Call of the Night

Part 8

"Turn around!" Li Hua's voiced growls.

I've been sitting and watching quietly in front of his desk as he work on several scrolls that lie messily around the room.

This morning I was woken by a knock of two maids. They hurriedly dressed me up and guided me to Li Hua's work place without a word. A set of meals was laid before me but every time I try to eat I was halted by Li Hua's annoyed sighs which I assume he found the sound of the chopsticks clinking together displeasing. I'm too afraid to lift a finger or even breathe. Now he even think that me watching him is annoying.

I slowly turn my back on Li Hua trying to avoid a sound as possible even though deep inside I wanted to cry. In my head I asks "Why is Li Hua watching me today?" and "Where is Lin Shao and Hui Lang?"

I suddenly let out a small hiccup and the tears starts to trickle down my cheeks. From behind me I hear me a loud sound of a scroll hit the ground. I sat frozen and tried to cover my mouth from making a sound.

I then hear rustling and footsteps approaching from behind. Li Hua walks pass me towards the door but pauses to look over his shoulder, at me like a sign to follow him. I slowly got up and trail behind him as we exit the room.

We walked around the castle from the court room, the kitchen and then stayed at the very top of the castle where a table was set under a beautifully carved *Liangting. Around the Liangting grows thousands and thousands of different kinds of flowers, parading neatly in groups. From the roof we overlook the two realms. The difference between the two realms is very obvious from the dark side of the demon realm that screams lifelessness to the very green scenery of the human realm.

I sat across Li Hua who wouldn't even look me in the eye. two cups of tea was set and a plate of mochi. I smiled at the maiden who served us but Was met by her black vale.

Li Hua still refuses to meet my gaze or speak.

"You're not actually as bad as you seem, are you?" I chuckle.

Li Hua  caught a glimpse of me watching him.

"What?!" he says but he is looking at a bush nearby.

Is he being shy?

When he confirmed that I was still looking, he look down on his tea right away. His face is red from ear to ear.

"You are not fit to be a concubine with your looks. You are very average looking and not very presentable to the public. It would be shameful if the king actually introduced you as his consort  even if it is just pretend" Li Hua smirks as every word hits my vital spots.

"Well, that's too bad, you don't have a choice. As your new legal mistress, even though I'm just a stand in. I stand higher in position. And I have the ability to take advantage of it" I felt my mouth twitch from irritation.

Li Hua's face became unreadable. His smirk disappear as fast as it appeared.

"That's what I wonder. You're not siren since you can't breath underwater. You're not an angle either since you're too ugly to be one. Or a zombie cause you won't shut up. You have no power or Ki but you can overcome the kings ability." Li Hua looks at me in suspicion, "What are you exactly?"

How can this guy be so inconsiderate? Everything that comes out of his mouth pisses me off.

I stood up from my seat

"I'll have you know--"  but I was interrupted by a dirt in my eyes because of a strong gust of wind. Ouch!!!

I trip over my own heel and hit the ground, still rubbing my tearing and swollen eyes. Somewhere in the distance I hear  flapping wings but my eyes is too irritated to look. Multiple running foot steps approaching me from behind. Two hands carefully supported me from behind.