave of guilt.
Consequently, he relocated the bedding and pillow previously used by the Executioner to the bedroom, creating a makeshift bed on the floor and willingly choosing to sleep there.
"You're quite self-aware; this must be a moment of true sincerity from our esteemed lord."
Shanaoya remarked with subtle disdain.
"Generally, this is merely a minuscule fraction of my human brilliance!"
As Chu Yan snuggled under the covers, he indulged in the comfort of rest.
Before long, the covers were tossed aside, and a warm, sumptuous presence nestled beside him.
Shanaoya, tousling her hair, feigned seriousness, proclaiming, "There's a lingering scent on the bed; even after washing the linens, I cannot adjust to it."
"Understood."
Chu Yan nodded, generously stating, "No worries, feel free to sleep with me; I am not a stingy person and won't keep account, but if you're going to cuddle, you'll have to keep account!"
"..."
Shanaoya felt she was being subtly mocked, her frustration manifesting in her indecisive silence.