Chapter 8: Family  

Rye Kai jumped down and landed near a sweet vendor. He almost jumped in shock, "my goodness where did you jump down from?" he asked after taking a closer look her he was stunned, "good havens what are you wearing young lady?"

"Why? What wrong with my clothing?" she asked checking her clothes to find anything unusual but she did not find anything, "where are you pointing at grandpa?"

"Young lady you just wearing your pajamas and only coat over it", he said pointing at her, "you must be going to a brothel in that"

"I am" she said excitedly, "you are smart grandpa"

"You are shameless" he said in disgust

The faded from Rye Kai's face when she understood what he meant. The people of this world, is yet to show any skin in the public. They prefer modesty at all cost. Only courtesans show skin in public. Rye Kai was just insulted.

"Ah whatever", she quickly got over it. This wasn't the first time she insulted on this matter. She was from twenty first century what she was wearing was more than enough cover. "Bye the way grandpa I want six of your red candies"

"Well as long you pay for it", he said grumpily.

"Even if I am shameless in my clothing I am not a thief", she watched him as he packed her sweets. After he had finished he asked for money, "sure, sure why not? Here is your payment", she gave him a gold bar as a payment.

The old vendor almost had a heart attack on seeing that, "why would you give me this much? The candies only cost few bronze coins. I cannot accept this"

"no grandpa I am investing in you", she said looking at the astounded old man, "with this one bar alone you can buy another cart, two employees, pay their advanced two month's salary and also you can afford your supplies for at least one and half month", she paused and gave the time for her words to sink in then continued again, "you can rest at your home and let the employees work for you. However, you have to pay me ten percent of your profit"

The old man scoffed, "you really are something girl to be making this old man work for you. I am guessing you are businesswoman", Rye Kai smirked, the old man nodded, "fare enough, where do I send this money?"

After giving him a 'pass token', Rye Kai made her way to capital's biggest brothel. The sun has just set and it was already crowded with people. Some would wear masks to cover their identities, so as to not harm their reputation as nobles. It was hub for all kinds of people. Lust and desire are fulfilled here.

Before entering Rye Kai conjured a mask from thin air and wore it. She caught people's attention not because of her mask but due to her attire. Anyone in who's been to the club regularly will recognize her. The infamous 'Lady Kai', the only one who is respected and holds a rank in the club.

When the guards saw her coming towards them, one of them immediately ran to inform the owner of the brothel.

"Madam, Lady Kai is here", the guard informed her.

The madam of the brothel had just finished putting her final touch on her face. And smiled at the mirror, "what are you waiting for silly?" she shouted at him, "Go greet her already"

The guard ran as if he was been chased. He was scared of the madam. She always had bad temper. He informed the arrival of 'Lady Kai' to all the servants. They all left their customers and ran outside to greet her.

"What's all the commotion here", asked a young man.

"Well from what I heard 'Lady Kai' arrived, lord Zhang", said another friend.

"Who is this lady to interrupting my leisure time?" young lord Zhang ask with arrogance as he left the room and the others followed. 

All the people in brothel were curious, many of have never seen this so called 'Lady Kai', but heard rumors. They gathered above the ground floor and from the inner traces of the floors. The ground floor was filled with lined up courtesans in both sides along with few guards.

The came down from upper floor with her maids following behind he, she her face covered by a veil only her beautiful pair of eyes could be seen. She was surrounded in an air of authority and respect. She stopped in the landing of the stair that faced the main entrance and from where Lady Kai was supposed to enter.

Nobody knew why the great madam held such great respect for the so called Lady Kai, whose wear bouts were unknown.

Rye Kai entered the grand hall full of curious people. The courtesans bowed to immediately upon glancing at her. She walked pasted them, this wasn't the first time this has happened but it always made her the center of attention.

She stopped in front of the stair and stared at the madam. "Welcome Lady Kai", the madam greeted Rye Kai, "you must be tired from your travels. Your room is already prepared please follow me" saying that she waited for the Rye Kai to come closer so she can take her.

Rye Kai nodded and went up the stairs. She followed the madam into the VIP section and the doors closed behind them. Everyone in all floors was left in awe and all amazed. The madam's beauty could felt even when covered. She rarely comes down unless it was important and urgent.

However they never thought that she treats 'Lady Kai' in this special manner, with such respect. The crowd scattered away eventually as got to see what they wanted.

"Covering the faces means she must some criminal or some high ranking persona", said the young master Zhang behind his paper fan, "but she interrupted my leisure"

"It's better you don't get involved with her young master", said his friend, "bad luck is always with someone who gets involved with her"

"I am the one and only son of Lord Zhang who is has connections with Duke of Yan and also the Emperor himself", he scoffed arrogantly, "who dares go against me?"

His friend couldn't help nod in agreement. Young master Zhang was always arrogant and due to his father's influence no one could go against him.

A man wearing all white and a sliver mask sat in a wheelchair watched the event. Beside him stood his body guard, whose expression was cold as ice.

"What an intriguing event?" he said his voice sweet as honey and clam, "I wonder who this Lady Kai is?"

"Do you want me to investigate her?" asked the bodyguard his voice firm.

"You will fail if you try", he said, "The ministry of justice tried many times but failed. They even sent tails after her but she'd always disappear in sight. I too have tried and failed countless times"

"Doesn't that mean that she is someone far more powerful from we should be wary of?" asked the bodyguard.

