"This is seriously a mistake!" I repeated for the  third time, while the guards were walking and literally pulling me by keeping me up from the arms. My face was between sad and hopeless.

Hue ended up getting pulled as well since he tried by force to separate me from the guards.

"Leave them there"

Once we entered in the living room of the Yuan's house, I looked pretty surprised when then guards left me sat on the couch along with Hue.

"You can leave." The guards did bow and took their leave in a flash of time, making me a little bit confused.

So the scary "room" was simply the living room?

Why did he need to say that in a scary tone like "the room", sounded like jail or torturing room!?

That little... He definitely played a trick to make me scared.

"Excuse the guards for the not so delicate behaviour" I looked up, Ming was fixing his armor plate that was covering his wrist. My heart felt at peace when I noticed his profile, having in my mind all the memories of us together alone.

We used to pass a lot of time together, like a couple, like a family. His face was always relaxed and calm, but when we were alone I could sense the affection and a feeling that he never showed to anyone else other than when he was with one of the family members.

What if he has someone now.

Of course he has been courted, that damn handsome man.

My good thoughts got broken like a lightning strike that set everything on fire.

While I was getting my inner insecurities win over my logic sense, making probably Hue mad, I didn't notice Ming sitting on the couch in front of me.

"Hm..." he crossed his arms and looked at me, I looked at him in the eyes and smiled gently "That's interesting" he said like he was having fun "Aren't you afraid of me?"

I almost bursted laughing, I tried my best to hide it, by coughing.

"I judged you guilty, do you think you're smart or are you totally clueless of the consequences of my judgment?" he asked locking his eyes towards mine. His stare was more than just a gaze, it was more like he was trying to read deep in my soul. I really felt with awe by it, for no actual reason.

"I really think I would have had a chance to speak without people trying to talk over me to have the last word in order to show themselves, and avoid the truth to be spoken" I crossed my arms, leaning my back against the coach "Besides, there's a reason why I wasn't taken to the jail, but I am in the living room of the Yuan's family"

Ming looked at me and smiled gently "I had to make the Arthus people believe that I would have made you disappear to avoid possible political problems" he sighed for a moment "Even though he wasn't totally wrong, in the last few years we have been asking all the Soulmasters to register to the Yinyué's archieves" 

"Since when..."

"The Unforgivable Fire" Jing replied with a serious voice and low tone

"Hoiii general, you started talking to our interesting lady here without me?" Liam entered in the room, making me turn towards him.

I smiled happily when he sat next to me, and Ming looked a little bit frustrated.

"She's still under observation"

Liam sat comfy and laughed a little bit "She's not corrupted, I think she was just in the wrong place in the wrong time" he looked at me and smirked, making me feel glad I had an ally at least.

Or... are they bluffing?

Yes, they could never trust me in such a few moment, also because I am lying since I basically woke up.

"Yes, right?" I said happily "I mean no harm to anyone in the region, I am not an enemy" I tried to clarify "I am deeply sorry about all that happened in the region in the last few years... I am a bit clueless if I have to be honest" I confessed a little bit embarassed, making Ming raise an eyebrow interested.

"Is Bai Hu your real name?"

I felt like he was really hitting the "Lie" brick I built with paper for my image.

I smiled innocently "Yes..."

"My Lady lost part of her memory since the incident in the river" Hue started talking, getting the attentions of the two "She's a Soulmaster and..."

"That technique" Ming started and I almost forgot he probably saw the ice of the Eternal Breeze "It's not a common one, it's part of the Baixue Clan secrets" he looked at me "I sense so many lies that I find it hard to believe you, lady Bai Hu" 

The Dance of the Eternal Breeze was tought to all the Soulmaster part of my clan living in the Eternal Breeze mountains, only me and my sister could manage it, but in origin it was meant to be an offensive and deadly secret art.

Once I had the bound with Hue, many of my spells changed at his own will.

That's right!

"Hard to believe? That wasn't the dance of Eternal... what?" I started laughing "Sorry I almost missed the name" I tried to make myself look lost "The technique I used wasn't meant to destroy the fire actually" I tried to explain making them confused "I just wanted to protect the people, but I probably overdid and almost killed myself" I shrugged, making Ming stare at me with an annoyed face.

"Actually she's right..." Liam sounded lost in his thoughts "Ming, don't you remember that deadly dance? You should know it better than anyone else..."

Ming looked at him and sharped his gaze "She used her energy to destroy the magic fire and heal the people. I haven't seen anyone using this technique for years, Liam."

"I guess I am actually strong eheh!" I laughed innocently. I stopped as soon as I noticed Ming killing me with his stare "Or lucky... who knows...?"

"What to do with her?" Ming asked to Liam like I wasn't there.

"You're asking me? You're the Head General" he replied, he then looked at me interested "I like her blue eyes, they make me nostalgic you know!"

A servant of the house came and served the tea.

"Oh, thank you so much! Yellow tea is my favourite!" I said, doing a little bow to the servant who smiled back at me.

Ming in that moment looked surprised of my gesture. My eyes from gentle became annoyed towards him. He sighed and took his cup. I mean he was literally killing me with deadly stares since the morning, how did he expect me to look at him? 

Liam happily took a cup for me, but noticed right away Hue on the other side serving me it.

"I see the perverted servant is still here" Liam said with a smile, like he was hiding an insult.

Ming almost coughed while drinking his tea, and looked at Hue.

"Perverted? Said the man who entered in a lady's room without even knocking" Hue replied, making me embarassed. 

"I am a doctor, and she's my patient, no need of these formalities when health comes first, right?" Liam asked innocently, gifting me one of his gentle smiles, to then change into a deadly stare towards Hue "Surely a servant knowing his lady almost died, would't jump on her bed"

"On her bed?!" 

