By evening, the sky was once again painted in warm sunset hues. The detachment stopped by a small grove not far from the road. Yunsheng carefully surveyed the surroundings. The place turned out to be quiet and suitable for a night halt.
"We set up camp here. Water the horses, build the fire in a semicircle. We won't post guards, the area is safe—I will take the watch myself."
The soldiers exchanged glances.
"Commander," one of them began cautiously, "maybe we should still..."
"I have spoken," Yunsheng assured calmly. "Rest. Tomorrow is another long journey."
No one argued. Houwei threw a short, attentive glance at him, as if wanting to say something, but remained silent.
When the fire flared up, the detachment gradually gathered around it, wrapping themselves in their cloaks. Conversations died down; only the crackle of branches and the whistle of the night wind could be heard. Yunsheng sat a little apart, his back to the fire, facing the carriage. He adjusted the sword at his belt and exhaled slowly. If she came out today, he would be there, and if not, he would wait anyway. The night was just beginning. And barely had all the soldiers dispersed to their spots when Houwei approached Yunsheng and stopped beside him. Without looking at him, he remained silent for a while.
"Idiot," he finally said.
The commander chuckled tiredly.
"Because of the watch?"
Houwei slowly turned his head to him.
"No," he answered gloomily.
Yunsheng frowned in surprise.
"Then because of what?"
The other looked at him for a long time, as if trying to decide whether to speak or not. Pain, irritation, and something else flashed in his eyes.
"Because you apparently don't understand where you're leading this," he said quietly.
"Houwei..."
But he just turned away and walked off to the other soldiers. And Yunsheng was left alone by the fire. He sighed, shaking his head slightly. Lately, Houwei had been acting strange, but Yunsheng didn't try to make his comrade talk. Knowing that he wouldn't say anything, he decided to give him time.
Deep night fell. The fire burned, casting soft reflections on the sleeping faces of the soldiers. The horses shifted their hooves, occasionally snorting. The man sat alone by the fire, a cloak thrown over his shoulders. His sword lay nearby, his palm resting on the hilt. Yunsheng looked at the fire, but his thoughts wandered elsewhere. He thought of her again, of her gaze, her voice, of how she trusted him, not even suspecting who they really were to each other.
If only you remembered...
He raised his eyes to the sky. It was just as beautiful as that night when he first saw Athit.
You are there, he addressed her in his thoughts, so close... and at the same time so far away.
The fire cracked quietly, throwing out a spark. The creak of the carriage was barely audible. Yunsheng immediately raised his head. A slender figure emerged from the shadows. Jihua stepped carefully onto the ground, holding the edge of her cloak, and froze, listening to see if she had woken anyone. The moonlight fell on her face, making it almost transparent. She noticed Yunsheng and hesitated for a moment.
"Commander..." she whispered. "I apologize, I didn't mean to disturb your peace," she lowered her head.
"You didn't," he replied just as quietly, standing up. "I'm on watch."
The girl's gaze swept over the fire and the sleeping soldiers.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have come out..."
"If you wish to talk..." Yunsheng said softly, noticing her hesitation, "...it's better to take a walk."
The girl remained silent for a few seconds, then slowly nodded. They walked away from the camp, stepping carefully so as not to wake the others. When the camp was left behind, the man stopped.
"I think... this is far enough," he said.
"Yes."
Yunsheng stood nearby, maintaining a proper distance.
"Do you have trouble sleeping?" he asked, completely forgetting about boundaries.
"No," she smiled awkwardly. "It's just today... my thoughts won't let me sleep again."
For a while, they just stood in silence. The girl was the first to break it.
"Have you ever had this feeling," she began quietly, "that your life was chosen for you?"
"I have," he nodded.
"Why does it feel so strongly that we aren't living, but simply executing someone else's will?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"Because from birth we were taught to obey the rules."
"You speak as if you had no choice. You are a man, after all."
"Once, I didn't belong to myself either. My entire life was decided before I was even born, and I came into this world already burdened with immense responsibilities."
"I thought a man in your position would still have a little choice."
"I did, and I made mine. And you can too."
"Do you really think so?"
"I wouldn't say it otherwise."
She nodded slowly.
"I want to believe that."
"Then you've already taken the first step."
The girl smiled to herself.
"You look young, but you speak as if you've lived a whole lifetime."
"Perhaps," a smile now touched the man's face.
Jihua looked at him, narrowing her eyes slightly. The man standing next to her seemed like no ordinary commander; there was something mysterious and deep about him, something she wanted to understand, and something so familiar it couldn't be explained in words.
Silence hung between them once more. But if it was awkward before, now it had become comfortable, allowing them to simply reflect in each other's presence.
Jihua walked slowly along the edge of the camp, trying not to make noise and wake the sleeping soldiers. She caught every rustle around her, but her gaze constantly returned to the commander. There was something elusive about him, subtle like a light breeze slipping through fingers. Something that drew her in and pulled at her. It was terribly wrong, yet so natural that it bewildered her. Next to him, she felt warmth, felt protection and care. Her thoughts returned to him on their own, and to how he looked at the world and at her.
"It's time to go back."
The girl nodded, and they both headed towards the carriage, still trying to keep quiet. Thus continued the quiet night, filled with thoughts of each other.
With the first rays of the sun, the camp began to come alive. The soldiers slowly got up, prepared breakfast, and watered the horses. And Houwei looked even gloomier than the day before. Yunsheng, watching his comrade, tried to understand the reason for such a mood. He recalled yesterday's conversation with Jihua and wondered if it was somehow connected to the fact that his friend had noticed their closeness.
I need to be careful, he thought.
After breakfast, the soldiers and guards took their places. The girls settled into their carriage, while Yunsheng and Houwei took their positions: Yunsheng rode in the front, and Houwei brought up the rear. The carriages rolled slowly along the morning road, wheels creaking.
Houwei's gloomy mood could be felt in every movement, in his sharp glances and sighs. Yunsheng caught himself once again casting fleeting glances at the lady's carriage, trying not to attract attention.
And as the road stretched out before them, each of the three immersed themselves in their own thoughts: Yunsheng—about the previous night; Jihua—about the strange feeling of recognition; Houwei—about his friend. The journey promised to be long, and the tension was only growing.