As they stepped through the door, they were greeted by the sight of Uncle A Rai engaged in a deep discussion with a stern-looking member of the jade sect. The atmosphere was filled with tension.
All attention shifted toward Xi Feng as she entered the room, her presence drawing curious glances from the jade sect.
"Is she the one?" one of the men inquired, a finger pointed in her direction, eyes narrowing as they scrutinized her.
Confusion flickered across Xi Feng's face as she glanced at her uncle, Uncle A Rai stepped forward.
"She needs time to adjust," he said.
"I'm afraid we don't have time," the man from the sect asserted, his voice laced with urgency. "Five years should be ample for her to adjust."
Amira's brow furrowed in confusion as she looked up at her uncle.
"What's going on, Uncle? I don't understand," she said.
The man from the jade sect turned back to face her, and the flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows across his features, revealing a face that was very intimidating. The tension in the room thickened as his eyes bore into hers.
"You are destined to become the next master of the jade sect, and it is only fitting that you return with me," the man said, his voice laced with an unyielding authority, and his words seemed to have left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Amira knitted her brows, struggling to grasp the whirlwind of the situation.
Noticing her bewildered expression, the man allowed a smirk to curl at the corners of his lips. He turned his attention to A Rai, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"You didn't think to inform her about her lineage, did you?" he chided, an amused tone weaving through his speech.
"Apart from the name, nothing else has changed you shouldn't have kept her wrapped up like a fragile egg." He paused, casting a glance at Amira. "Amira, was it?" he continued, but before he could finish his thought, Amira interjected sharply.
"It is Xi Feng," she reminded him sharply, her nostrils flaring in anger.
"Ah, right, Xi Feng," he chuckled, the sound unfolding like a careless breeze. "But remember, changing your name doesn't erase your past it only allows you a fleeting escape from it," he said, his eyes glinting with challenge.
Xi Feng's anger ignited like a flame. With a swift motion, she unsheathed her sword, the blade shimmering menacingly in the light as she pressed it against his throat.
"Think twice before you speak again," she warned, her voice a low controlled hiss. "Return quietly to your people, or I will be more than willing to send your head back as a message."
The man raised his hand, a broad smile spreading across his face as he leaned slightly forward.
"You remind me so much of your mother," he said, his voice a blend of amusement and curiosity. "Aren't you interested in how she met her end, or are you just pretending not to know?"
Amira's brow furrowed as she replied, "There was nothing extraordinary about it, my mother was killed by a bandit during a raid in town."
"Bandit, you say?" He let out a hearty laugh, the sound echoing around them. "You really have no idea, do you?"
"What do you mean by that?" Xi Feng asked.
Xi Feng felt her patience wearing thin, her grip on the hilt of the sword becoming a vice as anger surged within her. All that stood between her and a fatal strike was a heartbeat. Just as she drew back, poised to slice open his throat with a swift motion, Jin long appeared like a shadow, his hand gripping her wrist firmly but gently, halting her violent intent.
Jin long steps forward, a half smile on his lips.
"Roger, didn't you just say Xi Feng was your next in line? Aren't you scared she will have you stripped of your status and have you beheaded for your act of disrespect?"
Roger's smile fell, and his eyes turned calculating.
"A Rai, you must prepare your beloved niece it's only a matter of time. Old traditions cannot be changed, and she must ascend to her rightful place."
"I believe I have the right to make my own decisions," Amira shot back, her eyes narrowing into a fierce glare.
"If only circumstances had allowed for a different outcome" he replied, his voice thick with frustration as he met her gaze, the tension filling the air before he turned sharply to leave.
" I'm so sorry," A Rai sighed heavily, the weight of unspoken regrets hanging between them. "This is exactly what your mother was trying to avoid by keeping you away from the An tribe."
She turned to Jin Long who gave her a reassuring smile.
~The Cold Palace~
The maids move through the room with a practiced movement, their hands sweeping across surfaces as they dust and tidy. Years of experience had allowed them to navigate the chilled atmosphere with ease.
The air was still and silent as if the space itself held its breath, and the only indication of their presence was the whisper of the fabric against furniture.
The heavy door creaked open, and a stream of warm light spilled into the dimly lit room, illuminating the arranged room. A tall figure of a man stood there, his silhouette framed against the bright passage behind him.
As he stepped into the dimly lit room, a hushed silence fell over the group, and they instinctively moved aside with careful precision, ensuring that their movements were as quiet as possible to avoid drawing his gaze.
He moved toward the open window, where the silvery glow of the moon poured through like a liquid, bathing him in a soft, ethereal light. His silver hair, glistening with droplets of water, hung slightly damp around his shoulders, giving him an almost otherworldly appearance.
A deep furrow creased his brow and his piercing dark eyes swept over the garden below, keenly observing every shadow and flicker of movement in the night.
The chilly air brushed against his skin, but it hardly registered as he stood there draped in an open robe. The fabric hung loosely from his shoulders, cascading down to reveal his sculpted torso.
The garden which was tended to by the maids, lay in disarray. Tattered dried petals littered the ground, their colors faded under an oppressive atmosphere that suffocated any hint of life. It mirrored his spirit, heavy and lifeless.
Suddenly, the door to his room swung open, interrupting his thoughts. A figure stepped inside, the air shifting with his presence.
"Your Highness," came the voice, breaking through the silence.
Zyran made no effort to turn, knowing who it was, Ali noting how dark the room was decided to match the candle and let warmest streak in. Zyran did not comment on that, rather he walked away from the window and settled on his desk. Ali walks over and places a file on his desk.
"This is the report for last week's events," Ali said.
Zyran flips through the pages, his eyes scanning the booklet.
"The king's health seems to be deteriorating, the ministers are discussing what to do next if this continues"
"What about the gold seal I ask you to look into?" Zyran asked.
"So far, the lead we have been looking into his Prime Minister Edward, he has been making rounds with supplies importing, although we still don't know what he is transporting, it suspicious how secretive they're about it."
"Uriah seems to be getting closer with Royal consort Leyla, it all about tea" Ali said.
"Tea? Since when does Uriah enjoy tea?" Zyran said, looking up at Ali.
Ali's lips stretch, " I can't say their movements have been suspicious since Danielle has been joining them in having tea".
Zyran dropped the booklet and relaxed back on his seat, he rubbed his temple, his prominent thick beard made him look as if he had aged ten years past his age.
"The Queen is hosting the crown princess selection, she has decided to invite maidens far and wide to join in the competition for the position of the crown princess, along with it is the competition held every year for young scholars
"Your Highness, your punishment is coming to an end soon, the king has sent his degree for your release. Would you be going back to the capital?" Ali asked.
Zyran said nothing his eyes focused on nothing.
"Inform the maids to start packing. We are moving back to the capital," Zyran told Ali who nodded.
Zyran moved his chair back ready to stand, as soon as he balanced on his feet, his face contradicted in pain and he hit the table with force due to the pain. His eyes widen and he gasp.
"Prince Zyran" Ali rushed over, he quickly searched for his drug which Zyran usually kept in his drawer, he rushed back to Zyran placing the pill in his palm.
"Your cold symptoms are reacting again," Ali said worriedly.
" Go on go do what I ask you to", Zyran told him.
"But you are not in the best condition to travel," Ali said.
"Am fine Ali go on" Zyran said to him.
After Ali took his leave reluctantly, Zyran walked to his bed and brought out the box underneath it. He opened the lid of the box, and a sculpture Amira had given him laid in it. There was also a drawing of her.
He uses his finger to brush the sculpture and murmur silently.
"I miss you, Amy".