The sky began to brighten again. Yesterday's rain had drenched the entire park, leaving behind the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves. Aveline sat beneath an old plum tree, wearing a simple dress that Yanzhi had bought for her at the small market two days ago.
Footsteps sounded from behind her.
"You came again," the voice was soft yet warm.
"Of course. This tree was waiting for me," Aveline replied with a small smile, turning toward Yanzhi, who was carrying two cups of warm tea.
They sat side by side. The tea was fragrant, but it wasn't just the aroma that warmed Aveline ; it was Yanzhi's presence.
"Aveline," Yanzhi said after a long pause, "You never asked... who I really am."
"Because I don't want the answer to change the way I see you," Aveline said sincerely.
Yanzhi fell silent. His eyes trembled, not from fear, but because he felt seen not as the crown prince, but as an ordinary man with his own flaws and desires.
Days turned into weeks, and their time together grew more frequent. They planted flowers together, read books, shared small laughs... and even in the silence, both felt a sense of mutual completeness.
Yet deep inside Aveline's heart, she knew Yanzhi was hiding something. Although she didn't want to force him, that feeling grew alongside her curiosity.
.....
Aveline: "Do you know what kind of flower this is?"
Yanzhi: "No, but I do know... you make everything seem more alive."
Aveline (surprised, then laughing): "You're starting to sound like a poet."
Yanzhi (smiling): "Or perhaps I'm just falling in love."