Decision

"You are starting to show."

XueYa pulled his robes around his shoulders tighter, the loose fabric shielding his body from the curious gaze. He no longer used a sash, as if donning loose robes would cover the ever-growing bump. Erase the fact that he was, indeed, pregnant.

"It is normal," The serpent assured him calmly, an unhappy frown forming on its lips. "You are reaching your midterm after all."

XueYa said nothing as he turned his gaze over the lake, the boat they were in was the only thing that disturbed the calm waters. The mountain slopes ahead were covered in thick greenery that never faded. Here, the seasons never changed, nights rarelt came.

XueYa's unease was ever-present.

The skies were ever blue, the water dazzling, clear. The wind was ever pleasant. The scent of magnolias filled his lungs, their purpose to calm him, lull him to relax. 

But XueYa couldn't relax. Not now.