The emperor’s eyelids slowly closed under her tender touch.
“When I was sick or had nightmares as a child and couldn’t sleep, my mother would comb my hair with her hands like this. It always helped me fall back asleep.”
“You seem to have many memories with your mother. You mentioned before that you used to accompany her to the mountains to gather herbs.”
The emperor spoke softly, and Arabel’s gaze drifted out to the dark sky beyond the open door.
She remembered how her mother had left her and her family when Arabel was nine.
“Don’t you resent your mother? Knowing what kind of man your father was, she still left you.”
The emperor immediately regretted his words, closing his mouth in apology.
Arabel did not stop stroking his head as she softly replied.
“The times I spent with my mother were the happiest moments of my life. So, if I resent her… it feels like denying those moments, and that would be too sad.”
The emperor’s red eyes stared at the dimming fireflies in the corner.
“There was a time when I thought that traveling with my teacher might lead me to meet my mother again. But I don’t think that way anymore.”
“Why not?”
“Mother left our family because I didn’t manifest any healing abilities and she couldn’t bear the financial hardships anymore. If she met me now… she would probably be disappointed,” Arabel said, trying to suppress her sadness. The emperor, feeling a surge of emotion, spoke vehemently.
“You are more extraordinary than any healer. Didn’t you save the emperor? If you find your mother, speak to her with confidence. If she doesn’t believe you, bring her to the palace. I will speak to her myself. No, I’ll bestow upon you the highest imperial honors and titles, so no one dares speak ill of you.”
Grateful for the emperor’s support, Arabel smiled warmly. The emperor, struggling against his heavy eyelids, repeated in a drowsy voice, “I will ensure no one ever disrespects you.”
Arabel looked back and forth between the bear cub curled up beside her and the emperor who had fallen asleep with his head on her lap. The emperor’s shoulders moved rhythmically with his breathing.
Gently combing back his hair that had fallen to his eyes, Arabel saw a gentle curve form on the emperor’s sleeping lips.
In the dark night, with the fireflies in the jar slowly disappearing, the hooting of owls and the sweet song of nightingales echoed from afar. Despite the coldness of the night, the treehouse felt warm and cozy, almost tearfully beautiful.
A clear, cheerful sound of a warbler chirped outside the window. Morning sunlight seeped through the curtains, tickling Arabel’s closed eyes.
Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand, she sat up and looked around, her eyes widening in surprise.
She was in her bedroom at Lord Lorel’s castle, not in the straw-filled treehouse. The floor under her feet was not hard wood but a soft rug.
The bear cub and the emperor who had been asleep next to her were nowhere to be seen. She was wearing a clean nightgown, not the clothes she had worn to the forest.
‘It was all a dream!’ Arabel realized. She must have fallen asleep in her room after treating the emperor the previous evening.
Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the dream. She quickly covered her face with her hands, as if someone might have seen her dream where the emperor rested his face against her neck and fell asleep on her lap.
‘I thought only my heart raced uncontrollably around the emperor, but now my mind seems affected too.’
Quickly wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, Arabel rushed to the bathroom.
She washed her face with cold water, trying to erase the lingering warmth of the emperor’s presence from her neck.
She wasn’t used to having someone change her clothes or help her bathe. Hurrying to get dressed before the housekeeper arrived, she left her bedroom, thinking a walk in the fresh air would clear her mind.
As she stepped into the garden, she saw the emperor conversing seriously with his knights. Remembering her dream, her face turned crimson, and she quickly turned away, walking briskly in the opposite direction.
After some distance, she reached an acacia tree with a swing hanging from its sturdy branches. Sitting on the swing, she sighed in relief.
“I knew you were quick at climbing mountains, but I didn’t realize your steps were this swift,” a voice commented.
From behind, a playful, deep voice reached her ears. Startled, Arabel turned around to see a man approaching. The man with red eyes stood in front of Arabel, his eyes gleaming pleasantly as he asked,
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes? Yes, I slept well. Did Your Majesty also have a good rest?”
Feeling her face heat up again, Arabel asked, lowering her head, and the emperor responded affirmatively.
“I had a very good sleep for the first time in a while.”
The tips of his brown shoes entered her field of vision as she gazed at the small petals on the grass. Gently, his long fingers lifted her chin, bringing their gazes to meet, each capturing the other’s face.
“I noticed this before in the cave too. You fall into such a deep sleep that someone could carry you away without you knowing. You’re the type who needs to be carefully watched so no one takes advantage of you.”
Her kind eyes started to flutter in confusion and panic. The smiling emperor leaned in, his face nearing hers. His lips parted, whispering just above her soft lips.
“Don’t worry about the bear cub. Its mother came at dawn and took it away.”
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
