8 Are you that worried?

For the next hefty amount of days, Chen, as promised to Anne, had been busy showing Lily around town.

They traveled to different parts of the city, mainly to eat, that they had forgotten even time itself.

Anne and the King were still preparing for their wedding. Because Chen had already made a strict schedule for the two ahead of time, he did not have to come to the palace and handed the work over to the servants.

"Are they already at a lovey-dovey stage, that they forgot even to visit me?" Anne sighed and exclaimed to her beloved.

"Dear, didn't you say you wanted them together, isn't that great that they are?" The king sat beside Anne and sipped his tea.

"Still! I didn't say he could completely take my Li away!"

"..." He blankly stared at her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing really, just thinking, You seem to have forgotten me, our wedding is closing in and..."

Anne pecked him on the lips. "What about now?"

"Looks like I was wrong." He smiled shamelessly.

"I hope I made the right decision. I hope they find happiness." Anne stared at the window, the wind slightly blowing the curtains as it portrays the clear, blue sky.

Li truly deserves happiness, and Chen is a good person. Just, I pray for only good things to come in the future.

————————

In the city, a man and a woman were seen in front of a shop enjoying tea leisurely. They laughed happily, eluding a euphoric scene even passersby and others around them could not help but smile as well.

"It's so fun and peaceful in this country, my heart feels at ease," Lily exclaimed. She took small sips of tea from her cup as she glanced around her surroundings. Her eyes shined brightly under the sun. Her hand movements were exquisite like she's playing an instrument.

He gave her a gentle gazed, "That's because you had too much fun stuffing your face."

"Why do you think we feel hunger? It's a sign to tell us to satisfy ourselves with great food!"

"..."

He sips his tea with his eyes closed and not say anything back.

A waitress walked pass the two to deliver another customer's food until suddenly.

SPLASH.

The lemon water that was sitting on top of her tray spilled onto Lily.

Lily stood up immediately with a panicked expression, slightly lifting her dress not to drench her legs.

"Are you ok? Is it hot water?" Chen jumped off his seat and went to her side.

He quickly used his magic to dry her dress.

Though Chen showed very minimal emotions on his face, Lily could tell he was frantic. Her heartfelt very warm.

"No...That's not it... it's just..I'm sensitive to water." She replied timidly.

"Then let's go find you some new clothes and go home." He took his cloak and wrapped it around her. They both started walking to the closest clothing shop.

"It's okay; you're drying it anyway," Lily rejected.

"I'm drying it, but there would still be wrinkles, and you only have very few clothes. I don't have a lot of women's clothing lying around other than Anne's old clothes."

"..."

So Anne stayed over his house in the past. Lily thought, looking slightly dejected.

____________

After Chen's pestering, they decided to go to a branded clothing shop.

"Hm. Do you like this or this ma'am?" the shopkeeper asked intently.

What a blessing for a beautiful lady to be here! For sure we are going to make a lot of profit by the end of the day!

"I don't mind which one, they are all stunning." Lily shrugged.

"Then why don't you let your husband choose."

"..."

Why does everyone assume we're married before anything else? He thought.

Lily giggled and said, "Which one do you think looks good, Chen?"

"Let's get all of them; they all look good." I can't let you wear hand-me-downs.

"..." She wrinkled her brows.

"What?" He looked questioningly at her as if was nothing wrong with what he had just said.

With a sarcastic surprised look, she said to the shopkeeper, "My, my! hubby is quite generous isn't he, let's get them all as he wishes."

Seeing her enjoying this moment, he didn't say anything. He adoringly gazed at her before paying for the clothes with no hesitation.

__________

After shopping, the two decided to go finally home despite Lily's protests to venture more. They walked beside the rail at the edge of the cliff that splits the coast from the ocean. Lily walked ahead, skipping as Chen trailed behind with bags of clothing.

"Slow down, Lily!" Chen scrunched his brows at her.

"That's because you're slow!" She turned around and shouted.

After contemplating for a while now, he finally spoke up. "Say, I've meant to ask this before, but why does everyone assume we're married?"

Lily stopped, turned around. Her eyes trailed slowly down to his hand. Seeing her eyes, he followed her gaze to look down at his ring finger.

"..."

I see, so it was this.

"Why do you wear that?" She tilted her head, curiously asking.

"It's a seal that regulates mana, keeping it from going berserk." Looking back at his hand. "I guess I'll ask his majesty to make me one for my thumb instead."

Lily giggled, "I don't mind playing your partner as long as you feed me delicious food."

"Just turn around and continue walking or you'll trip!" He remarked.

Lily was still facing him, "Just as Anne said, you worry too much!"

"That's because you guys are always a handful," Chen sighed.

Amidst her steps, bangles suddenly appeared on Lily again and glowed very brightly.

Her eyes widen in shock.

Why did it appear here?!

BAAAMMM.

Hair flowing upwards, Leaning slowly onto the left.

Lily fell onto the ground.

"Ngh!" She muffled out a small sound of pain. Her hands were tightly clenched as she curled up into a ball.

"Lily!" Chen shouted, dropping all the bags to fall one by one onto the ground and ran to her side.

The sight instantly made him panic. Her eyes were closed up so tightly; sweat had started to form on her forehead.

Chen swiftly held her up in his arms, trying to use his healing magic to help alleviate her pain. The bangles disappeared after a few minutes and Lily slowly relaxed her posture.

"Are you ok?" Chen worriedly asked as he wiped away a stray tear from her face.

"I'm sorry, I should've listened to you and walked forward." She coyly laughed.

"That's not the problem right now!" Chen's arm tightens around her. His eyes twitched as he proceeded to check every part of her.

'It seems like she's not injured. But what was that?'

"Are you that worried?" Lily lifted her arms and assured him. "Look! Not a single scratch! I'm fine!"

He didn't know why, but he ignored her words and turned around to pick up the bags. She sat on the ground staring at him, perplexedly. Looking at him approached her again, Lily felt her body suddenly feel lighter.

When she looked up, Chen had carried her.

"Chen! Put me down! We're in public; I can walk!" Her face gradually turned red, but he did not listen.

The whole walk back, Lily had buried her face onto his chest to hide the embarrassment. Eventually, she fell asleep in his arms due to the rhythmic pacing.

Chen looked down at the girl in his arms and let out a sigh of relief that she was sleeping peacefully.

When he thought back at what just happened, his expression turned seriously dark and unpleasant. His heart began to feel hot.

What was this feeling?

Lily's face was suddenly a little scrunched with her lips pursed. It didn't seem like it was due to pain.

Chen shifted her face towards the nape of his neck away from the sun and gradually, her expression returned to normal. His eyes turned gentle and serene as flowers had bloomed in front of him.

Among the sunset, he slowly took his time carrying her and the clothes home.