[ if it's his devotion that moves her, she should prepare to be moved, because the comment makes hua cheng smile in a way that it's likely nami has never seen before—soft, tender, utterly adoring. directed at his paper, but clearly spurred by thoughts of xie lian. ]

I hope I am. He makes me want to be the husband that he deserves, and he deserves nothing less than the best. [ xie lian has been treated so badly by the world, by the people around him. if hua cheng can be a shield between him and those who would do him wrong, then he will gladly let himself be used. ] I love him—desperately. Wholly. I am his in body and spirit, his most devoted follower for all eternity.

[ after a moment, he puts a finishing touch on the portrait and then sits up straight again, turning the sketchbook around so nami can see the drawing he's done of her. in it, she's leaning against the table, her head tilted and gaze cast somewhere off in the distance—but there's a smirk playing about the corners of her lips, an expression like she knows a good secret she won't be telling. ]

How did you come to be known as a heartless witch to your village?