Chapter 19

*Misplaced Confession*
First light entered the shack. Zhu Yu smelled rose—nose twitched—did not wake at once.
Maybe their last time alone.
She cherished it—wanted to speak—did not know how—so while Bai Shuzhou seemed asleep she healed her a long while.
“Sorry—I still couldn’t fix your legs.”
Warm light faded from her palm—distance growing between them.
Zhu Yu did not know Bai Shuzhou had not slept—restless on both sides.
Those sighs landed heavy on Bai Shuzhou’s heart.
Zhu Yu was mixed blood—delicate position in stalemate years.
On this poor star lines blurred—Mo Jingchun’s fate shattered the dream.
Pirates had Federation arms—Nan Gong ransomed Black Hat… Bai Shuzhou listed facts—all threads wound around Zhu Yu—a question mark.
Who was she—what did she want—Bai Shuzhou did not know.
Yet Zhu Yu’s timing to send her away fit just before the guard corps arrived.
Coincidence?
She hated passivity—and being lied to.
When Zhu Yu opened her eyes reluctantly—cold gaze waiting.
How long—faint bruises under eyes—flat—pressure low.
“What’s wrong—going home—you’re not happy?” Zhu Yu fidgeted fingers.
Silence.
“Hungry?”
Bai Shuzhou watched her hold out two hands like an idiot—yes, no.
Pet communication—eyes colder—straight into Zhu Yu’s eyes.
She was a dragon!
No talk—why? Zhu Yu thought hard—slapped head—rose from packed luggage with a dress.
How could a princess go home in borrowed old clothes!
Her gift—not millions—not unique.
First savings—underground city cat’s tip—“most expensive!”—boss forked items from wall.
V-neck—gradient white—irregular waist—for tailed imperials—comfortable.
“Let me help you change?” Soft—unaware wheedle—“You’ll be beautiful—I mean—you’re beautiful in anything!”
“Yes, no.”
Before both hands finished—Bai Shuzhou first time—gripped hers.
—Yes.
Tight—as if loosening meant loss. Zhu Yu whimpered.
Realizing—released—looked away—blank—as if touch were dream.
Bad mood—tight lips—fog over cold glass—unreadable.
Zhu Yu wanted to grip back—wipe the mist.
Too fast—too slow—two breaths of gap—now would be forced, rude.
Parting soon—dared not hope more.
Awkward—helped change eyes down—pastries from lark family—recited schedule like spell.
“I’m out—back soon—ten o’clock Port Seven—”
Lock click—silent woman looked at the hand that held hers—pinky curled—fist slowly closed.
Letter and money to Helan’s shop—warned cat about the suspicious class.
Cat not curious—self-soothed fast.
“Nothing good comes that easy.”
“Greed gets you tricked.”
Cat patted her—“I’ll spread word—everyone careful!”
Zhu Yu scanned—“Shan not here?” Shan steady—sharp tongue soft heart.
Cat lifted chin—“Band audition leave.”
“…”
Bad feeling together.
“Don’t worry—Shan’s smartest—hardest to fool!”
Zhu Yu nodded weak—auction tonight—even if Shan taken—what could she do—barely safe herself.
If braver—
If stronger—
Cat waved—“Bye—you stay safe!”
Zhu Yu waved—no look back.
First time she noticed—running crooked old streets—flowers in a line—poor place—blooms all the way.
Inside.
White dress—table—slow try to stand—stagger—table creak—vase shattered.
Silence—vine rolled pieces to table.
Skirt wet—clean colors stain easy.
Brow knit—white knuckles—vines wild on table—forced stand.
Never lose initiative.
Leave shack—hide—guard arrives—safe—not long.
Then time to interrogate every doubt.
…
Zhu Yu still ran.
Shortcuts halved the road.
Mind filled with pirates and warships—no forbidden thoughts.
Still jumped to—if she vanished without signing divorce—would rivals file her death certificate?
Widow sounded better than divorced.
Not ex—dead wife!
Deep breath—almost laughed.
Pathetic, Zhu Yu! Vile.
Dog-loser smile not for Bai Shuzhou—slap face—smile at sun—fluffy in light—best signature smile—nervous—eager—clear eyes sunlit.