"She could be, although she hasn't caused any major problems for the empire that is why the ministry of justice let her be for the time being" said the man in the wheel chair, "for now we just need to keep an eye on her"

"I see" the bodyguard nodded.

In the VIP room, the madam dismissed all the servants and she came to a sudden halt and turned to Rye Kai. "How could you be so late?" said the madam in cold voice.

Rye Kai took a step back and gulped, "it was only six days, Mei Lan"

"Six days is too much for me to handle", replied the madam. Walls of tears built in her eyes, "you won't know my pain", and she jumped on Rye and hugged her tight.

Rye Kai fell to ground but she didn't let Mei Lan touch the ground, "I am sorry little sis", she patted Mei Lan's head softly, "big sis, had bit of work but I promise I won't not come this late from now on" 

"but you promised the last time too", said Mei Lan, "you broke your promise"

"I am very sorry that I broke the promise but you should also understand your sister's difficulties", Rye Kai said her understanding tone, "your big sister has greater responsibilities, you know"

"well I suppose you are right", she sniffed her tears back in, "make yourself comfortable I will have your meal prepared" she stood up drying her tears.

Mei Lan was Rye Kai one and only little sister. Rye Kai spoiled her too much after their parents died one day. The death of their parents caused Mei Lan to have a trauma; she couldn't stand to stay away from her only sister anymore. That's the reason Rye Kai always comes to spend time with her sister even with her busy schedule.

Rye Kai noticed few strands of Mei Lan's hair came out, "my little sister needs to look the most beautiful at all time", she said as she tugged the hair behind her ears, "and should cry that easily again"

"Sister, if you were a man I fall for you", Mei Lan smiled.

"well I am very unfortunate then", laughed as removed her mask, "I am getting hungry. Let's eat some snacks which I bought for you", she took out the packet of sweets which bought earlier, "they look good"

"wow, thank you sis", took a bite out of one, "they are so good"

Both of them sat chatted for hours. Having snacks and telling stories. They talked about how things were going on.

"bye the way, is anyone bothering you lately?" Rye asked, "if anyone is, tell me and big sister will take care of them for you"

"I am not a child anymore, sister", replied Mei Lan and paused, "but there is one"

"who is it?" rye kai stood up ready to fight. But Mei Lan pulled her down back down, "no, he did not cause any trouble, so you don't have to fight"

"then why is bothering you?" rye asked blinking her eyes.

"actually I…I.." Mei Lan couldn't say immediately. Rye Kai had a bad feeling about this and narrowed her eyes, ready to hear whatever was bothering her little sister. Mei Lan continued, "I…I …fell in love!" she shouted.

"whaaat!" rye Kai shouted back in shock. Here little sister fell in love? How could that be? "Who? Where? When? How? Why?"

"well, he is from the Kingdom of Lei", she said stuttering, "I met him here in the brothel and I fell for him"

Kingdom of Lie is desert country, and full of human barbarians. They are notorious for making problems and waging wars. They love and will do anything to attain them. She fell in love with someone from there, of all places? 

Rye Kai sighed, "who is he? And what is he?" she looked at her sister, "he better not be a human"

Mei Lan blinked hers eyes repeatedly and looked down, by seeing that Rye was even more disappointed, "unbelievable"

"don't worry even if he is human is of a very high rank", she said happily looking at Rye's face, "I the crown prince of the Lie Kingdom"

"well that's at least a good thing", Rye sighed, "but how could you fall in, love with human? His lifespan is short he won't last long"

"sister", said Mei Lan, "I am a human too, you know"

"right…." Rye narrowed her eyes, "well I will think about it later"

A servant entered the room, "madam, the crown prince wants to meet with you. He says it is urgent"

"the Crown prince?" Rye repeated, "what does he want?" she asked Mei Lan.

"well he is been asking about you lately", said Mei Lan, "I meant 'Lady Kai' that is. Don't worry I will shoo him away"

"good luck"

Rye Kai walked in hall ways and watched the people do their business. One the way she was greeted by many. She politely accepted their greetings. Finally she stood near the inner terrace; she absorbed what people did.

Her thought went back to the conversation she had with her sister. She sighed as thought about it.

Her sister was a half human and lust demon. She was abandoned by her real parents when she was born and Rye Kai's parents found her in jungle and bought her in.

Although, being half a demon, she was not an immortal which was supposed to be normal trait. She was kept alive all these years by being fed 'The flower of God', which grants immortality.

Now that Mei Lan fell in love, she'd off course want to get married soon too.

And will even stop eating the flower….. and die in old age…..

Rye Kai was saddened with the thought of staying behind, and the fact that her only family will leave her soon. 

A loud scream shattered her deep thoughts.

Rye Kai glanced down, spotting the source of the noise—someone had fallen over the railing. Without a second thought, she jumped after them, her body moving on its own. Her sole focus was on saving this person from a fatal fall.

"Hey!" she shouted, reaching out. "Hold my hand!"

The man reached out, but they were quickly approaching the ground. Rye Kai managed to grab his hand just before impact. She pulled him close, maneuvering him behind her as she fell.

Rye Kai hit the ground with a heavy thud. Once safely landed, she used her powers to gently lower the man to the ground beside her, ensuring his safety with careful precision.

"Are you alright?" she asked the man who wore the sliver mask, the man nodded.