The storm had finally passed.
Rainwater dripped from the stable roof, the muddy ground slick beneath hurried feet. In the chaos, one figure slipped quietly into the shadows.
The physician: Yu Zang.
His robe was stained, hastily bandaged at the side where the prince's blade had struck him. Each step left a trail of red, seeping through the cloth. He clutched a large sack, the weight of his escape. His breath came in ragged bursts. Tonight—he would leave the estate.
He turned the corner—
—and collided hard with someone.
Fruit spilled to the ground, rolling across the wet stones.
"Oh! Sorry, sorry!" Chen Yu bent down, scooping up the scattered oranges. He glanced up, his grin quick to return. "Wait—you're one of the physicians, right? Perfect timing."
Balancing the basket on his hip, he cocked his head playfully.
"You must know where Leena is right now, don't you?"
The physician's face stiffened. His eyes darted away, guilt flashing across his expression. He clutched his sack tighter, tried to move past.
Chen Yu frowned. "Hey, I'm talking to you. It's rude not to ans—"
The words died on his lips. His sharp eyes caught it—the dark stain spreading through the man's bandage. Fresh blood.
"…You're hurt."
The physician flinched.
Chen Yu straightened, his grin gone. "Hey—you! Stop right there!"
But the physician bolted.
"Damn it!" Chen Yu dropped the basket, fruit scattering across the mud, and sprinted after him.
The chase tore through the estate: weaving between servants, splashing through puddles, darting past startled horses. Then, beyond the outer walls, into the open wilds—the thick forest, the endless prairie, wet grass bending beneath their feet.
The physician stumbled, clutching his wound, but desperation pushed him on. Chen Yu was faster. He leapt over roots and logs, eyes locked on the fleeing figure.
"You can't run forever!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the dark trees.
Meanwhile—
In the eastern quarters, the air still carried the damp smell of rain.
Leena's cheek stung from the strike that almost landed.
Lady Jiang's hand had been raised, her anger sharp as thunder—but before the slap could connect, Leena's fingers shot up, catching the woman's wrist mid-air.
Their eyes clashed.
Leena rose slowly, her grip firm. Her voice trembled with fury.
"No more."
With a sharp push, she sent Lady Jiang stumbling back. The woman lost her balance and hit the floor with a cry.
"Y–you!" Lady Jiang scrambled up, rage twisting her features. "What are you waiting for? Seize her!"
Two burly kitchen hands rushed forward. Leena struggled, twisting, kicking—but their grip was iron. Her arms were pinned, her voice muffled as a rough cloth was shoved between her teeth.
"Take her to Young Master Hao Rui's suite," Lady Jiang hissed. "Quickly. Before anyone sees."
Leena's eyes widened in terror. She tried to scream through the gag, but it came out as a muffled plea. The men shoved a coarse sack over her head, dragging her into the shadows of the corridor.
The estate was still; the rain had hushed. Every step had to be careful, silent. No one could witness this.
They reached a carved door and shoved it open without knocking. Leena was hurled inside, landing hard against polished floors. The air smelled thick of incense, heavy and suffocating.
Footsteps approached.
A man's voice, deep and amused, cut through the darkness.
"So… you must be the exotic flower Lady Jiang has chosen to gift me."
Leena's blood turned to ice.
She tried to retreat, crawling blindly, but hands closed around her, pulling her into a cruel embrace.
"Not so fast…" The man's breath brushed her ear. "We haven't even started."
The sack was yanked from her head.
Blinking against the dim candlelight, Leena saw him. Hao Rui. His tall frame towered over her, his face shadowed but his eyes gleaming with something dark—something predatory.
His hand slid into her tangled hair, plucking out a piece of straw. His fingers brushed her cheek, deceptively gentle.
"I saw you that night," he murmured, lips curling. "At the banquet. Wearing that sweet little dress. Standing beside that fool, Chen Yu. Don't lie—you wanted every eye on you."
His smile twisted. Leena's stomach churned.
Those eyes—narcissistic, leering, terrifying.
Her tears spilled before she could stop them.
"Hush…" His voice lowered, sickly sweet. "I won't hurt you. I'll be gentle." He wiped her tears with the back of his hand, his touch crawling lower, lingering.
When his gaze dropped to her chest, Leena's panic snapped into action. She shoved him back with all her strength and bolted for the door.
But he was faster.
Fingers tangled in her hair, yanking her head back. Pain exploded through her skull, reopening the ache from Lady Jiang's earlier blow.
"Don't fight me," he growled. "Be a good girl."
Her muffled cry tore through the chamber. Her knees buckled, her body trembling as his hand tugged at her dress, stripping the silk from her shoulders until only thin undergarments clung to her.
Why? her mind screamed. Why is this happening? Was saving lives a sin? Is this my punishment?
Her prayers blurred with sobs. She wished for death—anything but this shame, this terror.
The door knocked.
Hao Rui ignored it. His lips pressed against her neck, his hand roaming.
The door opened.
Both froze.
A woman stood in the doorway. Leena's blurred vision cleared just enough to recognize her. The woman she had saved on the boat.
Hao Rui paled. "M–Mother?" His voice cracked. "What are you—"
The woman's hand struck before he could finish. The slap resounded like thunder. Hao Rui crashed to the floor.
Her gaze was colder than steel. "Enough."
She turned to her maid. "Dress the girl. Take her out."
The maid rushed to Leena, slipping her torn dress back over trembling shoulders.
The woman's voice followed, calm and merciless.
"Nothing happened here. You were not touched. You were never in this room."
The weight of those words was heavier than stone. Leena could not speak. She couldn't even cry. She simply stared, numb, as the maid guided her out.
Back in her quarters, the maid bowed deeply.
"I apologize, miss. The young master… he often calls for women. He must have… confused you." Her voice faltered. "Forgive him."
Leena stood motionless, eyes blank. Even after the maid left, she remained frozen, staring at nothing. Dissociated.
It was Maya who found her.
The little maid stepped into the corridor, rubbing her eyes. "Madam? I heard—"
She stopped.
Leena stood like a ghost. Mud and straw clung to her hair, her dress was disheveled, her face pale.
"Madam!" Maya's voice cracked, horror flooding her expression. She rushed forward, hands trembling as she tried to help. "What happened? What—"
Leena moved like a puppet, mechanical. When Maya touched her robe, trying to help her change, Leena shoved her back violently.
"Don't touch me!"
Maya froze. Tears welled in her eyes. "M–Madam…"
But Leena collapsed onto the floor, her body shaking. Silent tears streamed down her face, soaking into the dirt.
Her world had broken. And this time, not even Maya's voice could reach her.