Her grandmother stood slowly, setting her cup aside. For a moment, she said nothing, simply approached, eyes narrowing as she looked at Yun Lan's unconscious form.
"Place her here," the old woman instructed, pointing to the chaise lounge.
Leon obeyed immediately, kneeling beside her. His hand trembled as it brushed hair from Yun Lan's forehead.
"Is it... is she going to die?"
Her grandmother gave him a sharp look. "She's not dying. But you were careless."
Leon's breath caught. "What do you mean?"
She examined Yun Lan's pulse, then gently touched her stomach, nodding to herself.
"She has inherited an old condition," the grandmother said finally. "One her mother suffered from too. It causes intense pain and sudden weakness during certain times of the month."
Leon stared. "Why didn't she tell anyone?"
"Because she doesn't like appearing weak. She's stubborn. Like her mother was."
He clenched his fists. "What do we do? Do we need to take her to the hospital, or—"
"No." Her grandmother walked calmly toward a tall cabinet and opened a drawer full of dried herbs and flowers. The scent of lavender, camphor, and other forgotten plants drifted through the air. "What she needs now is a warm bath—one infused with these. It'll ease her pain."
Leon stood. "Then I'll prepare it."
She turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
"No," Leon admitted. "But I'm staying with her. She's mine. I'll learn."
Something flickered in the old woman's gaze—approval, perhaps—but she only nodded. "Follow me."
The bathroom was spacious and dimly lit, the old clawfoot tub already filled with steaming water. Leon stood by, watching as Yun Lan's grandmother tossed the herbs into the bath: crimson petals, pale gold blossoms, and sprigs of something minty and sharp.
The water turned cloudy with color, releasing a calming aroma.
"It needs ten more minutes to steep," she said. Then she looked at Leon. "Undress her carefully. She'll be sore."
Leon swallowed hard. "I... Yes. I understand."
Her grandmother exited without another word, leaving the door open just a crack.
Leon turned to Yun Lan. She lay in the bed they had placed her in earlier, her face pale but her brows drawn slightly in discomfort.
He knelt beside her again, touched her cheek. "Yun Lan... you should've told me."
He moved with great care, unbuttoning her nightgown and removing it slowly, making sure she wasn't exposed to the cold air for long. Her body was warm now, the feverish heat from the pain already building under her skin.
He undressed down to his undershirt and silk pants before lifting her gently into his arms again. The herbs had made the bathwater smell like some enchanted garden, and when he stepped into the water with her, the heat wrapped around them both like a womb.
Leon settled with her in his lap, holding her to his chest, her head resting in the crook of his neck. He ran his hand over her back, whispering soothing things in her ear.
"You'll be fine, Lan. I promise. You'll be fine."
The warmth seemed to work almost immediately. Her breathing evened out, the tension in her limbs slowly easing.
Leon didn't move. He only held her, letting the water and the herbs do their work. Minutes passed, then more.
The door creaked open slightly and her grandmother peeked in. Upon seeing the scene—Leon cradling Yun Lan protectively, the water steaming gently, petals floating all around them—she gave a small, approving nod and closed the door again.
Time drifted.
Eventually, Yun Lan stirred.
Her lashes fluttered, and her head shifted against his chest.
She blinked up at him slowly, confusion clouding her features. "Leon...?"
He looked down, instantly alert. "Yun Lan? I'm here. You're okay."
Her brows drew together. "Why... are we in a bath...?"
"You collapsed," he said gently. "You were bleeding. Your grandmother said it was something from your family—something your mother had. She made this bath to help you."
Her gaze lowered to the water, her eyes catching sight of the petals, the haze of heat, the feeling of his arms wrapped tightly around her bare body.
A deep flush spread across her cheeks. "You don't need to stay with me? Like this?"
Leon nodded. "I'm not leaving you. Not when you need me."
"But... I must look awful," she whispered.
He leaned down and kissed her damp forehead. "You look like the only thing that matters to me."
Tears welled unexpectedly in her eyes.
"Don't cry," he whispered. "Please don't cry. You scared me, Lan. When you collapsed, I thought—I thought I'd lose you."
She buried her face against his chest. "I'm sorry. I'm used to it, I didn't want you to know about my situation."
"From now on," he said, voice thick, "you'll tell me. Everything. No more hiding. No more pretending to be okay when you're not."
She nodded slowly.
He shifted slightly, adjusting her in the water. "Does it still hurt?"
"A little," she admitted. "But... it's better."
Leon brushed a soaked strand of hair from her face. "Good. I'll hold you here until you fall asleep again."
"Thank you for staying with me?"
He smirked. "You don't need to thank me,you are my wife, I'll burn the whole world for you if it's needed."
Yun Lan laughed weakly, but it was real. And it melted something hard in his chest.
She rested her head back against him, eyes half-lidded.
"I love you " she said quietly.
"I love you to" he whispered. I will take care of you forever "
His fingers found her hand in the water and tangled with her.
For a long time, they sat in silence, the petals floating gently around them, their breathing in sync. Yun Lan's body softened in his arms, her pain retreating like a storm passing over a quiet village.
Outside, the moon began to rise.
Inside, in the warm bath laced with ancient herbs and new promises, two hearts that had once been strangers beat slowly, safely, together.