Chapter 15 Now what?
The Legendary General's quarters have become a fortress. Glowing shields shimmer in the twilight, enclosing us in a protective barrier. Divine weapons, sleek and otherwordly, glimmer on the walls. As much as I don't like him right now, I have to admit this is pretty impressive.
Mei Mei and I sit side by side on a plush couch.
"Can I talk now?" Mei mei whispers, her voice barely audible.
"I'm sorry if I scared you," I whisper back. "I had a bad dream. But I feel better seeing you now."
She grins, flashing me a winning smile as if we aren't facing an ambush from the most powerful beings in her world. "Mama and Uncle asked me not to bother you," she explains. "So I thought if I had an excuse to return something to you, they would allow me to come."
"That's a good idea," I admit. "What were you thinking of returning to me?"
She shrugs.
"No idea," she reveals. "I was just going to find something and rely on my cuteness. Mama always says I should take advantage of it while I can."
I burst out into laughter and she joins in. A wave of exhaustion rolls through me and I yawn. Mei Mei helps me into bed.
"Promise me you'll stay in here until your Mama or Uncle comes?" I ask her.
She nods solemnly. "I promise."
True to form, she begins sketching silly doodles turning to show me each one with exaggerated flair. When I'm sure she's absorbed in her work, I turn to my side and pull out a Webtoon, flipping to the next chapter. The relationship between the Legendary General and Lady Sora deepens.
My inner romantic wants to buy the sweet relationship between the two, but right now, I just feel wronged. He nearly kills her before realizing her worth and she just forgives him? Couldn't be me.
"What do you think of this one?" Mei Mei asks. It's a grand painting of the courtyard outside drawn in pink. Her best work yet.
"You've outdone yourself," I compliment her. "You should sell that."
I flip through all the romantic parts, annoyed by it all. Finally, I get to the part where the Legendary General must bring Lady Sora to the Moon Palace to be presented to the Moon Emperor. If I thought this place was grand, the Moon Palace is next level.
My head spins. That's the way home. All I need to do is convince the Legendary General that the best way to keep his family safe is by taking me to the Moon Palace and presenting me his lotus pendant.
It's a win-win. He's able to prove his loyalty to the gods and goddesses and I'm able to go back home. Guilt bubbles in my chest.
But what does that mean for Lady Sora? Does she come back in her body and get confused? From what I've read, it seems she just wants to be free.
Either way, she's not in a horrible place even if she ends up with the Legendary General. With his influence, she can basically go wherever she pleases under his protection. And no one would ever go against him.
My eyes begin to get heavy and when I can't keep them open any longer, I tuck the book into my robes.
As sleep pulls me under, I hear Mei Mei say. "Uncle!"