re　of　someone　unworthy.＂

His　frown　deepened，　but　he　didn，t　interrupt　her.

Han　Fengling　gently　took　Sukie，s　arm，　leading　her　away　from　the　crowd.　＂Are　you　alright?＂　he　asked，　his　voice　low　and　filled　with　concern.

Han　Fengling　stopped　by　a　small　pond，　the　water　reflecting　the　moonlight.　He　turned　to　face　Sukie，　his　eyes　searching　hers.　＂You　should　be　careful　around　Xie　Tianxie.　He，s　dangerous.＂

Before　Sukie　could　respond，　Han　Fengling　appeared　at　her　side，　his　expression　calm　but　his　eyes　flashing　with　anger.　＂Lord　Xie，　I　believe　my　sister　has　entertained　you　long　enough.　If　you　would　excuse　us.＂

They　walked　in　silence　for　a　moment，　the　night　air　cool　against　their　skin.　The　garden　was　quieter　now，　the　sounds　of　the　banquet　fading　into　the　background.

＂I　know　we，re　supposed　to　be　siblings　in　this　world，　but　sometimes　I　feel　like　there，s　somethin

Sukie，s　heart　pounded　in　her　chest.　She　could　sense　the　danger　lurking　behind　his　words.　＂I　am　flattered　by　your　attention，　Lord　Xie，　but　I　assure　you，　my　brother　and　my　family　take　excellent　care　of　me.＂

Han　Fengling　frowned.　＂What　do　you　mean?＂

Xie　Tianxie，s　smile　widened，　but　his　eyes　remained　cold.　＂Ah，　yes，　your　brother.　He　seems　quite...　protective　of　you.　Almost　possessive，　one　might　say.＂

Xie　Tianxie，s　gaze　shifted　to　Han　Fengling，　his　smile　never　wavering.　＂Of　course，　Young　Master　Han.　It　would　not　do　to　overstay　my　welcome.＂　He　bowed　slightly，　but　his　eyes　lingered　on　Sukie　a　moment　longer　before　he　turned　and　walked　away.

She　took　a　deep　breath，　struggling　to　find　the　right　words.　＂Fengling，　I，ve　been　feeling...　strange　lately.　About　us.　About　you.＂

Sukie　looked　down　at　the　water，　her　reflection　rippling.　＂I　know.　But　it，s　not　just　him　I，m　worried　about.＂

Sukie　nodded，　her　heart　still　racing.　＂Yes，　I，m　fine.　Thank　you.＂