Qiu Ling blinked his eyes and then tilted his head to look at him. “My love, if you continue looking at me like that …” He didn’t finish the sentence but faintly raised his brows as if he wanted to ask what he should make of his behavior.

Jing He immediately lowered his head, feeling that he had done something wrong. He had felt so strongly just now that he should make use of the opportunity but he didn’t know how and Qiu Ling’s words vaguely sounded as if they were chastising him as well. He tried not to let it get to him but it was hard.

“What’s the matter?” Qiu Ling slowed down but still continued moving forward. “Are you uncomfortable?”

Jing He hastily shook his head. He didn’t want to give Qiu Ling the wrong impression. “That’s not it. I just …” He hesitated again before slowly raising his gaze. What could he say to express his thoughts and feelings? All the words he could think of seemed to be lacking.

Qiu Ling quietly looked at him, slowing down even further. “Are you … afraid to go home?”

Jing He hesitated but finally shook his head. “Maybe a little but … that’s not really it.” No, he just wished this moment could stretch on forever. Obviously, his choice would have been very different if it had only been up to him. This … Was this something he should tell Qiu Ling?

He continued to look at that familiar face, searching for any hints as to what would be the right decision. He didn’t want to make matters even worse for him. He wanted Qiu Ling to be happy no matter what. How to do that though … he couldn’t tell.

Qiu Ling stopped and simply hovered in the air, requiting his gaze silently as if to give him time to sort out his thoughts and tell him what he meant instead.

Jing He furrowed his brows. He still didn’t know if it was right to say anything but since Qiu Ling was waiting for his response, he couldn’t keep quiet either. “I just wish there was more time.” He looked up again and sighed deeply as if he could let go of all his feelings this way. Of course, that was nonsense. The guilt and the hopelessness wouldn’t lessen because of such a simple action. If they could, life would be so much easier.

Qiu Ling hummed. “Me too.”

They both fell silent again but as if to echo his words, Qiu Ling didn’t actually fly any further in the direction he had picked before. Instead, he continued to hover in the air as if waiting for something else.

Jing He brushed through An Xin’s fur, trying to keep calm. He couldn’t guess Qiu Ling’s mind even though he desperately wanted to. Maybe then, he would be courageous enough to say more. Right now, he just couldn’t bring himself to even give it a try.

Qiu Ling looked at him quietly, not saying a word either. Time seemed to trickle by until, finally, it was Qiu Ling who sighed. “I suppose we could just elope? It’s not like anyone other than me and Tian knows where you are. Your father wouldn’t even know that you’ve come with me.”

Jing He stared at him in a daze. He … had never thought of such a possibility. It was … tempting, very much so. If he could indeed just have Qiu Ling carry him elsewhere and never return … he wouldn’t have to hurt his father and he wouldn’t put the alliance at risk. None of those bad things he had seen in the Spring of Fate would come to pass. Wouldn’t that be great?

For a while, he allowed himself to imagine such a future and his expression turned wistful. Yes, if they could … he would indeed wish to do so. He didn’t have to inherit the throne of the Nine Heavens and even though Qiu Ling was a brilliant king, he didn’t think that he valued that more than he would finally having the family he desired. They … could indeed find happiness.

But what if … “What if we are found?” Then his father would blame Qiu Ling. Either he would think Qiu Ling had abducted him and was keeping him against his will or he would figure out that he himself had abandoned his family for Qiu Ling. Wouldn’t the final outcome still be the same then?

Jing He sighed and shook his head. “I wish there was a solution but … it is too risky and I can’t live with the consequences. Qiu Ling …” His fingers dug more tightly into the fabric of Qiu Ling’s robe and his brows furrowed. “I have seen the future. Knowing what I know now, I just can’t. No matter how much I want to, I can’t let those things happen. Unless my father were to change his mind, this has to be the end.”

Qiu Ling nodded. “Well, I promised not to argue. I just … wanted to mention it in case you’d think it might work.” He lowered his head and smiled wryly. “Let’s … just take our time on the way back then?”

Jing He wanted to nod but after just rejecting him again, he felt awkward about it.

Qiu Ling sighed once more. “I mean, I will happily visit you in the Nine Heavens whenever there is a chance. It just depends on whether your father will still allow it.” He slowly descended to the ground but continued to hold Jing He, slowly walking forward.

Jing He looked ahead, wondering how long it would take to reach the next city if they traveled this way. Most likely … it should be a lot longer? Well, it would be good if it could be several days or maybe even a few weeks …

He allowed himself to fantasize for a few moments but then called himself to order again. Sooner or later, he’d have to return home so he shouldn’t try to push it too far back. As for visiting in the future … “He probably won’t. Most likely, he’ll try to have me marry soon. That … would probably solve the issue in his eyes.” And his father might care more about that than his feelings so he didn’t think there was a way around it.