Chapter 86 - The Real Ren

We continued walking side-by-side until Ren suddenly came to a sudden stop.

“I took you to see the Sunrise of Joy…so now, why don’t I show you the sunset too?” Ren suggested romantically.

“Seeing both the sunrise and sunset in the same hour is such a rare treat, I’ve got to say…” I replied with a merry laugh.

“I know just the perfect spot that you can watch the sunset,” Ren said with a confident and charming smile.

I was beginning to find out that Ren was full of adventure and surprises and all those things made my heart skip a beat ever so often. There was a small hill in the garden and Ren carefully led me up by pulling me by the hand after him. It wasn’t a steep walk, but my high platform shoes made it difficult enough for me to want some support. I missed my flat shoes so much. No matter how much time had passed, I wasn’t used to wearing such high and heavy shoes.

“Is this the place?” I asked when we arrived at the top of the hill.

It was extra windy here and I felt the wind caress my face and blow my long hair back behind me. There was a big and outstanding tree on top of the hill and surprisingly, attached to the tree was a swing.

“Yup…” Ren replied as he gestured for me to follow him.

“I can’t believe that there’s a swing here…” I said in wonder.

“I used to spend time here when I was younger…and when I needed a break,” Ren explained.

When we arrived at the swing, I could tell that it was larger than I had imagined. I reached out and touched my finger to the rope of the swing and thought of a younger Ren playing on the swing.

“Take a seat,” Ren said encouragingly.

I did as I was told and carefully sat down on the swing. Ren held the swing in place as he helped me.

“The sun’s about to set…” I whispered.

Ren was right, this place was the perfect spot to watch the sun rise and set. I could see the sun clearly in the sky, dying it a tinge of dark orange and pink. The swing, the wind in my hair, the setting sun and the man standing closely behind me…everything made this moment so perfect.

“It’s beautiful…” I said in awe.

“It is, isn’t it? Worth the little walk up here,” Ren agreed as he placed his hands on my shoulders gently.

“Definitely worth the walk,” I said as looked up at his face. Ren smiled down at me in response and for a moment, I forgot all about the setting sun.

“Do you want me to push you?” Ren suggested playfully.

“I feel like a kid…” I murmured as I nodded at him.

“Not a bad feeling…” Ren said.

Softly, Ren began pushing the swing and I could feel the wind blowing harder against my face. Being on a swing, really made me feel like a little girl and Ren was my playmate. I laughed so much that I got embarrassed with myself, although, Ren didn’t seem to mind.

“I think…that’s enough swinging for today…” I said when I’ve had just enough of playtime adventure.

Ren helped me hold the swing as it came to a stop. That was so fun! I haven’t laughed that carefreely for a long time. Even back in my town, I didn’t have any friends or anyone who would play with me like this.

“The sun is really setting now,” Ren said in a low voice.

“Yeah…Ren…” I whispered as I felt his arms around my shoulders.

Ren hugged me to him from behind as we watched the sunset together. We stayed like that, just silently watching the beautiful sunset, until the sun had completely dipped below the horizon.

“Ren…let’s come here again sometime…” I said before I smiled brightly at him.

I felt his fingertip on my chin as he tipped my head upwards towards him and then his warm lips were on mine. My eyes widened in surprise before closing as I drowned in the tenderness and warmth of his kiss. Ren’s kiss was gentle and kind. It made me think that perhaps, this was the real Ren.

“Ok…” Ren said when our lips finally parted.

Ren helped me off the swing and I succeeded in staying on my feet without falling flat on my face. These silk robe and all their decorative elements and other silk shawls were not easy to handle at all.

“It’s getting darker now that the sun has set. We should head back inside,” Ren said as he extended a hand towards me.

I nodded as I let Ren take my hand and lead me back to his palace.

…

It was completely dark outside by the time we arrived back in Ren’s palace. If I thought that the time between us was over, I was completely wrong. When we arrived back inside the palace, a very old and senior eunuch greeted us with an overly polite bow before informing Ren that the dinner that he had requested for had been prepared.

“We’re having dinner together here?” I asked, a little taken by surprise.

“Yes,” Ren replied in short.

It wasn’t like I didn’t want to have dinner with Ren but for some reason it felt strange to have dinner at his palace like this. Plus, it was very dark outside already, if I didn’t make it back to the inner court then perhaps Auntie would be worried. I hadn’t realized that I had stopped in my tracks as my mind started to worry.

“I already informed Auntie that you won’t be going back tonight,” Ren said, as if he could read my mind. Perhaps, he could…

“You did…what?” I asked in surprise.

“I told Auntie that you won’t be going back to the inner court tonight,” Ren repeated himself and I could see that he was growing a little impatient.

“Why did you tell her that I’m not going back?” I asked, still unable to wrap my head around what was going on.

“Why? Because you’re not going back. You’re spending the night with me here, in my palace,” Ren stated as he stared deep into my eyes to make sure that I understood.

--To be continued…