A noble lady’s stamina, after all, couldn’t compare to a Sentinel who had trained for years. Bai Zhen woke up earlier than Hua Mu.

The bamboo bed was a complete mess. The canvas serving as a sheet was not only disheveled but also bore the wet marks left by their lovemaking.

For a moment, Bai Zhen couldn’t quite recall what had happened. She just stared at the naked Hua Mu sleeping soundly in her arms, her mind a blank.

She tried hard to sort through her thoughts, but her memories were chaotic and intense. All in all, she and the Young Lady… had made love.

But it seemed they hadn’t gone all the way. The two were still in an unbonded state.

Of course, there were ways for a Sentinel and a Guide to be intimate without bonding; a simple barrier sheath could solve the problem. But that would turn it into a purely physical relationship with no benefits other than temporarily alleviating the binding heat. In the long run, it would not only increase the frequency of the binding heat but also its intensity. This method had always been considered a “heretical path” in Sentinel-Guide relationships. Few would choose it, and even if they did, it wouldn’t last long—after all, binding heat wasn’t easy to endure, and it was highly likely they would lose control midway.

But for now, it was a viable solution. At least she had survived this time, and the Young Lady hadn’t…

Bai Zhen recalled Hua Mu’s passionate response and how she had actively helped her. A thrill shot through her heart, and she wished she could press Hua Mu beneath her and do it a few more times.

But reason returned. Bai Zhen not only understood that she couldn’t push her luck, but she also knew she had to apologize to Hua Mu for losing control earlier.

If the Young Lady hadn’t stopped her, she really would have bonded with her.

The more Bai Zhen thought about it, the more anxious she became. Holding Hua Mu’s body, she was unsure whether she should let go.

Although the Young Lady hadn’t shown any resistance during the act, it was likely because she was being considerate of her binding heat. If she shamelessly continued to hold the Young Lady now, would she be hated for it?

But the Young Lady had also said she was a human cushion, so it seemed only natural for her to serve as one now.

However, if she was going to be a cushion, shouldn’t she put on some clothes? The Young Lady would probably be shy, right?

A war raged in Bai Zhen’s mind, but she held Hua Mu without moving a muscle.

First, it’s best not to wake the Young Lady, right?

Her hesitation lasted for over an hour. Hua Mu, having skipped lunch, was woken up by hunger.

“M-Miss…”

Bai Zhen felt Hua Mu dazedly hugging and nibbling on her, and she hastily pushed her away.

“Mmm…” Hua Mu was a little displeased. She snuggled back in, complaining coquettishly, “What are you doing? I’m so hungry.”

Bai Zhen nervously avoided her, carefully suggesting, “Then I’ll go make you lunch…”

Unable to eat what she wanted, Hua Mu finally managed to open her eyes and looked at Bai Zhen in annoyance.

“What are you…”

Halfway through her sentence, she finally realized their current situation, and her face flushed crimson.

“Wh-wh-wh-what are you doing!”

Her panic made Bai Zhen flustered as well. She let go of her, trembling, and stammered, “I-I-I, I wasn’t trying to do…”

Hua Mu rolled off her, grabbed her dress from the side, and haphazardly covered the important parts.

Bai Zhen was also in a panic, fumbling to pick up her underwear and put it on.

Both of them were disheveled, and the atmosphere was incredibly awkward.

Hua Mu clearly remembered her own actions from before and was too ashamed to even look at Bai Zhen. Bai Zhen was even more embarrassed, and filled with self-reproach and fear, she knelt to the side, not daring to make a sound.

The two were silent for a long while before finally speaking at the same time.

“Miss…”

“Um…”

They glanced at each other, then hastily averted their gazes.

Seeing that Hua Mu had something to say, Bai Zhen assumed a posture of awaiting judgment.

Hua Mu cleared her throat. “You…”

Don’t you have anything to say?

Why did you suddenly go into binding heat?

Why were you holding me while I was asleep?

Since we’ve already come this far, shouldn’t we consider a relationship?

Do you even like me?

“…Hurry up and make lunch…”

Bai Zhen froze for a moment, then quickly replied, “Miss, I’ll go right away.”

She moved swiftly, fleeing the shelter as if escaping.

Watching her back, Hua Mu’s heart sank.

It wouldn’t have been so bad to hold each other tenderly for a little longer… Who has their first time and doesn’t even exchange sweet nothings or pour their hearts out afterward! Although she was the one who misspoke and led the conversation astray, wasn’t it because she had just woken up, her mind was fuzzy, and she was shy?

Couldn’t that big idiot Bai Zhen be a little more considerate? Her waist and her sex were still sore, you know?

“You big idiot!”

The Sentinel, being called a big idiot, was clearly unaware that she had “hurt” the Young Lady’s feelings. In high spirits, she briskly prepared lunch. By the time she had the clam soup simmering, a fish braising, and the cured meat steaming, a pot of hot water was also ready.

Hua Mu was filled with regret—regret for sending that one-track-minded fool to make lunch—and felt wronged. Even if she was truly clueless, she should at least be able to read the mood!

Lying on the bamboo bed, her eyes reddened as she thought about it. How pitiful. A clever wife paired with a clumsy “husband”—it’s always the clever wife who suffers!

