6 End All This Nightmare

Emperor Yong sat at the head of the dinner table, still dressed like he was still about to meet an official. Crown Prince Weisheng was at his right hand, followed by Empress Li Xiu and the 2nd Prince, Xiaodan.

On the left side of the Emperor, the Imperial Noble Consort Hairong was seated followed by her twins, 4th Prince Zixin and The Princess of Heping, Zhenzhen.

"Where is the Princess of Shanmai?" the Emperor directed the question to Prince Xioadan. The Emperor had a huge mean voice. It must've been a long day at the council meetings. "I have heard of your fiancee's accident at the stairs. How is she?"

"I don't think she feels well enough to attend dinner. My apologies, Father."

The Emperor waved a hand. "Just be certain that she will be well enough to greet your brother tomorrow."

Everyone on the table seemed to stop breathing.

"What?!" the Emperor bellowed. "Yang Qui is returning tomorrow and you are all going to greet my son."

Empress Li Xin reached and held the hand of the emperor with a smile. "Of course, we are going to greet our son."

The Emperor sent a calculating look at the Empress' face. "Everything has to be perfect when he gets here. He had been on a long journey. He deserves some rest."

"Of course, Emperor. Everything will be prepared."

Her sons didn't say a word and neither did the second family of the Emperor. He was the Emperor and they would do what they were told.

When the Emperor finally took his first bite, everyone started eating. "How are the wedding preparations?" the question directed again to the 2nd Prince.

"Almost done, Father."

"We cannot delay. Once she turns twenty-one we have to wed the two of you and end all this nightmare."

Prince Xiaodan felt something lodged on his throat. "Yes, Father. Nothing is going to stand in the way of the wedding day."

Empress Li Xin patted her son's thigh comfortingly. She was a beautiful middle-aged woman with thick black hair in a small bun at the nape of her neck. Jewels laid flat on the top of her head, gold as ever with precious stones.

Prince Xiaodan had no qualms with marrying Princess Lin Yingyue. His father was right. They had to get married so they could end this war between two strong families. The Crown Prince had already been married so the duty had to be passed down to him.

"Send some food to her room. Make sure she eats," said the Emperor to one of the attendants waiting on the corner of the room. The Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort both stopped a frown, possibly jealous on how much the Emperor doted on a person that was not their blood.

Prince Xiaodan suddenly stood up, "Pardon me, Father. I would like to visit the princess to make sure that she's doing okay."

"Go ahead."

The Prince bowed to everyone gracefully then exited the room.

**

Should I be sleeping? Tianshi Xue asked herself as she stared at the ceiling. When midnight comes, will I be back in my old body?

She was back on the bed, buried deep in the soft comforter on top of her, convincing herself to sleep but after her nap earlier, her mind was more awake than ever. "Should I try jumping off the balcony?"

The idea made her sat up. She couldn't do intentional pain on her body. It just wouldn't let her die. But jumping from a high point… there was nothing else that her body could do once she was already on the free fall.

She got off the bed and opened the doors to the balcony. The air lifted the fabric of her dress, embracing her with coldness. The moon was high above in the sky and was bathing the entire Empire with its comforting light.

Tianshi Xue looked down and saw the empty ground where she would fall if she made the jump. Her heart leapt to her throat.

What if she was going to die if she jumped? What if she would not return her body? What if this was not a dream?

She shook her head. She had no room for doubts. She needed to wake up and get away from this body.

Tianshi Xue was just starting to pull the princess' body on top of the railing when there were knocks on the door.

"Damn it," she cursed under her breath. They would go away if she didn't answer, right?

"Princess?"

Tianshi Xue stopped. Was that the prince's voice? She rushed to get down the railing and fixed her dress. The door was opened and in came the prince.

"Oh, you're out of bed," he said with a kind smile. He flicked the lights on. "We're going to have dinner."

A few people set up a table and chair inside her room and brought silver trays with food in them.

"I hope you're hungry," he said as he pulled the chair for her. Tianshi Xue sat down and looked all over the table. She was craving for something heavy… this was not her body so might as well eat the things that she wanted the most.

On her plate was a slice of chicken that smelled like lemons and when her fork came in contact, it fell apart so easily. The meat felt like it was melting in her mouth and she moaned at its deliciousness. Her stomach grumbled more.

"Is that good?" the Prince asked and started slicing his own food.

Tianshi Xue looked over and saw that the prince was eating steak. Her mouth watered at the sight of it. She pulled her gaze away but he caught it.

"Would you like some?" he asked. "I asked for the chicken because that's your favorite."

She shook her head. "It's okay."

The prince smiled and cut her a large portion anyway. "Are you feeling better?"

She nodded her head and looked longingly at the balcony doors. She wanted so bad to get back to her reality.

"Well then," the prince said, "will it be alright if I sleep here tonight?"