AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN'S POINT OF VIEW:
The moment the door shut behind him, a voice slithered into my mind, smooth, amused, like smoke curling around my thoughts.
"Well, well, Mei Shen." Zeyrith's voice teased, colder than ice but warm with amusement. "Surprised you survived the night so... intact. Most would have fallen apart by now."
I clenched my fists, fire burning inside me.
"I'm not your puppet, Zeyrith. You gave me this second chance to live, not to be his toy."I said.
He chuckled softly.
"Ah, but that's the game, isn't it? Watching you struggle, plotting your little escapes... Yet here you are. Still breathing. Still fighting. I do admire your spirit."He said.
Dawn's first light crept through the window, and I rose slowly, the weight of last night heavy on my skin but my will stronger than ever.
I had taken a small satchel from the room, some clothes, a hidden dagger, a vial of herbs. Enough to give me a fighting chance. If he thought I'd be trapped forever, he was dead wrong. I slipped through silent halls, heart pounding but steps steady. Each breath closer to freedom felt like a small victory. Outside, the crisp morning air hit my face. I was free, for now. But Zeyrith's voice lingered, teasing and watching.
'Run, Mei Shen. Run as far as you can. The game is just beginning."He said.
I stared at my reflection in the cracked mirror, the long black hair that marked me, made me visible, a target. I had to change. If I were going to escape, I needed to disappear. With trembling hands, I pulled out the small dagger I had snatched from the satchel. The blade was sharp, but my hands shook too much to do this alone.
A soft hum filled my ears, the system activating.
"Hello, Mei Shen. I see you're attempting to alter your appearance. Would you like assistance?"System asked.
I blinked, surprise flashing through me.
"Yes... please."I said.
A gentle warmth spread across my scalp as invisible hands seemed to take over, expertly slicing and shaping my hair into a shorter, rougher cut, something less recognizable, more practical.
"Task complete." The system announced. "You now resemble a common servant. This will help you avoid detection for some time."
I ran my fingers through my new hair, the weight lifted. A small smile tugged at my lips. Maybe this second chance wasn't just a curse after all. I slipped the dagger back into my satchel, the metal cool and reassuring against my side. The system had done its job, but it wouldn't save me if the emperor's guards caught wind of where I had gone. No, that was up to me now.
My old memories, Rosalie's memories, still flickered behind my eyes. The hospital ceiling. The smell of antiseptic. That bone deep loneliness. But now I had a heartbeat. A body. A purpose. And a child growing inside me.
I pressed a hand to my stomach. It was still flat, the pregnancy hadn't yet shown, but I remembered. I remembered the cold palace. The brief warmth of his touch. The betrayal. The silence. This child would not grow up in a prison. I would not die quietly this time. The mirror caught the edge of my new face, sharp and determined. The servant's disguise would only hold for so long.
"System." I whispered. "Is there a safe house?"
A soft chime answered me.
"Nearest safe zone: Three kilometers south, within the ruined estate of Lady Aowen. Status: Abandoned. Probability of imperial interference: 3%."The system said.
"Thank you."I said.
It wasn't much, but it was a start. I grabbed the threadbare cloak from the wall and wrapped it around my shoulders, stepping out into the cold night air. The wind bit at my skin, but I welcomed the chill. It meant I was alive. And this time, I was going to live. Not as Mei Shen. Not as the emperor's forgotten bride, but as Mei Lin person who mattered.
A few hours later the abandoned house creaked under every cautious step I took. Dust lay heavy on the floor, thick enough to choke on if I breathed too deeply. With a deep breath, I grabbed the old broom leaning against the wall and started sweeping.
"Let's get you a little less haunted." I muttered, dragging the broom across the floorboards.
Then that familiar, chilling voice echoed inside my head, cold as bone, yet somehow amused.
"Dust and ruin, just like your past. But don't get too hopeful, Mei Lin. This place will always carry ghosts."Zeyrith said.
I wiped the sweat from my brow.
"Thanks for the encouragement, death god."I said.
" I gave you life again. Don't expect me to tuck you in." His voice softened just a fraction, teasing. "Besides, your idea of cleaning looks more like an exorcism."
I scoffed but felt a strange comfort in the presence of the god who'd stolen my last breath and handed me this second chance.
"Just remember, every sweep stirs up the dust of your old self. You can run, but you can't hide from what you were."He said.
"I'm not hiding. I'm surviving."I said.
He chuckled, a sound like dry leaves rustling.
"Fine. Make this place your cage or your fortress. I'm curious to see which."He grinned.
I kept sweeping, the weight of his words settling deep. Maybe he was right. Maybe this was just the start of another cycle, dust and ruin, death and rebirth but for now, I would make this house mine. At evening I wiped sweat from my brow and looked around the room one last time. Lady Aowen's abandoned house was a little less of a disaster now. Dust had settled, the floors were swept, and the faint light through the broken windows gave the place a ghostly glow.
"Okay, not perfect, but better." I muttered.
Then, the familiar calm voice of the system sounded in my head.
"Task complete: cleaning and organizing Lady Aowen's house. Reward granted." System said.
A soft glow spread through my fingers, and a small charm appeared, a tiny token of stamina and focus.
"Thanks, system. Small, but helpful."I said.
Just then, a colder, more amused voice cut through my thoughts like ice on glass.
"You do know, Mei Shen, that no matter how much you clean, dust always returns. Like your past... persistent and unavoidable." Zeyrith said.
I shivered, but this time I was ready for his teasing.
"Yeah, yeah, death god. I'm working on it." I said.
"Good. Keep trying. I enjoy the show of your struggle." He said with a dark chuckle.
I shook my head, half annoyed, half grateful.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence.' I said.
"Don't thank me yet. You're not done. Not by a long shot." He said.
I clenched my fists but smiled. With the system helping with steady progress and Zeyrith making sure I never got too comfortable, maybe I could survive this second life after all.