Evening settled over the shrine as the last ribbon of sun faded behind the pines. The corridors held a gentle hush, the air cool and touched with the faint scent of sandalwood. A paper lantern glowed outside Yue's quarters, its light soft and steady.
After a polite knock, Theo slid the door open and entered with a respectful bow.
"I told you I would be making up lost time to you." He smiled and presented what he had prepared.
A flower arrangement from the garden rested in a shallow ceramic bowl, branches and petals balanced with quiet care. Pale plum blossoms arced above small leaves of jade green, and a single white camellia anchored the base. The water caught the lamplight like a thin line of silver.
"It's beautiful. Thank you. Come. Sit."
"Yes."
He kneeled on the tatami. The room was simple and immaculate. A scroll with spare ink strokes hung in the alcove. Steam drifted from a small teapot that waited on a low tray. Yue's gaze rested on him with the calm of still water.
"After tomorrow, Seraphine will be leaving."
"I know."
"Don't you want to join her at the academy?"
He did not answer. The silence stretched, shaped by the quiet hum of the evening insects outside. Yue waited, patient and unhurried.
"Do you still feel like you owe your life to me?"
"I do."
"Even if you leave, you're always welcomed here. It's your home."
"I know."
"But there's something you cannot let go."
Yue took his silence as an answer. She poured tea for both of them, the porcelain making a soft click against the tray.
"Do you feel like our connection will disappear if you leave this shrine?"
"If I may be honest. Even if I can have anything in this world, the only thing I really need is Lady Yue. You are the light of my life. When I had nowhere to go, you took me in, educated me, and made me the man I am now. You taught me how to read, write. How to wield the sword, how to navigate the chess board. How to speak, how to conduct myself, and so much more. Not even a parent can be as generous as you. How could I possibly leave you? I would be betraying myself, betraying you, and betraying this place that raised me. Above all… Above all."
"Theo." Lady Yue rose, crossed the tatami, and gathered him into her arms. Her scent was clean and faintly floral. The warmth of her embrace closed an empty space in his chest.
"I will give you my name. From now on, you will be my son. Then, our bond will continue. It's time for you to soar, Theo."
"Lady Yue." Theo gently drew back. His voice trembled as he slipped from the cushion, lowered to his knees, and bowed until his forehead touched the floor. "I cannot."
"Why?"
"I've realized after spending time with Seraphine that I see you as a woman I love. It was a secret I wanted to take to my grave. But if you come at me with your full sincerity, I must do the same. My thoughts to you are filthy. My conduct is unforgivable. It's worse than trash. Please. Grant me death."
"Why?" Lady Yue's voice trembled for the first time since Theo met her. "What a cruel thing to ask. You are asking me to kill my child with my own hands?"
"Please kill me. I ask for your forgiveness."
"I can't." Tears gathered and overflowed, bright in the lamplight. "I can't. Not you. I can't kill you. I can never kill you. It's too cruel."
"Lady Yue, if you let me live, I won't be able to forgive myself. By harboring these thoughts, I've betrayed the person most precious to me. My existence will be a stain on your name."
Yue moved to him and drew him up from the bow, her hands gentle at his shoulders. She held him again, and the dam inside him broke. His breath hitched. Tears fell hot and unrestrained.
"I cannot kill you, Theo. I love you too much." She cradled the back of his head and patted his back in a slow rhythm. "What is a few filthy thoughts? Why does it matter? I don't care about it at all. I forgive you." She wiped his cheeks with her sleeves, then with her palms, as if smoothing away sorrow itself.
"Lady Yue. I've caused you tears."
"So what? Why does it matter?" Even as tears tracked down her face, her eyes were clear and unwavering.
"It matters. I've caused you pain."
"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter at all. You are my child."
"Lady Yue…"
"If I give you my body, will you be happy?"
"I cannot. Absolutely not."
"If giving my body means you'll take my name, I do not mind."
"No matter what you say, I cannot bring myself to defile your body."
"Take my name, Theo. Say it."
Theo was silent for a long time. Yue patiently waited even as the sun fully set into the horizon. After what felt like an eternity, words finally left Theo's mouth.
"Mother."
"My child." Yue let out a beautiful smile. "Say it again."
"Mother."
Yue let out an even brighter smile at his second call. She closed her eyes and gently touched her lips against his. A perfectly innocent kiss.
"We have a deal. You'll take my name, and I will give you my body."
"Mother. Is this really the right thing to do?"
"It's not. I cannot control my emotions. It is a mistake of a lifetime."
"I see."
"What's said has already been said. We cannot take it back anymore, Theo. Commit to it through to the end, and we'll figure out the bond between us slowly. Piece by piece, step by step. I'm sure we could figure it out."