Bonds and Relationships.

Back at the palace.

The servants are running back and forth. Some with papers, others with silverware. Anne was sitting next to the king listening to daily reports on the throne.

They've been at it for almost an hour. After a quick break, there were meetings and office work to tend to, then trying on the clothing for upcoming events, and so on. There was a lot to do just before their anniversary and a week off.

That was the only time they could rest. Anne stared at the window on her left side mindlessly.

'It's a beautiful day.'

Yet there were only a few times that she was able to bathe in the sun beyond the garden. She kind of missed the days beyond the castle walls. Running around town, sitting by the lake, and Chen taking her to the fanciest restaurants.

A sigh from the person next to her brought Anne back to reality.

"Where is Chen right now?" The king grimaced. "I need him now."

Anne shook her head at her husband. "Dear, you were always so happy to send him outside."

"Yeah, but there's some stuff I need his opinions on. I thought he took care of those. Instead, he only got rid of the work I could've done on my own!" The king insisted.

"I guess he found out You've been slacking on this department." Anne laughed.

That was so like him. Strict and full of integrity.

These days, her married life has been strained by outsiders. It was getting tiring. It was because of these small talks with her husband that she was able to breathe a little.

Anne also wondered what Chen was doing since he's been off for a little while. If Li's back, are they having fun together?

Her heart throbbed.

"Your majesties, it's time for your next schedule."

A servant handed him another scroll.

"Very well, let's go, dear." The king reaches out his hand.

"Okay."

They continued the busy day.

______________

At a random clothing shop near the palace.

Chen was leisurely browsing through a catalog while Lily looked through the clothing that was on display.

"Chen? How about this or this? It's fairly hot most of the time here, right?" Lily showed him a long sleeveless two-piece dress.

It was white and embroidered very plainly, yet it looked dignifying. The other was a red one-piece with a more detailed pattern. Both of it reminded him of something.

"Say," Chen spoke up.

Lily turned her attention to Chen. "Hm?"

"When do you want to get married?"

"Well, a fast as we can?" Lily sighed. "You are already addressing me with the official title. It would be weird if we are not officially wedded."

Chen smiled. "En."

He then continued to seriously look at the wedding dress catalog that was in his hand. There were many designs, it is difficult to just choose one.

She would look good in anything was also another problem.

"And the dresses?" Lily asked him again.

Chen raised his hand without looking up.

"Ring those two dresses up," Chen said sternly.

"Yes, Sir." The attendant quickly grabbed the dresses from Lily's hand and went to pack them.

Lily: "..."

_________

While waiting for the remaining clothes to be packed, Lily sat down next to Chen and leaned on his shoulder.

"Well? What kind of wedding do you want?" She asked.

"Aren't weddings more important for females?" Chen threw the question back at her.

"Heh, heh, you're opinions matter too, husband."

"Then, a private one. I don't want too many people to know you." Chen looked at her.

"Why? Because I'm too pretty?"

Chen pinched her cheeks. "So, you know that you're pretty?"

"More or less?" Lily smiled.

Chen wrapped his arms around her and sighed. "There's that, and because of me, having too many people at our wedding is worrying for your safety."

He really worries a lot.

It wasn't bad; in fact, she's happy he's always thinking about her.

'Maybe I have gotten too full of myself.'

Misunderstanding her silent response, Chen reassured her. "Don't worry about the wedding. I'll have someone take care of it, you just rest well and be healthy."

"I know, dear." Lily kissed his lips. "There's also one more thing I'd like to say."

"What is it?" He rubbed his cheek on her hair.

"My real name. I want to let you know." Lily showed a strained smile. "It's Yifei."

"Yifei?" Chen confirmed. This name also sounds beautiful.

"It sounds similar to the origins of your name right?"

'Chen' is also a name not from this country. If someone mentions his name, everyone would know who it is since there's only one.

"Maybe I also was from where you were." Chen curved his lips upward. "Then it was a shame that I wasn't able to find you earlier."

"But it turned out for the better! Since I am here where you are!" Not where that horrid place is.

Even if you were, you wouldn't be able to find me. She thought.

Trying to get rid of her depressing past she stood up from her seat.

"You can use that name when we are alone if you want too."

"Okay."

It's a secret only they shared.

Drifting his attention towards her ring finger and back up, Chen smiled slyly. "But I prefer 'wife' more."

_________________

After their shopping spree, they decided to go home early in the late afternoon.

Upon walking towards the carriage, whilst Chen putting their belongings in, Yifei's eyes drifted towards the opposite direction where it seems like many guards were stationed at.

Curious, Yifei pulled Chen's sleeve. "There's seems to be a huge crowd over there."

Following her eyes, Chen looked at the direction. Since he was taller than most people, he could see the tip of the golden crown from far away and smirk.

'At least he's still doing his job properly without me huh.'

"It's his majesty. Do you want to drop by and greet him?"

Yifei shook her head. "It's okay. He's probably busy doing his own thing."

"En." Chen nodded in agreement. "Let's get you home. You're still healing and today's trip must've exhausted your legs."

With one hand holding hers and the other holding her tiny waist firmly, Chen supported Yifei up the steps slowly.

At the same time, in the midst of the crowd of soldiers, Anne saw a glimpse of familiar figures not far off in the opposite direction.

"Che--" Anne was about to call out, but abruptly stunted her words.

In front of her, was a scene that had made her feel heart throbbed again.

Chen was helping Yifei up into the carriage. After getting onto the carriage, he was still hugging her waist as he closed the door.

She held onto his arms once he got on and said something in his ear. It seemed like it made him happy that he smiled.

They both gazed at each so happily.

It was a face that she had never seen on Chen even after all these years. If he was ever happy you can tell, but he would never smile so openly. He was always so emotionless.

She thought that if those two were together. She would be delighted and supportive.

But seeing them now in action, it started to actually pain her a little. She doesn't know why.

Anne clenched onto the clothes by her chest until a voice called out.

"Dear? Dear?" The king tapped her. "Is something wrong? Are you in pain?"

"Huh? Oh... It's nothing." She quickly smiled back. "I thought I saw Chen and Lily."

"Oh?! Where?" The king looked at the direction, but the carriage had already left. "I don't see them."

"I must be seeing things." Anne laughed lightly as she walked into the shop. "Come, let's get this done."