As if you could leave me behind

Hua Jing stirred awake, her eyelids fluttering open slowly. A warm comfort enveloped her, and for a brief, blissful moment, she forgot everything.

Her gaze wandered around the room, and it wasn't until she realized the bed beside her was empty that her senses sharpened.

Zhao Yan was gone.

She sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes, and spotted him standing by the other side of the room. He was already dressed in fresh robes—a light greenish hue that seemed to glow in the morning light. It softened the sharpness of his features, and the faint glimpse of his face behind the mask made him look... regal.

Hua Jing blinked twice, trying to clear her sleep-heavy thoughts. She instinctively looked around, scanning for anything out of place. Her brows furrowed as she tugged at the quilt and peeked under it dramatically. Her hands checked her robes with exaggerated urgency.