Chapter Four
Ping's eyes fluttered open, her head heavy. She didn't recognize the place she was in. The last thing she remembered was being in the carriage, then… nothing.
She sat up slightly, glancing around. The room was grand yet unfamiliar—dark wooden walls, golden lanterns glowing dimly, and silk curtains draped over a massive bed. It was beautiful, yet it felt suffocating.
Then, voices.
Footsteps approached. Ping's body tensed. She quickly shut her eyes, pretending to still be unconscious.
The door creaked open, and soft murmurs filled the room.
"She still hasn't woken up?" one voice whispered.
"She looks so fragile," another said. "The king told us to take good care of her."
They were maids. Here to tend to her.
Ping remained motionless, waiting. After a moment, the voices faded, and the door clicked shut. She slowly opened her eyes, exhaling shakily.
And then it hit her.
She was married.
To him.
Her heart pounded as she remembered the man in the mask, the terrifying rumors surrounding him. But then… there was the moment before she passed out. The last thing she saw wasn't a monster—it was a man. A handsome man. Could it really have been him?
Outside the room, Ling stood in the dimly lit hallway, speaking to Mei, one of the maids.
"How is she?" His voice was calm, unreadable.
"She's still unconscious, Your Majesty," Mei answered.
Ling hesitated for a moment. Then, without another word, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Ping's body tensed at the sound of his approaching footsteps. He's coming.
Her mind raced. She had to do something—anything.
Her eyes darted to the bedside table. A small silver spoon lay there, left behind by the maids. Without thinking, she grabbed it and tightened her grip.
As Ling moved closer, she shot up, pointing the spoon at him.
"Don't come any closer!" she warned, her voice shaking. "I… I don't want to hurt you!"
Ling stopped in his tracks. For a moment, there was silence. Then, amusement flickered in his golden eyes.
Is she threatening me… with a spoon?
The Shadow King, feared by all, was being "frightened" by a girl who looked like she couldn't even hurt a fly.
He felt the urge to laugh.
"Give me the spoon," he said, his tone oddly calm.
Ping gripped it tighter. "I know what you're planning! You want to eat me! I've heard all about this kingdom, Mora! You eat people here!"
Ling just stood there, staring at his new bride. He wasn't sure if this was stress, fear, or pure misunderstanding, but he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Eat her? Where did she even hear such nonsense?
With a swift movement, he caught her wrist, easily prying the spoon from her fingers. She gasped, pulling away as if his touch burned her.
"I'm not going to eat you," he said simply.
But Ping wasn't convinced. She backed away, watching him with suspicion.
She was trapped in the monster's lair, and she wasn't ready to let her guard down just yet.