The festival grew louder as the night deepened.
Drums thundered, dancers spun, laughter echoed between pillars. Xin Ying stood near a lantern stall, finishing the last bite of a sweet pastry when she felt a familiar presence behind her.
"Enjoying yourself?" Li Hua asked softly.
Xin Ying turned, startled—then smiled. "Very much."
Li Hua's gaze lingered, unreadable. "Come with me."
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked toward a side corridor—one few noticed amid the celebration.
Xin Ying followed.
They passed through winding halls until the noise dulled, replaced by the hush of falling snow. The path opened into a small pavilion half-hidden by plum trees, lantern light barely reaching its edges.
Here, there were no crowds.
No eyes.
Only them.
Li Hua stopped beneath the eaves. Snow gathered in her dark hair.
"You were smiling tonight," Li Hua said. "I don't see that often."
Xin Ying laughed quietly. "That's because you usually see me when something's about to go wrong."
Li Hua stepped closer. "I like this version of you."
Xin Ying's breath caught.
"Li Hua…" she began.
Li Hua raised a hand, fingers brushing Xin Ying's cheek—slow, deliberate, as if confirming she was real.
"I keep telling myself I shouldn't," Li Hua whispered. "That I'm an empress before I'm a woman."
Xin Ying leaned in slightly. "And I keep telling myself I should stay only as your guard."
Their foreheads touched.
Snow fell silently around them.
"I don't want to pretend tonight," Li Hua said.
"Then don't," Xin Ying replied.
Li Hua kissed her.
Soft at first—uncertain, tasting winter and sweetness. Then deeper, warmer, hands finding Xin Ying's sleeves, gripping as if afraid she might disappear.
Xin Ying kissed her back without hesitation, one hand resting at Li Hua's waist, the other cradling her face.
They broke apart only when breath ran short.
Xin Ying laughed softly. "If someone sees—"
"They won't," Li Hua said, smiling faintly. "And if they do… I'll pretend nothing happened."
She kissed Xin Ying again—brief, playful this time—before stepping back.
Their faces flushed, hearts racing.
"Shall we return?" Li Hua asked calmly.
Xin Ying straightened, regaining her composure. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Li Hua raised an eyebrow. "You're terrible at pretending."
Xin Ying smiled. "So are you."
They walked back into the festival together, expressions composed, steps measured.
Lanterns glowed.
Music played.
To everyone else, nothing had changed.
But beneath the silk and ceremony, something precious had already crossed a line that could never be undone.
And neither of them regretted it.
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