It's working. In a way.
He's focused on those hostesses instead of me.
Good.
I'm the only lady besides Princess Bhi and Ah-LAN's tribal lady who is not part of the brothel.
The scholars and students are also ignoring me, which is even better. No fuss, then the monster won't notice.
But it's not over yet.
He is not going to notice me.
Not even a chance.
I scan around the room. Some guests are already drunk. Others are too busy enjoying the dancers.
Everything happens at once, but nothing matters.
"So it's a deal?" Ping Min asks my brother.
"Deal."
They agreed to split the current shipment between Shiao Ping Min and Mar-Chi trades.
And more than that—they've sealed a long-term deal.
We've found our replacement for the Gustanese Civil War.
Uxiospea tension.
Across the room, "Shin Song" has been helping drunk colleagues out one by one—all while bowing politely to Bhi Yha Queh. What a gentleman.
He helps another man walk past my seat—
And all of a sudden, the man vomits.
Right onto my dress.
Disgusting.
I hate that smell.
I jump to my feet to avoid more stains.
"Sorry... young lady..." the drunk man mutters.
"What's happening over there?" Bhi Yha Queh asks.
I don't turn.
I'm not brave enough.
He can only see my back.
"I apologize for the mess," Shin Song says calmly.
"My colleague here drank too much. He accidentally stained the lady's dress."
"You scholars are pathetic. I thought your kind knew self-control."
Coming from you sounds so wrong.
"You. Turn around."
Is he talking to me?
I start trembling
"I'm talking to you. Blacksmith girl. Turn. Around."
I turn. Slowly.
Uneven steps.
And I see his eyes.
He grins.
"Lhiu Yhuan. Your sister's grown into quite a beauty."
Brother rises and bows.
"You're too kind."
"You should bring her to the capital more. Let her enjoy the city."
I look to Princess Bhi for help.
She meets my eyes. She understands.
"Shin Song. Since you caused the mess, go help the lady clean up."
Shin nods.
"M'lady. Do you need help?"
I nod extremely fast.
I'm almost bursting into tears.
All those preparations... failed.
Shin gently guides towards the back.
Ah-Lan stands. "Let Spica help. Better with a lady's presence."
His companion, Spica, nods and follows.
I cannot even walk properly.
"Must be disgusting." Bhi Yha Queh chuckles.
As soon as I leave his sight, I start crying.
"Are you alright?" Spica asks, her accent thick and strange.
Shin kneels, carefully cleaning the stained fabric of my dress.
"I'm... ruined..."
I sniff.
"What... should...I do?"
Spica doesn't understand. She just takes my hands and squeezes them gently, hoping that will hold me together.
"You're talking about His Highness, aren't you?" Shin asks quietly.
I nod. Still crying.
"It must be scary. With all those rumors around him."
"It's... not... rumors."
"Lady, don't say it out loud. You need to protect your clan."
"You wouldn't understand."
He looks at me for a moment and stands up.
"I hope I can."
He removes a necklace from his neck.
"This is a protection rune. Magem-forged. My mother gave it to me before this journey."
He gently puts it over my head.
"Hold it when bad things happen. Think hard—with your heart. Then no one can hurt you."
He gestures to the dress.
"It's not clean... but there are no other food scraps left."
He bows. "I'm truly sorry for what happened."
He leaves before I can reply.
I look at the necklace. A beautiful blue gem.
For some reason, I've stopped crying.
Then—
"AAAAAH!!"
Screams. Hostesses. Panic.
Spica and I rush back toward the feast hall.
Chih Rhu is there—with a blade in hand.
Princess Bhi stands between them, daggers drawn—in a stance that looks familiar.
Just like mine.
Was she trained by my master, too?
Bhi Yha Queh is still seated. Still smiling.
He is not afraid.
"You will pay for the crime you committed against my family!" Chih Rhu shouts.
"Elemental Lords with eyes—bring him to justice!"
Bhi Yha Queh doesn't blink.
"Good that you came back yourself," he says, almost amused.
"I was wondering how I'd find you again."
"Chih Rhu!" Princess Bhi shouts. "I know you're angry, but I cannot let you do this."
"Then you are part of the crime!"
Chih Rhu lunges toward Bhi Yha Queh, blade extended.
Princess Bhi intercepts her—one dagger raised, the other already flying.
Chih twists mid-air. The dagger misses.
She lands hard, spins, and strikes low.
Steel kisses the princess's skin.
Princess Bhi stumbles back—her ankle bleeding. She collapses.
"Stop, just leave," Princess Bhi pleads.
"Sister," Bhi Yha Queh says, not moving but chuckling.
Bhi Yha Queh pulls his blade—fast.
He swings at Chih Rhu.
Cling!
Their blades clash. Sparks. Steel.
"You'll die tonight," she spits.
"No," he says, still grinning.
"You'll come back to my place tonight."
They clash again. And again.
It's a speed I wouldn't survive. It makes me feel even smaller.
Chih Rhu pushes forward—step by step.
She's winning.
He's defending.
Please—end him.
"Well, this is not fun enough," he sighs.
"Your rage makes you stronger than before. For now."
He flips back, landing smoothly on the balcony railing.
"Yhi Bha Fhou. Ehr Lhi Jhiu."
He sits down again.
"Take over."
Two shadows drop from the balcony. Not guards—court elites.
One—scarred face, long blade.
The other—clean-shaven, armored, bare hands.
They've been watching this whole time.
Even when Princess Bhi fell.
Even when blood hit the floor.
And still, they waited.
Why?
How could they?
Do they only protect the crown prince?
I scan the room.
My brother—hiding by the far wall.
He sees me. He doesn't speak.
He gestures.
Run.
Chih Rhu is cornered by the court elites.
"Lady," the scarred man says.
"The game is over."
The bald one says nothing.
Then—
A single kick.
Her blade snaps in half.
The scarred one grabs her arm.
Cold steel touches her neck.
"Don't cut her face," Bhi Yha Queh calls from behind.
"That would be a waste."
"Surrender," the scarred one says.
"No," Chih Rhu replies.
"You'll have to kill me."
A pause.
"My lord," the scarred one asks, calm as stone.
"What parts can we hurt?"
The other still says nothing.
"Legs and arms?" Bhi replies casually.
The bold man twists both Chih's ankles.
"A tribute to the princess," the scarred one adds.
Then Bhi turns—to Brother and the traders. "We'll deal with this treacherous woman. Take your sister home, Lhiu Yhuan. Traders, this is national business. The feast is over."
Suddenly, A stone crashes into the room.
It hisses. Smoke bursts out.
The room fills with grey.
The elites recoil, falling back to defend Bhi.
A cyclone of pink energy spins in through the smoke —
Master.
She strikes both men—not cleanly, but hard enough.
They stagger. Block. React.
She's holding them—for now.
Another figure jumps into the smoke.
Master Kar.
"Rhu'er!"
He catches Chih as she stumbles.
"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I had to do this."
"No."
He holds her tighter.
"Let's just go. To Uxiospea. Start again. This country—it's beyond saving."
Behind them—
"Yhi, Ehr!" Bhi snaps.
"You're letting her get away!"
He glares at the collapsed form of his sister.
"How long are you going to lie over there?"
"Can't you see?" she hisses.
"I cannot walk."
"Pathetic."
"Get her out of here!" Master shouts.
Kar nods. Lifts Chih Rhu.
They vanish into the garden mist.
Master follows.
The elites charge after them—
And the fight moves into the night.