CHAPTER TWO - My Empress

Lin Xue dodged the arrow with swift precision, leaping into the air and landing gracefully behind the assassin who had fired at her. Before he could react, she plucked an arrow from his own quiver and drove it into his throat. His eyes widened in shock—he had been killed by his own weapon.

Lin Xue dusted her hands and wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I hate blood."

She turned to leave, but before she could take another step, several swords were suddenly pointed at her neck. Her heart pounded, but she masked her fear. "I'm not an assassin! Didn't you see? I just killed one!" she protested.

A deep, husky voice responded, smooth yet laced with danger. "That doesn't prove your innocence."

The voice sent an unfamiliar shiver down her spine—not of fear, but intrigue. She instinctively stepped back from the cold steel aimed at her throat and locked eyes with the speaker.

Lin Xue's breath hitched. The man standing before her was strikingly handsome, his features sharp and defined. His piercing gaze, however, held an eerie, unshakable authority.

She snapped herself out of the trance—this was not the time to admire someone, or else her head might be next to fall.

She quickly assessed her situation. She could take down the bodyguards if necessary; their skills were formidable, but hers were greater. However, the young man in front of her? He was a different level. If she fought him, she wouldn't leave unscathed. She needed a different approach.

"I was merely watching your fight," she said, her tone composed yet direct. "Is that a crime?"

Her sharp, unwavering gaze met his, showing neither submission nor fear.

The bodyguards and even the young man himself were stunned. She was the first woman—no, the first person—to ever look into his eyes so calmly. Even his own siblings avoided his gaze, and strangers quivered before him. His presence alone radiated an aura of power, danger, and merciless authority.

He studied her closely, intrigued. She had not flinched when killing an assassin, nor when swords were drawn against her. Who was she?

Before he could ask, a sudden movement caught his attention.

SWISH!

An arrow shot through the air, aimed straight at them.

Without thinking, the young man grabbed Lin Xue by the waist and pulled her close, dodging the incoming attack.

His bodyguards immediately pursued the shooter, leaving just the two of them in the depths of the forest.

For the first time, they noticed something strange—a mark had appeared on both their foreheads.

Lin Xue stiffened. The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. Slowly, she raised her head and stared at the young man. He, too, was frozen in shock as he gazed at the glowing mark on her forehead.

An unbearable silence stretched between them.

Lin Xue was the first to break it. "Why do you have a mark on your forehead?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

The young man remained silent. Did she truly not know the significance of this? He had no doubt—this girl was meant to be his wife. He sighed and finally replied, "The same reason you do."

Lin Xue's expression twisted into horror. She held her forehead as if she could wipe the mark away and stomped her foot in frustration.

"I don't want to get married! I'm too young!" she whined. Rubbing her forehead aggressively, she grumbled, "Stupid mark, go away!"

Her dreams of freedom, adventure, and an exciting life before marriage—all ruined in an instant.

Just then, familiar voices echoed through the trees.

"Young miss!"

"Young miss!"

"Young miss!"

"Young miss!"

Lin Xue's eyes widened. Oh no!

She spun around and declared, "I need to change back!" She looked at the young man, her expression serious. "Meet me here tomorrow. We need to talk."

And with that, she turned and ran.

The young man watched her retreating figure, amusement flickering in his cold eyes. He raised a hand and lazily scratched his brow, smirking as he murmured, "My Empress."

---

Meanwhile...

Four young maidservants huddled together a few feet away, their expressions filled with terror as they debated amongst themselves.

"Should we approach him?" The one in pink trembled.

"What if we die today?" whispered the girl in blue, nervously peeking at the man.

"He's looking at us." The girl in yellow shuddered.

The girl in red took a deep breath and braced herself. "We have no choice."

She stepped forward, stammering, "Mi-Mister, have you… have you seen a young girl? She's… um, she's short, wearing a purple outfit, has a ring, and—what else?" She turned to her companions in panic.

The yellow-clad girl piped up, "She has big eyes!"

The pink-clad girl frowned. "Are you sure? When she smiles, they look small."

The yellow-clad girl corrected herself hastily, "No, no—yes! Small eyes, small lips!"

The blue-clad girl, mustering all her courage, added, "To be precise, she looks about fifteen."

A sudden burst of laughter rang out.

They spun around and found Lin Xue standing nearby, waving playfully.

"I'm here!" she called out, still laughing.

The four girls felt as if a massive weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Tears of relief welled up in their eyes as they ran toward her, arms outstretched.

"Young miss!" they cried in unison, embracing her tightly.