102 A Rose Of White (1/2)

”Everything? Anything you want?”

Hongyue clapped her hands happily in response, ”Why everything!”

A giggle of delight accompanied her cheerful statement.

There was a tingling taste of defeat that made its way into the heart of the third miss. How innocent— almost to the point where it was irritating to both the eyes and ears.

Lan'er couldn't help but smile weakly, ”Then, what if you said you wanted to go home. Do you think you would be allowed to?”

There was a short pause.

Hongyue pouted as she played with her fingers, ”I never thought about it.”

Never thought about it?

She never thought about it?

But how could someone never think about going home after such a traumatic event? Why would anyone stay at a place where they almost got injured once already?

”There's no need to. I can have all the fun I want here. I don't need to leave,” Hongyue continued.

Lan'er was appalled.

Hongyue was brainwashed.

No wonder.

She glanced around the room, scanning for signs that a possible audience was peeking into their conversation. Biting her lips in worry, she suddenly changed the topic.

”Yue'er, it's such a pleasant day today. Why don't we go out for a walk?”

Hongyue tilted her head, ”Mhm, okay! I haven't been outside yet.”

Jumping off of the bed, she carelessly rushed to the doorway. Her garments were loose and messy as she peeked out from the entrance. Hongyue pouted as the sunlight shined right into her eyes. Lan'er couldn't help keep a smile from building on her face as she watched the small antics from her elder sister.

Getting up from her seat, Lan'er made her way to Hongyue. The two exited the room and stepped onto the stone pathway in the courtyard.

Hongyue smiled at the view before her.

The emperor put in a lot of effort into keeping her in a little cage. Around the courtyard were flowers in every shape and size, all in the color red. How would she dare to step outside when she was traumatized by a burning garden just a week before?

Her eyes fell to the walkway. There was an abundance of fresh red roses.

Since he put in so much effort, Hongyue might as well acknowledge it.

A sob suddenly came whimpering from her throat.

”Hongyue! What happened?”

”R-red... fire-”

Hongyue stumbled back. Her eyes widened with fear. Lan'er frowned and hurriedly moved to cover Hongyue's eyes, ”There's nothing. The fire isn't here. We're safe.”

”B-but everything is burning up. I can even feel it.”

Lan'er could feel her emotions turning at this answer; a burning sensation crept into her eyes. Keeping back her feelings, she chewed her lip in frustration. With a gentle hand still on Hongyue's eyes, she inaudibly murmured a spell while waving the other.

Slowly but surely, the flowers around seemed to lose their striking red color. Soon, the petals were only left with a pale white appearance.

Lan'er withdrew her hand from Hongyue's eyes, and Hongyue was stunned by the lifeless scenery.

”White... it's all white...”

Lan'er smiled tiredly, ”It's not as scary anymore, right?”

”Not scary...,” Hongyue seemed distracted, ”If... if Sister Lan was here with me on that day, would you have saved me?”

That day?

Hongyue turned around, with a strange expression.

”Would you have jumped into the fire to save me?”

Lan'er stared at Hongyue. There was something odd about her sister. However, Lan'er couldn't put her finger on it, ”I would.”