A Game of Schemes & Fortune

4: Prisoner

That's it. I could take on being mocked by Warrior but I wasn't going to be given and taken like a simple object to trade. I waste no time pulling out my hair pin, I polished it earlier, it was even sharper than before.

There would be a prisoner tonight, but it wouldn't be me.

I stab Warrior in his leg, and kick him in the stomach roughly. Warrior falls back, clutching his stomach with one hand, and using the other to pull out the golden hairpin from his leg. I take this opportunity to then snatch, more like wrestle, the azure sword out of Warrior's iron grip. I'm grateful for the perfect opportunity, but it's still difficult. I've had my fun. I step to my right and clear the way for Jun De to punch Warrior square in the jaw. Warrior's knocked out, and his leg is bleeding out a pool of blood on the floor.

There's going to be a prisoner tonight, but it's not me.

Heh.

Jun De turns to me with the most tired expression and eyes me warily. I put on the most innocent look, similar to Mei, but I don't say anything. I shrug, and act confused on how I was able to do something better than the great prince Jun De.

"Get some rest, I'll handle this." He says gruffly. Really? So frustrated that you're kicking me out for saving you and myself?

Although, this time, I don't try to argue. I just nod roughly.

"Fine. Just let me keep this swordy thing." I stick the sword in the ground and rest my elbow on its navy blue hilt.

"Whatever. Just as long as you leave." Jun De's voice is harsher than usual. I try not to be offended by Jun De's rudeness. "Sorry. Me and Qing- We have some unfinished business, okay?"

(^ A/N: Qing is pronounced as: King )

I nod decisively. "Whatever." I quote him and leave the two alone. Jun De calling in guards to drag in Warrior, who's name was apparently Qing, is the last thing I see.

â€"

I wake up to cat Chen pawing at my robes. Her green eyes are blinking slowly at me, apprehensive and nervous. I would also be nervous, if I wasn't so tired. I mean, if I have to guess, it's 5 am or something. I rub sleep from my eyes and sit up. Chen jumps down from my bed and begins pacing the room. She better have a good reason for all the fuss she is making.

"What is it, Chen?" I ask, reaching for the hairpin at my bedside. "Why are you so nervous? What's going on?"

"Stop asking questions," She hisses, staring at the bedroom door. I'm starting to get worried, Chen is usually straightforward and she usually can handle me asking 8 questions. Chen sighs, finally sitting down on the bamboo flooring and grooming herself with her tongue. "I just want to tell you something before your mom comes in." She looks up, facing me.

"What do you want to tell me?" I whisper.

"I'm not going to be in human form for a while."

"Why?" I ask, I have this nervous feeling in my gut. Chen won't be able to help me physically anymore, only guide me through with her words. But what's the reason for this?

"I may have attacked someone," Chen turns her head to the side, stubbornly avoiding my gaze. "They came while you were asleep."

"They? Be honest; you attacked more than one person, didn't you?"

"You're in danger, Daiyu. I don't know why, most people usually don't pay attention to a papermaker's daughter." Chen doesn't answer my question directly. "Three people came at different times. I scratched the first one on his right cheek, I bit the second one right arm, and scratched the third one's leg."

I stare at Chen, not knowing whether to laugh at this madness, or cower in fear. Three people? Here? While I was asleep?

"Anything you remember besides the first wounds you gave them?" I joke bitterly. I'm worried and I am afraid to go to sleep again, but I also am determined not to show it. Chen either doesn't notice or doesn't care.

"The first one had skin that was well taken care of. I felt it when I scratched them." Chen says. I try to think of anyone I know who's rich enough. Mei?

"Was it a boy or a girl?" I ask.

"I think it was a boy, I could be wrong. He screamed like a dramatic little girl when I bit him, though."

"Jun De…" I murmur. It has to be. Although, why would he want to visit me? So early in the night too? He knows my family respects him, he could easily just show up in the morning without being questioned. What was so important?

"The second one wore a cloak that tasted like foreign cloth when I bit him. I'm sure he was a man. In fact, I'm sure all your visitors were men tonight. Should I be concerned?" Chen remarks offhandedly.

"No." I shake my head dismissively. "I doubt I know the second one." I pause. "Perhaps it was a side character."

"Well lucky for you, I know who the third one was." Chen says. I can't help but think about how arrogant she sounds. "He was tall, muscular too. Had a sword attached to his belt, in plain sight, unlike the first two, who hid their weapons in their robes. This man had poison vials in his pockets too, and he was about to put it in your tea before I attacked him." Chen pauses. "And he had an ankle tattoo, he bore the Guan family seal."

"An assassin," I realize, speaking softly. I sound so out of breath. "An assassin that works for and serves the Guan family."

"Yes," Chen nods. "I hope you know what you're doing, Daiyu. It seems that you have an opponent, or maybe even multiple."

I sigh, exhausted. When was all this going to end?

"I just want to get a luxurious life. Is that so hard?"

"Yes." Chen says once more. "But how many times do I have to tell you? You have my, and perhaps, the Emperor's son, Jun De's help should you ever need it." Chen stops talking. "Well, you'll have to receive our help separately. I want to remain unseen by the average eye. That, and I hate spoiled brats like him. But you still have our assistance nonetheless."

I breathe a sigh of relief. I've been saying 'Thank you' a lot too. Most characters seem surprised, even Song Ming, I can't help but wonder what Daiyu was like.

From what I knew, Daiyu, after getting stabbed in the stomach, became bitter, she was already a bit cold to begin with. She was a minor antagonist.

But what disappointed me was that her Villain arc only began when Jun De didn't even visit her. Mei stepped in and visited Jun De daily, taking up most of his free time. Daiyu began doing whatever she could to inconvenience Mei by taunting her and such, but she never did anything tragic like trying to kill Mei or her family. Which pleased me. Like I said, I cried when Mei and Jun De got together, and Mei became the Empress to be. But now that I've met Mei personally, I wouldn't mind becoming the Empress myself instead. I'll gladly take the role from someone as arrogant and petty as Miss Guan. But it would take some time and dedication.

This world may appear as a novel in my universe, but it's certainly not fake here.

I smile softly. 'I'm going to become the Empress,' I stroke Chen's fluffy fur, 'no matter what it takes.'

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hehe you got a bit of information about Daiyu's 'character' because it's a real world for people like Chen and Jun De. But yeah, I'm trying to let out information in small strokes. Really helps with the mystery and cliffhangers y'know? Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed.