Walking along the dimly lit halls.
Wei Lin and Shen Miao reached a cross corridor.
Two paths stretched ahead. One was dim, lit by a single flickering candle—leading to the entrance of the kitchen wing. The other was brighter, the faint glow of the banquet hall visible even from this distance.
Wei Lin stopped.
Slightly dazed in the end, Shen Miao couldn't stop her steps in time and bumped into Wei Lin.
Hitting his shoulder lightly.
Wei Lin looked at her.
Embarrassed, she quickly took a step back and lowered her head apologizing.
Wei Lin glanced at her.
The corridor felt heavy due to the silence.
He turned away took a deep breath.
Then pointed toward the bright path.
"That way leads back to the banquet," he said.
Shen Miao glanced up following his gesture. Then she looked at him.
"I'm sorry, I should have paid attention" Shen Miao lowered her head her hand twisting her sleeve.
"You talk way too much for you own good.... just follow the path I showed you " Wei Lin said " Just don't do unnecessary things"
He turned in the opposite direction ready to walk away but Shen Maio stood up
"What about you?"
"I have to go to the kitchen." He glanced down the darker corridor. "My sister is there. She's waiting for me."
"Will you be safe?"
He didn't answer. He just looked at her with those sharp, wary eyes.
"You should worry about yourself"
" Now go back,"
"The hall is safe. This part of the mansion isn't." He spoke
He turned and walked toward the kitchen corridor without waiting for her response.
Shen Miao watched him go.
Then glanced at the bright path. The banquet. Safety.
Then looked at the dark corridor. The boy had disappeared to.
She took a deep breath fixing her cloak then walked toward the bright path.
I hope I can meet him again one day. Maybe I can pay him back she thought
The path back to the banquet wasn't as straightforward as she'd expected.
She moved through the corridors.
The only upside being that she could hear the sound of the Banquet getting closer.
And closer with every step she took.
She turned another corner, and a scent hit her.
It was pleasant—floral, faintly sweet lavender scent. She didn't think anything of it at first. And continued walking further and further.
But as she walked, she realized that the scent had gotten stronger with every step she took.
She was tired. From walking so, she blamed it on exhaustion.
But with every heavy step, the walls were blurring at the edges.
She just needed to sit down for a moment. She told herself
Looking around, she saw a door ahead.
One door stood slightly ajar.
Warm candlelight spilled into the corridor.
With heavy steps she walked toward the room.
Pushed it open and stepped inside.
The scent was stronger here. The room was dim, lit by a single candle on a low table. There was a bed in the corner, and she moved toward it without thinking.
All she thought of was that she needed rest.
She did not see the figure slumped on the bed.
Sitting on the bed, her head felt heavier.
So, she lay down, her eyes closing, her breathing slowing.
The door swung shut.