Chapter 28: Castle Stories 28 Name

The girl’s pure eyes were as clear as a still lake, but a faint flicker of doubt passed through them at his words.

Why didn’t Fu Ruxue come herself?

Xu Nian feigned confusion. “What door?”

Li Hua’s tone grew impatient. “The exit door.”

Xu Nian tilted her head, eyes innocent, still acting clueless.

Li Hua cut through. “Stop pretending. You know what I mean.”

The Young Lady’s gaze drifted over, making Xu Nian’s heart skip with guilt.

“I know what you want, you know what I want. Fair trade, mutual gain—how’s that?”

Li Hua spat out a tongue-twister.

The Young Lady watched them with interest, a cryptic smile curling her lips.

Plotting openly in her presence? Xu Nian was begging for punishment.

The bell in the box hadn’t been used yet.

Imagining Xu Nian’s flushed face and pleading voice, her heartbeat quickened.

She was already looking forward to tonight.

“I don’t understand you.” Xu Nian shook her head, feigning ignorance. “Close the door.”

The Young Lady nodded approvingly.

Good performance.

A reward tonight, then.

Click.

The door shut.

Li Hua studied the “key,” fingers tracing the cross’s grooves, a confident smirk forming.

Deal made.

Out of the Young Lady’s sight, Xu Nian flashed him an “OK” gesture.

Soon, he’d escape this hellhole.

“La la la, la la la…”

The twin-braided maid carried a basin of laundry, humming a folk tune, her steps light on the second-floor red carpet.

A sharp pain struck the back of her head. Before she could scream, darkness swallowed her.

Her slender body crumpled.

From the shadows, a man emerged.

His thin hand gripped a dagger, aimed at the stitches on her pale neck.

Rip—

Her head fell, a muffled thud, rolling to a stop on the rug, frozen in a stiff smile.

Her black eyes were lifeless.

The bloodied rug gleamed brighter under the dim light.

The girl, just regaining light, plunged back into endless darkness.

The girl’s silky black hair spilled over her shoulders, light tracing her serene profile as she read.

Beside her, the golden-haired beauty stared, entranced, content just to watch.

Suddenly, the Young Lady’s face darkened, expression grave. “I’m stepping out.”

For a fleeting moment, Xu Nian realized this might be their last meeting.

“Wait.” She grabbed her hand.

The Young Lady turned, golden hair sweeping back, her sharp, stunning face meeting Xu Nian’s.

Their eyes locked—hers held an unreadable mix of softness, pain, and… acceptance?

Xu Nian’s heart stung, a sour ache rising, as if losing something precious.

Her lashes trembled, lips moving, finally whispering, “I never asked… what’s your name?”

“Mortifera Caesar,” she replied, pulling her hand free with a strained smile. “Mortifera—Latin for ‘deadly,’ ‘bringer of death.’”

She hated her surname, her name, but for Xu Nian, she’d share it.

With that, she turned, her back resolute.

Perhaps she knew.

Knew Xu Nian would return to reality, not stay.

A heavy weight pressed Xu Nian’s chest, stifling her. Her eyes burned, vision blurring.

Why?

She clutched her chest, catching a crystalline tear, bewildered by the overwhelming sadness.

Only one person had ever filled her heart, besides her parents. No room for another.

Was it just the resemblance?

She asked herself.

No answer came.

Over days, the Young Lady had rooted herself in Xu Nian’s heart.

She’d never forget her.

Bang—

The door flew open. Li Hua, gripping the handle, panted, clutching the “key.”

“Tell me where the gate is.”

He strode to her side. “Speak. Where?”

Xu Nian glanced behind him, missing the familiar figure, and asked, “Where’s Fu Ruxue?”

“Forget her,” Li Hua snapped, urgent. “The Young Lady’s distracted briefly. If we don’t go, she’ll come for me.”

“What did you do?”

“Tell me!” His eyes blazed, furious. “Backing out?”

“Free me, and I’ll tell you the gate.”

Xu Nian glanced at the bear on the bed, rattling her chains.

“Fine.”

Unable to fool her, Li Hua pulled out pliers.

“Can’t break the wrist rings,” he said, tackling the chains.

Despite his slim frame, he snapped them easily.

“Let’s go—somewhere private.”

Xu Nian grabbed the bear, heading out. Li Hua, at her mercy, followed.

“Tell me!” he hissed.

She led him to the castle gate. Exhausted from the Young Lady, he leaned on bushes, panting. “Alright… where’s the gate?”

“Give me the key. I’ll open it.”

Li Hua’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You’re not tricking me, are you?”

“Trick you? Why? You saved me.” Xu Nian frowned, feigning offense.

Scholars don’t trick—they strategize.

“I tried here. The key didn’t work. Why bring me here?”

His calm eyes flashed with killing intent.

“You used it wrong,” Xu Nian said firmly. “I know how to make it work.”

“I played the Duchess’s chess right, didn’t I? I know how to clear this.”

She guided him to recall the “key” process.

Li Hua remembered her confident chess moves, hesitating, then handed over the key.