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“Let me finish.As I was saying: stop forcing men to enlist, or command the women to work in their place and take over their roles. Some villages are already doing this, but there is still prejudice in many rural villages. Their elders forbid the women from doing men’s work.”

Siwang pursed his lips. “I can pass this to Father.”

“You’d better do it quick. Spring is coming, and those crops need to be planted.” I sighed. “So tell me, how are things on the front lines?”

“That’s classified information.”

“If you didn’t trust me, you wouldn’t let me listen in on your meeting. You said you want my father because you want his advice, however I don’t think that’s true. I think you want someone who isn’t embroiled in court politics to talk to. Someone you know will not betray you for one of your half brothers and their families.”

Siwang smiled. “What if you are right? Will you let me send men to escort your father here to sit at my side and listen to my problems?”

“You will not bring my father here or anywhere that is dangerous,” I snapped, remembering my most recent nightmare of his limp body, and the blood that soaked a military map that was too similar to the one in this tent. “Talk to me instead. You know me as well as the back of your hand. I don’t care for court politics, and I will not betray you.”

“You haven’t changed one bit, Lifeng Fei.”

Li Fei,I wanted to correct him. Lifeng Fei died the day I ended our betrothal.

“Lan Yexue wants Rong to become his tribute state.” Siwang exhaled, rubbing his temples.

His body visibly deflated. That rigid posture crumbled before my eyes, and immediately, Siwang went from looking princely to looking exhausted. It was so easy to forget how young he still was. A nineteen-year-old trying his best to be the man his father, his court, his empire wanted him to be. The weight on his shoulders was immense; could he really bear it all?

“What does your father want?”

“He wants me to make the decision, as it is my empire to inherit.”

“Then what do you want?”

Siwang looked away. “This war has gone on for too long, Fei. I can no longer see the forest for the trees. Every defeat, big or small, feels like the end of the rope….” He met my eyes. “I’m scared, Fei.”

My heart ached, hearing this. I had never known Siwang to admit defeat. Even when the entire court was against him because they didn’t think he was worthy, he had never shared his sadness with me. “How long have you been bottling this up?”

“Too long.”

“I guess since my father isn’t here to listen to your problems, I’ll have to do it in his place?”

Siwang’s silken laugh melted my bones like wax. He picked up the inky calligraphy brush at his desk and jutted it at me like a weapon. “Don’t make it sound like such a chore,” he teased. “Do you want me to tell everyone at camp how you’re actually a girl who broke at least half a dozen military laws by coming here?”

I sneered at the calligraphy brush, then shook my head.

“Good.” Siwang winked, a smile threatening to dance across his golden face. “Defy me again and watch me draw some ugly turtles on your face like we did as kids.”

“You know, I never understood what was so dishonorable about having a turtle on my face.”

“Does this mean you want me to draw one, so you can find out?” He rose from the desk, chuckling.

Immediately, I ducked out of his way, skittering away from him until I had the fire pit between us for safe distance.

“Come here,” he taunted, our laughter filling the space. I hoped the fabric of the tent was thick, because what would his guards think ifthey could hear us giggling like children? “If you couldn’t outrun me as kids, you cannot outrun me now!”

He lunged for me, his longer legs giving him an unfair advantage. I didn’t bother to move this time.

I yelped when he pulled me into his arms and smeared a giant line of ink across my nose.

When our laughter died down, I realized just how close we were. My body pressed against his, my heart like a blooming peony straining against my chest, velvet petals fluttering in my throat between shallow breaths. His lips were too close to mine. His hand too hot on my back, sending my body tingling like something slumbering finally coming back to life.

Though I’d tried everything to pretend otherwise, I had missed this, missedhim.How easy and carefree things were when it was just the two of us, far from watchful eyes and courtly rules.

“Fei, I—”