Mo Xi thought her plan had gone unhitched. She rushed back to her quarters with a grin on her face. What she didn’t know was that all her actions had been seen.
In a dimly lit study, shadows danced across the walls, casting an eerie glow over the room. Xiang Yu’s figure was ghostly, his presence a dark silhouette against the flickering candlelight. The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the soft rustle of the masked assassin’s cloak as he knelt before him. The assassin held a messenger spirit falcon, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. On its tarsus was a small tube. Inside was a rolled-up note. With a bow, the assassin presented the note to Xiang Yu, his head lowered in submission.
Xiang Yu’s eyes narrowed staring at the note. His father had shown him that blood ties meant nothing thus he had no special expectations. He wanted to meet her in person and what happens after would be determined by her. His aura shifted. It became dark and terrifying, a palpable force that seemed to suck the warmth from the room.
He took the tiny piece of paper, his fingers unfurling it with deliberate slowness. As his eyes scanned the words written on it, a sinister smile played at the corners of his lips. "Let them send the note," he said, his voice a low menacing whisper. "I want to see how this plot unfolds."
The assassin nodded, understanding the unspoken command. He rose and left the room, leaving Xiang Yu alone with his thoughts. His stance grew colder, his demeanour oppressive. His eyes glinted with a dangerous light as he contemplated what her reaction would be when they finally met. With slow, deliberate steps, Xiang Yu walked out of the study, the night air wrapping around him like a cloak. The crimson moonlight cast long shadows on the ground, mirroring the darkness within his heart.
And where were the twins? They were busying themselves preparing a bath for their master. There were plenty of people to do it but the two would show off their fangs if anyone offered to do it. They hovered over the steaming bath, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of lantern light. Lian dipped her fingers into the murky white water and nodded her head satisfied with the temperature. With synchronized grace, they tossed in fresh pink and white plumeria blossoms, their giggles echoing off the carved walls. The sweet scent of incense wafted through the air, creating a serene atmosphere.
This sweet moment didn’t last long though. That’s because they began to argue again. This time they were arguing about which bath bar to leave behind. Holding the lotus-scented one, Lian insisted, "We should put the lotus bath bar," her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"No, the rose bath bar is better. Look, it’s prettier too," Mei countered, crossing her arms defiantly. Looking at them now, you would think that they were arguing over serious matters.
"Lotus is more soothing!"
Their bickering escalated to name-calling and insults despite looking exactly the same. The were so similar that it took Xiang Yu colour-coding them when they were younger to tell the difference. Just when it was about to escalate to hair-pulling Xiang Yu entered the room, his presence immediately drawing their attention. His sinister aura was softened by a rare, amused smile.
"Enough," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "How about you leave both of them and go pick a robe for me? How does that soun-,"
Xiang Yu didn’t even get to finish. The twins exchanged a glance before dashing out from behind the folding screen, their footsteps a flurry of excitement. The door shut with a bang behind them, leaving Xiang Yu alone in the room. He chuckled softly, knowing full well that they would soon be arguing over which robe he should wear. It was their favourite pastime, treating him like a human sized doll to dress up.
Xiang Yu sighed, a mix of exasperation and fondness in his eyes. He unhurriedly tugged on his belt and untied it with slow, deliberate motion his gaze vacant. He tossed his robe on the folding screen. He shed a few more layers before reaching his inner garments. He loosened the tie, holding his white undershirt, and it fell away, revealing the intricate patterns etched into his skin.
These markings were an indication of his growing power. They spread like a living tapestry from his neck down his chest and back. Each line and curve seemed to pulse with a life of its own, a visual representation of the strength he had gathered over the years.
As his inner garment slid down his shoulders, two jagged scars became visible on his shoulder blades and spine. These were the remnants of his father’s cruelty, where the late demon king’s whip had torn into his flesh, leaving permanent reminders of the past. They had long healed but one could almost feel the intense pain at a glance. His jet-black hair brushing against his back he stepped into the bath, the warm water enveloping him. As he submerged himself, the water turned a faint shade of red from the blood that still clung to his body and hair. The sensation was soothing, the murky water rippling gently around him, offering a sense of comfort.
His slender fingers reached from underneath the water for the cup on the tray beside the bath. He took a long sip of wine. The rich, intoxicating liquid warmed him from the inside. He leaned his head back allowing the tension to melt away. In this brief respite, he found a semblance of peace, the weight of his burdens momentarily lifted. This tranquil moment didn’t last long. How could a person like him ever have a moment of peace?
He reclined in the warm bath, the steam curled around him like ghostly fingers. His eyes were closed savouring the moment when familiar eerie whispers cut through the silence. His eyes snapped open, and through the thick steam, he saw her. His mother stood there, ghostly pale, water dripping from her spectral form and pooling at her feet. Xiang Yu’s lips curled into a twisted smile. "Right on time," he murmured, his voice dripping with dark amusement.