BAO JI (LIA)
The next day I tried to keep myself busy with anything I could find.
My maid told me that His Majesty was occupied with the officials, discussing court matters. For some reason, hearing that made a strange sadness settle inside my chest. I must have shown it on my face too, because my maid immediately asked why I looked upset.
I tried to lie and say that I was fine. The problem was… even I didn't believe it. So, to prove both of us wrong, I decided to go to the library. Even though I barely understood anything from the poems written in those books, I still found them interesting enough to read. If someone saw me here, they would probably think I was some kind of genius—someone who understood every poem and philosophical line written in these books.
The truth?
I was dumb as a chicken when it came to this kind of stuff. Back in the 21st century I barely read anything. If someone ever found me inside a library, it meant one thing: I was probably about to fail an exam and had no choice but to study like crazy.
God, I'm so happy to be away from all that exam bullshit.
But then suddenly I remembered Elena. My chest tightened. I miss her so badly. I wish she were here with me. I'm sure we would have so much fun together. Actually, she would make sure we had fun.
I wonder what she's doing right now.
Is she okay?
Is she sad because I'm gone?
Wait…
Does she even know I'm gone?
What happened to my body in the future?
Does anyone notice that I disappeared?
Maybe Elena senses something.
Or maybe…
Maybe no one noticed I'm not there anymore.
And here I am missing her like crazy.
"My lady… is everything alright?" my maid asked carefully.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"You look like you are about to cry."
"I—I'm okay," I said, forcing a smile.
But even I could tell it wasn't convincing. My face always betrays me. I grabbed a random book from the shelf and walked to a nearby table. I sat down and opened it, pretending to read.
But my mind wasn't on the pages. I was thinking about Elena. Then my thoughts drifted to my parents. Before I was pulled into this world, I barely talked to them.
God…
I miss them so fucking much. I wish I could see them even for one second. Just one second would be enough.
"I finally found you."
The voice startled me.
I turned around and saw the Queen standing behind me, smiling softly.
"Your Majesty," I said, quickly trying to hide my sadness.
"What's wrong?" she asked immediately, worry filling her voice.
"Nothing," I answered quickly.
She looked at my maid.
"What happened? What made her sad?"
The maid looked terrified.
"I—I don't know, Your Majesty."
"Seriously, I'm fine," I said, standing up and walking closer to the Queen.
"It doesn't look like you're fine," she replied gently. "You look far too sad."
"I just… miss my parents. That's all."
Technically it wasn't a lie. I did miss my parents. But the Queen thought I meant Bao Ji's parents, since I was living in her body. In reality, I missed my real parents. The ones from the 21st century.
"You're sure that's all?" the queen asked softly.
"Yes."
Then suddenly an idea crossed my mind.
"Do you have… you know… wine?" I asked.
The Queen raised an eyebrow.
"Do you want to drink a little?"
"Would you drink with me?"
She didn't hesitate.
"Of course. Let's go."
I smiled.
I was so lucky to have her. No one could replace Elena, my best friend. But having someone here who cared about me, who worried about me like a big sister… It felt comforting. At least in that aspect, I was lucky.
After drinking a few cups of wine, the queen looked at me again.
"Why are you sad? Who made you sad?"
"I already told you," I said. "Nobody made me sad. I just miss my parents. That's all."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"You know you can tell me if something is wrong."
"I know," I said. "But really, nothing happened. Nobody bullied me. Nobody made me sad."
At that moment the queen's maid entered.
"His Majesty is coming."
We didn't even have time to react before the emperor stepped into the room.
"Your Majesty", the Queen and I said at the same time without standing up.
"Drinking again?" he asked.
"I felt like drinking today," I replied.
"You felt like drinking?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice. "Did something happen?"
"I asked the same question," the Queen added.
Oh, for God's sake.
She should have said nothing. She knew perfectly well how His Majesty was. Who knew what he might start imagining now?
"What is wrong?" the emperor asked. "Did someone bully you?"
"No! Nobody bullied me."
"You can tell me the truth," he said.
"I know I can tell both of you if something happens," I replied. "But honestly, I'm fine. I just miss my parents. That's all."
Not these parents. But they didn't need to know that part. Explaining it would be impossible anyway.
"Then I will stay and drink with you," the emperor said, calmly picking up a cup and pouring himself some wine.
The Queen and I stared at him in shock. We wanted a girls' day. But suddenly His Majesty had decided to join us. I wanted to protest.
But honestly?
Who was I kidding?
A part of me felt happy that he was staying. Seeing the three of us sitting like this—the Queen, the Emperor, and me—made me feel strangely warm inside.
After a few hours and four bottles of wine, the three of us were completely drunk. Everything in front of me was starting to split into two. We were laughing, joking, and acting like children.
At some point we even ran outside into the garden.
"You can't catch us!" I shouted at the emperor while the queen and I ran away.
"Yes, I can!" he replied, laughing as he chased after us.
Suddenly someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I stumbled slightly. When I looked up, the emperor was standing right in front of me. We both burst out laughing.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the Queen watching us with a soft smile. But the Emperor quickly pulled my attention back. Or rather… His chest did.
Damn.
He really had muscles. No joke.
I slowly lifted my eyes and looked into his bright ones.
For a moment…
I almost got lost in them.