“I’m back!”
Door open—smile frozen.
Woman against dirty wall—on floor—blue eyes alert.
Surprise—not joy.
Too fast—unexpected.
Wheelchair alone—broken glass nearby.
Zhu Yu lifted her—checked—“Hurt?”
“Need something? Wait for me—I’d help.”
During change Zhu Yu had not dared look—skirt—sleeves—
Now full white dress—more beautiful than imagined—already dirty—
She neared—woman flinched back—like first days hiding wounded in cabinet.
Tiny dodge—controlled—but needles in small space—Zhu Yu stepped—bare feet on them.
Pause—smile back—light:
“Sorry—late.”
Brow knit—Zhu Yu’s thinking eyes flash—something decided—blanket on legs—hands on knees—warm light.
Suspicion sharp—Zhu Yu read it—mouth open closed—would not ask—would not hear it—heal only.
Maybe the only useful thing she could offer.
Promised to heal her legs—debt owed—no time to pay.
That reviewing stare—thief—cold stranger—morning they held hands—why—
One-sided all along—Bai Shuzhou living in fear—what the original did—
No trust—understood.
Silence—tail flick annoyed—“Zhu Yu—why cry?”
Head down—nasal—“Not crying!”
Wanted cool goodbye—wave—carefree—wind blur her in memory—
Replaced—gone—
Like a dream—always ends.
Nightmare for Bai Shuzhou maybe!
Imperial princess kidnapped by mad ex to junk star—endure—escape—fall—swear revenge—
“…”
Bai Shuzhou watched her cry harder—stored hurt burst—hair fell like tail—drooped.
Vine with handkerchief—“No crying.”
Useless.
How many tears can one fish have—
Lake of sorrow.
Act or wrong her?
Vine pulled her—forced comfort—irritation down—handkerchief on eyes—softer—“Don’t cry.”
Through cloth—wet soon.
Slow blink—heart unbalanced—tilting.
Scent from her wrist.
Blind—senses louder.
Lip bite—hand wiped tears—gap sealed—close again.
She’s… coaxing me…?
Dare not blink—afraid to break the dream.
Wiped face—wanted composure—not snot monster—
Couldn’t.
Gentler Bai Shuzhou—more tears.
Why that look—so eager to flee—was “we” not invitation but test?
I never blocked your happiness—obedient—won’t cling—
Breath trembled—a grape stuffed in mouth.
Round grape—soft tongue—long fingers brushed lips—noise stopped.
Stunned—wet black-white eyes—Bai Shuzhou suspected comfort-dog genes—dumb and weepy.
Comfort dog needing comfort.
What crying Alpha—
What Zhu Yu—
Teeth burst grape—sweet—rose maybe—
Ears red.
Bai Shuzhou watched—“I poisoned you.”
Zhu Yu: “Ah.”
Soft touch on lips—juice down throat.
Blank girl—malicious pleasure—calm:
“Betray me—guts rot—”
Cold finger chest down—“Organs corrode—skin ulcer—die awake.”
Face blank.
Bent—coughed throat—spit poison—
Swallowed already—sweet mouth—lips she touched—
Am I doomed by her?
Big reaction—her smile vanished.
Vines bound—looking down—low:
“Now—what do you want to say?”
Dying—so much to say—one line left.
“I—I like you…!”
I like you.
Like you!
Echo—
Silence—death silence.
Worst timing—deathbed plea—wanted to slap self—bound like baby in her arms—shame—nowhere hide—
Forced eye contact.
Heart burning—suffocating—blur—Bai Shuzhou prettier—silver hair spring wind—blue eyes shadowed.
“Sorry!!!” Why apologize—pressure—must speak.
“Just joking!”
Bai Shuzhou first—thin smile—mood lifted—voice light crisp—tail curl:
“Just a joke.”
Poison joke.
She leaned—silver hair on neck collarbone—too close—
Cool fingers on chin—hot breath—ear—scent and hair on heart—numb—words gone.
True or false—melted close—sweat and love words—cold on neck sliding:
“If that day comes—I will kill you myself.”