"That's more than alright."
He kissed her softly, carefully, like she was something precious.When he pulled back, he was smiling, that full smile she'd never seen before."We should tell people," he said."Make it official before the rumors start."
"Tomorrow."She leaned into him."Tonight, let's just...enjoy this."
They stayed on the platform as the sun set and the stained glass windows began to glow with lantern light.Talking, planning, stealing kisses, making promises.
Tomorrow they'd face the town.Viktor.Jin's mother.All the complications that came with officially courting.
But tonight, it was just them, and it was perfect.
The Announcement
––––––––
JIN HAD ASKED HER TOcome to dinner."Properly," he'd said."As my guest.I want to tell my family first."
So Wren wore her green velvet dress, the one Madame Lin had made from her original velvet, the one she'd worn to the lantern festival.She braided her hair carefully, applied a touch of lipstick from the lipstick plant, and tried not to be nervous.
Jin picked her up at the farm in the early afternoon, looking slightly nervous himself."They'll be happy," he said as they rode toward town."Mei-Lin already knows, and she's been making knowing comments for days.And my father likes you."
"And your mother?"
"She'll...adjust."He smiled slightly."Eventually."
The Zhao house was warm with lamplight when they arrived.The family was already gathered in the sitting room, with Zhao Wei reading correspondence, Zhao Lin embroidering and Mei-Lin pretending to read but clearly waiting for them.
"You're here!"Mei-Lin jumped up."Finally.I've been dying all day."
"Mei-Lin, let them sit down first," her mother said, but there was curiosity in her expression too.
They sat together on the sofa, close enough that anyone could see they'd come as a unit.
Jin didn't waste time."I've asked Wren to court me.She agreed.We wanted to tell you first, before the town hears."
Silence for exactly three seconds.
