Du Aiwey's movements were calm yet brimming with focus. She slid open a drawer and withdrew a small metal bird — its surface etched with delicate engravings, while tiny gem-like eyes glimmered beneath the lamp's glow. Placing a spirit stone inside — one that shone with vivid azure light — she felt faint pulses of energy ripple from the crystal. This stone far surpassed those Qin Xuan used; its purity and strength were dozens of times greater.
Seating herself, Du Aiwey swiftly penned a letter in coded symbols, her hand moving with practiced precision. Once finished, she fastened the note to the bird and triggered the hidden mechanism. Metallic wings unfolded with a soft click; emitting a barely audible hum, the construct darted through the window and vanished into twilight.
Du Aiwey allowed herself a brief exhale, brushed her forehead, and leaned back in the chair. She suspected other city leaders were taking similar steps, yet she had to alert the Holy Land. Her own plans, however, were far from complete.
— Bring Du Fei, — she ordered curtly to the servant beyond the door.
Moments later the door eased open. Du Fei stepped inside, face composed, but wariness lurked in her gaze.
— Fei-Fei, I'm glad you returned unharmed, — Du Aiwey began from behind the desk, voice gentle, eyes narrowing dangerously. — Care to tell me something more?
Cold sweat traced Du Fei's spine. She held her mother's stare, yet her reply trembled.
— I've already told everything. Nothing left to add.
Without breaking eye contact, Du Aiwey started tapping fingers on the tabletop. Subtle vibrations swept the room, lifting strands of Du Fei's hair. The girl bit her lip, realizing deception was futile, and yielded.
— It wasn't the Palace of Hades that killed Wang Dun, — she whispered at last.
— I know, — came the serene answer.
Du Fei took half a step back, fists clenched, gaze dropping.
— May I leave?
— No.
A minute passed.
— Must I speak?
— Yes.
— Very well. — She lifted her eyes with effort. — While walking through the forest with Wang Dun, he spotted a lone figure and attacked. The stranger escaped. Later Wang Dun grew boastful, lowered his guard… and the person returned. Everything happened in an instant. A few sword flashes — everyone fell.
— Understood. But why lie?
— Because she didn't kill me.
— She? Was she truly strong enough to take you? You're far above Wang Dun, especially up close.
— No… at least that's how it felt. — Du Fei paled, realizing she'd slipped, yet answered.
— Then why say she spared you?
— Because I didn't resist. — Her voice quivered.
Du Aiwey rose slowly; her aura thickened the air until breathing grew heavy.
— Explain, — she snapped, tone sharpening.
Du Fei looked up. Something broken surfaced in her eyes — something she could no longer conceal. Her next words struck like thunder.
— Because I WANTED TO DIE!
The cry cracked, and she collapsed to her knees, hiding her face as hot tears streamed down. Breathing turned ragged.
Du Aiwey froze, stunned by the outburst, but her daughter's sobs snapped her back. In a heartbeat she knelt, wrapped arms around the trembling girl, and stroked her hair tenderly. Du Fei clung to her mother and wept against her chest. When the storm finally subsided, she kept her face buried, unable to meet those eyes.
— Fei-Fei… — Du Aiwey's quiet voice carried immense sorrow. — Why? What happened?
Sensing something, the girl raised her head and gasped — tears welled in her mother's eyes, falling onto her own cheeks like burning drops.
— I'm sorry, Mama, forgive me. Please don't cry… — Now Du Fei held tighter, comforting in return while crying anew.
After a long while both grew calm. Du Aiwey wiped her eyes with a sleeve and spoke softly.
— Tell me everything. Why did you wish to die? You can share anything with Mama.
Du Fei sighed, nestled deeper into the embrace, and tried to shape her chaos into words.
— You don't have to worry anymore. Truly. — She pulled back slightly and met her mother's gaze. — In that forest, facing death and watching others perish, I realized how foolish and selfish my desire had been. Life is precious.
Du Aiwey listened in silence, heart aching. She had always taken pride in her daughter's strength, tenacity, and talent. Yet now only a hurting child sat before her. She squeezed the slender shoulders gently but firmly.
— Fei-Fei, you were never foolish. But what pain drove you to stop fighting?
Du Fei lowered her eyes, fingers twisting the fabric of her robe.
— He… he abandoned me, Mama, — she whispered, voice barely audible. — I thought he loved me. I believed we'd always be together… but when rumors of my engagement to Wang Dun spread, he never even asked if they were true. He just left.
Du Aiwey closed her eyes briefly, then pulled her daughter closer.
— Silly girl… — she murmured with infinite tenderness.
Du Fei only pressed harder, nails digging into her mother's robes.
— You are my daughter, Fei-Fei. You matter more to me than power, than any alliance. Nothing — nothing — is worth your life. Do you hear me?
A small nod against her shoulder.
— I understand now, Mama. Facing death in that forest, I discovered how desperately I want to live… how terrified I am of losing everything I have.
Du Aiwey threaded fingers through damp hair, brushing it away from the tear-streaked face.
— Then promise me.
Du Fei lifted her head. Worry lingered in her eyes, yet the terrifying emptiness had vanished.
— I promise.
A sad smile touched Du Aiwey's lips.
— Good girl.
She drew her close once more, letting the final tears wash away fear and pain. They remained entwined for a very long time, basking in each other's warmth.
— So the girl you carried in your arms is the one who killed Wang Dun? — Du Aiwey asked quietly, still stroking her back.
Du Fei stiffened, heart pounding — she hadn't expected her mother to piece it together so easily. But seeing the warm, slightly mischievous smile, tension melted away.
— You knew?
— I suspected. Your reaction confirmed the rest, — Du Aiwey chuckled softly and kept caressing her. — You brought her here in your arms, shielded her. Hard to miss.
— Will you tell the Wang clan? — Uncertainty trembled in the question.
Du Aiwey sighed, expression turning thoughtful.
— First, that girl saved you, even if she didn't realize it. Second, she appears connected to Irina Nix — someone we don't want as an enemy. And besides, you already lied to them; I won't betray my own daughter.
The name Irina sent a chill through Du Fei. Even with her status, she knew crossing that woman was unwise. Relief flooded her; the weight lifted from her shoulders.
— Thank you, Mama, — she whispered, nestling closer.
— No need, little fool, — Du Aiwey smiled and brushed lips against the crown of her head.
They simply sat like that for a while longer.