When the cherry blossom fades

The birds carelessly sang, their melodic chirps resonating through the air: the gentle babbling sound of the rushing stream creates a soothing backdrop to the tranquility of the cherry blossom forest.

The soft rustle of leaves as the gentle breeze caressed the trees, carrying with it the delicate fragrance of cherry blossoms. Every piece of the scenery was a captivating sight to behold.

Still, it couldn't compare to the woman sitting beside him.

Her curious and crafty eyes were closed, relishing in the tranquil breeze brushing through the loose locks of her hair.

The serene silence the cherry blossom forest brought to Han Aeng's chaotic nature was a surprise for Long Dahai. So much so, she seemed more enchanting than usual.

Nowadays, something about her inconsistent temperament made her even more charming; at this point, Long Dahai was sure he'd lost all reasoning.

"Lovely, isn't it, Your Highness." As always, Han Aeng was the first to break the stillness, her voice carried a hint of appreciation for the beauty of nature.

Long Dahai tilted his head, a thoughtful expression on his face, "You?"

Han Aeng dropped her head to rest on her hand, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "I know I'm lovely. But I was asking about the view."

Long Dahai shot his eye from her back to the view. The warmth of the sun filtered through the swaying branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground. "I, too, was asking about... what you thought about the view."

Her grin doubled, and she chuckled softly. "Oh my, look at His Highness, struggling to find his words again. Who would have guessed there could come a day when His Highness, Duke of Li, would be at a loss when dealing with a charming wife?"

"This isn't the first time," Long Dahai scoffed playfully, facing her again with a more composed front. His wife was a handful, and she knew better than anyone else how she kept him on his feet. "As it turns out, my Wangfei has a particular way of making me feel stressed."

"Oh my, you make me sound like a nightmare to handle."

"The truth is hard to deny."

"I'd say you're doing a satisfactory job tolerating me," she shrugged, watching him shake his head in disbelief.

Her husband was a calm and collected man, respectable by all. So she's felt a certain level of complacency knowing that only she knew how effortlessly it is to make him speechless or how easily troubled he is by minor details. Of course, how he stressed and worried for her despite his hesitation to trust her was something only she knew and understood - because in this world, only she felt the same way.

"I don't know what you're hiding, but even the biggest rocks will split if enough water seeps through its crack." He shifted his weight towards her side, leaning in to whisper, "I will find out what you're hiding from me, Wangfei."

It was the first time Han Aeng felt so comfortable playing antics so brazenly with someone. Her whole life, she'd be careful of how much of herself she let others see and to what extent she'd let them close.

People were nothing more than a challenge to be won over - an obstacle she needed to pass to survive. She knew her place well and acted accordingly because that's what the people around her demanded she do.

Since there was no reason, she never bothered with creating a bond with them, but her husband didn't give her that option.

He placed her as his equal but refused to be influenced by her charm. In saying that, he didn't single her out when she was behaving out of the norm; instead, he tried to match her pace and treated her sincerely. It made her feel less hateful, and to some extent, over the course of their marriage, she felt safe enough to let down her wall, just enough so that they could see each other's painted skies.

"I'll eagerly wait for the water to seep through Your Highness," Han Aeng nonchalantly replied, drumming her fingers against the soft dirt. She didn't mind if he came close to finding out what she was concealing behind her delicate facade. Since she was more than capable of keeping him guessing if he ever came too close, she'd let him do as he pleases.

Long Dahai let out a soft sigh and laid down, patting the ground next to him. "At least give me a chance to rain on you."

Han Aeng followed suit, resting her head on his outstretched arm. She chuckled, her voice tinged with mischief. "I've heard that men take a mile when given an inch. I think Your Highness should work hard on your own to make it rain."

Long Dahai laughed, his deep voice resonating in the peaceful forest. "It's amusing, isn't it? After all the trouble we've gotten into, all the little quarrels and non-stop bickering... This is what we now do in our free time."

"It's nothing short of astonishing. How much life can change." Han Aeng sensed his gaze on her but didn't turn around. Lately, he's been staring at her a lot, so she's grown used to it and let him stare all he wanted.

Watching the clouds drift, she suddenly realised they'd grown much closer than she'd ever anticipated. Nonetheless, she liked where they stood now, between comrades and friends; it was comfortable.

"Who would have guessed getting married would be this much fun."

"I guess it's fun since it's you," Long Dahai replied, his voice soft and sincere.

"I can't deny I'm a fun person to get along with." Her eyes caught his gaze, rendering him at a sudden loss of words.

"...Shameless."

As they lay side by side, surrounded by the beauty of the cherry blossom forest, their laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves and the gentle melody of nature.