Sand particles danced through the air like a deadly ballet, coiling around Yetao's limbs. His heart hammered against his chest as the grains tightened, binding him to the massive stone scale.
Bam, the enigmatic king with eyes that blazed like desert fire, positioned him on one side of the ancient scale. On the opposite plate rested a single ostrich feather—deceptively light yet somehow ominous in its significance.
Seshat stepped forward, his calculating gaze piercing through Yetao. "How did you get inside our kingdom?" The question hung in the air, heavy with suspicion.
Yetao squirmed, weighing his options. The sand restraints sensed his hesitation and constricted further, drawing a pained groan from his lips.
"I don't know!" he finally shouted, tears of frustration welling in his eyes.
The scale remained perfectly balanced. Bam's expression shifted from anger to confusion.
"I already said I appeared out of nowhere," Yetao continued, desperation seeping into every word. "What else are you expecting me to say? I'd be more than grateful if I even knew where the hell I am!"
Tears streamed down his face now, not from the physical pain but from the crushing weight of his reality. As amazing as the magic around him seemed, it was nothing but a nightmare. Trapped in an unknown land, in what was clearly not his own timeline, with no way home.
The sand ropes felt unnecessary now—he was already suffocating under his own emotions.
"I did not ask for any of this," he whispered, voice breaking. "Just why...?" The exhaustion of fear, stress, and confusion overwhelmed him, making his vision swim.
Bam wasn't satisfied. The king strode forward with predatory grace and roughly tilted Yetao's chin upward. "Then who are you? You even forgot that?" His voice dripped with threat.
Yetao could barely keep his eyes open. "I'm Hu Yetao..." The words escaped as barely a whisper before darkness claimed him.
"Oh my goodness!"
The old woman who had been watching from the shadows rushed forward as Yetao collapsed. She bowed deeply before the king.
"My king, I believe the lady proved herself innocent. Whatever other questions you have, please wait until she recovers," the old woman pleaded, her eyes fixed on the floor.
Seshat nodded in agreement. "I wish the same. Seeing that the scale did not budge, she is innocent."
Bam's gaze lingered on Yetao's unconscious form, his hands clenching into fists. After a moment of tense silence, he signaled for the old woman to take the foreigner away.
Relief washed over the old woman's face as she summoned other palace girls to help carry Yetao to the women's wing.
Once they were gone, Seshat approached Bam. "I know you're in a bind. But cool off your head and think before you act. If you still suspect her, do it the wiser way." He patted his shoulder and departed.
Bam stalked forward, stopping beside a massive stone pillar. Without warning, he slammed his fist into it with such force that the structure began to crumble. "Damn it all!" he roared, his voice echoing through the chamber.
The guards outside exchanged fearful glances, wondering if the building would collapse. But Bam simply flicked his bloodied hand, and streams of sand swirled upward, repairing the broken pillar as if nothing had happened.
....
In the women's wing, the old palace matron tucked Yetao into bed, carefully drawing blankets over his slight frame. She kept vigil, dozing occasionally but never leaving his side.
Seven hours passed before Yetao stirred. His eyes fluttered open to find the old woman nodding off beside him. The memories of his near-death experience sent a chill down his spine.
The woman's eyes opened, her weathered face softening with relief. "How are you feeling now, dear?"
Yetao managed a weak smile, and the old woman cupped his face in her wrinkled hands.
"I was wondering when you'd wake up. Eat some fruits. It's past midnight now. When did you eat last?"
As if on cue, Yetao's stomach growled loudly, answering for him. The woman sighed good-naturedly and began cutting fruit, gently feeding him piece by piece.
"So your name is Hu Yetao?" she asked.
Yetao flinched at the question.
"I was waiting outside for you, so I heard it," she explained. Yetao nodded hesitantly.
"I haven't heard such a name from here. I think you're from a foreign land," she mused, and Yetao's mind raced with implications.
The matron patted his hand reassuringly. "Don't think too much, child. Even though our king looks and acts rough, he really respects women. It's just that he's in a bind—our kingdom might be in danger. He's a king, after all."
She made sure Yetao finished all the fruit before standing. "Take a rest for now. After completing tomorrow's bath, I'll assign you your role in the palace. The king gave permission for you to stay here. If you wish to go to your motherland when your memory returns, you can."
After she left, Yetao stared at the ceiling, thoughts tumbling through his mind like scattered dice.