I looked at Ming and I almost wanted to dig a hole and die for real in that moment.

"It's all a misunderstanding, really!" - Guess this is going to be my motto.

"Of course it is" Liam said, drinking his tea with a smirk, making me sob, feeling totally helpless.

"Hue is my guard" I explained and Ming looked like he wanted to yeet away from the situation. He definitely wasn't sure of any of the things I was saying, and neither was I to be honest.

"You didn't even confirm your name" he did remind me and I sighed

"That's the name I remember I have... and my... guard said it is also..."

Ming sighed and stand up, walking towards one of the windows that were facing the big gardens of the house "We will register your name, I will ask you to take your leave and..." he looked at me "Stay away from Yinyué's region, come back to Arthos lands or go somewhere else, I won't care."

I froze on spot.

No, that's not gonna happen.

I need to stay the closest I can to him.

"No no wait!" I exclaimed "I want to live in Yinyué!" 

I could see Liam and Hue on my sides, sipping their tea, enjoying the situation between me and Ming that was about to happen.

"Why do you want to live here if it seems your family ran away from the region?" he asked as he crossed his arms again keeping his eyes on me.

"Be...Because I..." I felt a bit in panic, trying to find a way to stay in Yinyué.

Think fast. 

Think fast.

It's been five years.

Ming Yuan lost his wife, he has been dealing with all the administration of the land and officers alone. 

By the look of the house, he has only servants, there wasn't even a little of whisper about a lady of the house.

"Clearly you have no actual reason... Guards! Take her and her servant away, I have no time for this. Liam, let's get going to the meeting ro..."

"I want to be your Concubine!"

Hue and Liam spit the tea, while their eyes opened up alternating their gaze between me and Ming who got cought probably a little bit by surprised.

"Hoiiii Lady, you reall..." Liam tried to speak but Ming talked over him

"Liam, Hue, you may take your leave."

I nodded at my sword, who was looking at me with flaming eyes as he walked out the door.

I smiled a bit watching them closing the door. As soon as it was closed, I turned towards Ming and I almost shouted. He was standing in front of me and leaning towards me. His hands were clutching the fabric of the couch's backrest on top of my shoulders.

My heart was definitely beating faster than expected. I was literally caged on spot, while his golden eyes, his stare was scary. He was mad, he was really mad.

"I must say you're brave, lady Bai Hu" he spoke trying to keep himself, I could feel the his hands trying to release some of his irritation against the poor couch's fabric "How in the world would you even think I seek for a concubine"

"I have seen no lady sitting with you in the audience room" I explained, trying to keep his stare, even though I was feeling terribly in awe "A Head General with no consort, could make the other regions think that as a weak poi..."

"I have already a son"

"He's too young to take over the lead"

"You think I am going to die anytime soon?" he smiled, as a challenge

"If the things that they told me about the fire are true..." I smiled back leaning closer to him "You're the target."

"You think it's that simple? You know nothing about the events. And you probably do not have any idea what it means to become a concubine"

"Then I will take my time and let your servants tell me" I smiled innocently.

"I don't want a concubine, or any woman by my side." he did lean even more, making the distance minimal to my face "And I don't like liars."

I crossed my arms, having no idea how to convince him "I have things to do in Yinyué, there's a reason why I need to stay here"

"Oh, now we sound a bit honest" he said, getting some distance away from me, and I felt I could breath again and he smiled

"I promise I will explain everything but you must promise me you will take me in the Yuan's family or as a servant in any house of the city" I sighed "I really need to stay in Yinyué"

He looked at me suspicious as always.

"You could have killed everyone." he said "Soulmasters in the few years have been called out in their clans since the Fire... Because this sorcery is dangerous and corrupts the soul giving the worst death.." He explained "There are many books in the library of the house, related the events before and after the Fire,  if you manage your free time you might read them."

My eyes opened up "Does this mean I am your co..."

He looked embarassed for an instant. He leaned again towards me, making me almost become one with the backrest of the couch, having his face close to me.

"You're under my watch, you will be a servant of the house. Don't you ever mention that again unless you want me to take your life, understood? I am not that type of man, and I only had my wife. So you better not overstep with me."

I looked at him and I thought.

He's beautiful.

Even when he's giving me a death stare.

How can he be so lovely?

"Understood!" I smiled happily, making him confused.

There was a moment of silence and that was embarassing, because he was still close to me, looking into my eyes.

"It's indeed nostalgic" he whispered for a moment, making me curious about that comment.

"Wha.."

Some noises, then someone literally almost destroyed the door, by kicking it. 

"FATHER!" 

Me and Ming turned towards the opened door and noticed Lin holding a girl who was sitting on his shoulders.

"BIBI!" she exclaimed looking at me.

Liam and Hue entered as well and they all froze on spot as soon as they noticed me and Ming in that position.

"FATHER?!" Lin exclaimed this time with a mad tone.

"Lin!" I exclaimed embarassed 

Jing looked embarassed, while walking a little bit away from, he then stopped for a moment "Wait how do you know his na..."

"Oh my my" Liam looked at him close to me

"MY LADY?!" Hue exclaimed, making me smile innocently

"BAOBAO YOU'RE OKAY!" I exclaimed as she jumped off Lin, running to me. I could see her bandages around the whole body, covered by a pink quotidian hanfu.

"MOMMY!" she exclaimed happily making all the people of the room die inside.

"MOMMY?!" Ming and Liam exclaimed.

I smiled innocently while hugging the little Alysia "It's not what it looks like..." 

When the timing is definitely not on my side.