Dust and Ash

The following morning, Lu remained nestled in her soft blankets, blissfully asleep, until a throng of palace maids burst in and forcibly dragged her from her bed.

Dazed and disoriented, she was attended to by several maids who insisted on dressing her in extravagant garments she would normally never wear—layer upon layer, cumbersome and oppressive.

Lu raised her arms in protest, turning to glance at the young maid assisting her with the outer robe, feeling a bit aggrieved. "I don't want to wear so many layers; it's too hot."

"But, my lady, this is what must be worn for the ceremony," the maid replied, momentarily taken aback.

While she too found the ensemble quite heavy, it was, after all, a prayer ceremony, and everyone present was expected to dress in their finest attire. Being invited to such an event was a privilege in itself.

Who could afford to concern themselves with the weight of their clothing? Even if it was uncomfortable, one must endure it to present their best self.

Moreover, autumn had already arrived, and following days of torrential rain, the sun was nowhere to be seen; it was hardly hot, merely stifling.

Thus, from the maid's perspective, Lu's remark seemed rather peculiar.

"I refuse to wear this! It's too much and too heavy; I dislike it," Lu said, furrowing her brows and puffing out her cheeks in indignation. "Then where is ... you all go fetch him."

"His Majesty?" one of the senior maids replied soothingly, offering a gentle smile. "His Majesty is undoubtedly still in the Qianqing Palace. If you wish to see him, you may join him for breakfast once you are appropriately dressed."

"Of course, if you prefer to dine in your chambers, I can have breakfast brought to you. However, you must accompany His Majesty to the ceremony today."

As she spoke, the maid cast a tentative glance at Lu's still-frowning face. "Additionally, my lady, given the grandeur of the occasion, we will need to apply a light touch of makeup. Could you bear with us for a moment?"

The maids had observed how frequently their sovereign had been visiting the Yining Palace in recent days; who would dare neglect such a precious master? Naturally, they had to indulge her whims.

Another maid hurriedly brought forward cosmetics, displaying them to Lu with enthusiasm. "These are the finest quality products available in the entire capital!"

"What is this?"

Lu peered curiously at the crimson and pale powder boxes, leaning in to inhale their fragrance. The rich scent overwhelmed her, causing her to cough and quickly turn her head away, frowning as she took a step back. "I absolutely refuse! What is this stuff? It's so pungent!"

The maid holding the cosmetics was taken aback. "But, my lady, this is essential."

How could one attend a grand ceremony with a bare face?

While it was true that Lu was naturally beautiful and needed no embellishment in her daily life, this was an entirely different matter...

"There's no need for all this fuss. Where is Sebastian? I will go find him!" Lu shot her a glare, already irritated at being disturbed so early in the morning. She waved her sleeve to brush aside the two maids surrounding her and strode purposefully toward the palace exit.

"Wait, my lady! Where are you going? Your makeup and hairstyle..." The maids rushed to stop her, but were halted in their tracks by Lu's cold, indifferent gaze.

"Do you not understand my words?"

The maids exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to proceed.

Though they hesitated to intervene, they dared not obstruct her—after all, they still had their duties to attend to!

If they angered her, even if she calmed down and chose not to hold it against them, they would certainly face consequences if His Majesty found out.

Half an hour later, the lost little mermaid was escorted to the emperor by the guards.

The guards watched helplessly as she wandered aimlessly in the rain, holding her umbrella at an awkward angle, her elaborate robe gradually becoming drenched. Her expression grew increasingly exasperated—fearing that her temper might lead to trouble, they decided to personally deliver her to His Majesty.

"How did you manage to turn yourself into such a pitiful sight so early in the day?" Sebastian, resplendent in his black and white brocade robe adorned with gold patterns, lounged on a wide chair, sipping tea as he raised an eyebrow in surprise at the disgruntled little mermaid who entered.

After the guards had paid their respects and departed, Lu hurried to the table, her small feet pattering quickly. She glared at Sebastian, her anger palpable, as she peeled off her nearly soaked outer robe. "Who is pitiful? You are the one who is pitiful! I merely got lost!"

Thank goodness for the thickness of this garment; otherwise, who knows how drenched she would have become in the rain.

"Ah, so you were lost," Sebastian said, his expression softening as he signaled to a waiting young eunuch to bring Lu a glass of juice. He chuckled again. "Why didn't you let the maids escort you?"

He didn't mind that the exquisite brocade robe, painstakingly crafted over the past month, was now ruined in the hands of the little mermaid.

Upon hearing this, Lu's anger intensified, her azure eyes widening in indignation. "They insist on making me wear so many layers and want to smear some noxious substance on my face! It is utterly outrageous!"

Sebastian replied, "...It was my oversight."

Feeling a rare twinge of guilt, he cleared his throat. "If you prefer not to bother with those things, then don't. Time is of the essence; you can simply accompany me shortly."

"But I haven't eaten anything yet." Lu took a sip of the sweet fruit juice that had been brought to her, and her anger began to dissipate. She focused intently on sipping the intriguing... water?

Her cerulean eyes curiously scrutinized the juice in her cup, and she couldn't help but smile to herself. How lovely it was, with its vibrant color!

"I had the attendants prepare some food in the carriage for you. You can eat on the way. I may not have time to attend to you then, so be careful not to lose yourself in the spectacle," he advised.

"I wouldn't lose myself," Lu huffed.

Sebastian chuckled softly, straightening up and placing his cup on the table. He then raised his phoenix-like gaze to the grand eunuch hurrying toward them from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, it is time," the grand eunuch bowed respectfully.

After speaking, he cast a glance at Lu, who had carelessly tossed her outer robe aside, hesitating slightly. "...Are you truly going like this?"

Isn't this a bit against decorum?

Sebastian paused at his words, assessing the little mermaid with a sidelong glance—after all, with such a beautiful face, any attire would seem fitting.

Noticing her slight frown at the comment, he said, "It's fine as it is."

Rules are merely conventions, after all. It would be unwise to provoke her.

The grand eunuch opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing, stepping forward with a smile. "Then please, allow me to escort you, my lady."

…

Time passed, and Lu, who had been swaying in the carriage, finally opened her eyes. As she sought Sebastian's presence, she was taken aback by the sight of a dusty, gray... room?

She blinked in confusion, instinctively glancing around—aside from herself, there was not a single shadow or object present, only mud and stone that blocked the "door" leading outside.

The "room" was dimly lit, and Lu sat up from the ground, perplexed by the thick layer of dust that had settled on her. She glanced at the distant water pool, its dark surface shimmering faintly.

What on earth is happening?

Though she had been reluctant to heed the maids' words and was not in a carriage... to be abandoned in such a bewildering place felt rather excessive, didn't it?