Moonlight spilled through the window onto the rumpled bed. Both Lorin and Xueyi were equally disheveled after Xueyi’s earlier frenzy—not a single button remained intact on either of their shirts.

Lorin finally pinned Xueyi down, breathing slightly heavily as he looked at her beneath him.

Was it his imagination, or had a trace of dullness dimmed Xueyi’s eyes?

Her hair had come loose from Lorin’s shove earlier, spilling wildly around her face. She looked like a flower snapped from its stem.

Lorin studied her for a moment before awkwardly averting his gaze.

His own shirt hung open like it wasn’t there at all. Xueyi’s clothes fared no better—only her undergarments offered scant coverage, leaving her pale skin fully exposed. Sweat glistened on her skin from their struggle, carrying her natural scent straight to Lorin.

No matter what had just happened, their current position—Lorin pinning Xueyi down—looked disastrous. If anyone walked in now, he’d never explain it away. It screamed *bad intentions*.

Just as Lorin opened his mouth to speak, Xueyi’s arms looped around his neck.

Only then did he notice her arms were slick with sweat—proof of how fiercely, how utterly she’d given it her all moments ago.

Xueyi locked eyes with him, breathless. "I... I can."

*Can what?* Lorin thought desperately.

If he hadn’t shoved her back just now, *he’d* be the one begging *"No!"*

"Xueyi, just listen to me for a—"

"I won’t!" She cut him off, just like before. Unwilling to hear a single word.

Lately, Xueyi had followed Lorin’s arrangements without question. And because of that, everything in her life had improved.

It was as if Lorin knew every thread of her existence, always steering her toward what was best.

She wasn’t deaf to his reasoning. She understood the advantages of staying in the Royal Capital.

But did any of that matter?

If Lorin wasn’t here—if he vanished beyond her sight—

Who would believe in her without reason? Who would notice her efforts? Who would pull her up when she stumbled?

Everything would crumble back to how it was before.

Cats don’t cling to a place because it’s beautiful or comfortable. They stay because it *fits* them.

But was it selfish to demand Lorin stay, ignoring his own reasons?

*Yes.* Xueyi knew it was selfish.

So to face that selfishness head-on, she’d give him everything—herself included.

Her arms tightened around his neck, trembling slightly as she tried to lift her head to kiss him again.

But just before their lips met, Lorin’s hand gently blocked her. He eased her back down onto the bed.

Xueyi’s eyes never left his face, wide with disbelief at his quiet refusal.

For the first time in so long, Lorin had pushed her away.

Lying there, Xueyi’s eyes lost all their luster. She went utterly still, like a puppet with severed strings.

Watching her shift from wild frenzy to this hollow silence, panic clawed at Lorin’s throat.

If not for her ragged breathing, he’d have thought her broken.

"Xueyi?" he whispered.

At the sound of his voice, she jolted back to herself. Emotions flooded her face—then spilled over as sobs. Not quiet sniffles this time. Full, wrenching cries.

No one at the academy would believe it: Xueyi Glaive, who always wore hostility like armor, who never let her icy composure crack—now weeping like a child who’d lost her favorite toy, standing helpless in a storm of tears.

This was the second time Lorin had seen her cry like this. Both times, in this very room.

Lorin shifted off her and pulled her into his arms.

The moment she felt his warmth, Xueyi clung back fiercely.

He patted her back gently, like soothing a child.

After all that struggle, she must be exhausted.

Lorin shook his head. Her arms wrapped around him, but there was no strength left in them—just dead weight pressed against his chest.

He hadn’t realized how deeply his rejection would cut. He’d only feared another kiss would unleash her frenzy again.

As Xueyi’s sobs grew hoarse, Lorin knew this wasn’t healthy. This wasn’t how to vent—it would hurt her.

Hesitating only a second, he loosened his hold. He cupped her tear-streaked face and leaned in, pressing his lips softly to hers. The most direct solution he could think of.

Familiar warmth bloomed on her lips. Xueyi froze for a heartbeat—then melted into the kiss.

Just as Lorin guessed, she had no strength left. Her response was tender, not fierce.

Yet when he tried to pull away, her lips chased his, refusing to let go.

Time blurred. Only when Xueyi’s movements stilled did Lorin realize she’d fallen asleep against him, her breaths shallow and even.

Tonight’s turmoil had drained her completely.

Lorin brushed damp strands of hair from her forehead—her entire scalp was soaked with sweat.

Only now, in this quiet exhaustion, did he feel he could truly handle Xueyi.

He tugged the blanket over her. Her clothes were torn beyond repair, her skin clammy from hours of sweat. Leaving her uncovered would surely bring fever.

As he moved to rise, Xueyi’s hand caught his shirt hem.

Lorin reached to free it—but paused halfway. He sighed, gazing at her sleeping face.

Everything he’d done today was to secure her future after he left the Royal Capital.

But looking at her now, he knew the truth:

*Xueyi was the part of his plan he couldn’t control.*