476 Save Me (2/2)

”It's hot,” she shakily said whilst peeling off a layer of her clothes. ”It's so hot…”

Yu Zhen's softened gaze hardened. The aphrodisiac hadn't worn off. And instead of convincing her to return to the edges of the pool, he kicked off his shoes and entered the icy cold water to join her.

The water was so cold, it felt like thousands of bees stinging him. But he continued walking, even when his legs were beginning to feel numb.

”Come here, Sunshine,” Yu Zhen muttered. ”I'll cool you down.”

But she refused. His Wangfei let out a horrified shriek and tried to waddle backward.

”D-don't come near me! Where is my husband?!”

Without warning, her legs gave out from underneath her, and she slipped on her long dress.

Yu Zhen caught her just in time.

”Just once more, Sunshine,” he reassured her.

When she blinked up at him, dazzled and confused, Yu Zhen grounded his teeth and held her head under the water. His legs were numb, but he did not blink. His limbs could fall off from the cold for all he cared. As long as she was going to be cured, then he would not mind.

Suddenly, she stopped fighting. She stopped struggling. The water stilled, like his heart.

”Sunshine?” Yu Zhen whispered as he grabbed her armpits and yanked her up. She was limp. His face paled. In an instant, he hooked one arm under her knees, and another on her back. He lifted her out of the water and trudged towards the small staircase in the pool.

Each step hurt him. He could feel the frostbite developing, but didn't even blink.

”It's going to be alright, Sunshine,” he whispered to her whilst stepping out of the icy pool. ”Everything is going to be alright.”

- - - - -

Yu Zhen settled her onto a mahogany chair, gently tilting her body so that she would be more comfortable. He approached the closet and brought out a set of dry clothes for her. With great diligence, he dried her off, changed her clothes, and helped her onto the bed.

Her hair was soaking wet but wrapped in a towel. Thick strands stuck to her forehead, to which he gently pushed it away.

”Yu Zhen… Where are you?

Yu Zhen was stabbed, for the second time tonight. Even in her sleep, she was crying, and for him, nonetheless. He touched her fingers that tightly clenched the blanket, as her head tossed and turned.

The pillow was wet from her hair, but it was soaked with her tears. Yu Zhen slipped his hand underneath her fingers, and she tightly gripped onto him.

”Save me,” she pleaded with disorientated eyes. She did not know where she was, who she was, and who he was. But her heart was familiar with the comfort of the first person that came into me.

”Save me, Yu Zhen” she repeated, ”Like you swore to.”

Yu Zhen's eyes flashed with determination. ”I will, Sunshine. Even if it costs me this throne.”

And despite his vow, she continued to weep in her sleep, weep for a virtue that she thought was robbed from her. She wept for a dignity she maintained, but did not believe she had. She wept, for she thought this would be her last day in the palace—the last day with him.

”Shhh...” he softly comforted her whilst his other hand patted her chest, hoping to lull her into a deeper sleep.

Her cries tore his soul to pieces, and her tears stabbed him.

Even so, Yu Zhen remained by her side. From midnight to dusk, he watched over her with an unwavering gaze. He continued watching over her, even when the moon disappeared and the sun slowly rose from the west.