CHAPTER SEVEN: Confession…

Opening her eyes as the carriage comes to a stop, she exist followed closely by Jiang and they both stand on opposite sides of the door helping Lin Qiu as she steps out.

"Thank you gentlemen." Bowing, they fall in stride behind her as she moves through the crowd, stopping frequently to greet and exchange pleasantries with guesses neither Jiang Qing or Moon knew. Some of the faces were known as the were seen before at the training camp but everyone was obviously nobles and they acted just as such. The silks and over the top jewellery that's graced both the figures of men and women seemed to gleamed under the suns blaze.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to this sight. How rich must one be to even afford clothes and jewellery such as these?" Jiang whispers to Moon as Lin Qiu moves to greet another guest.

"I'm at a lost also Brother Qing." He replies and she wasn't wrong. Despite the fact that the Fang are considered Nobles, her father was anything but. He'd been kicked out of the family home for loving a woman of poor birth and even after his death his family didn't take her in. Instead they'd sent her and Concubine Qin to leave in the mountains. The only reason she'd even been allowed to enter that house was because Grandmother Fang had wished it. Not once in her life did she ever own anything as expensive as the people surrounding her did. But then again, everything she'd gotten from her father and Miss Qin were treasures to her. She'd never allowed herself to fall in love or get close to anyone in fear of them someday day leaving again and so despite having friendly acquaintances she'd never allowed anything to flourish, that is, until Zitao had pointed his sword at her. With that simple act he'd changed her life and she knew she'd be unable to run away.

"Now then..." Lin Qiu's voice draws her from her thoughts and she looks towards the lady, "you... Jiang, I believe your name was..."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Great. You'll be with me, and you," She says turning her stern gaze to Moon, "I'm sure Master Wei is waiting for you." Fighting back to smile at the mention of his name, she simply bows in understanding.

"I'll go find him now, ma'am..."

"No need. Know ling that man he'd probably hiding out by the pond just beyond the garden, brooding about something." She says with an exasperating sigh pointing beyond the garden, but her eyes your gentle and all too knowing.

"Thank you ma'am. I'll go to him now. Please me safe and Big Brother I'll see you later." Hugging her friend, she bows gently at Lin Qui and practically ran to the other side of the garden, only stopping in a slow jog as the pond comes into view.

"Huh..." frowning, she looks around the pond but he was nowhere to be seen, a few guests walked by on the other side of the park but even she could tell that it wasn't him from this distance, "did he go somewhere..." stopping in her tracks she sighs heavily, moving to sit beneath the willow near the edge of the pond. Of all the places. Why does he have to do such Ikemen style things. Brooding. And looking handsome yet aloof and distant. Is he a damn manga character.

"You're in weird man, Master Wei." She says staring across the lake as the strolling guest disappear behind the rose bushes, heading in the direction of the party.

"Hmm... as I thought. You really are one hell of a hunter Miss Moon."

"Hmph. Says the bird sat in the tree. Aren't you afraid I'd knock you out of your nest." Chuckling, he jumps down landing softly next to her. He even makes jumping out of a tree look sexy! How?!

"How'd you know I was there." Rolling her eyes, she looked up at him meeting his gentle gaze nearly shocking on the air around her.

"I-I... your scent. You have a unique scent."

"Hmm... what scent is that?"

"The forest on a rainy day." Chuckling he perched himself against the tree trunk, his hand falling to the top of her head, his warm hands sending shivers throughout her body.

"Is that a good thing."

"It is too me..." she said, feeling the flush creep along her cheeks, "it reminds me of home..."

"Then, will you take me there some day? To the place you call home?" Her head snaps up looking him in the eyes, eyes large with surprise.

"Are you serious...?!"

"Why would I joke about something like that." He asks, his head tilting to the side innocently.

"... ahhhh… I give up..." a fit of laughter erupts from her mouth and she wipes away stray tears before grinning up at him, "you really are quite cute, Zitao. I'll take you to the place I call home someday. My mother's and father will be happy to meet you... though they're not all sleeping in the same place..." she says her grin forming a soft smile, "you know I owe you for a lot of things Zitao and we've only known each other for what... five days... do much has happened in such a short amount of time I still have trouble believing I'm actually alive... may I'm dreaming... maybe I died back there on the mountain with Mother Qin..."

"What nonsense..."

"... however, the pain I feel in my heart every time I'm near you... I don't think a dead person could feel it... it beats so quickly I feel like it's going to burst... I-I, I want to stay by your side. Your room felt really cold after you left, though I'm not complaining because I had the best night's sleep in over a month in that room. But, kiss-kissing me... take responsibility for what you've done to my heart, stupid Zitao... I don't have anything to give you in return because I have nothing but the name given to me at birth. I have to connections to nobles or any ways of helping you gain social or political power but... I would like to remain by your side... so please..." finally realising what she'd been doing her entire body freezes as though she'd be struck cold. She could feel his eyes on her but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. What did his eyes look like? It pained her to not know but fear kept her eyes on the pond before her, "I-I..." she flinches as he kicks himself of the tree, moving to stand before her.

