Page 12 of Empire's Curse

“That I’m … on my way to a bath?” Daiyu offered, taking the pretty dress from her sister’s hands. “This dress is beautiful,” she whispered.

“It’s not worth being in here for just that.” She pointed to the dress and then gave Daiyu a sad look. “Please be safe.”

She bundled the dress in her arms and nodded. “Of course.”

The palace was too large,Daiyu decided as she stumbled through a random hallway. She had slipped out the women’s wing with no problem. The guards at the ends of the staircases didn’t give her a second glance and the other guards and servants milling about the palace mostly ignored her. Everyone was too focused on their own tasks to pay much attention to anyone else. That played in Daiyu’s favor. But that also played against her because if she took the time to ask anyone anything, they grew suspicious. And so she clammed up and ventured through the winding halls by herself.

Her anxieties multiplied with every step. She couldn’t find the servants’ quarters, and the deeper into the palace she ventured, the less sure she became. If she couldn’t even find clothes to fit her sister, how was she going to sneak out, find the mysterious masked man, and get out of here? She didn’t even know the man’s name, so how would she summon him?

She felt like she was wandering in circles. The hallways all looked the same: fancy, tiled floors; embellished, geometric designs on the walls; and heavy doors with intricate dragon embossing.

A man with light brown hair and eyes to match caught her attention in one of the halls. He was dressed in long, sapphirerobes with a sword to his hip. They both made eye contact, and the man smiled from down the hall.

Crap. Why was he smiling at her?

Daiyu lowered her head and quickly glanced for an escape route. The only way out of this hallway was either behind her, or where he was—at the end of the hall.

If she turned around and left, would that be suspicious? But would he try to talk to her if she tried to make it to the end of the hallway?

Her mind swam with what to do. Her steps faltered, and right when she thought to turn around, it was too late. He was in front of her.

“Are you lost?”

She plastered a tight-lipped smile on her face that she hoped didn’t look too strained. The man wasn’t dressed like a soldier, but he had a sword—that probably meant he was in a high position, maybe?

“Uh, yes.” Daiyu held the dress close to her chest.

“Maybe I can help you?” He eyed her and she wasn’t sure if she saw mistrust in his gaze. But there was something there—something that told her this man was sharp. “You look like a maid? But you’re not in the typical outfit of a maid. Why is that?”

Daiyu held the dress in her arms. “I just arrived here. I was chosen for the royal selection and was given this dress, along with the instruction to take a bath.”

“Why didn’t the lady in charge send you to the bath in the Lotus wing?”

“I’m a farmer’s daughter,” Daiyu quickly said, her mind scrambling with ideas as she shifted on her feet. “The others didn’t take kindly to me using their bath, so they sent me off. Something about how I’ll dirty their bath water with muck …” She looked down at her grass sandals and wriggled her tanned toes for emphasis. “I think they were playing a mean joke on me because no matter where I go, I can’t find a place tobathe.”

The man nodded slowly, something akin to understanding flickering in his warm, brown eyes. “Women can be very cruel.”

“Yes …” Daiyu peered up at him. “I suppose I’ll be off then?—”

“Let me show you to the bath, yes?”

“Oh? Um, no need. I’m sure you’re busy?—”

“I can’t turn away a lady in need.” He smiled and there was something mischievous about it as he waved her forward.

Daiyu internally cursed herself for bumping into this man. He was probably being kind for leading her toward the bath, but she didn’t need a bath—she needed to find some clothes.

They walked for a bit before finally stopping at a pair of doors guarded by two men. They straightened when they saw the man and lowered their heads.

The man motioned to the door. “The bath, my lady.”

“Ah, thank you.” Daiyu hesitated as the two guards gave her strange looks.

“But comm—” the guard began.

The man raised his hand. “It’s fine. She’s a woman for the royal selection. Once she’s done with her bath, lead her to the Lotus wing.”

“Understood,” the guard said with a nod, but not before giving Daiyu another glance.

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