Location: Inn Courtyard – Just before sunrise
The world was still. Only the faint chirping of early birds and the occasional rustle of leaves filled the courtyard. Saanvi sat beneath a flowering tree, tracing invisible circles on the stone table, her mind heavy with questions no one else seemed to notice.
Vihaan stepped out from the shadows. Not his usual guarded self—he looked calm, almost… gentle.
Vihaan (softly): "You're awake early."
Saanvi (smiling faintly): "Or maybe I never slept."
Vihaan sat across from her. The light breeze shifted a few petals from the tree onto the table between them.
Vihaan: "Does the silence bother you?"
Saanvi: "No. Sometimes silence is kinder than truth."
There was a long pause. Vihaan watched her, his eyes softer than usual. The way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the way she looked up at the sky—as if searching for something she had lost long ago.
Vihaan (gently): "You're carrying too much, Saanvi."
She looked at him sharply, then softened. His voice had held something… familiar. Too familiar.
Saanvi (looking down): "Sometimes, I feel like I've forgotten something important. Someone important."
Vihaan's jaw clenched subtly.
Vihaan (quietly): "Maybe… that someone hasn't forgotten you."
Her breath caught for a second. She looked at him—really looked at him—but Vihaan stood and offered a hand before she could ask more.
Vihaan: "Come. Walk with me. The dawn is almost here."
She hesitated, then placed her hand in his.
As they walked among the quiet pathways behind the inn, a subtle warmth passed between them—not loud or obvious, but enough to make Saanvi glance sideways more than once.
At one point, she tripped slightly on a loose stone.
Saanvi (grumbling): "Stupid path…"
Vihaan (steadying her): "Careful. I'm not always this close to catch you."
Saanvi: "Then maybe you should be."
They stopped walking.
The air suddenly felt too still.
Vihaan looked at her—really looked at her. His fingers brushed hers before he pulled away, just enough to keep the line between closeness and danger.
Vihaan (with a faint smile): "We should go back. The others will wake soon."
Saanvi (still watching him): "Right…"
But neither moved for a long time.
Unseen by them both, the first rays of dawn spilled quietly over the horizon—soft, golden, and full of unspoken promises.
---
As Vihaan and Saanvi walked back toward the inn, the golden hue of dawn brushed the sky. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the warmth of early sunlight spilled over the quiet path.
Just as they approached the doorway, it creaked open.
Devran, yawning and stretching, was the first to notice them. His gaze landed on how close they stood, how comfortably they spoke, and his lips curved into a smirk. "Well, look who's returning from a morning adventure. Should we prepare a wedding feast or just breakfast?"
Tianlan emerged behind him, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Wait—did you two seriously go for a stroll at sunrise? That's... suspiciously peaceful."
Xie Lian, already nibbling a bun, tilted his head. "And here I thought Vihaan was meditating or sharpening swords. Turns out he was charming Saanvi under morning skies."
Saanvi's cheeks turned pink. "It wasn't like that! I just couldn't sleep, and Vihaan—he—was just being... considerate."
Devran (mock gasp): "The cold and mighty Vihaan being considerate? Who are you and what have you done with our gloomy bodyguard?"
Tianlan (grinning): "Next thing we know, he'll start writing poetry."
Xie Lian: "Maybe he already has. 'To Saanvi, under the blush of dawn...'"
Saanvi groaned, hiding her face. "Why do I even travel with you people?"
Vihaan, composed as ever, gave a small smile. "I see they've all had too much sugar this morning."
Devran (teasing): "Or maybe someone just gave them a reason to feel very entertained."
As the teasing continued, Vihaan leaned slightly toward Saanvi and said quietly, "They're just bored. Let them have their fun."
She glanced at him, heart skipping, but said nothing as they stepped inside—still under the playful laughter echoing behind them.
---
Morning at the Inn, Dining Hall]
Inside the cozy dining area of the inn, the group finally gathered around a low table. Freshly baked flatbreads, rice porridge, and fragrant herbs filled the room with warmth.
Saanvi was still red from the earlier teasing, Devran was dramatically fanning himself like a gossiping aunt, and Tianlan had just poured tea—with a grin that said mischief was far from over.
Suddenly, the door to the hallway creaked open—
Wei Zhan stumbled out, hair a complete mess, half-asleep, and wearing his robe the wrong way.
Everyone paused.
He blinked at the group, then at the food. "Did I... miss something?"
Xie Lian choked on his tea.
Devran, barely holding in laughter: "No, no... you're just in time, Your Sleepy Highness."
Tianlan: "Do robes go on inside-out in your kingdom, or is this a new fashion?"
Wei Zhan (confused): "What—? Oh... wait, is it—?" He looked down and groaned. "Seriously?!"
Saanvi (trying not to laugh): "Here, at least fix your collar. You look like you wrestled a pillow and lost."
Vihaan, sipping his tea calmly: "He probably did."
Wei Zhan flopped beside Xie Lian, burying his head into the table. "I hate all of you."
Devran: "Aww, don't say that, Prince Moonlight. You just added comedy to our morning romance."
Xie Lian (grinning): "Now the only thing missing is a painting of this moment."
As everyone burst into laughter again, the room filled with warmth, teasing, and the kind of peace only close companions could share.
Wei Zhan peeked through his arms at Saanvi. "...Please don't sketch this."
Saanvi raised a brow with a wicked smile. "Too late."
---