56 Would he be taller? (1/2)

Xiao Hei sighed deeply as she helped her mistress pack her things. The other handmaids were gossiping excitedly about the prospect of returning home, but Xiao Hei was not like them. Instead, she was plagued with the dense cloud of gloom and a heavy reminder of the upcoming war.

She couldn't pinpoint the exact origins of the anxiety that ate away at her stomach. Was it because she was worried about her older brother's safety? Or was it because she was yearning for the man she left behind in Haishang Province?

War had always promised its arrival at her doorsteps since years ago but she had thought there was time. And that time and come and gone, like a lunar flower that bloomed and wilted in a single night. She felt like she was finally waking up from a long, pleasant dream. Should she have turned away from this dream instead and spent the years preparing for this day? Because why…

Why hadn't her brother sent word for her? Did he not know about what was going on the cultivators' world…? That couldn't be. He had other spies, aside from her.

Xiao Hei sighed, packing away the last of Chen Anyue's hairpieces.

”Xiao Hei!” The Young Miss called from the entrance of the room.

This was just a day, like all other days. Xiao Hei was trying very hard to remind herself. ”Yes, Young Miss?” She looked up and forced a smile.

”Ah, you don't look so well, how are you feeling?” Her kind mistress came to her and touched her forehead with the back of her hand. Xiao Hei wanted to tell her that she couldn't get sick so easily.

But instead, she forced her smile even wider until it turned into an ugly grin, ”Please don't worry about Xiao Hei. Xiao Hei is just a little sad and a little scared. But everything is packed away and ready to go whenever the Young Miss and Young Master wish to leave.”

Chen Anyue sighed then nodded, ”Thank you. You've worked very hard.”

No she really hadn't.

But before she could say anything more, Chen Anyue dusted her hands on her thighs and glanced around. ”You've made quick work of this place,” she noted, ”there's still a bit more time. Why don't you say go and say your goodbyes before we leave?”

Xiao Hei nodded.

She didn't really have friends that she cared about at Wangyun Peak. There were a few beautiful men that she liked to imagine together but that was about it. But they had no love for her and she only cared about them in her fantasies. But still, Xiao Hei left and went to say farewell, not to the people but to the manor.

It was far from her favorite place. Most of the time she had spent there had been during cold chilly months and Xiao Hei preferred the heat.

But she didn't dislike it either. She didn't dislike the way the rooms were organized neatly and how the Heaven Sword Sect favored designs that were elegant and sleek. She didn't mind the muted decorations or the white-clad disciples often seen training in the court.

It was different from her home and stole her away from memories she wished to forget.

And now those memories were returning to haunt her.

She wondered just how long she could hide her secret.

The one where she knew the location of the Ten Thousand Eternal Star Bead.

And just who would kill her first? The cultivators or her very own brother?

…

Liu Sumeng had been busy participating in one chaotic war council after the other. But sometimes he would still make time to meet Yuan Xuelan in the late evening where they would go over techniques and practice steps.

They would practice late into the evening and Yuan Xuelan always felt guilty for stealing Liu Sumeng's time. He felt even more guilty at the end of the night, where he would remind the Ivory Sword Saint with as much venom as he could muster, ”I haven't forgiven you.”

”I know.” The Ivory Sword Saint would answer.

And Yuan Xuelan always felt the need to bite his own tongue off.

Because it was a lie.

A lie that he conjured to use as an excuse to keep the Ivory Sword Saint away and his turbulent heart safe. He wasn't really sure if it was even working but Yuan Xuelan needed the added reassurance of his efforts. Just in case.

And despite it all. Despite cruel words and the occasional contrived cold shoulder, he was still there in the forest at the fall of evening. There was no promise that Liu Sumeng wasn't caught up in important affairs but Yuan Xuelan waited there like a fool.

Because tonight would be his last night.

He sighed against the cold and rubbed his fingers in the mist of his breath. It wasn't nearly as cold in Reling even in these months. That was at least one thing he could look forward to. New Years' celebrations were always a little awkward for him at the Ascending Dawn Sect. He never quite got along well with Chen Jiang or even Chen Leike.

Yuan Xuelan growled at the thought but pushed it behind his mind. He would worry about that when it came. And plus, even if his own relationship with the brothers was tense, at least Chen Anyue will be happy to reunite with her family again.

Surely she would be happy, right?

Yuan Xuelan watched the sky fade into fiery colors through the branches and tried to imagine warmth but failed. He hopped and shuffled on his feet, hating that the cold only seemed to bother him when he was alone and not when he was with Liu Sumeng.

He wondered just how long he'd wait in the cold before giving up and returning. Dread unfolded in his heart when he realized that he didn't mind waiting the entire night just to glimmer at a chance to encounter Liu Sumeng.

He would wait.