With the last remaining custom being done, the two of them spend a little more time with their families before making their way back to Jing He’s palace. While being alone with each other had been made difficult by the Heavenly Emperor who was still trying to separate them, they were a couple about to be married. There was nothing they wanted as much as spending time with one another now. Especially on a day like this, neither of them could resist the temptation even if they were well aware that Jing He’s father would definitely cause a ruckus if he ever found out.

Qiu Ling held Jing He’s hand as they walked down the road and looked up at the sky. In the future, none of this would be an issue any longer. They could be alone whenever they wanted or stroll through the city when they felt like it. It wouldn’t matter who was around and saw them. If they walked down the main road, it would also be alright. They didn’t need to choose the less frequented places as they did now.

He finally retracted his gaze and turned to the side, gazing at Jing He’s profile. “Just three more days and life will change a lot. No more hiding. No more careful concealing. We’ll just be … with one another openly.”

Jing He looked up as well and smiled lightly. “I am waiting for that day.” He had hesitated for so long but now, there were no doubts left. This was what he wanted. Listening into himself, he actually felt that he might be more eager than Qiu Ling right now. His smile brightened when he thought of that and he turned back to the front, not daring to look at Qiu Ling’s face. If he did, who knew what he would say?

Naturally, this behavior didn’t escape Qiu Ling’s eyes. He slowed down and reached up with his other hand, gently grasping Jing He’s chin and turning his face back toward him. “What are you thinking, my love? Why do I feel that I truly want to know?”

Jing He’s cheeks flushed and he almost turned back away but seeing Qiu Ling’s intrigued gaze, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He hesitated and then looked in both directions before stepping closer. “I just … I thought it was a long time and I didn’t want to wait. I wish we … were already married. And yet, I said earlier to you that it is just a few days and we’ll have to be patient. Why does it seem as if I am even more eager than you now?”

Qiu Ling couldn’t answer for a moment. Was this some kind of auditory hallucination he was having or had his beloved just admitted that he couldn’t wait for their wedding ceremony either and was even more reluctant to wait than him? Oh, if it was true … what could he say then?

Qiu Ling sighed deeply and clicked his tongue. “It’s a pity we can’t push it forward any further. The first guests will only arrive tomorrow and I suppose we can’t simply hold the wedding with only some in attendance.” Sometimes, being in the kind of positions they had was a curse. If they were a regular couple, couldn’t they simply get things done right now? Or, well, today might be a little late but at least tomorrow would be possible. As things stood though … with Jing He being the crown prince of the Nine Heavens and him being the dragon king, it was simply impossible.

Jing He nodded. “Yes, it’ll have to be the date we set.” He almost regretted giving it a week now but then, there had still been a few things to talk through and some preparations to be made. Giving themselves less time wouldn’t have worked either.

Sighing as well, he squeezed Qiu Ling’s hand. “Well, it truly can’t be changed. Let’s just go back. At least we’ll be able to spend more time together.” These days, they usually hid out in his mother’s palace but after just going through the wedding customs with Qiu Ling, he felt a bit embarrassed about staying there. Wasn’t it better to go back and spend time alone?

Qiu Ling hummed and the two of them started walking again. Their pace was leisurely and Qiu Ling used the time to once again look around. “Do you think you’ll miss this place?” For him, getting married meant having his beloved stay with him in his palace from now on. It would cut down on the time he spent traveling between the dragon realm and the Nine Heavens, giving them more time together. Otherwise, nothing would change for him. For Jing He though … he had to leave his home. For someone as timid as him, wouldn’t that be an issue?

Jing He also turned to look at the buildings beside the street and the greenery that peaked out here and there but finally, he shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. I never went out much so these streets … they probably don’t feel more familiar to me than they do to you.” To be honest, Qiu Ling might even be more familiar with them as he had to have passed here to see him before. He couldn’t say the same about himself.

“Life has been … very concentrated, I suppose. There is my palace and those of my parents and the path between all three. Where else do I go?” He looked up at the sky just like Qiu Ling had done before, his smile turning somewhat wistful. “Sometimes, I will visit my uncle at his palace or go to the Tower of Wisdom to find a book but … the world doesn’t seem much bigger even if I take that into consideration.”

Qiu Ling nodded. This wasn’t news to him. And yet … “Still, no matter how few there are, these are the streets you are familiar with. Do they not feel like home?” When he had left the dragon realm’s capital city, he had felt like losing his home and when he later returned, there was this short moment of recognizing where he thought he was supposed to be, even if it was followed by the fear that he didn’t deserve to be there. Now, what about Jing He? Would he ever regret leaving here?

Jing He continued to look at the clouds drifting by above and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter where we are.” He truly meant this. Even though he hadn’t left the Nine Heavens or even the capital city in this life, thinking back to his trial, he was sure that he would not mind.

Sure, during his trial, he had been unable to remember this life as the crown prince of the Nine Heavens. He couldn’t recall his parents or the palace he had grown up in. These streets weren’t the least bit familiar to him any longer and wherever he went with Qiu Ling could be considered a suitable place to stay. But then, even in that life, there had been a home and a family he was born into and he was willing to leave them. Maybe his human reincarnation had simply been more courageous than him but thinking of the deep trust he felt when he thought of Qiu Ling and the feeling of safety that enveloped him whenever they were together, he had no doubts that he could do the same in this life.

He turned to the side and once again stopped walking, looking up at his future husband’s face. “Home … I feel at home with you.” So the place did not matter as long as the person was there.