"Aryan?!"
A voice echoed from somewhere distant. It was faint, but familiar, soothing even, after everything I'd been through.
The sharp clang of metal clashed against stone, followed by a heavy thud. Then that same voice again, stronger this time.
"I found him. Take this man out of here. I'll help Aryan."
Someone draped fabric over me, my rough clothes, while I leaned against the cold wall, barely able to stay upright. My body trembled uncontrollably. Why was I so weak?
The cold seeped into my bones, unbearable, numbing. It had to be winter. Yet suddenly, there was warmth. Not from within, but from outside, something covering me.
Arms wrapped around my shoulders, steadying me before I collapsed again. A faint, warm breath brushed my neck.
My eyes were closed. I couldn't open them, not with what little energy I had left. Still, I needed to know. Who was holding me? Who even had found me here?
"I'm sorry it took this long," a quiet voice whispered beside my ear. "I'm sorry, Meilina."
The words broke something inside me. That voice… I knew it.
Renshu.
There was no other possibility. But how? How did he even find me? How did he get here?
I forced my eyes open, my vision heavy and unfocused. And there he was, leaning against the wall, supporting me with one arm, exhaustion clear on his face.
He looked... human. Weary, and more regretful than I'd ever seen him. A side of him no one else probably knew existed.
For a long moment, neither of us said anything. His eyes were closed, as if to steady himself. Then he opened them—and our gazes met.
He looked at me with surprise, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. For a heartbeat, we just stared at each other.
No words. No movement. And then—
BLANK.
---
I woke to warmth. A strange, rare comfort that felt almost suspicious.
The ceiling above wasn't one I recognized. I turned my head slowly. Black curtains hung over large windows, their edges trembling in the breeze. This wasn't my room.
Then it clicked.
Renshu's room.
A heavy blanket lay over me, which I slowly pushed aside as I sat up. My head spun instantly. The world swayed, vision blurring at the edges. Everything felt like waking from a nightmare I wasn't sure was over.
But it wasn't a dream. None of it was.
My eyes dropped to my arms, covered in bandages, bruises, and deep cuts. Faded lines and scabs scattered around. So many that it would take forever to count. My legs were the same—purple, raw, weak.
I tried to stand. My body refused. My knees buckled, and I collapsed back onto the bed.
So much for recovery.
A sudden voice startled me. "Ah! Meilina—you're finally awake!"
Bao Qin.
Before I could even respond, she hurried to my side, pressing a warm bowl of soup into my hands.
"Eat. Now."
It smelled faintly of meat and herbs. My stomach turned, but I forced myself to eat. She was right, I needed energy.
The door creaked open again. Footsteps.
Renshu.
"Bao Qin, is she— You're awake!"
His expression changed immediately. He looked relieved—almost too much so. There was something in his eyes I hadn't seen before, a quiet mix of guilt and relief.
Bao Qin glanced between us, then crossed her arms. "Good. You two can talk. But if I see you trying to stand again, Meilina, I'll personally lock you in the smallest room I can find. Got it?"
I almost smiled.
She walked out, her tone strict but caring. The door closed behind her, leaving just the two of us.
"So," Renshu began, a bit hesitant, "how are you feeling?"
"Better," I said, though the tremor in my voice betrayed me. "Much better than before."
He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "There's… a lot that's happened. If you have questions—"
"Wei Lie," I interrupted, the name cutting through the air like glass. "He was behind all of this. He kidnapped people—sold them—"
"Slow down," he said, stepping closer. "You still need rest."
He sat down beside the bed, eyes hardening slightly. "But yes. We know. Wei Lie was the one responsible for the disappearances—and for spreading the lies about the Bharat conflict. He's been selling people, servants, maids, eunuchs. Anyone he could exploit."
I swallowed, throat tightening. "Was he going to sell me too?"
Renshu's jaw clenched. "No. He hated you. He wanted you dead. Said you were an eyesore to the Empire." He paused, then looked away. "He's in prison now. We're interrogating him. Torture might be too kind."
I stared at my hands, silent. My mind felt heavy, but clearer.
After a moment, another memory surfaced. "Anle and Ziyuan."
He looked at me. "What about them?"
"They were with me. Ziyuan gave me food, helped me. And Anle—" I managed a weak smile. "I still owe him a handful of candy."
Renshu blinked, confused. "Candy?"
"Please," I said. "Find them. Bring them here if you can."
He chuckled under his breath—a tired sound, but still a laugh.
After a pause, his tone shifted, quieter now. "You fleeing from here caused a lot of trouble, you know. Bao Qin wanted to lock you in a cage to keep you safe."
"But…" He looked at me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "It might've helped in the end."
"What do you mean?"
"No one suspects you anymore," he said simply. "Not of being a spy. Wei Fang himself saw your condition—he's convinced now. Even the other commanders expressed their condolences."
That stunned me. "They… feel guilty?"
"Seems like it. Rong Xu and Gao Ming both asked to visit you when you've recovered."
I exhaled slowly, unsure how to feel. Maybe relief. Maybe nothing at all.
Renshu sat down beside me fully this time, close enough that I could feel his warmth through the blanket. His voice dropped lower, softer.
"Do you remember," he asked quietly, "what happened when I found you?"