Across the vast palace, Lin Rui stood beside the tall window of his private chamber.
He had not slept. Not for a single second.
The heavy, dark robes from the night before were still draped over his shoulders. A faint scent of wine lingered in the fabric. Beneath it was another scent, something softer and warmer, something he recognized immediately but refused to name
Lin Rui leaned forward, resting his forehead against the cold wooden frame of the window. He closed his eyes, hoping the darkness would bring him peace. But even with his eyes shut, the images of the night before played on the back of his eyelids like a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.
He was exhausted.
But it was not the exhaustion that came from ruling a kingdom or dealing with endless political schemes. Not even the looming threat of rebellion weighed on him as heavily.
His exhaustion came from her.
