Swiftly, I moved away as the sword came lunging for my neck. The tips of the flames singed my robe. “You will just swing at anyone, huh?!”

Seeing that he ignored me, I braced myself to dodge again. Ming Yi dashed in the blade’s way before the man could finish his second attack. With a powerful kick, he sent the weapon crashing to the ground, its metallic thud reverberating through the night.

More guards soon huddled together to face us, each having some kind of advantage different from the last. “Ming Yi, be careful,” I whispered. “There are too many of them.”

He stumbled backward into my chest, catching a sword with his bare palm. Blood ran down his arm from his hand. My heart almost stopped in my chest at the sight. I grabbed Ming Yi’s shoulder, trying to usher him away with shaking hands.

I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to pull him away again as he unsheathed his sword. Seeing his strength slowly dwindle, an idea popped into my head.

To not attract much attention, I didn’t break into a run. I was careful, choosing the shadowed spots near the bushes as cover. Ensuring there weren’t any guards around, I sprinted the rest of the way to the main entrance.

Ming Yi probably thought I’d lost my mind, but he couldn’t break away to stop me, either. The answer was so obvious. Why didn’t I think of the solution sooner? If you want to get someone’s attention, go through their front door.

I pushed the giant, ornate doors open wide, making my presence known.

My father broke away from his conversation, an unreadable gaze flickering to mine. Next to him stood a mysterious figure, their long, white hair partially hiding their face, sending a shiver down my spine as I realized I knew them.

I discarded everything: my thoughts, my logic, the reason I came here. Every aspect flew out the window the moment I saw this familiar figure. With each step towards him, I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, battling against the anger that had consumed me for years. I desperately wanted to know why he killed my family, but let me survive. Who was this man, spirit, or god that continued to torment my existence?!

My father raised his calloused hand, the guards rushing forward at his command. They reached my side, grabbing hold of my arms to prevent further movement. I clawed at them, trying to get away, my sight never leaving my target.

My father gave my disheveled state a once over. Though silent, his pained expression revealed his empathy for my suffering, but I didn’t give a damn about his pity. Whether aware of my desperate hunger to find this person or not, he’s stealing my only hope right before my eyes.

I could feel my hands trembling in defeat as the guards carried me further away from the truth. Ignoring the scene, the being gracefully departed, his long silver hair swaying with each step.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Morning arrived, though I didn’t sleep. I kept replaying the events from yesterday. Plus, I’m worried about Ming Yi. He didn’t return last night. My father summoned me to his study, so I dressed myself, not wasting time.

The Alistar homestead was like a carefully woven spider web with intricate threads that were crafted for perfection. Normally laughter from my youngest siblings, Shu Lian, and Shu Wang, echoed through the hallways, while the servants wandered about, gossiping to one another across the lavish palace grounds. It was a spectacle to behold. Not an item misplaced, including me. I’d be present when called and I’d jump when someone expected that of me. 

Whenever I finished the assignment that my stepmother gave me, I’d waste my remaining hours away in my room, but today I’m not going out, not until I know Ming Yi is safe.

This novel, set in ancient China, interweaves six ghost stories. If I can solve them, my assumption is that I’ll be able to return home after finding the truth behind the figure in white. In theory, this sounds easy enough, but it’s actually not. I can only remember basic information about this universe. More importantly, I don’t recall the ending to this book. I’ll have to start from scratch if I’m going to uncover the truth, but I keep getting swept into other affairs.

“Have you heard of the Red Flag rebellion?” my father asked, speaking the words I hoped to go a lifetime without hearing. He sat behind his desk, studying the papers spread out before him.

The Red Flag was a group of individuals who sought pleasure in playing dangerous jokes on the royal guard and higher class out of spite of their poverty. Their cause spread like wildfire throughout Cassanova, where their followers attempt to change the lives of the common people and start an uprising against the upper class.

Over the fifteen years I’ve been in this world, since I was seven years old, I’ve tried countless times to prevent this main event from taking root, but it seems my efforts were fruitless.

My father continued when I didn’t speak. “The rebels from last night were guards. We found evidence that their enhancements resulted from the hybrid drug, the shipment you spoke about long ago. The two incidents are now connected cases.”

I can’t help but consider the losses if this war happens. To make matters worst, their rulers seemed indifferent to stopping the root cause, but underneath, that wasn’t true. My father can’t take action regarding my stepmother’s choices. Retaliating against her could jeopardize the peace treaty between our kingdom and the North, considering she is their princess. We’re trapped in an impossible situation, with our hands tied.

I knew what my father would ask next, but my breath still shuttered at the idea despite how hard I tried to hold it in. My last form of independence was slipping away from my grasp. Any attempt to escape would cause someone’s head to be severed. Most likely my own. “Father, I don’t know that I can continue this charade much longer. You know my heart doesn’t belong here.”

My father’s gray eyes revealed two sparks of flames that had gone out a long time ago. “I know, but you are the firstborn and heir of this kingdom. If we don’t preserve the future, we’ll have nothing left.”

Even if I have nothing left?

Unable to watch my inner conflict any longer, my father looked away. “Have them thrown away by tomorrow.”

When the evening passed, I laid alone in my room, gazing up at the night sky. The shimmering stars seemed to carry secrets into my bedchambers, bringing forth the cusp of freedom with the crisp air, but behind my cage, I could only watch those ideals slip further away from my grasp with each passing moment.

