I waited out at the bridge where Jaxon I and I first talked. The howling wind and the silence of the birds were the only difference between the last time and at this moment. There were still faint grasshopper chirps, but the weather seemed gloomier rather than beautiful. It was autumn already, almost transitioning into cold winter. Despite the chilly weather, I was still warm and cozy under the traditional fur coat my maids fetched for me. Specifically, one maid, Guan Shu, who was my favourite maid. She was a very compassionate woman. Her childhood stories were something that entertained me while the Emperor was busy with other things. Before I told her I was going to leave the palace for fresh air, she was hurriedly fetching for a fur coat she was going to give me. Out of all the four maids I had, Guan Shu stood out the most and was the most considerate one. When Chang Ying left my chamber, Guan Shu was hesitant to bring up any of the events that had happened.

"Do you mind if I ask, milady?" she said as she bowed hesitantly.

I replied with, "No, I do not. I'll tell you from the start."

Guan Shu had a son. His name was Rong Er. At the age of four, he was learning how to read and write. Surprisingly being raised as a peasant woman, Guan Shu was quite educated. She was excellent in the arts, literature, writing, and had basic knowledge of politics and state affairs that many women are 'incompetent' in. She knew the Imperial library in and out and recommended me a few works. I wanted to meet her son. I've never seen a toddler here. I didn't know they even existed here. It was weird... seeing kids in the Palace who weren't the princes or the princesses. The Emperor was still young, I guess he and the Empress are still trying.

Waiting for Jaxon to arrive was tiresome, so I began to try and skip pebbles, but they only jumped twice. I was clearly bad at it. I sensed Jaxon's presence eventually and peered over to the right side. I rushed over to greet him. "Do you know how long I waited for you?"

"Do you know how worried I was when you were locked up in that cell, with lack of sleep and a paler face?" he retorted as he slipped his hand down my waist and leaned in to give me a sensual hug.

"I'm sorry." I wrapped my arm around his neck, pressing my chest against him.

My eyes were closed while we embraced each other like a couple after they haven't seen each other for a long time. Although my feelings for Jaxon were nonexistent, I still felt flustered every time I had physical contact with him. I think it was the lack of contact with the Emperor or the lack of contact with any guy for that matter. I was a consort after all, and that means that I should be only for the Emperor like a sad, desperate puppy waiting for his abusive owner to come and pet him.

"I think it's too dangerous to do anything at this point." Jaxon disrupted the hug and pulled away.

I nodded. "I need to be ranked to 'Imperial Noble Consort' to get the jade bangle."

"No. I mean, it's too dangerous to do anything," he demanded. "I can't have you harmed or killed. The Empress is a woman not to mess with."

"I won't, I promise," I lied through my teeth.

"How've you been?"

"Oh, pretty great, besides the fact that someone is trying to plot against me! How about you? How's the cool guard work?"

For the first time in forever, I saw him smile. His dimple on the side was cute. He looked so beautiful with a smile, even though the wind was running through his hair harshly. I had to accept the fact that he was beautiful. We were exchanging words, talking about the things we did in the place we were put in, the experiences... and life-threatening situations. After we both became quiet, I licked my lips before I rested my arm on the bridge railing. "So tell me, how was your modernized life?"

"Great, I had friends and family... And a career," he joked. "And the internet, what about you?"

"Me too, but somehow, I think I'm getting used to this." My eyes wandered off at the flowing river, the ripple sounds were still soothing to me at a time like this.

Jaxon started to talk about his life. He had parents who were filthy rich but never came home to see him, so he was more of a father figure to his brother. His father had set him as an heir to his company so he didn't have schooling to worry about. Currently, he was working under his father. He had quite a lot of connections—mainly public figures on the Forbes richest people list. I was fascinated by his life. We were opposite in the way we were living, yet we ended up here together. He kept on rambling on, but I never told him because I enjoyed hearing his voice. I started to zone out, staring at his well-structured face and moving lips.

After he finished talking, I had this goofy smirk on my face that I didn't know I had. He cocked an eyebrow out and mischievously grinned.

"Take a , it lasts longer." Jaxon paused and contemplated a little. "Wait... That wouldn't make sense because—"

Laughter escaped from my lips, which Jaxon caught on. Soon after, both of us were laughing quietly at his faulty joke.

"To be honest, I'm glad this happened." Jaxon pressed his back against the railing while smoothly lifting his head up to stare at the bright, white planet. As he gawked at the full moon, his lips slowly began to curl into a half-hearted smile. And I had agreed silently. I had experienced more than what I've experienced back in my era. But Jaxon, as a royal guard, has possibly not gone through as much as me. I was just assuming, though.

I turned my neck to look up at the moon as well. I said, "Wait, why?"

"Because I met you," he responded with speed.

My heart stopped. The answer was unexpected. It was already blustery in the beginning, but the untamed wind began to roar louder. Although I got the chills, I felt warmer with his presence around me. Or it was because of my heated cheeks.

Jaxon. I hardly knew him at all, but every time we spoke and every small talk we made, I felt like I knew him my whole life. It was not that I wanted to pursue anything with him, but his name felt so safe on my tongue. I mustered up the words to pour out a drop of my feelings. "Me too, Jaxon. I'm glad I met you."

His smile began to widen. I felt his arm gently gripping my shoulder, pulling me closer towards him. "I've never seen the moon up close like this."

"Me neither," I simply said.

Although the moon was an extreme beauty, beaming so brightly at us, I thought Jaxon was more alluring. It was right there in front of me. The moon was close, closer than all the moons I've seen before. But I couldn't help but take little side glances at Jaxon. We stood next to each other for nearly twenty minutes. A small conversation here and there, but mostly us thinking to ourselves with the company of each other. Jaxon's fingers were raking through my hair softly and I was rubbing circles at the back of his hand with my thumb. It was us, just us, our bodies entangling each other while we stared at a circular bright light.

It was weird to think that if someone would spot us together here, we both would've been executed by default. Except here we are, our hearts glowing within because we are in each other's presence.

Were there feelings involved? Technically we needed to communicate and stay with each other to return home. Jaxon is the only person in the palace who could relate to me, and I could relate to him. We had to stick up for each other. But as I peered up at his wandering, twinkling brown eyes and the serious look on his face while he's in his zone, I wondered if we could ever fall in love. As he slowly moved his head to tower over me, his one-second smirk turned into a chuckle. When he smiled or laughed, his eyes would crinkle to the side and his dimple would enhance. It was mesmerizing, to see him smile, to see that.

"It's getting cold, let's go back inside." Jaxon pushed me closer to him while he led the way back.

We left to our separate ways since I lived with the others. We both exchanged 'goodbyes' and a wave. I thanked him for such a nice time.

I passed the eunuchs still standing out at the front. They bowed and shifted to the side so I could enter. Hua Er hugs me and told me how worried she was, and how she thought that I was really going to die for good. I haven't seen her since the trial. While she was squeezing me and holding me way too tightly, Jaxon and I's relationship still lingered on my mind.