The days following Xiao Lin's confession passed with a new undercurrent humming between him and Sheng Long.
They weren't lovers — not yet — but something had shifted. A look held longer than before, a hand lingering a second more. Words chosen with unusual care.
Still, the weight of the Empire's troubles loomed too large to allow softness to bloom freely.
Especially with An Li.
The Princess had grown bolder.
That morning, she arrived at the Marshal's residence with a delicate basket of rare starfruits, her gown shimmering like frost and her smile too perfect.
"I thought you might like something refreshing after your long nights of duty," she said sweetly, brushing her fingers just a breath too close to Sheng Long's sleeve.
Sheng Long didn't flinch, but his jaw ticked.
"Thank you, Your Highness," he said evenly, taking the basket without warmth.
Her smile faltered for the briefest second before she leaned in, voice a silken murmur.
"Don't forget the palace banquet in three days. I look forward to seeing you there. Alone."
And with that, she swept away.
Sheng Long stared after her, eyes dark. The deeper he dug into her connections, the more tangled the web grew. He couldn't act too soon — not without solid proof.
But every moment spent entertaining her attention was wearing him thin.
Elsewhere, Xiao Lin trained with renewed focus.
He had not spoken more of his feelings since that night, but he wore his dragon pendant daily, fingers brushing over it whenever he was nervous or uncertain.
Lu Jian had become a frequent visitor to his training sessions. The man was always smiling, easy to talk to, and offered great advice.
"I've been told I'm patient to a fault," he joked once. "But only when it's worth it."
Xiao Lin laughed, catching his breath from a failed dodge. "Well, I must be testing that patience, then."
"Not at all. You're sharper than you think. Besides," he added, almost slyly, "your friend Yan Shuo is often nearby. I don't mind sticking around."
Xiao Lin blinked, confused. "...Yan Shuo?"
Lu Jian grinned, eyes dancing with mischief. "Oh, come now. You didn't notice? I don't just come here to spar."
Xiao Lin's mouth opened, then closed. Suddenly, the pieces clicked.
"You like him!"
Lu Jian's laugh was bright and unguarded. "Sharp and adorable. I like that."
Xiao Lin flushed scarlet, and couldn't help laughing too. "Well, he's very serious. But I guess that's your type?"
Lu Jian winked. "I like a challenge."
Later that evening, Sheng Long returned from another mission tailing An Li's contacts, only to find Xiao Lin seated at the courtyard fountain, laughing over something Lu Jian had said.
It was nothing inappropriate — nothing he could name — and yet...
Something twisted hot and possessive in his chest.
"Xiao Lin," he called, sharper than intended.
Xiao Lin turned, startled, then stood quickly. "Marshal. You're back."
Sheng Long's gaze flicked toward Lu Jian. "I need to speak with you. Alone."
The tension during dinner was so thick even the servants tiptoed.
After the meal, Xiao Lin finally stood up, fists clenched at his side.
"I know it's probably nothing. But I don't like it when she's near you. I know I don't have a right to feel this way, but—"
"You do have the right," Sheng Long said firmly, cutting him off. "You've earned it."
Xiao Lin blinked, startled by the strength in his voice.
They stood in silence, moonlight spilling between them.
Sheng Long reached into his robe, pulling out a small pouch. "I bought something. For you. It reminded me of your fox pendant."
He opened the pouch to reveal a dragon-shaped hairpin carved of obsidian and dark jade, its tail curled protectively around a glowing ruby.
Xiao Lin stared, speechless.
"It's not a symbol," Sheng Long said, looking into his eyes. "It's a promise."
Xiao Lin smiled, shy but luminous. Then, slowly, he pulled off the necklace from around his neck.
A simple silver chain, bearing a fox curled around a small golden dragon — the pendant he had been working on in secret.
He offered it to Sheng Long, voice trembling with sincerity.
"Then this is mine to you. My promise."
And for one heartbeat, it felt like they were the only two beings in the galaxy.
But fate would not wait much longer.
Far above the capital, hidden zerg ships stirred.
And somewhere in the shadows, An Li's true motives moved ever closer to the surface.