Chapter 10 A whole new world
In the hour of the ox, the Legendary General ushers me into a carriage. He puts a finger to his lips motioning for me to stay silent. Bao Bao curls into my lap. I can feel the anxiety begin to rise in my chest. It doesn't help that I can't see very well under this hooded cloak.
I squeeze my eyes shut and recite a silent prayer for the safety of Lady Sora's father. If I were to go back home and Lady Sora were to return, I'd want her to know that everything is as it should be. I've begun to calm down when the sound of faint bells reappears.
Bao Bao looks up at me and tilts his head. We know the voice is back. Everything freezes as if time itself has stopped.
"Congratulations," the voice reappears. "You have guaranteed the safety of Lady Sora's family. It wasn't so bad standing up for yourself, right?"
I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
"What now?" I ask the voice, my irritation seeping through. "I have no idea where he's taking me."
Bao Bao snuggles into my chest and sighs as if to comfort me.
"Even the Legendary General must submit to somebody," the voice reminds me. "He is deciding whether or not you're worth the trouble. Because you have saved Lady Sora's family, I have to inform you that an attack is imminent where the wind blows the coldest."
Everything unfreezes. I waste no time. Leaning towards the Legendary General, I whisper, "An attack is imminent where the wind blows the coldest."
He raises an eyebrow in response. I can tell he's deciding whether or not to believe me. But when Bao Bao lets out a little yap, he taps two times on the carriage. The direction immediately changes.
In the near distance, we hear a loud boom. He frowns. Leaning towards me, he whispers, "You seem to know things you shouldn't. I am trying to decide whether or not this is a coincidence."
The hurt on my face must have been visible from under my cloak because he leans back without saying anything else.It's ironic really that the one person in this universe that can send me home seems to have major trust issues. But still there has to be a way to get that pendant to get back home.
I close my eyes and force myself to rest.
The sound of a message coming through on my work laptop startles me awake. Wait. Is that really my laptop? I sit up at my work desk and glance at the time. It's January 3rd at 3:03pm, also known as the most boring part of the day.
Luckily, the message is an auto-reminder to finish pulling today's data to share with the team during my end of day update.
"Oh thank goodness, it was just a dream," I squeal as I glance around the office.
No one seems to notice that I had fallen asleep at my desk.
Instead, everyone's busy working. Grabbing my mug, I make my way towards the kitchen to make a fresh cup of tea.
As I'm about to turn into the kitchen, I can hear my boss chatting with her assistant.
"Give Lilia a 20% raise?" My boss scoffs then bursts into laughter. "I'll give her 2% and she'll work just as hard."
"But, in my notes I had her down the 20% raise and the New Year bonus," her assistant answers. "Did I record that wrong?"
"Please," my boss huffs. "There's no way she'd ever advocate for that. I save even more money by having her work two jobs for her pay rate."
The carriage lurches to a stop and I fly out of my seat. I wake up in a daze to find myself strewn across the Legendary General. He freezes before helping me up to my side of the carriage. My face heats in embarrassment.
"We have arrived," he informs me. Bao Bao leaps out of the carriage first. He gives me a strange look as he steps out of the carriage.
I sit there alone, the dream lingering in my mind.
Had I really been so blind to my boss's true character?
I'd poured everything into that job, believing that my hard work would speak for itself, that it would be enough to earn their respect.
Instead, I was left begging—no, groveling—for what I was worth.
A deep ache fills my chest, as heavy as the silence around me. I should have known better. All the signs were there, yet I'd ignored them, convincing myself that my loyalty and my effort would eventually be rewarded.
The realization stings, not just because of the betrayal, but because I let it happen. I trusted too much, gave too much, and now, I'm left with nothing. Another New Year without my family had passed because I hadn't realized just how foolish I was.
With a big sigh, I step out of the carriage.
My jaw drops when I look around me. It's as if I'm standing in the clouds.
The sky is a mix of pinks and purples and blues as if all the colors of the sunrise have mixed together to create this moment.
I can see great rivers that intertwine with each other in the distance.
In front of us, a singular stone path is illuminated by stone lanterns in the shape of tigers, dragons, and other mythical creatures.
There's no way we're in the mortal world anymore. This place is different. I can feel it, the way it hums with the same energy the Legendary General and Bao Bao seem to have.
Surely no mortals are meant to stay here. Why would he break the rules of the heavens for me to stay here? A disturbing thought settles within me. Does he suspect me to be someone dangerous?
You know what they say... Keep your enemies close...
"I don't understand," I hear myself admit. "Surely I am not worthy to be here."
"That is for me to decide," he answers.
He leaves no room for me to argue with him. His blue cape flutters in the gentle winter breeze as he makes his way towards the grand estate in front of him. The carriage pulls away. There's no turning back now.
"Umm," I falter. Bao Bao lingers next to me as we make our way over the main threshold. Unlike Lady Sora's home or the Imperial palace, this one lacks the bustling presence of servants. Instead the sound of leaves rustling and water rushing greets me, underscoring the elegance of this place.
The air carries the faint scent of pine, fresh and grounding. As he guides me through his main courtyard, it becomes clear that his estate is a reflecting of him. Bamboo reaches towards the sky, gently swaying in the breeze -- a sign of adaptability and inner strength.
There's something different about the architecture here as well.
Dark wooden eaves stretch out above us, their edges adorned with painted dragons.
They look as if they're guardians watching all who date to enter.
Subtle celestial symbols of clouds, stars, and the moon are visible in the carved columns.
As we get deeper and deeper into his estate, I notice a couple of servants. They give me a once over as we get closer. All heads bow as the Legendary General pauses in front of them.
"Lady Sora is my guest," he announces. "Please provide her with anything she needs. She will be staying in the North East, near my quarters."
The servants bow again, murmuring their acknowledgment. One of them steps forward and dips into a bow. I awkwardly bow back. If his servants are also Celestials, I don't want them to resent me for having to serve me.
"I apologize for the inconvenience," I say as clearly as I can. "Please take care of me."
They burst into laughter once he's out of earshot. An older-looking lady pulls me into a hug. Confused, I hug her back.
"He's finally brought a woman here," one of them says in awe. "And a mortal one, too! I never thought I'd live to see it."
"Oh there's nothing going on between us," I say quickly.
"Sure," they all say in unison. Each of them take off into directions, immediately getting to work. I'm left with the older lady who pulled me into a hug.
"Just call my Aunty, dear," she says. "Let me show you where you'll be staying."
She leads me to my quarters. The plaque above reads Court of a Thousand Lilies. If only he knew how ironic that was. Gingko trees flank the pathway that lead to the rooms I'll be staying in. She opens the doors to reveal spacious rooms with high ceilings.
The bed is made of fragrant hinoki wood and covered with sheets and pillows in deep blue and dark green.
It's as if the inside reflects what's happening on the outside.
She shows me around the rooms, to my bedroom, a little study, and a place to bathe.
Servants rush in with trays of makeup to put on a simple vanity.
My brows scrunch in confusion. Why would he have makeup so readily available?
"It's his sisters," she explains. "Their family lives in the Northern Quarters." I nod in response.
"We're sure you want to rest," she continues as she putters around. Other servants rush behind her and make their way into different rooms.
"They'll prepare your bath for you. Once you're finished, just tap on the side of the bath three times and we'll take care of everything else," she says.
I give her a grateful smile.
"Thank you so much," I murmur. "I have nothing to give you but my gratitude."
She gives me a genuine smile. I can overhear gossiping with the servants. Her bet is that she'll catch the Legendary General in my quarters in three days.
For my sake, I hope she's right. I need that pendant.