7 ：An indescribable feeling

　us，＂　she　continued，　her　voice　trembling.　＂I　don，t　know　if　it，s　just　me　or　if　you　feel　it　too，　but　I　can，t　ignore　it　anymore.＂

    Han　Fengling，s　expression　softened，　and　he　reached　out　to　gently　cup　her　face　in　his　hand.　＂Sukie，　I...　I　feel　it　too.　But　it，s　complicated.　We，re　living　in　a　world　that　has　its　own　rules　and　expectations.　And　even　if　we，re　not　truly　related，　others　believe　we　are.＂

    Tears　welled　up　in　Sukie，s　eyes.　＂But　what　about　what　we　feel?　Shouldn，t　that　matter?＂

    Han　Fengling　pulled　her　into　a　tight　embrace，　his　voice　breaking.　＂It　matters　to　me，　Sukie.　It　matters　more　than　anything.　But　we　have　to　be　careful.　There　are　people　who　would　use　our　feelings　against　us.＂

    She　clung　to　him，　her　heart　aching.　＂I　don，t　care　what　people　think.　I　just　want　to　be　with　you.＂

    He　held　her　for　a　long　moment，　then　pulled　back　slightly　to　look　into　her　eyes.　＂I　want　that　too，　Sukie.　But　we　have　to　be　smart　about　this.　We　can，t　let　our　emotions　cloud　our　judgment.＂

    Before　she　could　respond，　the　sound　of　footsteps　approaching　made　them　both　tense.　They　turned　to　see　a　servant　bowing　deeply.　＂Young　Master　Han，　Miss　Han，　Lord　Xie　requests　your　presence.＂

    Han　Fengling，s　jaw　tightened，　but　he　nodded.　＂We，ll　be　right　there.＂

    As　they　walked　back　to　the　banquet，　Sukie，s　mind　raced.　She　knew　their　feelings　for　each　other　were　real，　but　the　obstacles　they　faced　seemed　insurmountable.　Xie　Tianxie　was　a　powerful　enemy，　and　their　relationship　was　bound　to　attract　unwanted　attention.

    Back　at　the　banquet，　Xie　Tianxie　stood　at　the　center　of　the　courtyard，　his　eyes　gleaming　with　malice.　＂Ah，　there　you　are，＂　he　said　smoothly.　＂I　was　just　telling　your　guests　how　fortunate　they　are　to　have　such　a　beautiful　and　talented　hostess.＂

    Sukie　forced　a　smile，　but　her　heart　was　heavy.　She　could　feel　Han　Fengling，s　prote