A Forbidden moment

"You did well today."

Masters voice cut through the silence of the night, steady and calm, yet something about it made my breath halt for a second

I stopped at the doorway of his palace, my heart still pounding from the shock the battle left in me. The night was cool, the wind was carrying the scent of jasmine through the open corridors.

The light from the moon shone brightly on the rooftops making the dark tiles glitter faintly . Lanterns danced softly in the gentle wind., their golden light shining brightly.

The palace, which was grand and untouchable during the day, felt different at night, it was more quiet.

I turned slowly to face him.

"Thank you, Master."

He was standing near the window, his white robes reflecting the moonlight, his eyes which were dark and unreadable, watching me closely.

"You weren't just fighting your opponent back there," he said.

I swallowed. He was right.

"I was fighting myself too," I admitted.

His gaze didn't waver. "And you won. But you are exhausted."

I let out a quiet breath. I was exhausted. My whole body ached, my limbs feel heavy, and yet… rest was the last thing on my mind.

Because he was standing right there.

So close.

Too close.

His presence always overwhelm me, bu

However tonight, it was different. Maybe it was the battle, the way I had fought without hesitation, Or maybe it was the way he looked at me now.. not as his student, but as something more.

"You should rest," he said, his voice softer.

Rest? How could I?

My chest tightened. Truthfully for some time now I've had a secret crush on him, the way he protects and guides me always leaves a warm feeling within me. I've been wanting him to see me differently, not as a disciple, not as someone who followed his orders but as a woman.

That might not be possible I guess, crushing on him definitely won't change anything.

I took a step forward.

"Master…" My voice was barely a whisper.

His expression remained unreadable. "Yes?"

I hesitated. My heart pounded. My fingers were shaking at my sides.

And then.. before I could think, before I could stop even myself, I reached out to him. I certainly had no idea what I was doing.

The tips of my fingers grazed the material of his sleeve

He was tensed at my touch. But he didn't move away.

I took another step, the distance between us was relatively and dangerously small, I could perceive his scent, clean like pine and ink. I could hear my pulse as my heart was pounding

He did not touch me, He did not say anything, he just stood still

And so, I did what I had never dared to do before.

bent closer and kissed him.

It was merely a gentle contact, the softest press of my lips onto his, a sigh, a murmur.

I expected him to push me away. To scold me. To remind me of the boundaries we had never dared to cross.

But he didn't.

His hand rose, not to push me away, but to cup my face.

His fingers felt warm against my cheeks

And then he kissed me back.

It was a moment i earnestly craved for,

His lips felt warm against mine, yet I could feel the hesitation within him.

The world outside the palace was silent, the night breeze was carrying leaves from nearby trees and they danced around us, the scent of jasmine was everywhere mixed with the slight scent of something nice in his robes.

For a moment everything disappeared before me, the sect, the assembly, the forbidden nature of what we were doing.

There was only him, only us.

Oh, and lest I forget, it was my first kiss

Then, as quickly as it happened, he pushed me away.

His gaze was locked into mine and I saw something I haven't seen before.

Longing

Regret.

"Let us forget what happened tonight."

His voice was steady, but I could hear the restraint in it, as if he was forcing himself to say the words.

I stepped backwards , my breath was unsteady. I couldn't wrap my mind against it

"Forget? But why?

His eyes glittered , just for a moment. Then he turned , his back straight, his hands were behind him. And he replied as he left

"It was a mistake. It will not happen again."

A mistake.

The word hit me harder than I expected.

I wanted to argue, to tell him that it wasn't a mistake, that I had meant it. But I knew him too well. He had spent years building walls around himself, keeping everyone at a distance, including me.

And yet… he had kissed me back.

He had wanted it too.

But he was my master.

And I was his disciple.

So I just turned and left, I did not utter another word.

Yet his words kept ringing in my mind for a long time after I returned to my quarters.

"Forget this ever happened."

But how could I, when my lips still tingled from his touch?.

The following day, the sun shone brilliantly, positioned high in the sky, creating shadows over the training area.

The sound of the assembled disciples resonated around me, yet I could scarcely hear them. I kept pondering over what took place last night

"Forget this ever happened."

I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. I had another match today, and I couldn't afford to be distracted.

"Feng Mian."

I looked up to see Meng Xuan Lang watching me, his sharp gaze unreadable.

"You seem distracted."

I forced a small smile. "I'm fine."

His eyes lingered on me for a moment before he nodded.

"Your match is next. Stay focused."

I took a deep breath, pushing everything else aside.

The moment I stepped onto the stage, my opponent was already waiting. A senior disciple, skilled and ruthless.

"Begin!"

He attacked first, his movements fast and precise. I dodged, barely managing to detect his strikes. My body reacted on instinct, but as for my mind..

"Forget this ever happened."

This was the only thing I was thinking about

I gritted my teeth, pushing the thought away. But the distraction cost me. I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder as my opponent's blade cut me a bit, drawing blood.

The crowd gasped.

I stumbled back, gripping my sword tighter.

"Focus!"

I can't lose, definitely not

Steadying my breath, I tightened my hands on my sword and moved. This time, I didn't hesitate.

My opponent rushed at me again, but I saw the opening in his stance.

I was struck.

A single, precise movement.

His sword flew from his hands, falling to the ground.

Silence filled the courtyard.

Then..

"Winner, Feng Mian!"

The disciples gave me a warm round of applause m, but I barely heard it.

My chest was filled with heavy breaths, my heartbeat was loud enough that I could hear them.

I had won.

But all I could think about was the man standing in the distance, watching me with an unreadable expression.

My master.

The man who had kissed me last night.

And the man who told me to forget it.