memory part 2
Raiden[1]
Hhm
I had just thought of a name—something special.
I smiled softly and said, "That's really a beautiful name."
He nodded in gratitude.
Then he looked at me with something unreadable in his gaze.
"I would very much like to invite you to stay here in the palace," he said. "We have more than enough rooms."
I smiled politely. "No, that's not necessary."
But he didn't back down. He stepped closer and said,"I WON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. It's safe here in the palace. You won't have to worry about someone trying to KILL YOU."
I lowered my head slightly, suppressing a sigh. "Okay… Thank you very much."
He smiled, almost too gently, and clapped his hands. Two servants appeared."Take this young lady to a room."They bowed.
Raiden vanished.
I stood there, unsure of what to think.
I never planned on staying in the palace.
But he's persistent.
This RAIDENTHING is getting more and more interesting.
The servants led me through long, marbled halls.When we arrived at the room, I stepped inside—and froze.
It was MASSIVE.
Elegant.
The bed could probably fit a whole army. Gold and diamonds sparkled on every surface.
All I could think was:
SHIT, HOW RICH ARE THEY?
Without hesitation, I jumped onto the bed like a child.I LAUGHED.
I looked out the window—the sun was already setting.
I freshened up, crawled into the silken bed, but my sword stayed by my side. You never know.
As soon as I closed my eyes, the past came flooding in.
Memories I didn't want to face.
The thing is
As a child, I had no family. They said both my parents were dead.I lived with my aunt for a while… until the unthinkable happened.
I was KIDNAPPED.
Tied up.
USED.
...
Locked away for EIGHT YEARS.
At thirteen, I ESCAPED.
I still remember the fear.The pain.The desperation.
When I finally found my way back to my aunt…They told me she had killed herself.She couldn't live with my disappearance.
I never forgave myself.
So I learned.To survive.To fight.To wield a sword.
I fought demons.I fought evil.I became STRONG.A hero, they said.But not without scars.
I could never trust MEN.
I'm polite and friendly when they're nice to me.
But even when they're nice, the fear and hatred are still there.
Most of the pain in my life came from them.
And that made everything harder.
But I don't want to think about that anymore.
I closed my eyes.
Sleep took me.But it didn't last.
When I opened my eyes again, the sky outside was already bright.
How long did I sleep? It felt like MINUTES.
I got up, got ready, and started looking for the exit.The palace was HUGE.And confusing.
I got lost.
shit
i dont have the time for that
Then—A SOUND.
A blade slicing air.
Curious, I followed the noise and saw someone fighting…Wooden puppets. Training dummies.
I took a step forward.
The man noticed.He threw his sword.
STRAIGHT AT ME.
I dodged and said quickly, "HEYY."
He turned—
It was the prince, Raiden's brother.
He wasn't smiling."BE CAREFUL," he barked. "THAT COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY."
I shrugged. "I'm fine."
He stepped closer.Looked into my eyes.
I looked back.
His stare was strange.Almost unsettling.
Then—he smiled."That's good, isn't it?"
He added, "I saw you talking to my brother yesterday.""Yes," I replied calmly.
He nodded. "I'm glad. He barely speaks to girls."
"Oh, is that so?" I smirked.
He had brown hair, brown eyes—very different from Raiden's black hair and dark, cold eyes.
Then I asked, "Who's older, you or Raiden?"
"I am," he said. "Raiden is the younger one."
I nodded.
He bowed and left.
If I'm honest… I liked Raiden more.
Anyway, enough with these weird thoughts.Time to go to the village.
I finally found the exit—took me ten minutes.
The sun was shining.The weather was perfect.The village was ALIVE.
People laughed.Delicious food smells filled the air.Cherry blossoms floated around like a dream.
I walked among the people.
Some stared.Some whispered:"Wait… is that Lianhua the warrior?"
I just smiled.
YEAHHH
Then I saw something that made me stop.A mother… sitting on the street, begging.
Her child curled up beside her.I walked over.
I gently brushed the child's hair and said,"Hey, little one. You're really sweet."
The mother smiled warmly.
I gave her some money.She bowed. "THANK YOU… you're an angel."
I smiled again. "No big deal."
The child looked at me with stars in her eyes."How old are you?" I asked.
"Five!" she chirped.
Then she said, "Are you the warrior Lianhua?"
I grinned. "Could be."Her eyes sparkled.
I stood and said to the mother,"Take care of your child. The streets are dangerous."
She nodded.
It's a shame that there are still people on the streets who have to beg, and this child simply has no future. I wish I could help more. This emperor could do something, but no, I don't think he'd be interested at all.
I walked on.
but then
A man bumped into me—We both fell.
I helped him up.
But then I saw something.
A snake tattoo on his hand.
I froze.
My gut screamed.
He just smiled.And walked off.
Was he from the Black Snakes?Raiden had warned me about them.
But I can't attack him.Not yet.He hasn't done anything.Still… I need to be careful.
But is that really true? I think a normal person could have a snake tattoo, right?
But I don't think the prince Raiden would tell such a lie.
Then I saw a crowd.
Women laughing, giggling.
I squeezed through.
It was Raiden and his brother.
Surrounded by girls.
I had to laugh
Then Raiden's eyes locked with mine.
I looked back and wondered what he was looking at me like that I just grinned
Before I could leave—His hand grabbed my wrist.
I turned.It was Raiden.
He smiled. "So… what do you think of the village?"
I didn't feel like talking.
I faked a smile."Very nice."
BORING PRINCE, I thought.
But then—
A SCREAM.PAIN.
what was that
...
I looked at Raiden and he also looked at me, surprised, and wondered.
What was that?
I noticed he was still holding my wrist. I said I'd look and ripped my hand loose.
I ran
RUN
It was the mother.Bleeding. Her arm gashed open.
it was the mother with her child begging on the street
I knelt beside her. "WHAT HAPPENED?"
"SOMEONE TOOK MY CHILD!" she cried.
My eyes searched the street.
And then—
I SAW HIM.
The man from before.Snake tattoo.A sack on his back.The child inside.
THE CHILD.
I stood.Heart pounding.Sword ready.
I wouldn't let this happen.
[1] memory part2