When Syaoran asked for her answer, Fang looked at him with a soft smile.
"I love you, Syaoran," she whispered.
His entire face lit up. "Say it again," he beamed.
Fang giggled. "I love you, Syaoran~~"
"One more time!"
With a playful grin, she hugged him tightly. "Syaoran, you coward… I love you."
Laughing joyfully, Syaoran lifted her in his arms and spun her around. He hugged her tighter, like he never wanted to let go. Then, suddenly, he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.
Before she could even react, he vanished from the room like a breeze.
Fang stood frozen, cheeks flaming, eyes wide in shock. "Syaoran, you coward…" she muttered with a flustered smile, still dazed. Then she laughed to herself, covering her face as she sat on the bed.
In his room, Syaoran collapsed onto his bed, hugging his pillow tightly. He rolled around, kicking his feet in the air, grinning like a boy in love. With the pillow pressed to his face, he whispered to himself, "She said she loves me…"
Back in her room, Fang replayed the kiss in her mind, her smile growing wider. She tapped her hands on the bed and lay down, kicking her feet in the air just like him. They were both overwhelmed by happiness.
---
The Next Morning
The sun peeked through the curtains as Fang sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her mind instantly returned to last night's confession—and that kiss. She blushed and smiled.
Stretching, she walked to the window to open it—and froze.
Standing right outside was Syaoran, waving at her with a boyish grin.
Startled, she quickly shut the window and rushed to the door. Peeking out, she whispered, "Syaoran?"
He smiled brightly and stepped inside, holding a basket. He placed it on the table, then hugged her, resting his head on her shoulder like a clingy cat.
Fang laughed and gently patted his head. "Why are you here so early?"
"I couldn't sleep last night. So I woke up early and… see?" He opened the basket. "I made breakfast for you myself."
Fang raised a brow. "You cooked?"
He puffed up his chest proudly. "With my own hands!"
She sat down and opened the basket, taking in the aroma. "Hmm~ smells good."
"Try it!" Syaoran said eagerly, sitting beside her.
Fang took a bite and smiled. "It's delicious!" She gave a thumbs-up and patted his head.
Syaoran's eyes sparkled. "You should eat more."
Fang picked up a piece with her chopsticks and fed it to him. He opened his mouth wide like a child and chewed happily.
---
A Surprise Visit
Unbeknownst to them, the Queen and her maid were walking toward Fang's room. Just as they reached the door, the two inside were feeding each other affectionately like a married couple.
The door opened.
Fang and Syaoran froze, chopsticks still mid-air.
They turned their heads slowly and saw the Queen standing there, smiling knowingly.
Both of them instantly stood up, flustered and panicked. Syaoran's expression said Mother! Why now of all times?! Fang silently screamed in her head, Oh no—Your Majesty saw everything! Please, someone save me!
They bowed deeply to the Queen.
She chuckled and turned to her maid. "If I had listened to you and come later, I wouldn't have caught this sweet moment."
The maid smiled. "You're right, Your Majesty."
Syaoran cleared his throat. "Mother… this… it's not what it looks like. I was just… passing by. I saw Fang was awake, so I came to speak with her."
Fang nodded rapidly. "Yes, Your Majesty! He just came to see me for a moment, that's all!"
The Queen tilted her head and peered at the table. "Hmm~" she hummed playfully.
Syaoran subtly shifted in front of the basket to block her view.
The Queen raised an eyebrow. "So," she said gently, "do you two… love each other?"
Fang and Syaoran looked at each other, then nodded in unison.
The Queen exchanged a knowing look with her maid and smiled warmly. "Will you stay together… even if others oppose you? Even if hardships come?"
Without hesitation, they clasped hands and replied together, "Even in death, we won't be apart."
The Queen walked forward, touched their joined hands, and said, "Then I am happy… if you are like this."
She turned and left with her maid, the door closing behind them.
Syaoran and Fang bowed deeply until the Queen was gone. Then they both exhaled in relief and looked at each other.
They burst out laughing.
"We really survived that, didn't we?" Fang chuckled.
Syaoran grinned. "Barely."