“Idiot, idiot, idiot!”

But what could she do besides call her an idiot? The woman was making lunch for her, after all.

“Miss…”

Bai Zhen’s hearing was excellent; she heard Hua Mu muttering from a distance. Her heart pounded nervously, and she spoke cautiously.

“What is it…”

Hua Mu had her back to the entrance, not wanting to deal with her. But she was also afraid that if she ignored her, the fool would get lost in her own thoughts and sulk alone, so she deigned to reply.

Bai Zhen, holding a basin of hot water, didn’t dare to enter. She hesitated, “I’ve boiled some water. Would you like to wash up?”

Oh!

Hua Mu clutched Bai Zhen’s jacket and rolled over. Seeing the nervous expression on Bai Zhen’s face, her mood improved slightly.

“I want…”

Bai Zhen placed the porcelain basin at the foot of the bamboo bed, then stood stiffly, looking as if she didn’t know whether to leave or stay.

Seeing her hesitation, Hua Mu finally managed to be less contrary for once and said fiercely, “Are you- are you just going to let me do it myself? Whose fault is it that my arms are so sore!”

It was… it was her fault…

The thought of what Hua Mu had done for her made Bai Zhen’s face flush red.

“Th-then I’ll wring out the towel for you…”

Just wring out the towel? What’s the point of that!

“Are you… are you that stingy…”

Bai Zhen seemed somewhat incredulous. She swallowed subconsciously and tentatively asked, “Then I’ll… I’ll help you wipe…”

Oh, for goodness’ sake, stop being so long-winded! It’s so annoying!

“Mmm…”

However indulgent Hua Mu had been before, that’s how uncomfortable her body felt now. Even after Bai Zhen finished tending to her, she still felt weak.

Being seen naked by Bai Zhen while fully conscious—Hua Mu was firmly convinced that her teacher’s opinion about her not being able to induce binding heat was wrong, so she must not have been very clear-headed at the time—made Hua Mu feel extremely ashamed.

But this was something she would have to get used to eventually, and the Young Lady had no intention of making things difficult for herself.

The Sentinel seemed delighted to be able to serve the Young Lady. She showed unprecedented attentiveness and consideration, her movements so careful it was as if she were afraid of breaking her.

Hua Mu enjoyed being treated this way; it made her feel cherished. Even though the idiot’s reaction afterward was infuriating, she didn’t regret her bold decision. Even if she could do it over, she would do the same thing.

But having no regrets was one thing, and feeling uneasy was another. Actually being in this kind of relationship with Bai Zhen made Hua Mu apprehensive, especially since this had all happened ambiguously because of the binding heat.

She really wasn’t sure what Bai Zhen was thinking.

The Sentinel was loyal and upright, completely obedient to her, but was there any affection in that? Bai Zhen clearly didn’t dislike what had happened, but could that just be a Sentinel’s attachment to a Guide?

Speaking of which, how did this person see her? As a master? A superior? A member of the royal family? The object of her loyalty?

Because Bai Zhen was both foolish and straightforward, she felt she couldn’t use her own flowery, complicated thoughts to interpret her actions.

“Miss, are you feeling any better?”

Bai Zhen finished tending to her with trepidation, the blush on her face yet to fade.

Hua Mu clutched the jacket and gave a small “mmm”—her entire body was flushed.

“Th-then I…”

Bai Zhen wanted to say she would go empty the water, but looking at Hua Mu’s coquettish and soft appearance, she couldn’t bring herself to say it for some reason.

Her heart ached with a ticklish feeling. She just wanted to stay by the Young Lady’s side a little longer, as long as the Young Lady didn’t chase her away.

Hua Mu’s whole body tingled under her scorching gaze. She couldn’t help but curl up, shrinking completely beneath the Sentinel’s large jacket.

“You what…”

Bai Zhen felt something was off with her. She was constantly flustered and confused, as if she’d lost her bearings. Hearing the Young Lady’s voice short-circuited her brain, seeing her body made her vision go white, and if she touched her… it felt as if all the strength would drain from her body.

Just like now, the Young Lady was complaining in a delicate voice, but she couldn’t form a reply.

The scent of Guide-hormone seemed stronger, but that wasn’t what she wanted to focus on. She just felt her chest was filled with something, so full it felt like it would overflow.

“Miss…”

The Sentinel’s voice was a little hoarse. Now, whenever Hua Mu heard her call her name like that, she couldn’t help but remember what had happened earlier.

Bai Zhen had been like that then, too, seemingly unable to say anything but those words.

“Why are you calling me?”

It’s making me flustered.

Bai Zhen didn’t know why she was calling her either. If she stayed quiet, there was less chance of being sent away.

But if she didn’t call out to the Young Lady, her throat would feel itchy, her heart would race, and her mind would wander.

“I… I…”

Bai Zhen felt she should find an excuse, like asking the Young Lady, “Are you ready for lunch?” But she couldn’t say it. Lying was one thing, but she simply couldn’t execute the thoughts in her head.

Why was this happening?

Did binding heat have aftereffects?

Or rather, were there aftereffects from not bonding?