Her Choice
Princess Ceni seemed to be in a complete daze staring at the moon because she didn't even register his presence let alone try to cover up.
Hao Xuan took off his robe and walked closer with measured steps, trying his best not to startle her as he wrapped it around her thin shoulders. Even standing just a few inches away she was numb to what was going on...
It was not until he spoke up that she finally reacted.
"You should be sleeping," he said in a hushed voice.
She peered in his direction and her hand automatically rose to cup his face.
"Are you...real?"
"I am," he responded with a heavy heart. How many times must she have seen him that she was doubting what was right in front of her?
And then out of nowhere, like a broken dam, tears started streaming down her face in an endless cascade of misery and relief. She collapsed into his chest, wrapping her arms around him as tightly as her feeble figure would allow.