Li Xinyuan stilled for a moment, brown eyes following the young lady's trembling finger to gaze upon the delicate ring resting on his finger.
"Ah," he made a quiet noise at the back of his throat, an unwitting smile — shy yet warm — dancing on his lips. "This ring?"
"Y-yes, that ring."
Li Xinyuan's lips thinned again, head raising to look at his patient. Eyes narrowed, he took a belated note of her pallid face and watering eyes.
"Is something the matter?"
Namgung Hyein's body stiffened as she shook her head swiftly. "I… I cannot help but be curious. It appears rather— rather delicate."
Li Xinyuan frowned, concerned about the stammer in her words. "Why, yes," he looked back down at the ring, smile returning with warmth. "It is, is it not? My betrothed gifted me with this ring."
Namgung Hyein flinched, reeling back in shock, glazed eyes widening even more. The world around her darkened for a fraction of a second as she sucked in a sharp breath.
