"Keep her in the room. Don't let her sneak out again. It's too dangerous outside. I need to talk to the traders."
The door shuts.
I'm locked in my room again, with the city burning outside, looking for the assassin, Chih Rhu.
"Let me out! Let me out!" I beg.
"Rhi Rhi, it's for your own good. I don't want you to get hurt."
Then he's gone.
"Brother! Brother!"
Brother treats me like jewelry—beautiful, precious... but coveted.
I rush to the window, but—
Wood planks are nailed against my window with palm-sized gaps.
Those women, Chih Rhu, Master Kar, and Master. They need help.
But what can I do? I'm probably the weakest of them all. Even Master was unable to stop the court elites.
I collapse on my bed.
What can I do...
At this rate, I will just become Bhi Yha Queh's next toy. For the sake of my family's status, I won't even be allowed to resist.
I want to visit Uxiospea. I hope Chih Rhu makes it there. The world is so big, but I'm trapped in this small box.
I sit up.
I need to know.
Wood planks are nothing.
I focus on Shin. My body feels warm. It stirs my limbs.
Let's do it.
I slash with my daggers.
The planks splinter.
I'm not just a flower in the garden.
I hop out the window.
I'm not afraid. I'm not giving up. I want to see this to the end.
If I'm supposed to be pretty, then let me be a butterfly with a blade.
I land on the ground and cut my beige dress shorter for better agility.
Then I run to the warehouse. The women are already gone.
I have to go out in the city, but it's under martial law.
I lunge myself up to the rooftop. I made it.
Along the rooftops, I lower my body and run.
The city is silent.
The night market is full of soldiers—but no one else.
All the residents are hiding.
I watch as they break into homes.
One by one.
Door by door.
Where can they be? Master said Ping Min is willing to help. Will he still be under this condition?
I change my course to Shiao Ping Min Trade.
I slip into the second floor of their branch.
Then—
I see Master.
I rush to hug her. "Master!"
"Why are you here? You young girls are so problematic."
"Hey, don't blame me. I'm suffering as well." I purse my lips.
I look at her. "I thought you would be caught."
"Don't kid yourself. You master, I am the Heroine Shi Khu Jhi, Lhen Jhing's only hope."
"You just got here. How did you already have a title?" I ask.
"Too young," she snorts. "You think this is my first time here?"
I let go of her. "So what should we do?"
"We? No, young girl. You go home. This is too dangerous. I don't know what kind of pirates we will be dealing with. And if the soldiers see you with us..."
"I'm not going home until I see everyone on the ship to Uxiospea."
She squints at me. "You want to sneak on ship yourself, don't you?"
I don't answer.
I just start playing with my fingers.
She sighs.
"What happened at the feast before Chih Rhu crashed in?"
"Prince Bhi saw me. I think he wants to own me. I don't want to. I want to live in Uxiospea and have my own shop."
As I say it, I start sobbing.
She hugs me back, tight and warm.
"I promise you," she whispers.
"This isn't an easy life. You're born privileged, and that makes it harder to leave. I was a rich girl too, once. I suffered for my naivety. All my family was gone."
She holds her breath.
"Not everyone got a choice. I'm lucky I survived. You're not ready for this world yet—but if this is your choice, I'll help you."
She pulls back, but her hands are still on my shoulders.
"Right now, you can help us. When you go home... think carefully."
I nod.
"Then I'll come back for you."
She takes me downstairs.
Ping Min is bribing a pair of soldiers, casually.
When they leave, he turns to us. "No one's bothering us tonight."
"Why are you still helping us?" I ask. "This isn't profitable."
He grins. "I'm in this for the thrill. Not righteousness. Not profit. Just the fun."
Whoa.
"Ah-Lan's already on the way to the pirate ship," he says. "We need to move fast."
I notice all the kids working around the room. Most aren't locals.
"Where did you find them?"
He shrugs. "You ask a lot, little girl."
"They're orphans. War kids. I like working with them."
He pauses.
"They don't judge you for being different. And I like being different."
Master cuts in, "Are you sure the tunnel is safe?"
"Of course. I used it all the time to smuggle mermaid meat."
He grins. "Capital nobles paid a lot for that flesh."
I blink. "Mermaid is real?"
He laughs. "You're really clueless, aren't you?"
"They're called Undinian. Uxiospea banned the fishing years ago. So now it's black market work. Illegal tunnels, backdoor buyers, the usual. Full profit. Those pirates don't know how much you can make with that."
I don't know why—
But I feel sick.
"Let's go," Master says.
We enter the tunnel beneath Ping Min's basement.
It's dark. Humid.
Water drips from unseen cracks.
But nothing dreadful.
Ping Min whistles the whole way.
"I'm going to brag about this when I get back," he mutters, cheerful as ever.
The sound of the ocean grows.
And then—
Dawn.
A pale beach with white sands.
The sun rises from the west, cutting across the waves.
Far ahead, a pirate ship sails.
A dark-skinned, red-haired man waits by the shore.
Ah-Lan stands beside him, chatting like they've known each other.
The pirate bows to us. He's younger than I expected.
"Captain Oh-Ker, at your service."
Master nods. "Thank you for your assistance. Are you sure you can take us to Uxiospea?"
"Of course. I'm their privateer. We work for them. I can dock anywhere in that country."
Master turns to Ah-Lan. "Can you bring my apprentice back to the capital after this?"
"My pleasure."
She hugs me — fast, firm.
"Don't do anything stupid. I'll be back."
"Yes, Master."
Ping Min hands a pouch of gold to the captain.
The five women board. With Chih Rhu. Master Kar. Master.
I wave as they row toward the ship.
I want to go.
But I promised.
"You're Lady Lhiu, right?" Ah-Lan asks.
I nod.
"Let's get you home."
Where is home if freedom is not there?