Later, in Liana's chamber...
The door creaked open just as Liana was slipping into a fresh robe, her back turned, hair still damp from washing away the tension of the day.
"Liana—"
Lord Wei's voice cut in, but then stopped dead.
She turned in surprise, clutching the robe closer.
He'd already spun around, facing the door, ears tinged red. "Apologies," he muttered, stiff as stone.
She smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh my, Lord Wei… you're blushing. Didn't think you could get flustered."
He didn't answer.
Liana stepped forward, arms folded. "If you're going to barge in, at least pretend not to look so scandalized. Or are you only bold in battle?"
His hand clenched slightly at his side.
Feeling playful, she leaned in. "You know, if you wanted to see me without—"
In a blink, he moved.
With a sharp thud, her back hit the wooden door. Lord Wei's hand was planted beside her head, the other gripping her wrist gently but firmly. His face was close, too close. The door rattled slightly behind her from the force.
His voice was low, and dangerous.
"Know where you are before you start playing."
His eyes searched hers. "And remember who you are. And who I am."
Liana's teasing smirk faltered. Her heart was pounding but it wasn't fear. It was something… else.
He stepped back just as suddenly, but not before throwing one last look over his shoulder.
"Kieran may target you now."
His tone softened.
"Stay calm. I will protect you."
And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Liana breathless and flushed her fingers still tingling from where he touched her.
Moments Later
Steam curled around the edges of the wooden tub as Liana sank into the hot water, letting it soak away the chill that Lord Wei's sudden closeness had left behind.
She exhaled sharply, slumping back.
"Huh… Liana. Why did you come here again?" she muttered to herself, slapping water against her face. "Focus on your goal. Revenge. Survival. Not… him."
But her mind wouldn't shut up.
"Stay calm. I will protect you."
Her fingers clenched under the water.
"Ugh! What does that even mean?" she grumbled, half growling. "If you're gonna push me away, then at least say it clearly. Say 'we're not meant for each other' or something. Not this half baked knight in shining armor nonsense."
She flicked water up in frustration.
But another part of her the annoying, traitorous part whispered back:
"But he didn't say you weren't meant for each other."
Liana groaned.
"Of course he didn't. He just pulled that 'I'm your superior, know your place' crap." She mimicked his deep voice. "'Remember who you are. And who I am.' Hah! As if I needed reminding."
A pause. Her voice softened.
"…Though, I guess it's partially true."
She sank deeper into the bath, cheeks flushing not from the heat.
"But still… damn it."
Silence settled again.
Then she huffed, splashing water over her face like she was trying to drown the blush clinging to her.
"…Why does he have to look that good while scolding me?"
The bath's heat hadn't even cooled when she heard a soft creak.
Liana flinched.
She grabbed her towel and twisted to face the door Kieran.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…What do you want, Your Highness?"
His smile was slow. Slimy. The kind that slithered into your spine and made your skin crawl.
"I just wanted to say," he began, stepping closer, "lately… I've developed a bit of a crush on you."
Liana's stomach flipped not from flattery, but disgust.
He continued, "So, I hope you'll consider it."
Her eyes flashed.
"Do you realize… I'm Lord Wei's woman? His friend?" she said coolly, voice like ice. "And yet you still dare to pester me?"
Kieran blinked, the smile twitching.
"If he finds out," she continued, stepping closer, tone sharper than a dagger, "what do you think will happen, hmm? Your chain to the throne… will snap."
Kieran's gaze darkened, mask cracking just slightly.
"You'll regret this," he hissed, then turned and left.
Liana waited, heart racing, peeking past the screen to confirm he was really gone. Only once she was sure, did she dry off and throw on a dress.
And just as she was tying the sash.
"What happened?" Lord Wei's voice came from the door, startling her again.
He stepped inside, scanning her face.
Liana sighed.
"I just told him I'm your woman. Problem solved."
A pause. Then Lord Wei shrugged.
"Good," he said simply, turning to leave.
But she opened her mouth to say something and in her rush, her foot slipped.
"Wait—!"
She stumbled forward and thud her forehead smacked straight into his waist.
"Agh!" she winced, staggering back… except
"Wait… my hair!" she yelped. "It's stuck?!"
Her hair had tangled itself tightly around his belt buckle. The scene was now a chaotic mess of fumbled apologies, breathless tugging, and trying not to make eye contact.
Finally, she managed to free it only to freeze.
Something glittered on his chest.
Part of his robe had shifted in the mess, revealing a pendant.
A deep green stone… carved with an ancient pattern.
Something familiar.
Her eyes narrowed. Where…?
Lord Wei noticed her staring.
"…What? Do you want to ask something?"
Snapping out of her trance, Liana shook her head.
"No. Just… what's the next plan?"
"You'll rest for now," he said, tightening his robe again. "We'll talk later."
And with that, he left.
Liana locked the door immediately.
She curled into her bed, trying to sleep. But her thoughts circled the pendant.
Where had she seen it before? When?
That night, her dream showed the same pendant glinting under moonlight but not the full memory.
Only the unsettling feeling that it wasn't the first time this pendant had turned her world upside down.