Noir

Chapter 9 - Threats

That night, I didn't retire after the solider had left, staying out in the garden and reflecting on my thoughts alone. "You know me," He had said. "Without the mask. I see you every day." My mind was on this mysterious man. I had to know who he was, and why he wouldn't reveal himself to me. The soldier's voice was too deep to be Yixing's, and I tried to call to mind the voices of Tao and Yifan, the only other real options to be the soldier. I knew that I did know this man, that I definitely had met him before.

Could it possibly be Luhan, or Xiumin? I wanted to know so badly, and was slightly cursing myself for not looking during our kiss. 

I still could not believe what I had done, but I hadn't regretted a thing. Another man, I had fallen in love with over my husband, and with him, it just seemed right. He wasn't like Yixing at all, and I thought to myself that maybe that was why I liked him so much.

I heard footsteps, and turned around, startled, to see Li Yuen walking towards me, looking as vile and cold as the first day he had betrayed me spying on the governor's meeting. I got up quickly, and formally bowed to him.

"Li Yuen," I greeted him, and he bowed back, giving a coy smile.

"Zhang Jikyung," He replied. "Why are you not asleep?"

"I could not," I said sheepishly, wanting to retreat back to my bedchambers than be outside a second longer with this man.

"Then why not seek consolation with your husband?" He asked, and I had a dark feeling about where this was going. "Surely he could comfort you."

"Yixing was in such a deep sleep," I was lying on the spot, thoroughly worried now. "I didn't want to disturb him."

"What a caring wife," Li Yuen replied, giving a thin smile. "One would think though, that you would be more loyal, what, with you're caring façade."

"What?" I took a step back in dismay.

"You disgusting whore," Li Yuen snapped, his face suddenly bitter. "I saw you on the rooftop with that solider just now. I know your secret."

"You can't tell Yixing," I pleaded, fear settling in. "Please, Li Yuen, if he knows..."

"Listen to me," He said fiercely, grabbing me roughly by the arms. "Do you not want me to tell? You will stay with Zhang Yixing every night. You will sleep with him every night, and you will do exactly as he says to you. You are his toy, his plaything. He is your master. Remember that." I winced at the severity of his words. "There will be children. There must."

"Don't touch me," I said fiercely, breaking his hold.

"Do you know what we do to those who commit adultery in China?" Li Yuen smiled sickeningly. "We drown them. Would you like that to happen to you?"

"I'll do as you say!" I exclaimed, feeling sick to my stomach. "I won't go out at night anymore. I'll stay with Yixing." I bowed my head in shame. 

"If an incident like this happens again, I will not hesitate to inform Yimou, and you will be put to death," Li Yuen threatened. "Alright?"

"I understand," I swallowed my pride, and walked slowly back to my bedchambers. I found Yixing still asleep, but as I came back to bed, he slowly woke up.

"Jikyung-ah?" He murmured, sitting up. "Why are you awake?"

"I couldn't sleep," I replied, my voice flat. My husband reached for me, pulling me by the arms towards his chest. 

"Let me help you," Yixing said, bringing his lips to mine in the dimly lit room. I didn't push him away, and let him kiss me. Li Yuen's words haunted me still, and I was afraid that he might somehow know if I didn't acquiesce to my husband's desire. Yixing continued to kiss me gently, and when he realized that I wasn't kissing him back, he pulled away. His arms around me kept me close, as he gently laid down with me again and pressed his lips to my forehead.

"I love you," He murmured softly, his hands around my waist. "Don't forget that."

You love my body, I wanted to snap. Not me. But instead, I forced another smile, wishing I were with my soldier again, and replied. "I love you too."