Zhao Tian held her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against his chest as her silent sobs dampened the fabric of his robes.
The rain had stopped long ago, leaving behind only the soft dripping of water from the eaves and the faint rustle of wind brushing past the corridor.
Three months… three whole months locked in his pill room, refining medicines.
He was so absorbed in that goal that he didn't once asked about Ji Shuang.
Not once had he thought to check how she was doing.
How foolish…
Now… Ji Shuang had no one left.
No one but him.
A pang of guilt stabbed through his chest.
He pulled Ji Shuang closer, resting his chin gently atop her head.
Her long purple hair tickled his cheek, and he could smell the faint floral fragrance of her, lavender and dew.
She whispered again, voice muffled against his chest "Do you know how much it hurts every time I walk into the courtyard and don't see her there anymore? Or when I pass the Alchemy Chamber and it's empty?"
