Chapter 11 None of it makes sense
I wake up to the sound of a little girl giggling. She's sitting in front of my vanity, placing a massive amount of rouge on her cheeks. When she realizes I'm awake, she bursts into laughter.
"I made you look pretty just like me." She laughs as she does a little dance. I blink, confused. Kneeling down next to her, I realize she's given me a full makeover.
Rouge in every single color covers my cheeks. She's managed to also have made one eye pink and the other a deep purple. Red was her choice for my lips. I can't help but laugh. In every single universe, kids will always be kids.
"Do you want to try something new?" I ask her as I make my way to the bathroom to wash up.
"Really?" She screeches. "Mama never lets me play on her face."
"I have nowhere else to go today," I reveal. "Do you want me to do your makeup too?"
She shakes her head and gestures to her face. "I already look amazing. But you can use a little work. You were golden when you were sleeping. But now, you aren't."
"Well then, I'm lucky you're here," I tell her.
As she works diligently on my makeup, I notice the slight pink glow that surrounds her.
If the Legendary General has makeup for his sister here, then this must be his niece.
She must have similar abilities to her grandmother, known to be one of the goddesses of love.
A pang of homesickness overcomes when I think about my little sisters. I remember when we'd have fun like this. We'd sneak into our mother's room and play with all of her makeup. Every time, we'd get in trouble, but it was always worth it.
"Aiyah," the little girl complains. "For some reason, you look even worse."
I can't help but laugh in response. She laughs with me. In the distance, I can hear someone calling for her.
"Does your Mama know you're here?" I ask. She shakes her head and runs out of my quarters. I shove an outer layer on and chase after her to make sure she doesn't trip.
"I'm here Mama," the little girl yells. She races through the path. At the entrance of my quarters is a stunning woman. My breath catches in my chest when I see her. It has to be the Legendary General's sister.
When she makes eye contact with me, I dip into a bow.
"Mei Mei, were you bothering her?" The little girl's mother scolds her. She turns to me and gives me an apologetic look. "You may rise. I apologize for disturbing your rest."
"Not at all," I respond, making sure to lower my head. "I wanted to make sure she didn't trip or fall."
"Uncle taught me to never trip or fall," Mei Mei brags. "If you want, I can teach you how sometime."
"I would be grateful," I admit. "I seem to be prone to tripping and falling." I show her the faint scars on my hands from the various times I've fallen here. She giggles in response and hides behind her mother, pretending to be shy.
"Thank you," her mother answers. "Brother never allows anyone to stay here. Mei Mei was excited about the prospect of having someone new to play with."
"I'm happy to," I say as I glance at Mei Mei. "I apologize for not greeting you earlier."
Her eyes brush over what I'm wearing. I glance down at the way I'm dressed. In this time period, I'm sure I look like a crazy person. Luckily, I haven't stepped out of my courtyard.
"Not at all," she answers. "We'll be on our way. It's time for Mei Mei's lessons."
They disappear over the threshold. Right when I think I'm alone again, Bao Bao runs inside. He's taken on his form as a little dog again. When he sees my face he whines.
"Is it really that bad?" I ask him. He leaps into my arms and I begin to rock him back and forth. I'm about to carry him into my quarters when I realize he isn't alone.
"Lady Sora?" The Legendary General gives me an incredulous look. "You must have met Mei Mei."
What is it with this guy catching me during my most embarrassing moments? Every part of me wants to run away and hide. But I can't get home if I hide away from him. Plus, he'd come to get Bao bao anyway.
"I decided to try something new," I deadpan. Silence settles between us. He tilts his head in confusion. I put Bao Bao down. "Is everything okay?" I ask in a more serious tone. It looks like he wants to say something, but he changes the subject instead.
"Your father remains safe," he informs me. "It is just as you said. If he hadn't welcomed the concubine the night you left, I don't know if you'd still have a family."
"Thank you," I murmur as I shiver.
"Warm up inside," he instructs me. "I request your presence at dinner tonight."
With that, he turns around and goes back in the direction he came from. Bao Bao transforms into his beastly form behind him. A mixture of relief and fear rush through me.
Is dinner some sort of test?