Incident at Dawn
738 Words
Early morning. A ray of sunlight streamed into the room, falling directly onto Xia Na's face.Xia Na's eyelashes fluttered slightly. She opened her eyes with difficulty. Looking around, she saw Lu Ou sitting at the table, polishing his gleaming golden sword.Xia Na remembered that last night, after returning from the bathhouse, she had gone straight to bed and fallen asleep the moment her head touched the pillow. She sat up, saw she was still fully clothed in her violet velvet nightgown, and asked, "Did we not sleep together last night?" She knew that with Lu Ou's habits, sharing a bed with him would invariably have left her completely bare."You're awake." Lu Ou set down his golden sword, walked to the bedside, and kissed Xia Na on the forehead. "I haven't slept yet."Seeing the weariness on Lu Ou's face, Xia Na stroked his cheek, her heart aching: "My knight, are you troubled because you didn't find the peeping Tom? That's no reason to stay up all night."Lu Ou gazed at Xia Na's beautiful face, wanting to speak but holding back. Ever since learning the news about Xia Ta the previous night, his mind had been restless. He had a growing sense that a hidden force lurked behind Saintlight Village, and that Xia Ta's fate was somehow connected to it. Though he had no concrete proof, the suspicion lingered in his mind. Upon returning last night, he had initially wanted to tell Xia Na immediately everything Lei Meng and Lei Yi had said. But as he watched Xia Na sleeping soundly, a sudden unease gripped his heart. He had a premonition that Xia Na's rage would be swallowed by the forces behind Saintlight Village, that her impulsiveness would expose her to the enemy's hidden arrows. With the enemy in the shadows and them in the light, impulsiveness would only bring greater trouble upon oneself. Lu Ou had not forgotten this maxim from the Warrior's Code, even if he himself often failed to abide by it in daily life.As a courageous knight, Lu Ou feared no danger. But he also knew clearly that he absolutely could not put Xia Na in harm's way. He would face any thorns on the path ahead for her. So, after a night of deliberation, he made a decision: he would not reveal a word to Xia Na until he had fully uncovered the truth of the Xia Ta incident himself.Seeing the deep concern on Lu Ou's face, Xia Na asked worriedly, "My love, what's wrong?"Lu Ou pressed his hand over hers, which was still caressing his face, and said, "Remember, no matter what happens today, don't be rash. I will help you see things clearly."Hearing Lu Ou's oddly phrased words, Xia Na couldn't help but smile: "Isn't it usually me telling you not to be rash? How come today it's you cautioning me?"Lu Ou didn't return her smile. He kissed Xia Na deeply on the lips, then said, "Just remember my words."Seeing Lu Ou's solemn expression, Xia Na also put away her smile: "Are you worried about that little girl?"Lu Ou was momentarily caught off guard: "Uh, uh..."Xia Na said, "Though I can't be one hundred percent sure of her identity, I always feel she doesn't seem like a wolf-kin. Her appearance, her words, her actions... all radiate an aura of goodness."It dawned on Lu Ou that Xia Na was talking about Ming Yue. He said, "Let's just wait for the result of the Holy Light's judgment on this matter. If she is a good person, she will be fine."Xia Na said, "If today's test proves she's not a wolf-kin, I want to take her to the Rose Academy."Lu Ou asked, "You seem to admire her quite a bit?"Xia Na said, "I see in her the potential to become a grand sorceress."Lu Ou was startled: "A grand sorceress? That's unbelievable. Look how young she is now."Xia Na said, "I have some confidence in my judgment."Lu Ou said, "Very well. But she still has to get through today's trial first."Just then, a commotion arose from outside the room. Someone was shouting repeatedly, "This is bad! Somebody, come quickly!"Xia Na said, "What's happened?"Lu Ou stood up: "Let's go out and see." Xia Na also rose, then glanced down at her nightgown and gave a rueful smile. Lu Ou laughed and gave her full hip a playful slap: "Summon your transformation, my high-hat witch. Time to suit up."
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