zhao tian’s gaze drifted lazily from her face to her long, toned legs as she tested the water with one foot.


    the way the light glinted off her tan skin made her seem almost ethereal, and he couldn’t help but whistle under his breath. "you know, master, you’ve got great legs. makes me wonder why you’re hiding the rest with that towel."


    yao jing’s lips parted in mock outrage, her blush deepening as she splashed water at him. "you really want to die, don’t you?"


    he raised a hand to shield his face, laughing even as droplets hit him. "what? i’m just stating the truth. isn’t honesty one of the virtues of a good disciple?"


    "honesty, huh? more like shamelessness. if that’s a virtue, you’d be a saint."


    yao jing sighed dramatically, stepping fully into the tub as she avoided looking directly at him.


    the water swirled around her calves as she moved to the opposite side of the tub, intending to sit as far from zhao tian as possible.


    but before she could lower herself onto the smooth surface, zhao tian’s hand shot out, wrapping gently but firmly around her wrist.


    "come here."


    "ah!" she gasped as she lost her balance, the motion sending a small wave of water sloshing over the edge of the tub.


    his arms instinctively wrapped around her waist to steady her, and her towel loosened slightly, though it miraculously stayed in place.


    splash.


    the sound of water settling back into the tub filled the room as yao jing blinked in surprise.


    she tilted her head to glance up at him, her damp hair brushing against his collarbone. "tian’er! what do you think you’re doing?"


    zhao tian smiled shamelessly. "making sure you’re comfortable, master. this side of the tub is much cozier."


    "cozier?" she uttered in a tone of disbelief and annoyance. "you mean your lap is cozier?"


    "exactly, and now i don’t have to shout across the tub to talk to you. it’s efficient."


    taking a deep breath, she replied "you should thank the heavens i’m patient," leaning back against his chest.


    "most women would have slapped you for comments like that and the stunt you pulled just now."


    zhao tian tilted his head, his smile softening. "and yet, here you are, bathing with me instead."


    she shot him a warning glance, though there was no real anger in it. "don’t read too much into this. i haven’t bathed since yesterday, and you’ve already drenched me. i might as well make the most of it."


    he chuckled, resting his chin on her shoulder. "whatever you say, master."


    "i...," she began, trying to find the words to break the moment, but her voice faltered.


    averting her gaze, she muttered, "i’m not even that beautiful... and my skin color is strange. i thought you’d look at me differently. why would you even find me attractive?"


    her voice was quieter now, tinged with a vulnerability she rarely showed.


    hm?


    zhao tian raised his gaze to look at her "what are you saying... are you insecure about your skin color?"


    yao jing’s eyelashes quivered as she turned her head away, avoiding his eyes. "i mean... isn’t it obvious? i look different from most people here. my skin is darker, and... it just sets me apart. i know people notice it. i’ve always noticed it."


    zhao tian hugged her closer. "well, i don’t really care about that. you look beautiful in my eyes."


    a deep sigh escaped her lips "i am glad my disciple likes me.. but i am not really fond of this skin color as it reminds me of my past."


    zhao tian raised an eyebrow "your past?"


    yao jing hesitated, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of the tub. "well... i’m not actually from this star."


    "the people from my star... we all have this skin color. it’s normal there, but it marked me as different when i arrived here. i tried to ignore it, but... it’s hard not to feel out of place sometimes."


    yao jing scratched her head, thinking whether to tell him or not "let me tell then..."


    find your next read on empire


    as she continued her story, zhao tian listened to her intently as she spoke about her experiences.


    "eventually," she continued, her voice softening, "i was rescued. by sister shuang."


    "she found me when i had nothing left. i was on the brink of death, and she gave me a second chance. she took me in, brought me here, and gave me a new name. a new identity. she said it would help me forget my past."


    zhao tian’s arms tightened around her once more, his fingers brushing lightly against her damp skin. "what was your name? before?"


    yao jing hesitated for a moment, then let out a quiet chuckle. "it’s not yao jing. that’s the name sister shuang gave me. my real name is makena. makena hafsatu."


    "makena..."


    yao jing let out a giggle "it is kind of embarrassing when you say my name..."


    -------------------------------------------------


    i hope you guys liked this chapter!