CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

*GRIN!*

        *GRIN!*

               *GRIN!*

The third buzz of the alarm shattered the morning silence, jolting the figure from sleep. Slowly, she sat up on the creaky wooden bed, the faint scent of lavender rising from the pillows like a calming whisper against the harsh ring of reality. Blinking away the remnants of a fading dream, she reached out to silence the alarm, its relentless beeping still echoing in her ears.

The figure stared blankly at the ceiling, eyes tracing invisible patterns in the faint morning light leaking through the curtains. A low grumble escaped their lips — half annoyance, half exhaustion. For a moment, she considered the weight of the day ahead… then, with a sigh of surrender, she let gravity pull them back down onto the lavender-scented pillows. The alarm clock blinked silently now, its job done — though the world outside kept ticking forward.

“Urgh, I’m so tired,” she whispered in her usual sweet tone, the sound barely louder than the rustling sheets. Her voice, though laced with fatigue, still carried a softness that made even complaints sound gentle. She rolled onto her side, pulling the blanket up to her chin, eyes fluttering shut for just a moment more of peace. Outside, birds chirped cheerfully — a cruel contrast to her desire for five more minutes.

She sat up again, this time slower, more thoughtful. Her fingers toyed with the edge of the blanket as she exhaled deeply.

“I’m Princess Sisou of Fangyi,” she muttered to herself, “a Shaolin warrior… and a huntress.”

The titles sounded heavy on her tongue — proud, yes, but burdensome.

“But I’m still not a perfect lady,” she added with a frustrated frown. “Good thing I’m not getting married, but still… I need to be perfect, like the other princesses.”

Her gaze drifted toward the window, where sunlight spilled lazily into the room.

“Other princesses always rise early, even before the alarm,” she sighed. “But I’m different.”

She hugged her knees to her chest, the silence in the room pressing in around her — not unkind, but expectant. Then....

“Totally different!” Sisou clenched her fists tightly, knuckles whitening. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me…” Her voice cracked just a little, revealing the frustration buried beneath her usual calm. She looked away, biting her lip as if searching for an answer hidden deep inside.

She pulled the two lavender-scented pillows close, hugging them like old friends. Pointing at them with a mock-serious expression, she whispered, “Hey, sleep buddies... tell me — don’t I need a change? Am I even worthy of being a princess?”

Her voice trembled slightly as she added, “Is this how I’ll rule Fangyi in the near future? Tsk!”

She sighed, a mix of frustration and longing swirling in her eyes. The soft pillows offered silent comfort, but they couldn’t answer the questions that weighed heavy on her heart.

The pillows stared back, motionless and unresponsive. Growing impatient, she pounced on them, squeezing them tight until they shrank beneath her grasp.

“Answer me!” she demanded, her voice shaking with a mix of frustration and desperation. But of course, the only reply was the soft rustle of fabric and the faint scent of lavender.

*PHEW!* The pillows mumbled softly beneath her grip, as if whispering secrets she could only hear.

Suddenly, the sun rose, golden rays streaming through the louvered window and spilling warmth across Sisou’s room.

“What a sunny morning! Perfect for hunting!” she grinned, a spark of excitement lighting up her tired eyes. “Heh!”

With renewed energy, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, ready to face the day — no longer just the weary princess, but a warrior ready to prove herself.

She was halfway to the louvered window when sudden knocks echoed at the door.

“Come in,” she said softly, her usual sweet tone steady and calm.

The door creaked open, and two ladies dressed in plain pink lace stepped inside. They bowed politely, heads low.

“Good morning, Your Royal Majesty,” they greeted in unison, their voices respectful yet warm.

“Morning, cuties!” Sisou grinned, casting a quick glance at the sunlit window before turning back to them. “The morning seems bright, doesn’t it?” she whispered playfully.

They both nodded in agreement.

“It is, Princess Sisou!”

“A perfect day for hunting!” Nimaj said with a cheerful smile.

“Absolutely,” Sisou returned the smile warmly.

