Sudden Pain

My master comfortably sat on the bed, watching me as I paced back and forth around the refined room.

"What is it?" he finally asked probably getting tired of watching my dubious movement and I turned my optimistic gaze towards him.

"The young guard earlier, he said something that actually made sense about the beasts being in Western village." I informed which immediately caught my master's attention.

"What did he say?"

I didn't know if it would be right to sit with him since we're clearly in this together as I gazed at the empty space beside him but he tapped lightly at the empty space beckoning me to sit, I smiled and wasted no time sitting beside him.

"Okay so I was able to grab a few information about the beasts, clearly the beasts wouldn't be in Western village if they didn't want something am I right?" I asked and my master only watched me speak without uttering a word.

"So I was thinking, if they're here for something important, don't you think whoever it is luring them here has what they're looking for?"

My master contemplated on my words for a little while and a half smile crossed his lips. "I wonder what type of artifact would lure the beasts here but it's a good guess and I'm proud seeing you work like this."

I smiled at the encouragement in his tone but his expression changed a bit like he was thinking of something, did my words give him a rethink or what?

"Lord Qui, is everything alright?"

He shook his head in response to my question. "I was just thinking, if my tracker traced that person here and that person has something of the beasts then..." he paused as if taking notes in his head before getting up to his feet, also making me get up to my feet as well.

"Lord Qui?"

"Don't worry, you just get some sleep, I'll be back."

He wanted to walk out but I suddenly held his hand stopping him from leaving, he turned to look at me, staring at his hand which I held before meeting my gaze. I immediately let go realizing my limit, I've been acting strange this days most especially when it comes to my master, I just couldn't hold myself whenever I'm around him. It makes me extra curious to figure out about my past, so I know exactly what our relationship really was.

"Sorry but I was just wondering, where are you going?" I found the courage to ask and he moved closer to me making me take a step back.

"Don't be worried, I'll be back soon." his tone was surprisingly reassuring and I smiled. He leaned a bit closer to whisper in my ear.

"Plus you can call me Qui Shan when we're with everyone else and Lord Qui when we're alone, I don't need you feeling lost for words next time."

His breath was hot against my ear and I tried my best to remain collected, what he was doing to me, I couldn't tell and I wondered why he had this huge amount of effect on me, he looked away from me and finally turned to leave.

"Lock the door once I'm out." he said as a reminder before closing the door shut, it's late midnight, where was my master going??

I quickly freshened up changing into a simple plain nightdress, it felt comfortable to be honest and I was all ready to go to bed since I had nothing to do when a knock was suddenly heard on the door. I paused for a while, could it be my master?

I got out of bed and hurriedly went to open the door but froze at my spot when the maid from earlier stood at the doorway holding a glass of milk on a tray.

"Sorry but am I in anyway of disturbance?" she asked almost innocently and of course she was a disturbance but I was sure she knew I wouldn't say something like that.

"Not really, why are you here?" I immediately went straight to the point and she passed the glass of milk over to me.

"I'm sorry if I was a bit absent minded with you earlier, it's just your brother gained all of my attention and I couldn't resist giving it to him, I hope you aren't offended?"

I bit my lower lip cursing inwardly as she spoke, of course she would feel that way but she didn't have to rub it in, I forced a smile and took the glass of milk that was being offered to me.

"Thanks for the milk."

"No problem."

As much as she tried to make her intention unknown, I could see her trying to steal a glance into my room, hoping to catch sight of my master and I closed the door a bit, not only cause I didn't want her to see him but also cause he isn't the room, it would raise doubt and suspicioun if she finds him missing.

"Anything else?" I immediately asked gaining her attention and she shook her head in response.

"No no, I'll go now." she waved smiling at me before leaving. I closed the door after she left, locking it up and releasing a sigh of relieve. Gosh that maid is something else. I gazed at the glass of milk in my hand and shrugged irrespective of who brought it over. The milk certainly can't go to waste, I drank it to the last drop before keeping the glass down on a table and decided to head back to sleep.

As usual, I was walking past the hallway and spotted Lord Qui speaking with the emperor, I followed closely hoping to hear more information about the beasts.

"Any news yet?" the emperor asked.

"I went out last night, hoping to spot a beast hoping I'd find answers from it." my master firmly stated .

"Did you?"

My master gave a slight nod in response. "I'm sure it was drawn to my spiritual power which made it show itself, after killing it I realized it was a Xinn demons." he pointed out while the emperor pretended to know exactly what it means just by nodding his head.

I wanted to hear more but I was suddenly pulled across another path making me gasp, I turned to see who it was and Xiong was taking me past the hallway.

"Xiong." the surprise could be heard in my voice but he flashed me a charming smile and I could bet he had the girls drooling for him untill my master showed up.

"It's not nice to eavesdrop on his Majesty's conversation, you could get in trouble for that." he warned me but wasn't sounding as serious as I expected. We arrived at the terrace staring out into the beautiful sunrise as the white clouds hover up the blue sky.

"Isn't it a beautiful morning?"

I nodded with a smile, this was actually a pretty sight, western village sure had a pretty sight but completely lonely.

"Aren't you going out today?" I asked and he tsked. "Maybe, depends if I'm needed or not, fortunately no alarmed cases for now."

His words made me realize no one knew about my master killing one of the beasts, he's so good at stealth mode.

"I-"

My voice trailed off immediately I sensed a glacial pain shoot through my system like a dagger ice frozen from a poisoned well. My body suddenly felt all freezed up and I couldn't move, Xiong gazed at me sensing something was wrong.

"You alright Shanxia?" he asked out of concern and I immediately felt weak on the knees, almost sinking to the floor not untill he caught me in his arms to steady me.

"Shanxia!"

My eyes became blurry and I couldn't see a thing, what was happening?! the pain didn't vanish but intensified to the point I couldn't hold it any longer, I shivered lightly and my eyelids became heavy. Unable to keep them open any longer, I gave in to the deep sleep that was ready to consume me.