Chapter 8

The mysterious man's luscious red hair swayed in the air and tickled the ends of his lips. Snowflakes tapped his form and the molten gold of his eyes glowed in warmth as he stared at Lily's black ones. He lightly adjusted the fox mask, its soft red strokes giving a mischievous vibe as he stood there. Lily crumpled the fabric of her robe and held her breath, the silence making its way to her bones and she shivered. Her silky hair waved its tendrils in the air as the wind blew, somehow, what the man said warmed the pits of her stomach. A pleasant laugh rose from Lily's throat as she stared at the man. What he had just said made no complete sense to her, tears gathered at the rim of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, it's just- pfft"

The man looked at her with one of his brows raised and a tilted head, this caused her laughter to be louder. She clutched the fabric that wrapped around her waist and heaved in heavy breaths, trying to calm herself. The cold air swirled as specks of snow landed on his blood-red hair, forming a crown of white gold. His orbs focused on her and they seemed to question what she found amusing. The man fidgeted and rubbed his fingers together, his cheeks heating up with the wonderful faint color of red. It was a pity that the mask covered the beauty of his flushed face. He brushed the edge of his nose lightly and cleared his throat, making Lily look at him again with her dark orbs. Her mouth parted as she gawked at the muscular man. His tan skin stood out from the pure white snow, a beautiful and lighter shade of mocha. The luscious volume of his red hair framed his delicate face and cascaded down his back like a curtain that covers the stage before the performance starts. His loose black robes swayed and the gold embedded on them glinted as it made contact with the sunlight. He stood still, like a portrait caressed by the soft strokes of an artist's brush, a masterpiece.

"What-What were you laughing about?", he coughed.

Lily blinked as his deep velvet-like voice crept to her ear. A faint color dusted her cheeks as she fluttered her eyelashes. She swept away the loose strand of her from her face and cleared her throat.

"Well, as you can see, I'm nothing but a troublemaker. So, why would he be happy to have me here? Xiaohe was right, I mean nothing to the master of this house", she muttered.

The man parted his lips, as if to say something but the words were stuck at the tip of his tongue. He fiddled with the edges of his robe and his orbs paced back and forth from her and the snow that fell on his hand.

"But, even if that is the case, I will survive. I can clean, cook and chop wood. I will do my best to be of help in the house, that's why I will convince him to let me stay", she declared as she pumped her fist in the air.

Lily then smiled at the man who seemed to be too stunned to speak. His fingers that caressed the cloth froze and his eyes widened as he stared at her. She giggled and brought a hand to her chin, scratching it.

"So tell your friend not to throw me out, mister", she giggled.

His stoic face softened and the corners of his lips lifted gently. The gold in his eyes swirled in warm longing and his black eyelashes casted down. He brought a hand to his massive chest and felt soft thuds on his firm skin.

"It's always been you", he whispered to the wind.

"Mister, I can't hear you"

White arms reached out for him and he flinched, raised his head and was embraced by the universe in her eyes. He held back a breath, sinking the image in his mind and sculpting it in his heart. Her black hair flew with the wind and her robe gently swayed to the silent waltz. A hand held his own and it filled his with such ardor that tears gathered at the rim of his eyes. The wind blew and he withdrew, leaving the woman standing in haste. Lily tilted her head and frowned her brows, the man cursed as he felt the hot feeling across his cheeks.

*****

Xiang Wei chattered happily beside Lily as they tended to the fire. The sun was already preparing to depart from its throne and the ladies were fussing over dinner. Earlier, Xiang Wei had received the confirmation that Lily could stay as their master consented to it. Lily has almost groveled on the ground and shed tears of happiness, but Xiang Wei beat her to it. Now, with Xiaohe nowhere to be seen, they happily chatted as they did the chores.

"Miss, it's important to note that the master doesn't like tea. He said it tastes bland and that he prefers milk", the girl instructed.

"Yes. Oh and Xiang Wei, I met the master's friend earlier and it seems that they are pretty close"

"Master's friend? Master doesn't have any close friend that he actually brings home. Although there is someone who keeps barging in here forcefully but, I believe he is on a mission right now", Xiang Wei said as she placed a hand on her forehead.

'On a mission? He probably finished it early', Lily thought.

"Anyways, please avoid that man", the girl warned.

"Why?"

Xiang Wei's eyes searched the room and when she confirmed they were alone, she gestured for Lily to bend down.

"He's a pervert who likes to look at master's chest", she whispered.

Lily choked and placed a hand over her mouth, taking two steps backward. The man didn't look like a pervert, but then she remembered his bare chest and flushed.

'I guess I have to stay away then. But why would he look at another's chest when his is already pretty big', she questioned in her mind.

Realizing what she had just thought of, she slapped her cheek. Xiang Wei's bright hair almost stood on edge when she saw Lily slapping herself and fussed over her condition. Lily let out a joyous laugh and comforted the worrying familiar. The night was warm and winter dragged on. The stars twinkled and laughter filled the lit corners of the shrine. Xiaohe was nowhere to be seen and a familiar figure crowned with red hair perched on a branch. He sneezed as he listened to the faint murmurs of the chatting ladies and he smiled when he heard their laughter. His glowing eyes peered at the moon until the lights of the shrine went out. He stood up, landed on the ground and walked aimlessly around the forest. His mind wandered, but if one listens closely, one could hear the drops of lightness paired with the heaviness of his footprints buried deep into the snow.