Leena did not leave her bed.
The entire day had passed with her curled tightly beneath the covers, clutching the blanket like a lifeline. The room smelled faintly of rain-soaked earth from the storm that had raged outside. Her lashes were crusted with dried tears, her hair tangled and damp against her cheeks.
She stared at the wall until her eyes blurred, waiting for the ache in her chest to fade. It never did.
When Maya entered with a tray—steamed rice, warm broth, fragrant pickled vegetables—Leena didn't move. She lay still, feigning sleep.
"Madam," Maya whispered, voice trembling with worry, "please eat something."
No response.
"Madam, please…"
Leena's lashes didn't even flutter. The words didn't reach her. It was as though her soul had retreated somewhere deep inside, far away from the palace, far away from the memory of yesterday.
The world had become a distant thing, a story happening to someone else.
The next morning, the door flew open with a clatter.
"Madam!"
Maya strode in with two other maids, her brows drawn tight with determination. They carried steaming water, soft towels, fragrant oils.
"Madam!" Maya's voice was brisk. "Your father has sent someone to meet you!"
Leena's eyes snapped open instantly. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Daddy?" Her voice was hoarse, but the single word cracked through the fog surrounding her mind.
"Yes," Maya said firmly, nodding once. "But we must prepare you quickly. They'll meet you in the central courtyard."
Leena's fingers clutched the blanket. For a moment she hesitated, then slowly sat up. That tiny gesture was enough to make Maya's shoulders sag in relief.
"Good," she said softly. "Let's get you ready."
The maids worked quickly, gently. Warm cloths wiped away the sweat and tears from Leena's skin, leaving behind the faint scent of rosewater. They anointed her with jasmine oil imported from India, a familiar fragrance that reminded her of home. Her hair was carefully detangled and brushed until it gleamed like black silk, then smoothed with a little more fragrant oil.
Finally, they dressed her in a soft rose-colored silk robe that shimmered in the light. Its pale hue caught on her skin like the first blush of dawn.
Maya stepped back, pride glinting in her eyes. No matter what monsters tried to break her, my madam will rise again. Like a phoenix.
The central courtyard was breathtaking after the storm.
The stone paths gleamed with leftover rain, glistening like silver ribbons. A koi pond sparkled under the clear morning sun, its surface broken occasionally by darting orange-and-white fish. Birds trilled overhead, as if the heavens themselves wanted to erase the previous night.
Leena inhaled deeply, her chest tightening with something she couldn't name.
I can't let Father know my suffering, she told herself, forcing her shoulders back. I won't burden him with my pain. Not now.
"Where is the person?" she asked softly, scanning the courtyard.
"They should arrive soon," Maya said with a smile that looked a little too quick. "Let's sit here while we wait. I prepared something."
She guided Leena to a stone bench near the pond. A low table was already set, and from her basket Maya began to unpack food—fresh vegetables, grilled fish, warm rice, cut fruit still beaded with dew.
Leena blinked. "Where did you get all this?"
"I made it myself this morning." Maya's smile softened. She held out a spoonful of rice and fish. "Here. Say aaah."
Leena hesitated. But then—slowly—she opened her mouth.
Warmth spread over her tongue, earthy and savory, grounding her. The tightness in her chest loosened slightly.
For the first time since yesterday, she smiled. A small, fragile curve of her lips.
Maya's eyes misted.
But then Leena froze.
"It's strange," she murmured slowly, setting her spoon down. "That you prepared all this food… almost as if you already knew we'd be waiting here."
Her words lingered in the air like a sharp note.
Then her spoon clattered against the dish.
"No one is coming, are they?"
Maya's hands trembled.
"I—Madam, I can explain—"
"You lied to me."
"It wasn't against you," Maya pleaded. "It was for you. You wouldn't leave that room—"
"You used my father to trick me?" Leena's voice cracked.
"Madam, please—"
But Leena was already on her feet, her robe swishing sharply against the ground.
At the far end of the courtyard, a familiar voice rang out.
"Oh—Leena!"
Chen Yu jogged toward them, relief breaking across his boyish features.
"I've been looking everywhere! Do you know how worried I was?!"
Leena turned her face away. "I'm fine."
But her voice was hollow.
Chen Yu frowned. "Are you sure? That physician told me you were in danger yesterday—"
Leena's head snapped up, eyes wide.
"I tried to see the prince," Chen Yu continued, breathless. "But he was locked up all day. You scared me half to death!"
Maya's brows knit together as the pieces fell into place.
"Wait," she said softly. "When you came back yesterday… you were pale. Like you'd seen a ghost. What happened at the physicians' quarters?"
Leena's entire body went rigid.
"It's none of your business!" she burst out, louder than intended.
Before either could stop her, she turned and stormed away, her skirt whispering like an angry tide.
The winding paths twisted into hedges and stone arches. Her steps echoed, each one fueled by the pressure in her chest.
But then a shadow blocked her way.
Young Master Hao Rui.
He stood there, hands clasped behind his back, a strange look on his face.
"Lady Leena." His voice carried an edge of shame. "I… must apologize. I mistook you for a—" He swallowed hard. "A prostitute. I paid Lady Jiang to arrange it. I never meant—"
Leena's fury snapped.
"If you truly cared about your honor, perhaps you should have restrained yourself in the first place!"
For a moment, Hao Rui stared—then laughed, a low and careless sound.
"You've made a powerful enemy," he said, his voice suddenly smooth, almost mocking. "Lady Jiang won't stop until you're…" His lips curved wickedly. "…dead."
Leena's stomach twisted, but she refused to let fear show. She turned away, skirts flaring.
And then—
She collided with someone.
Strong fingers closed around her arms, steadying her.
When she looked up—
Her breath stopped.
Li Wei.
The prince's face was unreadable, his jaw taut.
Leena's heart thudded painfully. She immediately bowed, her hair falling like a curtain to hide her expression.
Then she tried to leave.
But a hand caught her wrist.
"What was that conversation about?" Li Wei's voice was cool, but it was the kind of cool that burned.
Leena shook her head. "Nothing."
His grip tightened, forcing her to face him.
"I asked you a question," he said, tone dropping into command.
"I said it's nothing!" Leena's voice was too quick, too sharp.
Li Wei's eyes narrowed.
"Leena," he said slowly, dangerously, "you are clearly upset. Tell me."
Her chest constricted painfully. The memories flashed before her eyes.
No.
She couldn't.
Before she could speak, Hao Rui strolled forward lazily, as if the entire scene amused him.
"I was merely expressing my interest, Your Highness," he drawled.
To be continued...