'Keep looking ahead...' Dropping before her, balancing on his balls of his feet he meets her gaze. His face, a mirror of calm, yet, behind them she saw something that took her breath.

"... was that, a confession..." his gentle voice moving over her and his hand reaches out to caress her cheek and she couldn't help but lean into it.

"... yes..." the side of his mouth curls into a smile, his eyes gleaming as though he was fighting back tears and she couldn't help but let them fall from hers, "I really like you, Zitao!" She shouts through sons and he cups her face in both hands, his thumping wiping away her tears as the fell.

"I like you too my destined Moon." Pulling her to him, his lips crushed against hers, salty tears meeting at both their lips. Even when she'd lost the last person she could call family she didn't cry this much. Why now? Reluctantly breaking the kiss he pulled her against his chest, his hands forming comforting circles along her back.

"You know, I don't need nor do I desire social and political status so don't think about such nonsense. I also don't care about your family background. Whether you're a noble or commoner, I know I would've fallen in love with you regardless. My heart was already in shambles because of you so I think I should be the one tell you to take responsibility..." he says teasingly and he hits his side making him laugh. The action sending vibrations through their points of contact, "... so please, stay by my side Moon-er, and let me continue to stay by yours."

Nodding her response, her arms tighten around him and he chuckles warmly returning her embrace, the cool breeze from across the pond washing over them as the music from the party beyond the garden dances through the air. Finally pulling away after what seemed forever, he takes his sleeve wiping away her excess tears before helping her to her feet. Dusting her clothes and his, making them look somewhat presentable once again.

"Zitao..." Looking into his eyes she could see he worrying about something and he smiles knowing he couldn't hide again thing from the woman before him.

"I was just thinking, mother and older brother would've loved you." He says a sad smile creeping along his lips. Hooking her hand around his neck, she gets on her toes placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

"I would've loved to meet them too." She says smiling brightly up at him. She knew his brother had died in the last war where his father had gotten injured and too heartbroken his mother had also fallen ill and died some time after. How strong this man must've been to go through all that and still manage to smile was innocently was a mystery to her but she loved him for it.

"You really are warm Moon." He smiles fondly, picking her up in his tight embrace, her feet dangling off the floor as she giggles and his playfulness.

"You know... people will start thinking your gay if you keep hold me like this." Shrugging it off he plants another kiss on her lips, then her forehead.

"Do I look like a man who cares about the gossip of nobles Miss Moon?"

"Not at all Tao-er." At the nickname he doubled over in laughter, spooning her around playfully.

"I'm never letting you go."

"And I'll never let you go either." Hugging around his neck, she buries her face in his hair, his comforting scent washing over her.

"You really smell like home."

"And you smell like me." He chuckles, placing a kiss on her neck as he buried himself under her chin.

"Well well, aren't you all cosy under this high sun Brother Wei." Flinching at the sudden voice her eyes open, meeting the smirking face of Lu Han and she flushes.

"I was wondering when you'd come out of your hiding spot." Zitao retorts, his voice laced with annoyance and the glare he shoots Lu Han made her blush even more in embarrassment.

"You... you knew he was there?!" 'Wait didn't he already leave? I swear I heard some... Who did the guards just...' Looking at Zitao, he smiles at her knowingly and she shivers slightly at the thought.

"Of course. He may be a soldier but subtly is not his forte." He says looking at Lu Han briefly before returning his gaze to her, placing a soft kiss on her nose.

"Yet you didn't mind displaying such love in front of this married man."

"You're a married man so that's exactly why." He replies in irritation as he sets her onto the floor but didn't let her go.

"You really are mean." Lu Han chuckles, meeting her gaze.

"You're both as weird as each other, Master Lu." Grinning he winks at her and Zitao shoots him a glare that could kill if armed.

"What do you want?" Zitao asks obviously over with Lu Hans teasing.

"Master Wei asked me to come find you."

"Lead the way." He says, yet he takes her hand walking ahead of Lu Han back towards the party.

"Umm... I'm coming to?"

"You're my bodyguard aren't you." He says, winking at her cheekily and she flushes to the tips of her airs. Stupid Zitao.

"Did you just curse at me again." Stuttering in guilt she punches his arm at his obvious attempt of teasing her as Lu Han chuckles behind them.

"I never thought I'd live to see the day."

"What day?" She questions looking back at him.

"The day he smiled. Or took an interest in something. Young Master Moon you have my greatest respect and thanks." He says bowing playfully. As they round the final corner to the party Zitao stops, letting go of Moons hand, turning to face her a serious expression on his face.

"Do not leave my side. Understood."

"Yes." Kissing her forehead softly he steps out and she follows inches behind him as Lu Han steps ahead of them, finally leading the way. Looking at each other in amusement, Zitao and Moon follow him quietly as he guides them through the crowd.