Chapter 19: Liu'er

She opens the door and the First Lord was sitting on the Divan just in front with his eyes close and his head resting on his hand, his other hand was resting on his bended knee. His leisure pose made Hong Liu more nervous and she looks down at her feet. 'You are a princess of the green forest! How can you get so easily be intimidated?'

Dong Hai open his eyes slowly sensing the silence, he gazed at her as she keeps swinging her one foot staring down with peach blossoms in her hand. Minutes passed in silence she didn't look up to know his eyes were open and he kept gazing her with his lips stretched just a little to indicate that he was little amused. He waited for her to do something, or enter at least but she kept her head down.

"Are you planning to stand there all day?" He asked with the air of that he is bored.

Hong Liu headshot up.

"No, " She said quickly and enter walking towards him.

It would have been really helpful if she knew how to be graceful in ways of talking to a person who held higher status from her but she was never a charmer. She thought really hard but no impressive words come out and then she gave, elegance and grace was not her forte. It might be just better if she goes straight for it.

"Greeting to the First Lord, I brought some flowers for your study, Allow me to put some in your vase?" She asks.

He hummed, inexpressively and his stone eyes moved to point to the vase that was on the tea table beside his study table.

His little moment put her at ease and she smiles considering this a small victory. She went and knelt down to the lower table and arranged it in the vase. Dong Hai stare at her, watching her every moment, she bent a little to adjust one stamp making her raven hairs fall over like water and grazed the wooden surface of the table. She straightens herself and flicks her hair back with a sigh, she grins admiring her work as she about touched the stem again to make sure it won't fall out, Something catch Dong Hai eyes.

"Stop!" He demanded, his voice was low.

Hong Liu looks at him a little surprise.

"It's enough, You may take your leave now," He said.

That cold manner he dismissed her pinch her heart. That made Hong Liu frown, but she is the Hong Liu from Bai clan princess of Green Forest and once a Bai is set on the task they don't retreat without accomplishing it. She won't be dismissed like this.

"There is one more thing, I want to convey to his lordship, " She said with a firm voice.

That made Dong Hai raise his head and look at her with complete attention. His eyes holding interest.

"What is it?" He asked.

"You have helped me a lot, since the day I came to the heavenly court to the point of letting me stay here considering the situation between the Green Forest and Nine Heavens, you also saved my life, I wish to repay back your favour,"

"No need, " He said.

"How could that be?...everybody has to pay the kindness that had been shown to them and favour such saving someone's life has to be returned," She insists.

"Alright, " He got up and walk towards her, she kept her feet firm to the ground as he stops in front of her and towers over her. Her heart struggles to get out of its ribcage.

"If you insist Little Red, How you plan to return my favour?" He asked.

Hong Liu swallow as her nerves scattered with his proximity, she pressed her lips knowing her error.

"Umm...I was hoping that you could tell me what is it you need...." She trailed off. She manages to keep her eyes on his as he leans close to her boring his black stone eyes into her soft brown ones.

He leans away from her with an amused smirk.

"I see, then no need, " He passed by her to exit.

Gathering her wits quickly, she runs after him and stopped in front of him, spreading her arms.

"But.. but. This is the matter of my principles and values, Grandfather and GuGu always taught me to pay back even the little favours that I own. I can't be in debt to someone who saved my life and is still protecting me, it's called Karmic debt, I must return your kindness. I sincerely wish to do that!" She stomps her foot.

Dong Hai gaze at her and his eyes goes soft seeing her stubborn frown. Did she realize that she accidentally stomp on his foot? But she was too busy keeping her eyes on him.

"Alright, How about I will ask you when I will need your help?"

Hong Liu thought about it but then...

"What if you ask something I can't give? Or take advantage of the debt you have over me? I must pay it when I am here and I have more control over it, "

Dong Hai smiled.

"Little Red, why would I ask for something that you can't give, " He said, his voice was deep and soft. He touches her arms and leads them by her side. A warm fuzzy feeling blooms in her heart as she saw his small soft smile stretch on those thing light pink lips on his stone face.

"And is your grandfather also taught you to doubt your Saviour," He tapped her shoulder softly. Her heart leapt and heat raise in her cheek as she mummers an embarrassing " no" and she shook her head.

"Do you really think that I would take advantage of your debt?" He taps her shoulder again and the warm fuzzy feeling travel from her heart to her stomach.

"No, No, You are such Reverend diety why would you do that?" She blurts out in a daze.

"Exactly, So don't worry, " He tapes her shoulder again with a softness that the warmth travel from her stomach down to her toes and curled up there.

"Really? you won't ever ask me anything that I don't wish to give and you will call upon me when you need me so I could pay back your favour?" She asked dazed.

"Go and rest little red, " He asked squeezing her shoulder.

"Alright, " All her determination was washed away by the that warm good feeling, she scratches behind her ear that was still heated.

Why she can't think straight when she is near him? She thought as she left his sandalwood essence behind.

Dong Hai turn as she walks away and closes the doors of the study, rubbing the fingers that tapped her on the shoulder with his thumb. He smiled again and sat by the lower table where she put the peach blossoms in the vase. He took one stem out and broke away the splinter that was jutting, the same one had pierced Hong Liu's hand if he hadn't stopped her.

"You are still so easy to distract, Liu'er, " He said with a sigh.