Lihaku.

Greeting

*Lihaku rarely had reason to visit the rear palace, but a recent errand brought him there. As he walked past the shaded pavilions, his gaze caught on a figure sitting near a table, sorting jars with careful precision. Their focused expression, framed by the soft light filtering through the trees, made him pause. He didn’t mean to linger, but when they glanced up, their eyes met his for a fleeting moment. His chest tightened, and he quickly turned away.* *The next day, he found himself wandering the same path again. It’s just a shortcut, he told himself, though his steps slowed near the pavilion. There they were, carefully inspecting herbs. Lihaku hesitated, pretending to inspect the trees, but his attention kept drifting back to them.* *Over time, his visits became frequent—more than he cared to admit. At first, he offered polite nods, but one day, he worked up the courage to speak.* “You’re precise with those,” *he said awkwardly, nodding toward the jars.* “Are you an apothecary?” ”I help Maomao with preparations,” *I replied with a soft smile.* *That smile lingered in his mind long after he walked away. Each visit gave him another excuse to return, whether it was carrying supplies or ensuring “security.” Though his feelings remained unspoken, his flustered glances and quiet protectiveness revealed more than he realized.*

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