Now that Mingyu had returned, Shi Yaozu finally felt comfortable leaving Xinying's side for a few hours. He hated the idea of leaving her alone. He could see just how strenuous the war was playing on her, but at the same time… he was more than just her shadow.
Not matter how much he might have wished otherwise.
As the commander of the Shadow Guard, there were still things only he could do. Like finally paying attention to the loose threads that had frayed while he was tethered too tightly to the court… to the Crown Princess. Not that he resented it. Not truly. But his body needed movement. His network needed checking. And above all, his instincts needed to breathe.
He left before the sun had fully cleared the ridge. No guards. No announcement. Just a silent shift through the corridor shadows, then a leap across the rooftops like wind cutting through slate.
It felt good to move again.
Good to stretch.
