240 Nothing To Regre (1/2)

Brushing the messy strands of hair out of her face, she glanced over to see the space on the floor was vacant. Rin sat up and looked around the room.

She was alone. An Sun was gone.

He had gone to breakfast; she guessed. He was letting her sleep.

Rin sighed, pushed aside her pillows, and turned onto her stomach. Her feet hung off the end of the bed, toes hooked over the edge. Staring at the light coming through the window, she pulled her lips back slightly. She sank back to that dreamy night, lingering and training through her thoughts.

In a daze, her fingertips brushed her lips. She could remember the feeling, the warmth of his sweetened throat pouring into hers. At that moment, Rin could not think, could not do anything but drink him in, each breath as it came, the soft movements of his lips.

It was almost like a dream. That's right…Perhaps last night was nothing but a sweet dream.

After washing her face, Rin walked downstairs and to the dining room. As expected, An Sun was there eating breakfast, accompanied by a cup of warm wine.

”Good morning,” She greeted, head down, before sitting across from him.

He looked up at her in between sips of wine. His hair was lashed back with a strip of leather. It made his face look sharper than usual.

”Morning,” He licked his reddened, wet lips.

Rin cleared her throat and reached for a roll on the table. When a server came over and poured her a cup of milk, she thanked them before chewing on the soft bread. All the while, An Sun's deep, gray eyes were set on her.

She could hardly taste anything that went down her throat. It was too dry for swallowing. Too dry for words. If he stared any longer, her skin would grow too warm, and she would no longer be able to think.

Finally, Rin met his gaze. To her surprise, a trace of a smile appeared on his face. Propping both his arms on the table, he leaned forward and chuckled.

”You're finally looking at me, I see.” His voice was warm with amusement.

Suppressing the heat threatening to rush to her cheeks, Rin cleared her throat. ”Since we've done all we could here, we should return to the capital as soon as possible.”

An Sun studied her a moment before leaning back with a sigh.

”All right.” He said and took another tear into his bread.

After eating their breakfast, they shouldered their belongings and left the inn. Mounting on horseback, a voice suddenly halted them in their tracks.

”Wait, please don't go!”

Rin's eyes flickered, and an eyebrow raised at the person before them.

”Governor Chi. I have to say I'm rather surprised to see you here.”

”Advisor Lan…I have come here today to apologize for yesterday's events. I…” He paused to swallow. ”We are willing to leave our land for all of you to fight. I humbly ask of you to set aside our disputes the other day and forgive us.”

”My forgiveness?” Rin looked down coldly. ”Governor Chi, it is not me you need to seek forgiveness, it's your people. For allowing your pride to override the responsibilities of protecting your people; there is no need to apologize to me.”

The red and round-faced governor glanced up with some surprise. He started to speak, but Rin was too quick for him.

”As for the evacuation, we have wasted enough time already being here and must quickly return to the capital. Upon our arrival, I will ask for soldiers to be sent to help your people leave. Until then, have your people prepare all their belongings for their departure.”

She watched the governor's face move to the man beside her, and he flinched.

”Yes.” Chi Bingwen nodded his head, barely.

”Good. Then farewell, Governor Chi. I hope you won't disappoint again.” Rin turned her horse aside and trotted out of the governor's view.