Maomao stirred at the wind rustling the leaves. Her feet submerged in the cool water. It was impressive how much lower the temperature was in the shady little grove. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at arid fronds above her. To her side was Yue, one arm behind his head, the other on his bare chest, fast asleep. The bruises had finally faded ' mostly. Ling was most likely on the other side of him. The village was so quiet compared to last time they were here.

She stared at the man 's sleeping form. Debating whether or not to get closer. Their master/servant dynamic from the capital had all but melted away leaving behind far more than she anticipated. Words like friendship, lover, partner came to mind and felt foreign even as thoughts. Mine was still the most correct in her mind. Then there was that document Jie had made that everyone had made such a big fuss about, and people were fighting to sign.

Stating that he was '

Her husband.

***