A cocoon of darkness brushed around Su Shu like a smothering blanket as she faded in and out of consciousness. Her entire frame throbbed with pain, and each pulse was a fierce testimony to her mission's defeat. The room was only dimly lit by the flickering lantern, and the tall shadows danced over the walls.
She blinked, trying to make some sense, but things were hazy. Gradually, her vision returned, and she found herself looking across the room at a masked figure. His golden eyes were fixed on her, sharp and unblinking.
"Awake already?" the man said, his voice cool and calm.
Su Shu tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through her side. She winced, biting back a groan. The man rose and stepped closer, his dark robes flowing like a shadow.
"Who... are you?" Su Shu managed to croak, her throat dry.
The man crouched beside her, his golden eyes gleaming beneath the mask. "You tried to kill my father," he said, voice low. "You must be either very brave or very foolish."
Her eyes widened as his words sank in. "Your father?"
The man tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. "Yes. King Lei Moyao."
Su Shu's breath hitched. This man wasn't just any royal — he was Prince Lei Yǔlín. The scarred prince. The one everyone whispered about. The one destined to bring destruction.
"I love crazy people like you," Yǔlín said, his tone almost amused. "Trying to do something impossible."
Su Shu gritted her teeth, her anger flaring. "You don't understand. The North — it's suffering. Your father — he allows it!"
Yǔlín's expression darkened beneath the mask. "What do you know about the North?"
"They starve people," Su Shu spat, her voice hoarse. "They imprison them for no reason. They torture them."
"And you believe my father ordered this?" Yǔlín asked, his tone dangerously calm.
"Who else?"
Yǔlín's gaze shifted, a shadow crossing his eyes. "Commander Xiéyàn oversees the North."
Su Shu's face twisted in confusion. "But he says he's following royal orders."
A dark chuckle escaped Yǔlín's lips. "Sometimes, those who shout 'orders' the loudest are the ones making them up."
Su Shu's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying... Xiéyàn is behind all this?"
Yǔlín stood, his robes sweeping across the floor like a dark wave. "You tried to kill the wrong man," he said, turning away. "If you really want justice, you need to open your eyes."
Before Su Shu could respond, the door swung open, and Commander Wuji stepped in, his eyes darting between the prince and the injured girl.
"Your Highness," Wuji said, his voice strained. "The palace is in chaos. The queen is questioning everyone."
Yǔlín's jaw clenched. "Did they find anything?"
Wuji shook his head. "Nothing."
Yǔlín's eyes flicked to Su Shu, who was struggling to stay awake. "She stays here," he said, his tone firm. "Tell the others I found nothing."
Wuji hesitated, then nodded. "Understood." He shot Su Shu a sympathetic look before closing the door behind him.
Su Shu's vision blurred, the room spinning around her. She tried to speak, but her voice was too weak. The last thing she saw was Yǔlín's golden eyes, watching her as she fell back onto the bed and darkness consumed her.
---
In the throne room, Queen Lei Feng paced the floor, her elegant robes trailing behind her like a storm cloud. Beside her, the Supreme General Kǒngyún stood with his head bowed, his expression solemn.
"What were you saying, General?" the queen demanded, her voice cold and sharp.
Kǒngyún met her gaze, feigning confusion. "My queen, I swear on my life, I did not order the attack."
The queen's eyes narrowed, suspicion blazing in her dark eyes. "You have access to the palace assassins. How can I believe you?"
Kǒngyún bowed lower. "Yes, but they all report to Commander Wuji now."
Queen Lei Feng scoffed. "Wuji? That weakling couldn't organize a strike if his life depended on it."
Kǒngyún straightened, a shadow passing through his eyes. "Then perhaps we should be asking who else in the palace might have the power to command such skilled assassins."
The queen clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The guards nearby exchanged uneasy glances, whispers spreading among them like wildfire. Who would dare strike at the king? And why?
Kǒngyún's lips curled into a slight, secretive smile. "Rest assured, my queen. I will find out who is behind this."