Fall in Love with Him at First Sight

So there Joshua was, on his way to the imperial test in Landon, when he stumbled upon me, Catherine Stewart.

Joshua was twenty that year, born into a modest family.

Joshua and I had been tied across many lifetimes, though I've had to nudge fate a bit.

Centuries ago, in a white robe, Joshua stood before the Fate Stone, clasped his hands, his striking face illuminated by light as he made his heartfelt wish. "My only wish is to be with my love Kitty forever, in every life."

Inspired by that wish, I found myself faking death every few decades to reunite with his new incarnations.

Now, we were in our ninth lifetime together.

This time, I was sure the pure-hearted scholar Joshua would still soon fall for me, especially under these circumstances.

Right after Joshua took me in, I "fell ill" according to plan.

The doctor Joshua called diagnosed me with emotional upheaval combined with long-term malnutrition, draining my vitality.

I almost cried right there.

"What a brilliant doctor. He nailed the diagnosis," I thought.

After a month of waiting for Joshua, seeing him again was emotionally overwhelming.

Plus, decades in a coffin without food or drink would obviously lead to malnutrition and depleted energy.

Joshua believed the malnutrition part since he thought I was a famine refugee.

But regarding the mixed feelings of worry and joy, Joshua insisted that I had encountered the mountain monster that the villagers had been talking about recently during my escape.

That made me feel a bit guilty.

If my nightmares kicking the coffin lid had sparked rumors of a haunting creature in the hills, then I was somewhat to blame.

We checked into an inn, and had to slow our journey to Landon quite a bit because of my "illness."

Joshua stood at the bedside with a bowl of medicine while I lay there looking pale and weak. "You've already saved my life," I said. "I'd hate to be the reason you miss your imperial test in Landon, Mr. Stewart."

Joshua frowned at how pitiful I looked. "Miss Stewart, how can you even say that? I can't just leave you here alone."

"It's just..." I coughed a few times, my face turning even paler, "I can't even take my medicine by myself now."

Joshua stood there, clearly wrestling with what to do next.

Finally, he clenched his teeth, grabbed a stool, and sat down by my bed.

I figured he was thinking, "Screw the rules about men and women. This is life or death."

Joshua scooped up some medicine and brought it to my lips.

Gazing at Joshua's handsome face, I couldn't help thinking he must be heaven's favorite.

His ears turned red down to his neck, but his hand was steady as he held the spoon.

Still, there was a look of resignation in his eyes.

Knowing that pushing him further might scare him off, I obediently took the medicine, ready for the next spoonful.

The room was silent except for the routine: he fed, I drank.

During this, Joshua asked, "Miss Stewart, aren't you worried I might be a bad guy, maybe even poisoned this?"

I gave him a soft smile and looked straight into his eyes, "You're a gentleman. I'm not worried."

I knew exactly how to get to Joshua's heart.

Joshua didn't say another word, but I noticed his hand shaking slightly as he held the spoon.