I Feel It
The sun shone brightly upon the ground surface.
I moved slowly, heading towards Feiye's residence. Although it seems embarrassing to visit his place after the last incident, Feiye's house was currently the best location for me to hide right now.
The thought of me encountering San inside the palace makes my heart ache. I really don't want to come across him. I'm afraid that if I did, I would be able to hold back my tears.
'Creak.' The wooden gate made a loud noise as it was pushed open.
“Oh. Look who's here.” Feiye lifted his head and glanced in the direction of the incoming figure. A teasing smile instantly spread across his lips as he said, “It's San's woman.”
“Stop it.” I waved my hand in annoyance as I stepped into the courtyard.
“Why? Don't you like being called San's woman?” Feiye ignored the annoyance written on my face and continued teasing. “Or could it be that he doesn't like you?”
“No,” I shouted, giving him a hard glare. “He likes me. He likes me so much that he couldn't stop telling me how precious I was to him. Move to the side.”
Feiye willingly shifted to the side, making a space next to him.
“Hmph.” I snorted, pushing him with my shoulder as I sat down.
Feiye didn’t pay heed to my action and continued. “That's great. I wish you the best in your relationship. Since today is for good news, I also have some good news to tell you. I think I've found the girl of my dreams.”
“What?” My head made a ninety-degree turn at him. “What did you just say?”
Did I just hear, 'Found the girl of my dreams?’ Or could it be that I'm hallucinating it?
“No. Your hearings are perfectly accurate.” Feiye's expression remained calm, as if he weren't the one who just dropped the explosive announcement.
“What?” I got to my feet, looking at him in disbelief.
“Are my words that shocking?”
Not only shocking but absurd. How… I mean… Gosh, why can't I think of anything?
“I saw her yesterday.” Feiye gazed into the distance, as if he was reminiscing about the past. “A pity that it was just a portrait of her. It would have been great if I could see her physically. Do you want to take a look?”
“Yes.” I nodded subconsciously.
I want to see which girl had managed to capture this devil's heart.
“Wait here.” Feiye stood up and headed inside the house.
A minute later, he stepped out, holding what appeared to be a scroll in his hand. “Here.” He unfolded the scroll and spread it across the table. “What do you think? Isn't she pretty?”
“This…” I became dumbfounded the moment I saw the familiar face on the paper.
The person couldn't be more familiar. Isn't this me?
“Where did you get this picture scroll?” I picked up the scroll and began to inspect it.
Apart from the familiar face, the clothing, hairstyle, and makeup were entirely different from what I told the artist to draw.
The girl inside the scroll was dressed in a fluttering white gown. Her white, slender hands reached upward, wanting to catch the falling blossom leaves in the painting. A sweet smile spread across her lips, depicting the innocence of a young lady.
How did my face end up in this picture?
“Ah, that. I purchased it at an artist's stall. He said that this was a limited-edition product and the only one in the world. So, I purchased it.”
Limited edition, my foot. My grip on the scroll tightened.
That greedy artist dares to use my face to make money without giving me my percentage share. I'm going to break him into pieces.
Feiye, unaware of my inner turmoil, went on. “Don't you think that I made a bargain by picking up such a beautiful painting? A pity that the girl in this scroll is just an imagination of the artist. Or else, I would have asked for her hand in marriage.”
“Really?” I didn't know when I spurted this out.
I hurriedly tried to change my meaning. “I mean, the girl depicted in the picture is not as beautiful as any immortal ladies. She looks so ordinary to me.”
Feiye's brows squeezed slightly in displeasure. “All creatures are beautiful, whether ordinary or not. In my view, I think the girl in this painting looks more beautiful than you, Miss Zanillia.”
“Ah.” My eyes widened in surprise at his words. “But… San said that she's not.” The last sentence was uttered in a low voice. However, Feiye’s sharp ears managed to capture it.
“San? Has he seen the painting before?”
“No.” I quickly shook my head. “I was just uttering some nonsense. Don't mind my words.”
Feiye noticed the anxiousness in the expression of the girl before him. A sharp glint suddenly flashed across his eyes, which only he could understand.
He lowered his eyes and continued speaking. “If the fourth lord did say that, that’s because you are the only one in his heart. It would be very surprising if he were to praise any other girl other than you.”
“You are right.” I nodded, putting the picture scroll away before turning to look at him. “Let's say the girl in this picture isn't the artist's imagination. What would you do if you met her?”
“Of course, shower her with all my love,” Feiye replied in an assertive tone. “It's the first time I will experience such a fluttering feeling in my heart after all these years,” A gentle smile emerged on his face as he spoke.
Witnessing it, a trace of warmth instantly crept up my cheeks.
What the hell? Am I blushing right now?
Damn it, Belia. How can you be affected by his words?
Love-struck Belia: Why can't you be? Take a look at him. He loves you so much that he's willing to shower you with all his love even without meeting you. How can you not fall for such a gentle man?
Rational Belia: What nonsense are you talking about up there? Belia, don't forget how this devil called Feiye bullied you. If he eventually knew about your identity, you would definitely be tormented to death by him.
My Heart is for San Alone Belia: Yes, that’s right. Remember our slogan, girl. Our heart is for San Alone. No one can enter this sacred place apart from him. So, you can't be swayed by this tricky devil.
“Can I rest my head on your shoulder for a minute, please?”
'Craaackkk'
Ouch. Why do I hear something breaking?
Rational Belia: …
My Heart is for San Alone Belia: …
That's the sound of our heart shattering, author.
Feiye was stunned by the request. Surprisingly, he didn't reject it. “Sure.”
My face lit up in happiness, and I immediately moved closer to him.
The afternoon sun was very glaring. So, the moment I placed my head on Feiye’s shoulder, my side view was met with the harsh radiation of the sun.
Damm, it’s so hot. This is definitely not the romantic scenario I envisaged.
Thankfully, a huge cloud floated by, saving the day.
“I think that girl would be very happy to know that there's someone who also thinks that she's worthy of love.” I tilted my head up a bit and turned to look at him.
By chance, Feiye happened to turn his head at that moment, his icy blue eyes meeting mine.
“Why do you think so?” He asked softly.
“Because I… I feel it.” I leaned my face forward, my lips aiming for his.
Suddenly, I felt something pushing me backward, and Feiye immediately got to his feet.
“I'm so sorry, but I don't think this is appropriate.” Feiye's eyes were filled with an indescribable sense of coldness. “I appreciate your feelings for me, but I have no interest in you. Your current action makes me suspect whether the feeling you have for San is genuine or not.”
“I…” I bite down on my lower lip, feeling guilty at his claims. “I know. I'm crazy, right? I also don’t know what’s wrong with me right now.” A tear dripped down on my left cheek. “I'm so sorry to bother you. I will leave right now.” I hurriedly got up to my feet and dashed out of the courtyard.
“Wai-” Feiye stretched out his hand, wanting to stop the figure from leaving. However, the sudden action was soon halted, and he puts down his hand.
What could he say? Tell her that he didn't mind her continuing her approach, even though she has feelings for San? No. None of it is right.
As a result, he could only watch her leave.