Departure and Confession

In the corridors of the palace, Jiu Hui walked step by step, her mind filled with scenes from her first encounter with Lisa.

They first met in the hunting grounds, where Jiu Hui agreed to become Lisa’s personal maid.

Upon returning to the palace, Lisa presented her with a rather embarrassing maid’s uniform, forcing her to wear it.

Their first night together, Jiu Hui nearly succumbed to Lisa’s advances.

She accompanied Lisa to the grand hall, witnessing her majestic yet somewhat lazy demeanor, and the moment Lisa declared Jiu Hui her personal maid with unwavering resolve.

Later, Jiu Hui flirted with Lisa, only to be pinned down on a table, moments away from surrender.

When someone important to Lisa passed away, Jiu Hui comforted her, and they shared a passionate kiss.

Jiu Hui was caught in bed with Xiao Lü by Lisa, who seemed to have a jealous reaction, leading to another intense moment between them.

Finally, Jiu Hui’s thoughts settled on the scene from this morning, where she and Lisa held each other tightly.

Taking a deep breath, Jiu Hui had already left the palace, standing now at its entrance.

Perhaps Lisa had moved some guards to fish, or perhaps Jiu Hui’s status allowed her to leave unchallenged; either way, she exited the palace with ease.

Looking at the palace before her, Jiu Hui’s eyes reflected a mix of emotions. This place was her first home in this new world, and she had never left it. Now, as she stepped away, she would face an entirely unfamiliar world alone.

As Jiu Hui stood at the palace entrance, Xiao Lan, after hesitating for a while, decided to inform Her Majesty the Queen about Jiu Hui’s departure.

Although Xiao Lan wasn’t entirely sure of the details between Jiu Hui and Lisa, she knew that if Xiao Lü left her, she would be in pain. Thus, she assumed Jiu Hui’s departure would similarly affect Lisa.

Moreover, Lisa had tasked Xiao Lan with keeping an eye on Jiu Hui, but Xiao Lan had failed in this duty. From a professional standpoint, she needed to report this to Lisa.

With these thoughts, Xiao Lan approached the door, knocked softly, and entered upon hearing a weary voice invite her in.

Inside, she found Lisa, still stained with fresh blood. Lisa, upon seeing Xiao Lan, was taken aback and felt a sense of foreboding.

‘Where is Jiu Hui?’ Lisa asked urgently, her concern deepening as she read the expression on Xiao Lan’s face.

‘Did something happen?’ Lisa’s lips moved, her voice barely a whisper.

Xiao Lan, seeing Lisa’s distress, regretted not stopping Jiu Hui.

‘I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t stop Jiu Hui. She… she left.’

Lisa stood abruptly, her mind racing. ‘She left?’ She paused, her expression faltering. ‘She… knows?’

Lisa didn’t need to elaborate; Xiao Lan understood.

Lisa, her eyes downcast and hidden by her hair, asked softly, ‘How long ago did she leave?’

‘Just a short while ago. She should be near the palace gates by now.’

Lisa bit her lip, her eyes flashing with determination.

‘Five, I need to step away for a moment. Handle things here and send One and Two to interrogate whoever is involved, whether it’s a duke or a count, eliminate them all!’

Lisa’s voice was sharp, laced with a chill that promised violence. Five appeared, kneeling before Lisa, responding with a cold, emotionless voice.

‘Is, my Queen.’

Lisa nodded and left the room, her steps hurried.

As she moved through the corridors, her eyes were filled with urgency and a flicker of fear.

‘You idiot, you promised you wouldn’t leave me. Are you going back on your word?’

Outside the palace, Jiu Hui returned to her thoughts, looked at the palace one last time, and turned to leave.

The road ahead was wide and flat, lined with columns and patches of grass. The moonlight cast an eerie white glow on the path and the columns, despite the cool summer night.

Jiu Hui, dressed in the thin maid’s uniform Lisa had given her, felt a chill. Her exposed skin tingled in the cool air, and she hugged herself.

‘It’s a bit cold,’ she murmured, her gaze darkening.

Looking at the empty road, remembering how she had been deceived, Jiu Hui felt a pang of sorrow. Suddenly, arms wrapped around her from behind, and she recognized the familiar warmth and scent.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ Lisa’s voice came from behind her. Jiu Hui hesitated, torn between the warmth and her desire to leave.

‘Does it matter to you where I go?’ Jiu Hui replied coolly, meeting Lisa’s gaze.

‘What are you doing here? Your plan is complete, isn’t it? Now that I’m leaving, isn’t that what you wanted?’

Lisa saw the mockery in Jiu Hui’s eyes and felt a stab of guilt. She opened her mouth but found no words.

What could she say? It was true. She had initially intended for Jiu Hui to be a pawn, her public announcement, and the subsequent events were all part of a larger scheme.

Although her feelings for Jiu Hui had changed, and she had grown fond of her occasional pride, her tenderness, and her playful moods, everything had been a lie from the start.

Jiu Hui watched Lisa fall silent and lowered her head, biting her lip.

‘Stupid! Why don’t you say something? You chased after me just to stand here in silence?’

‘If you have nothing to say, then don’t stop me.’ Jiu Hui spoke again, turning to leave.

Once more, Lisa’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.

‘I won’t let you go! You are my personal maid, and you can’t leave without my permission. Besides, you promised you wouldn’t leave me. Are you going back on your word?’

Jiu Hui felt Lisa’s soft body against hers and hesitated, torn between the warmth and her resolve. She bit her lip, pushing away the desire to stay.

‘Is there any meaning to your words now? Are you using them to bind me?’ Jiu Hui’s voice was laced with mockery, emphasizing ‘Your Majesty.’

Lisa’s eyes, a deep red, held a mix of sadness and despair.

‘What do I need to do for you to forgive me? What do I need to do for you to stay?’

Lisa’s voice was filled with helplessness. As a queen, she had never faced such a situation, and the desire to keep someone had never been so strong. The pain she felt was unfamiliar.

Jiu Hui’s heart ached, but anger surged within her.

‘How can I stay? You’re the one who drove me away! You brought me into your life so casually, gave me the title of personal maid, and always flirted with me. Then, without a word, you invaded my heart. Just as I thought this world was wonderful, I discovered it was all a lie. I was just a pawn in your game. Now, as I try to leave, you ask me how to make me stay? What do you want? Did you enjoy seeing me in such a pathetic state?’

Jiu Hui’s voice broke, tears streaming down her face.

Lisa’s heart ached, and she held Jiu Hui tightly.

‘Sorry,’ she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jiu Hui didn’t resist this time, clinging to Lisa as her tears flowed uncontrollably.

Lisa held her, feeling Jiu Hui’s body tremble. For now, this was all she could do.

****

[PS: There’s only one chapter today. I didn’t have enough time after finishing my evening self-study.]

[PSS: Please collect, like, comment, rate, and review! Everything helps!]