Chapter 6 — The Peacock's Vow

Du Canh Xuyen firmly rejected me. Sensing the harshness in his tone, he softened, pulling my hand to rest against his face. "If the situation becomes dire, I will use my own life to ensure you are sent to a place of safety," he promised.

"Where?" I asked.

"To the world you originally came from."

He gazed at me with profound affection. His eyes were beautiful, yet today I had no heart to appreciate them. Tears spilled down my cheeks uncontrollably as I clung to him. "You must survive," I whispered. "You must come back." I did not know how he could possibly send me home, but I would rather he live than sacrifice his existence for my escape. I was terrified—not just of him dying, but of being captured by Jiang Khoat once more. Yet, beneath that dread, I felt paralyzed. I was merely a human, weak and helpless in a world of beasts.

Memories of my past life surged like a violent tide. I saw the savage face of Jiang Khoat, the way he would scrutinize my scarred body and distorted features, calling me repulsive. I remembered the endless ailments I suffered from bearing too many children. Did he love me? Certainly not. He kept me as his queen, showering me with hollow glory, only because I was the vessel that could provide him with the most descendants. He never viewed me as a person, never asked for my consent, forcing himself upon me even when I had barely recovered from childbirth. But Du Canh Xuyen was different. He treated me with kindness and dignity. Even if his devotion was merely a sense of duty toward his wife, he was, in my eyes, a truly noble soul. To love someone so virtuous—that was only natural, was it not?

"My lady, take care," he whispered, wiping the tears from my face as he pulled me from my painful reverie. He looked at me one last time, filled with unspoken longing, before handing me over to the handmaidens and walking away without looking back. The maids restrained me, preventing me from following him. When I was returned to our chambers, the room—usually a sanctuary of comfort—felt bone-chillingly cold.

"Is there any news?" I clutched at the handmaiden, but she only shook her head. My heart sank into despair, but then I recalled the secret chamber Du Canh Xuyen had once mentioned, a place housing ancient texts and treasures. A glimmer of hope ignited within me. I rushed to the chamber, searching frantically until I found an ornate mirror. It held a hollow depression, perfectly shaped to fit the piece of jade he had given me. My hands trembling, I pressed the jade into the frame. The mirror expanded into a shimmering portal of light. Through it, I saw him. He was locked in a brutal battle against Jiang Khoat on the open plains. To my horror, Jiang Khoat had allied with the Continental King to strike at the Heavenly Clan. It was shameless. Du Canh Xuyen was losing ground, his body already bloodied and wounded. My heart burned with urgency. I reached out, discovering my hand could pass through the light. Without a second thought, I stepped through. Seeing Jiang Khoat poised for a lethal strike at Du Canh Xuyen’s unguarded back, I threw myself in the path of the blow. I groaned as the impact shattered my breath, and I collapsed.

"My lady!"
"A Lac!"

Both voices rang out in unison. Du Canh Xuyen saw me, his expression fracturing into panic as he caught me. I kissed his lips, forcing the beast orb back into his body. With the orb, he could reclaim his full strength. It was enough. As long as he lived, it was enough. Through the haze of pain, I felt cold tears hitting my face; Du Canh Xuyen was holding me, sobbing in agony. But my vision was darkening, and my body turned cold.

When I opened my eyes, the warmth of the sun touched my face. The surroundings were achingly familiar. Had I returned? Did Du Canh Xuyen trade his life to bring me back? Tears welled up instantly. You fool, I thought, I worked so hard to save you.

"Sister, Mom says it is time to eat!"

Bach Am walked into my room at that exact moment. Bach Am? She had returned too? Seeing her, I bristled, my guard instantly raised.

"Sister, why are you looking at me like that? Oh, why are you crying?" She looked at me in genuine surprise. I observed her carefully, finding nothing amiss, and muttered, "There was dust in my eyes."

She nodded and smiled, but the smile appeared eerie to me. Perhaps the trauma of her pushing me toward death in the beast world still lingered.

"Little sister," I asked, unable to contain myself, "do you know who Jiang Khoat and Du Canh Xuyen are?"

"Of course," she replied, and my heart seized. "They are the main characters in that novel I recommended to you. You said you weren't interested, so you never read it."

So, it was just a novel after all.