Chapter 28 - Did she go back to hell?

Her warmth is still not gone from the bed. Her scent has not faded. Li Jun touches the spot where she was lying a minute ago. He has seen something similar twenty years ago. For twenty years, he thought that the maid was a spirit who came to save him. Now, he knows who that was.

They wore the same clothes. They had the same face. They even had the same way of talking. For twenty years, he kept that secret in his heart. When she reappeared in front of him, he couldn't recognize her. The person from his dreams, the vengeful spirit who saved him, and the person who fearlessly took off his mask are the same.

She said that she was going home. Did she go back to hell or that strange place from his dreams? The bed is cold now. His heart is heavier. Will he ever hold her again?

General Yu.

The fifth prince told him about the connection between General Yu and Kyuri. General Yu will know about her home.

***

"How about you go back to your room?" Kwon Yoori, AKA General Yu, can bȧrėly keep her eyes open. This spoiled prince refuses to go back to his room. He keeps talking about women. She is a woman. It makes her sick to hear perverted things about women.

Wu Yixing pours more wine in her cup. "My friend, you shouldn't hide your sorrow. I know that you are deeply saddened that you couldn't keep your 'first' woman to yourself."

She wonders if the prince is drunk enough to not remember anything. Then, he has a high tolerance. She doesn't. She is going to have a superbad hangover tomorrow. Riding a horse with a hangover? Argh!

"Don't be disheartened, my dearest friend." He grabs her hand. "I will introduce you to plenty of delicate flowers in the capital. After tasting that wildflower, you will 'appreciate' the tamed ones from the capital."

Her head is swaying right to left like a pendulum. If she hears more, her head will split in half. She is on the verge of smashing the wine bottle on his head.

Just then, Li Jun storms into the room. She puts down the bottle. The prince will not die tonight.

"Where is her home?" Li Jun unsheaths his sword and points at her. "Answer me honestly."

"I must be too drunk." The prince rubs his eyes. "Li Jun is pointing a sword at Yu Chen."

"Whose home?" Kwon Yoori's hand moves to the hilt of the sword. She knows her skills. She won't last long against Li Jun.

"Kyuri's home." Li Jun feels like there is no time. "Did she go back to hell?"

Kwon Yoori blinks her eyes. "Li Jun, are you drunk?"

"Answer me."

"Li Jun, my friend," Wu Yixing's eyes become clear. "Tell us what happened first."

"Kyuri went home. I want to know where her home is."

Went home? Kwon Yoori is confused. Where did Kyuri go? Unless...

"I don't know where her home is." Kwon Yoori smiles nervously. "I ȧssure you that it is not hell."

Li Jun is not satisfied. "I know that you know."

"Yu Chen, you told me that you knew her family from your exile." Wu Yixing gets the gist of the situation. "Did you tell her to run away from the wedding?"

Li Jun looks at her darkly. "Just tell me where her home is."

"S-she..." Kwon Yoori has no idea what to say. "She is from a very very very far away place. I met her during my travel. You noticed, right? She is a bit different from us."

"If it's far away, she can't be far from the inn." Wu Yixing looks at her thoughtfully. "We should look for her."

"No." Li Jun shakes his head. "She will come back."

"How do you know that?" Kwon Yoori wonders what he knows. Li Jun has never spoken to her before. Now, he is arguing with her. What did her niece do to him? "She might never come back. She didn't want to marry you."

Li Jun doesn't answer her. He looks at the prince who is smiling at him. "How long are you going to hold back?"

Li Jun walks out just the way he came in. Puzzled by his words, she looks at the prince who is lightly snoring on her bed. It looks like she has to sleep on the floor tonight.

***

Kang Si An points the sword at the General. "Where is she?"

The arrogant general laughs loudly. "She is gone. Forever from your life. You will never ever find her."

Kang Si An's eyes are red. He clenches his jaw and raises his sword to cut the man into half.

"Li Jun..."

His hand pauses in the air. He turns around his head. He looks at her with disbelief. It's Kwon Kyuri walking toward him with a dagger in her shoulder. Her robe is drenched with blood. Did she steal the props?

"Cut!" The scene is ruined.

Kang Si An is ready to yell at her. Before he could, she falls into his arms. The scent of warm blood fills his nose. The dagger is... real.

"Call the ambulance!" Kang Si An screams.