Will I be trapped here forever?
He kicked at the empty air in frustration, then forced himself to calm down.
No, I need to keep my head clear for whatever arrows are going to come my way. So tomorrow, after bathing, they'll assign me palace work. Fine... I can survive...
His determination crumbled as a new realization struck him.
Wait... didn't she say I need to use a public bath house from tomorrow?
Internal panic gripped him. If he used the public baths, his facade of being a woman would instantly crumble. And based on what he'd seen of the king's temper, discovery might mean death.
Yetao paced back and forth, conflict etched on his features. His eyes landed on the fresh clothes the woman had left by his bedside for tomorrow.
"I'll bathe early," he decided, clutching the garments with renewed determination. "Before anyone else is awake."
.....
Meanwhile, King Bam sat restlessly on his opulent couch, dinner delicacies untouched before him. The day's events with Yetao played on repeat in his mind.
Did I go too far? After all, she was a woman, he thought, looking down at the hands that had held Yetao's face earlier. It felt like I could make her neck break with a slightest force.
He recalled seeing Yetao without makeup and found himself wondering, Are women supposed to look like that without makeup? Is it because she's a foreigner?
His thoughts drifted to Yetao's delicate features, and he suddenly jumped up, eyes wide with shock at the direction of his own musings.
"I really need to cool my head down," he muttered, deciding a late-night bath was in order.
The royal bathhouse was dimly lit, illuminated only by shafts of moonlight filtering through intricately patterned windows. Bam removed his royal attire and sank into the massive tub with a sigh of relief.
Just as he began to relax, he heard footsteps approaching.
"I finally found it!!!" a relieved voice exclaimed.
Bam froze in shock. It was Yetao.
"This palace is fucking big. How am I supposed to find the bathhouse with no sign boards?" Yetao complained to himself, clearly believing he was alone as he began removing his clothes.
Bam's heart pounded. Why is she taking a bath at this hour? And here? What awful timing!
He debated whether to announce his presence or slip away, but before he could decide, Yetao jumped into the water, thankfully keeping to the opposite side with his back turned toward Bam.
The king felt his breath catch in his throat. In the ethereal moonlight, Yetao's skin glowed like polished ceramic, water droplets glistening like scattered pearls. With wet pink hair clinging to slender shoulders, the foreigner resembled a mermaid from the most fantastical of tales.
Bam quickly averted his gaze, though the significant distance between them meant Yetao remained oblivious to his presence. Thanks to the king's enhanced vision—one of his many abilities—he could see Yetao with perfect clarity despite the low light.
As Yetao happily enjoyed his bath, Bam sat frozen, his heart threatening to burst from his chest.
After what seemed like an eternity, Yetao took a deep, satisfied breath. "That was satisfying. Everything except that stupid King is beautiful here. How I wish that foul mouth could be somewhat handsome as his face."
Still humming to himself, Yetao climbed out, dressed, and left the bathhouse, completely unaware of the stunned king he'd left behind.
Bam punched the water's surface, sending droplets flying. "That vile woman," he hissed through clenched teeth, running a hand through his hair in agitation before hastily dressing and exiting the tub.
And so that night, as palace records would later note, King Bam could not sleep—his thoughts consumed by nothing more than a woman's back.
....
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Yetao, having successfully navigated the bathhouse crisis, reported for his assigned cleaning duty in the art hall.
Contrary to his expectations, his outgoing and kind personality helped him get along with everyone just fine. As he chatted with some of the palace ladies while working, a sudden hush fell over the room.
Yetao looked up in confusion. "What happened?" he whispered to a girl beside him.
"It's Lisa," she replied reverently. "She rarely steps out and stays all day inside her room."
Another girl leaned closer. "She's going to be our future queen. Better be on your best behavior."
Curiosity piqued, Yetao watched as a majestic figure emerged through the entrance. She wore a golden attire that seemed crafted for her goddess-like form, her lavender hair fluttering as she entered with undeniable elegance, grace, and confidence.
Yetao's eyes widened in shock. "She's gonna marry that grumpy man?"
The hall fell deadly silent.
What should have remained a private thought had somehow escaped his lips, loud enough for everyone—including Lisa—to hear.
Oh crap! I guess I die today, Yetao thought, swallowing hard as he became acutely aware of all eyes fixed upon him.
The future queen's gaze locked with his, and Yetao felt his soul attempting to exit his body.
To be continued...