Once upon a time....
The Lingin estate had once been the pride of the Eastern provinces—a palace of red lacquered wood, jade-inlaid columns, and koi ponds that shimmered like spilled starlight. But now, the paint peeled in places, the gardens grew wild, and the servants whispered of unpaid wages and empty granaries.
In the grand hall, Kang Lingin sat hunched over a scroll, his fingers trembling as he read the final notice from the Uhi family. The seal of the dragon—Xia Uhi's personal crest—stared back at him like a curse.
> Kang (muttering): "Three million yen… or ruin."
His wife, Lady Mei, stood by the window, her silk sleeves fluttering like wings. She had once been a celebrated beauty in the imperial court, and though time had softened her glow, her pride remained sharp.
> Mei: "You should have never borrowed from the Uhis. They are not men—they are wolves in silk."
> Kang: "I had no choice. The drought ruined our crops. The Emperor's taxes bled us dry. Xia Uhi was the only one who would lend."
> Mei: "And now you would sell our daughter to repay your shame?"
> Kang: "Not our daughter. Your daughter."
Mei's lips thinned. She knew what he meant.
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The Chosen and the Cast-Off
Chia Lingin, the eldest, was the jewel of the family—graceful, clever, and adored. She entered the room with the confidence of someone who had never been denied anything.
> Kang: "Chia. You will marry Xia Uhi. It is the only way."
> Chia (laughing coldly): "You must be joking. That man is a cripple. A tyrant with a failing heart. I won't waste my youth nursing a dying beast."
> Mei: "She's right. Chia deserves better."
Kang's eyes darkened.
> Kang: "Then it will be Liu."
A silence fell like a blade.
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The Forgotten Daughter
Liu Lingin stood just beyond the doorway, her hands clenched at her sides. She had not been summoned, but she was always listening—because no one ever spoke to her directly.
She was the second daughter, born of a concubine who had died in childbirth. Mei had never forgiven her for that. The servants called her "the shadow," and even the dogs were trained not to follow her.
> Liu (quietly): "I'll go."
Everyone turned.
> Chia (mocking): "Of course you will. You'd marry a corpse if it meant someone finally noticed you."
> Mei: "Don't be dramatic, Chia."
> Kang (to Liu): "You understand what this means? You will leave tomorrow. You will not return."
> Liu: "I understand."
She bowed, but no one bowed back.
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The Journey
The next morning, Liu was dressed in a red wedding robe that had once belonged to Mei. It had been altered—poorly—to fit her smaller frame. The sleeves dragged, the hem was frayed. She looked like a ghost pretending to be a bride.
Captain Renji, the family's loyal guard, stood at the gate with a solemn expression.
> Renji: "Are you ready, Lady Liu?"
> Liu: "I've been ready my whole life."
The carriage creaked as it rolled away from the estate. Liu did not look back.
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The Tyrant's Domain
Tokyo was a city of steel and silence. The Uhi estate was a fortress of obsidian stone and glass, perched like a predator above the city. Liu was led through its halls by Hana, the head maid—a woman with eyes like frost.
> Hana: "You'll find Lord Xia… difficult. He does not tolerate weakness."
> Liu: "Then he'll be disappointed. I've had a lifetime of practice."
They reached the east wing. The doors opened with a hiss.
Xia Uhi sat in a wheelchair by the window, his back to her. His hair was ink-black, his posture regal despite the brace on his chest. He did not turn.
> Xia: "So. The Lingins sent the spare."
> Liu: "They sent the one who wouldn't run."
He turned then, slowly. His eyes were sharp, but not cruel. Not yet.
> Xia: "We'll see."
As Liu turned to leave, Xia's voice stopped her.
> Xia: "Tomorrow, you'll dine with me. And you'll meet someone who knows your family's secrets better than you do."
> Liu: "Who?"
> Xia: "My sister. And she's been waiting for you."
Liu's heart skipped. The door closed behind her with a final, echoing thud.
[CHAPTER 1 ENDS]