He undressed himself as entering the huge bath area of his chambers. The small waterfall pouring was the only sound heard. Discarding the multiple layers of this Emperor clothes, he entered the warm pool, sitting on the stairs and leaning his back against the tiles, with a deep, tired breath. The day was long and stressful. So many meetings and boring people to talk to, so many problems to deal with. Peace to his country was coming, and that was the price, burocratical wars happening every single moment.

"Lan Fan." he said, looking to one of the shadows of the big room.

"Yes, Waga?" the feminine and familiar voice answered, emerging from a dark spot and kneeling respectfully.

"Please, come here." Ling smiled and stretch his hand to her.

She stood up and removed the warrior mask. It took some time until she was free of her garments and held his hand, to join him on the bath. Her long and black hair was the only thing hiding some parts of her beautiful frame. They weren't lovers for more than a couple of months, but since the first time, she felt at home near him.

Ling pulled her close and hugged her, with a smile. The feeling of his chest on her back was comfortable. He took a sponge and started to pour some warm water on her arm, before massaging it gently.

"Thank you for your hard work today. I'm sorry you also had to listen those boring people all day long."

"It's my duty to protect you and be by your side. It's not necessary thanking me every single day."

"Every single day you're at risk." he kissed her shoulder in the spot before her mechanical arm started. "I will never take it for granted."

Even surrounding by so many people daily, by her side, on those quiet and private moments were the only ones he was truly at peace. A fearsome and deadly warrior, as a lover Lan Fan would give herself entirely for him. Alone on his chambers, she comforted his heart, body and mind, with quiet, deep looks and sincere words.

On their first time, Ling touched with his lips all the little scars that were scattered on her body, thanking her for all her blood and flesh lost on his behalf. She held his face on her delicate hands and asked him not to feel guilty about it, since it was her choice. She didn't regret anything.

That day Yao canceled his appointments and lied about not feeling well. Nobody found it strange Lan Fan was with him, so they could spend that entire day together, on his huge bed, talking, making love or just holding each other, putting away the loneliness they carried inside for so many years.

It was hard on him, pretending nothing had happened later, with Lan Fan silently following like his loyal shadow again, through the long halls and meetings. She never complained. She had always been the mature one. At night, she would lay by his side, kissing his chest, before sleeping on it, like there was nothing to worry about. As soon as she closed and locked those big doors, their problems were outside and they were free until the next breaking dawn.

He kissed her face as she had turned to help him bath. She was so beautiful, only the beginning of her breasts on the surface, the red lips, the flustered cheeks from the warm water, her wet skin glistering by the torches around the bath area.

"So, did you already choose the date for the dinner party with the nobles' daughters?" she asked, slowly sponging his shoulders with a liquid of sweet fragance.

No. I will delay that as much as I can." he said, seriously. "I am not interested."

There was a long silent between them. A small drop of water feel from the ceiling to the pool, making circles on the water.

"I have a request for you."

"What is it, Lan Fan?"

"When Mei finishes her training, give my position to her. I can't be the Captain anymore."

"Why? Are you finally tired of me?" his playfull smile faded as he look at her expression.

"I wish to return to my family's village and stay there. Forever. We need to end this." the dark eyes looked at his. "What is happening between us is forbidden. You need to find a suitable bride and leave heirs for Xing to assure the peace and your position. I do not wish to be in your way."

"You're not! You're the only true ally I have in this country. Everything I'm achieving is because you're with me!"

"I will not be a concubine." she lowered her head. "I do not want to see you with another woman, so… please, just let me go away. I can bear being a shadow, I can bear any kind of pain for you sake, except this."

The sadness in her voice made him hurt inside. How could she think he would treat her like anything else but the most important one? Ling had promised himself she would never be harmed by his side again and felt like a complete idiot for letting those bad feelings gather in her heart.

Ling touched her chin gently and made her look at him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt this way."

"It's not your fault." she said, with a sad smile. "Our situation was not promising to start with." the warrior touched his face with both hands, the automail slightly cold. "I will forever carry you in my heart. I would give all of myself to you over and over again."

"So, be my Empress."

The surprise of his words made her eyes wide and she distance herself a little.

"Be my wife, the mother of the heir." he walked towards her. "You are already everything to me. Take your place as the Empress of Xing as well."

"What are you…"

"Please, accept me as your husband, Lan Fan!" Ling never looked more serious.

"Do you have any idea of what are you saying?! I am a warrior, an assassin! Not even from a noble family. I have no wealth, no lands, nothing! They would never accept that!"

"So what?! Do you really think, after all this time, I care about what other people think? I was never even supposed to be the Emperor to start with! I risked myself for this stupid country, and these people, the majority of them, hate me! Those people won't decide about us!"

"But!" Ling grabbed her arm, firmly but gently, pulling her close.

"Give me any reason from you, Lan Fan. Tell me you wouldn't spend your life with an idiot like me. Tell me I'm terrible in bed. Tell me anything else that comes from here." his free hand was over her chest and his voice was so terribly sweet. "But don't use my position as an excuse for us not be together. There's no way I would ever give up on you."

Lan Fan looked at him. His dark eyes were on her, serious and full of determination and stubbornness. He wouldn't take no for an answer. She also couldn't hold the desires of her heart anymore. She breath, deeply, defeated by her love for him. Lan Fan rested her forehead on his chest, holding him tight, giving the answer the Emperor desired so badly. Sorrounded by the sound of pouring water, they exchanged the first kiss as a future married couple.

The next morning, on the big conference room, Ling Yao presented his bride and, between perplexed and indignated whispers from the other nobles, Lan Fan appeared behind the courting without her mask, using an Imperial gown, walking tall and proud with all the nobility that was always inside of her, silencing everyone. The Emperor made clear he would not change his mind and there was no place for opposition on this matter.

Kneeling before her, he touched and kissed her metalic hand, showing her one of those cocky, proud smiles she loved so much.

She couldn't care less about being an Empress. It was never about power or wealth.

She only wanted the man she devoted her life for, even before realizing that feeling turned into something more.

Lan Fan just wanted to continue by his side, being able to love him freely. With her automail hand on his, she was sure that neither of them would ever be alone anymore.