Household of Impossibilities

-So... What does "His Highness" do during his days?- I ask seating in front of him at the table

He chuckles at the title and reach out to grab a passing cat to pet it

-Nothing-

-Excuse me, what?- I'm a bit surprised... Not what I expected from a Prince...

-Nothing, not a thing, nada!- he yells laughing -Haha! A foreign language-

-So you just spend your day seating here eating pastries?-

-Of course not... I impersonate a different person everyday and go out, spending my day doing nothing on the streets- he smiles starching the chin of his cat who meows content

-That's not "nothing" at all... You surely got to learn many things this way-

He nods -Once I even found myself "kidnapped" by some funeral dudes, who thought I was part of their squad due to the outfit I had that say, and got forced to bury someone's corpse hehe-

-That's... Particular- I nod, more and more concerned about the person in front of me

-I know!- he keeps staring at me with his innocent smile and big eyes, not saying a word

-Ehm... Is something the matter?-

-Nah... I'm just staring at you-

-I noticed that... But why?-

-Oh! That's what you meant!- he hits one hand on the table in realization -Hehe sorry... I'm just reading your soul-

-My what?- I straighten up moving a bit away from the table

-Haha relax! I'm joking... Maybe-

-The maybe is not very convincing...- I relax my muscles

-Where is your Consort?-

"Is he even listening to me...? Help!"

-I don't have any... I'm not a King or anything-

-Oh... That's right... But what about that dancer?- he ask pouring himself some tea while still looking at me with an happy face

-You got us wrong We uhm... We weren't a couple...

Where did that teapot come from?- There wasn't any on the table just a second ago

-Oh I see...- he just keep staring at me, smiling, instead of watching the cup and teapot in his hands

-Uhm... The tea is overflowing...- I try to warn him

-Uhmm?-

-You should really stop now... It gonna wet your cloth... Nevermind it fell down the table now- I sigh

-Oh... How stupid hehe- he puts away the cup and take another one -You want?-

-No thanks... I'll... Do it alone ehm...-

-Sure- he places one more cup in front of an empty seat, along a pastry, and proceed to pour one more for himself sipping slowly

-So... Who does what in this household?- I interrupt the awkward staring game

-Normally I do everything... They deliver me some food and water from time to time to stock up, but I cook and clean alone.

Well not so alone hehe... I guess we can share the work now, it will be easier for both of us! Let me show you the kitchen...-

He stands up cleaning his hands as the cat jump off -This way-

-Basically that's all... Fire there, pots there, wood there, food there, water there, or in the well if we are short on stocks- he points in different directions while leaning on the door, still outside the room, lazily

-But I normally prefer to buy food or eat somewhere, rather than cooking...-

-How's so?-

-Guess why the last guard ran away?-

-I'll cook! Please let me do it- I beg him almost, before thanking my mother for forcing me to take cooking classes.

-Hahaha! Thanks then- he stands from the door and goes back to the table with his cat following behind him

-Where were we...?- he says seating down and I follow him -Oh right the dancer-

My eyes fall on the empty extra dish and cup as he talk...

"Wait.. Empty?!" I double check the plate "Who ate that...?"

-All good Lai'Er? Can I call you that, right?-

-I Uhm... Yeah...-

-Hehe It looks like you just saw a ghost- he smiles blinking sweetly

-A... Ghost...- a chill runs down my spine -I... The dancer yeah! He had to go away for now-

-Uhm I know- he plays with his chopsticks

-Sadly...- I comment as he stands up heading out the room

-You knew?!- I follow him with my eyes before rushing behind him -Ah wait for me!-

As night falls I retire in my room and hide a short sword under my pillow...

-Never say never... This place is not normal-

I seat down by the window to cultivate...

From now on I won't be training as before, but I cannot afford to let it all go to waste... My Master will come to teach me regularly, but I have to do the rest alone.

As for the war training... I hope some hours a day will be enough.

I begin emptying my mind...

It still takes me some time to isolate myself but at least now I understood how to do it.

I search for that connection my Master always talk about... But there's nothing.

Only silence...

Too much

I cannot even hear the sound of leaves and breeze anymore.

Nothing... Nothing at all

-I'm not sure... She does seems a bit off tho-

"Xian's voice...?" I tilt my head to where the sound comes but it's difficult to determinate it... It feels as if it's in my head.

-Will she be alright now? She's not meant for staying here...-

"Who is he talking to...?"

-If this happened to stop her determination, then we're...-

-Don't say that, it will be alright-

"This voice... It's... I know this voice!"

I open up my eyes loosing focus and rush outside my room, banging the door open.

"Where is it coming from...?"

-I felt something...-

-Do you think she noticed...?-

-Mhn...- agrees the mysterious man as I run down the hallway

"It can't be... It can't be!"

I come in front of an open door, leading to the terrace on which I find Xian looking at the moon leaning on the handrail...

-Where is he?- I stop running to approach him as he lowers the hand which was placed on his temple right before

-Who?-

-I... Heard his voice... He was... There was someone here! Talking to you- I say looking all around us

-I was here alone, not a word left my mouth... I'm afraid you had a nightmare Lai'Er.

But... Who are you talking about?- ha asks, coming to place his hands on my shoulders with a serious expression

-I... Don't know...? I have no idea- I widen my eyes -I just felt like I knew that voice...- I take a deep breath before falling on my knees

-I don't know... I honestly have no idea... It felt so real...!

It was a deep voice... Elegant and echoing like singing lulled by waves...

It... Felt so weird... Shaking me from inside... I...-

Xian Len kneels down, hugging me and patting my back -Don't worry... I understand.

Changing your whole life for the second time in a few months... It must be stressful my dear... Why don't you lay down and I bring you some warm tea to calm your mind?-

-Mhn...- I nod trying to distance ourselves -You must be right.

Too many changes happened lately...- I stare at my hands as he walks away...

"Could this be the Yin energy making more demage inside me...?"