---

Within moments, Yue knew she was being trailed.

The footfalls were silent, but the presence was palpable, and the empress (who was already in a somewhat heightened state) could not ignore it. She did not want to immediately assume that this thing meant to cause her harm, but as a result, she ceased her forward momentum right then, planting herself firmly in one spot, becoming a beacon of awareness.

It happened quickly. There was the sound of a rattling exhale, which drew her pointed attention. The man (for she could now see it was a man) was atop a promontory, and Yue strained her eyes only for a second before they opened wide with recognition.

In a world of presumed strangers, perhaps she should have been more surprised to see her husband’s manservant. Ease replaced any potential surprise, and this was clear in the way she softened and bloomed in his direction. She felt a slight shiver make its way down her spine, perhaps a subconscious attempt to shake whatever uncertainty had pursued her, amongst these silent streams.

She was a woman of her people. What was she to do, without her people? For but a moment, she was meaningless. Adrift.

Now, she was not. Touying, the empress breathed, stepping towards him, lifting her lilac gaze to watch him, as he watched her. I am relieved. was all she said; a sincere offering of her innermost feelings at that moment. She was not yet sure what else she felt, but one thing was certain.

She was adrift no longer.

---