Chapter 5: Tangled Truths and Twists of Fate

“Aimee… we're already at the peak of bankruptcy! How could you still bring another person here?” Alexandra snapped, her voice sharp with frustration.

“Mom… I couldn't just leave her behind,” Aimee said quietly. “After all… I might be the reason she lost her memories.”

“Then maybe next time, you should stop doing such reckless things,” Xiao interjected coldly, arms crossed. “You can't even help with the business, and yet you’ve got the audacity to bring another freeloader like yourself into our already struggling home?”

“Xiao, stop it!” Alexandra cut in firmly. “You just got home, and this is how you start?”

“Mom…” Aimee’s voice trembled as she lowered her gaze. “She’s right. I’m not helping the business… or the family.”

“Pft. Here we go with the tears again,” Xiao muttered, rolling her eyes as she marched upstairs.

Alexandra sighed heavily and walked closer to Aimee. Her expression softened.

“Aimee… I understand. You feel responsible, and helping others isn’t wrong,” she said. “But as you can see, we’re barely keeping things afloat. We can’t afford to feed another mouth.”

“I’ll find work,” Aimee promised, her eyes pleading. “Let me take care of her. Just until she remembers something.”

Alexandra paused, then nodded slowly. “Alright. If that’s what you really want.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

Meanwhile, Sushie had grown restless waiting in the unfamiliar room. The surroundings were strange, yet she was doing her best to adapt. She eventually found Aimee on the balcony, lost in thought.

“Why are you going through all this trouble for me?” Sushie asked. “You could’ve just let me go.”

Aimee sighed. “You heard everything, didn’t you? I told you to stay inside.”

“I did. But I can still hear voices from afar,” Sushie replied in her mind.

“I can’t just abandon you. My conscience wouldn’t allow it,” Aimee said, voice firm. “I’d rather struggle and find ways to help than live with the guilt.”

Sushie reached into her cloak and pulled out a small pouch of glittering stones. “These… seem valuable here. I saw them from the people in the box.”

“People in the box? Ah—television,” Aimee chuckled lightly. “Is this your first time seeing one?”

“Yes,” Sushie admitted. “We don’t have those in my world.”

“Your world… you mean your hometown, right?” Aimee smiled, though a hint of curiosity lingered in her eyes. “You talk so differently. Anyway, keep those stones hidden. If people see them, you might be in danger.”

“I understand. But please take these—for your family. Just treat me as a tenant.”

“You learn fast from that box, huh?” Aimee teased, and the two laughed gently, easing the tension between them.

ERILAND

"Yon Zue already told me about you," Chipi said, her wings glimmering as she sat beside Shiya in the golden field. “But I want to hear it from you. Who are you? Where are you really from?”

Shiya hesitated, fingers tightening around a wildflower she’d picked absentmindedly. “I’m Shiya,” she murmured. “And… I don’t think I’m from this world.”

The wind shifted. Chipi’s glow dimmed for a second. “Not from this world?” she echoed, her tone laced with worry. “I’m starting to get really worried about Sushie.”

“Sushie? Who is that?”

“She’s the one meant to marry Prince Liu today,” Chipi replied, her voice growing quiet. “She’s our Princess. A warrior from the Elf Tribe. The only one who can wield the Stone of Peace. She holds the future of Eriland in her hands.”

Shiya swallowed. That name again—Sushie. It sounded powerful. Regal. Not like her.

“She sounds like a legend,” Shiya said quietly.

Chipi nodded. “She is. And if you’re standing in for her… everything depends on you now.”

Before Shiya could respond, Althea appeared at the edge of the meadow, voice urgent. “Chipi. It’s time. The ceremony begins now.”

Chipi stood and turned to Shiya with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Let’s go, Princess.”

---

The Wedding Grounds

The meadow transformed into a spectacle. A thousand pixies zipped through the air, scattering glittering petals in waves of light. A massive tree stood at the altar’s center, pulsing with ancient blue energy. Elves in ceremonial robes formed a corridor, music echoing like distant thunder.

Shiya froze at the edge of the aisle.

The crowd was massive—too many eyes. Too much pressure. Too much expectation.