What Ming Yi seldom realized was how he represented the backbone of the royal guards, and how he held my only reassurance that my life in the palace wouldn’t crumble apart.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

The next day came and Ming Yi was still missing, but I heard he was recovering from his wounds and would visit me soon. Walking through the hallways, I found someone else who I was unexpectedly looking for. “Ah Yang,” I said, addressing my brother. “Where are you headed? I was hoping to speak with you.”

After a quick bow, Xu Yang continued forward, slowing his pace so I could walk beside him. “I’ve often wondered how you’re doing,” he said. “It’s a relief to see you’re doing well enough.” 

“I’ve been better,” I admitted. “It seems our paths cross far less by the day.” 

“Care to join me for some practice, then?”

The idea put me at ease. I nodded, playfully sticking my tongue out at him. 

He laughed, clearing his throat to keep up his cold facade.

I rested my hands behind my head, following Xu Yang through the corridors. If someone once told me I’d have a good relationship with my brother, I’d have said they were crazy. Xu Yang was both a blessing and a terrifying, unknown variable in my life.

We walked into the arena. The dome ceiling, forged of glass and lined with bronze interior, towered above us in the circular space full of sand, dirt and sweat. The training dummies, no doubt previously crushed by Xu Yang, lay scattered across the ground.

Xu Yang folded back the cuffs of his sleeves, pointing to a shed in the corner. “Your sword is over there.”

Xu Yang is unaware I would often come here to watch Ming Yi train. With long strides, I approached the familiar cupboard and retrieved a sword with a dull edge. I weighed the object in my hands. Perfectly balanced, I noted.

Xu Yang studied me and cocked his head, displeasure written on his face. “When was the last time you slept? You look awful.”

Upon adjusting my stance, I uttered dryly, “I don’t want to think about it.”

“Your sword is too low. Higher,” he said. He nodded towards my sword arm with his chin.

I followed his advice and our swords soon clinked together, dancing with harmony, but sooner than I would’ve liked, I ended up falling on my hide. Xu Yang doesn’t hold back his punches. He has a habit of driving a nail in the coffin.

Xu Yang rolled his eyes at the sight that I lost. He muttered something under his breath as he went to pick up my discarded weapon. “You rely too much on that shadow of yours.”

I caught my sword that he tossed my way, saying nothing. The metal felt cold in my grip, heightening my senses.

“You should practice,” he said, gaze becoming distant the more he spoke. “What if I’m asked to kill you? This isn’t another one of our childish games.”

At his words, my hands fell slack at my side, unable to ignore his comments any longer. “Then I guess I would just have to lose,” I said, meeting his heavy gaze. “Ah Yang, I won’t fight you like that.”

He gave me a look that made me want to throw away my damn sword and embrace him in a hug. His long blond braid fluttered at the wind that blew through the arena as if signifying his signs of change. His thoughts remained unspoken, though his golden eyes spoke volumes. Sharply, he looked away, walking towards a training dummy, and propped one up after another.

Xu Yang discarded his sword, turning away to leave. “Take care of yourself,” he advised, leaving me alone to contemplate the gravity of his words.

Several hours passed before I laid on the ground in utter exhaustion, glimpsing at my robes that were now filthy and ruined. The sky stretched above me, an endless blue expanse unlike my mind filled with worry.

The problem is that ever since stepping into this novel world, I’m now taking on Calisaya’s role as the protagonist and experiencing her past. I must prepare for a reality where the rebellion burns Cassanova to the ground and my brother’s eventual betrayal.

I have always known Xu Yang’s inevitable desire to end my life, yet the thought still hurts. My brother’s remarkable in every conceivable manner. He has exceptional grades that far exceeds myself. His charisma charms everyone around him where people refuse to take my word. Yet despite our differences, he’s my close friend and greatest weakness. A formidable warrior who’s honed to kill me from the moment he was born.

As my body sank into the sand, I wondered if the fateful day would come when I would confront him in a fight to the death. A heavy ache settled in my chest, my heartbeat faltering at the thought.

Ming Yi twisted his head to stare down at me from where he was sitting by the roof. He held a half-eaten apple in his hand, smiling darkly. “I pity whoever will kill you if you fight like that.”

I grumbled in annoyance, moving my arm over my eyes, intending to ignore him, but finding that I couldn’t. “You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

“No, actually I don’t,” he conceded. There was a long pause. “Don’t worry about being the best. Just rest and take it easy. I won’t let harm come to you.”

My body tensed at his words. “I can’t always have you by my side! You’re too invaluable, Ming Yi. To both me and this country.”

He landed nearby in one soft swoop. “Too invaluable, you say?” I found his green eyes peering at me upside down. There was a frown on his lips. In the next moment, he stood up straight, appearing like nothing happened. “Your feet are all wrong. That’s why you’re losing balance and growing tired so quickly. Holding the blade correctly eases leg strain. What’s with that stupid look? Get up, get up.”

When I didn’t move, he hoisted me up by my collar, smiling at my foul expression.

“That’s better,” he said in a chipper tone, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

I shooed him away, but did as instructed.

His lips twitched, trying not to laugh. We trained for several hours and by the time we departed, sweating to the point our bones ached, I was certain I learned something helpful. My body weight fought against me as I pushed open the door to my room and almost toppled to the floor over the threshold.

Ming Yi caught me under my arm, not bothering to be gentle. “Be careful,” he said, slightly out of breath.

I laughed dryly at his concern. “I’ll get you back later.”

He smiled in response. “I’m looking forward to it.”

He guided me onto my bed, ensuring I’m snugly tucked under the blankets.

“Someone has been watching you all day, but don’t worry,” Ming Yi said indifferently, moving towards the open window. “I’ll take care of them, Dianxia. Rest well.”