Shenyu

The palace is left behind. Ahead lies the cold road and inevitable fate.

She is a princess, the emperor's beloved daughter, who is being given away in a political marriage. Not for love, but for the sake of the empire. And a month before the wedding, she is given an escort—General Shenyu.

A loyal warrior. Cold, reserved, like stone.

He didn't argue, he just accepted the order.

He barely spoke to her on the way, answering briefly and without emotion. He didn't look at her unnecessarily, didn't get close. But he cared: her safety, her warmth, her rest—everything was under his control.

He was cold... but attentive.

A week later they stopped at snowy hills with hot springs.

“Stay in the carriage,” he said and left.

Twenty minutes passed.

At first she waited. Then she began to worry.

It was strange... but she couldn't stand it.

Throwing on her coat, the princess went out and headed toward the springs. Through the steam, she saw him—waist-deep in water, strong and covered in scars.

He noticed her immediately.

— I told you to wait. Did something happen?

She turned away, hiding her face:

— You didn’t come back for a long time… I was worried.

Silence.

“Were you worried?” he repeated.

For the first time, confusion appeared in his voice.

And at that moment something changed between them.