She spotted Queen Krystle on her towering flower-throne, eyes sharp as ice. Beside her stood Prince Liu, resplendent in gold and silver, his face gentle but unreadable.

And next to him—

Yon Zue.

Tall, armored, unreadable. A sword and bow hung at his side, his presence like a blade drawn in silence.

Shiya’s knees threatened to buckle.

Yon Zue stepped forward, offering his hand.

“Just walk,” he muttered, low and deadly. “Don’t start anything.”

She took his hand—scowling—but her body moved on instinct. Step by step. Until—

Her gaze locked on Prince Liu.

The face. The eyes.

Xyon.

The man who shattered her. The man who smiled like that before ripping her world apart.

Something in her snapped.

“Stop!” she shouted.

Gasps surged through the crowd like lightning.

Yon Zue stiffened. “What are you doing?” he hissed.

“I… I can’t do this,” Shiya said, heart pounding. “I won’t marry him.”

Murmurs rippled. Elves shifted. Pixies hovered, stunned mid-flight.

Yon Zue leaned in. “Are you insane?”

Shiya suddenly turned to face him—and squeezed his hand tightly.

“Yon Zue,” she said clearly, “don’t let them force me. I’m carrying your child—and you know it.”

Dead silence.

Even the wind stopped.

Queen Krystle rose slowly, her eyes blazing. “What did you say?”

“Impossible!” Prince Liu stepped forward, furious. “Is this true?”

Yon Zue stared at Shiya, breath caught in his throat.

“What in the stars are you doing?” he whispered. “This is treason!”

“If you’re mad,” Shiya whispered back with a smirk, “just wait.”

And before anyone could react, she grabbed his collar and kissed him—fierce and defiant.

Yon Zue’s eyes widened. His hands hovered, unsure. But her lips were soft, trembling. Real.

When she pulled away, their eyes locked—fire and storm.

And then, her legs buckled.

“Shiya!” Chipi screamed as Shiya collapsed into Yon Zue’s arms.

He caught her, stunned. For the first time, he looked panicked.

“Get out of the way!” he barked, and the crowd parted.

He carried her out in silence, shoulders tense, eyes blazing.

---

In Her Chambers

He kicked the door open and laid her on the bed—not gently.

“OW! Watch it, barbarian!”

“You are insane!” he snapped.

“Sushie…” Chipi hovered beside her, trembling. “W-What was that?! Are you really…?”

“No,” Shiya admitted, suddenly small. “I just… didn’t want to marry the Prince.”

Chipi’s glow dimmed. “But saying that? You could get Yon Zue executed!”

Shiya froze.

“Executed?” she echoed, voice barely audible.

“Yes. The Queen might see it as betrayal.”

---

Moments Later – Royal Quarters

Shiya bolted from the room, dress flying behind her as she ran through the halls. Althea called after her, but Shiya didn’t stop.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as she burst into the Queen’s chambers.

“Please—don’t punish Yon Zue!” she cried, falling to her knees. “It was my lie. He had no idea. Please… punish me instead!”

Silence.

Queen Krystle’s eyes narrowed.

Prince Liu folded his arms. “Do you hate me that much, Princess? You’d rather cause a scandal than marry me?”

Shiya looked down. “I’m sorry. But I can’t lie like that anymore.”

“Do you love him?” Liu asked.

Shiya hesitated, then looked at Yon Zue—and blushed. The kiss burned behind her eyes.

“He saved me,” she said softly. “Even if he doesn’t like it.”

Yon Zue opened his mouth. “Your Majesty—this is absurd. I barely know her!”

Queen Krystle raised a hand. Silence fell again.

“No one is dying over this,” she declared. “Yon Zue has served faithfully. We will discuss what happens… tomorrow.”

---

Outside the Royal Chambers

“Yon Zue,” Prince Liu said quietly, “Help her remember who she is. She trusts you, even if she doesn’t understand why.”

Yon Zue bowed. “As you command.”

As they parted, Shiya peeked back at him with a grin—mischievous and defiant. Yon Zue turned to speak—

But she bolted down the path again, laughing as she disappeared around the bend.

Yon Zue stood there, stunned.

Then, to his own surprise… he smiled.

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