“My princess,” Duri added softly, “hunting on a sunny morning like this is always more exciting… you know!”

Sisou nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Very much correcto, cuties!”

“Yes, my princess!” They bowed gracefully before her.

“What other fun is there if not hunting?” she asked, pointing at them with a dramatic flair.

“None, my Princess!” They shook their heads politely in agreement.

“Good… well, I think you two will accompany me to the forest again. I’ll really need your assistance, cuties,” Sisou whispered .

“Anything for you, Princess Sisou,” Duri replied softly, “but I suggest you have breakfast first, so the hunt can be more fun.”

“Yeah, Princess Sisou,” Nimaj agreed, smiling warmly.

“Okay, cuties!” Sisou nodded, beaming with a bright smile.

****************

Dressed in her favorite sari, Sisou walked gracefully toward the throne where her parents, King Chen and Queen Momo, sat side by side.

She bowed elegantly before them, the quiver of arrows slung over her back resting lightly against her sari.

“Good morning, Father. Good morning, Mother,” she greeted softly.

King Chen smiled warmly. “Morning, peanut. How was your night?”

“Fine, Father. And yours?”

“Cool as ever,” he chuckled quietly.

Queen Momo’s eyes twinkled as she regarded Sisou. “My princess, you look so picky this morning… where are you headed?”

“To hunt!” Sisou snapped, her eyes flickering toward the rising sun as a grin spread across her face. “It’s a sunny morning—perfect for hunting. The forest wildlife will be less active, making the hunt more thrilling and less tiring.”

Queen Momo and King Chen exchanged uneasy glances.

“I’m the greatest hunter in Fangyi State!” Sisou’s voice rang out boldly, causing flabbergasting echoes to bounce through the palace halls.

Queen Momo leaned toward King Chen and whispered, “I think we have a crazy daughter. She never talks about men or marriage.”

King Chen looked at his beautiful daughter, a mix of concern in his eyes. “Come on, Sisou. You’re old enough for all this hunting and Shaolin life you lead… can’t you try changing?”

“Changing?” Sisou raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “Well, I know you know the alarm wakes before me every day, and I *do* need a change about that, right?”

“No, not that,” Queen Momo said, her voice softer now. “Your father thought you were going to meet a prince because you dressed up so charmingly… I was thinking the same.”

“Meeting a prince?” Sisou suddenly frowned, her tone sharp. “Who does that? *Tsk!*”

“Sisou, you’re eighteen,” King Chen said, his voice calm but firm. “You’re old enough for marriage according to our customs. What are you waiting for? Does someone need to remind you that you're the most beautiful of all princesses? Men wouldn’t fail to fall in love with you.”

Queen Momo added gently, “Your perfect type—princesses like you—travel past kingdoms, find their soulmates, fall in love, and marry. But you… you keep hunting through the forest, giving your last breath to Shaolin training and wild games.

“Enough, Father! Enough, Mother!” Sisou snapped, her eyes blazing as she glared at them. In that moment, they no longer looked like rulers — just puppets perched on ornate stone chairs.

She turned her back on them, fuming. “I never wanted to be part of some marriage life…”

Then she glanced over her shoulder, voice low but firm, “Because it’s a futile idea — one we can’t even *see*.”

Again, she turned away, this time with a sharper tone. “And I *dare* to crush any masculine figure who comes my way!”

With that, Sisou stormed off, her footsteps echoing through the marble halls. Her parents exchanged stunned glances that silently said, *Damn, our baby’s hot.*

As she crossed the royal pavement, she bumped into Duri and Nimaj.

They quickly bowed. “My princess…”

“You look worried. Any problem?” Nimaj asked, concern in her gentle voice.

Sisou flashed a fake smile. “I’m okay, cuties! C’mon, let’s fly to the forest!”

She swung onto her silver-balded horse, Gemi, the creature whinnying as if it had been waiting all morning. Duri and Nimaj mounted their own horses right after her.

“Hyah!” Sisou called, whipping the reins. Gemi trotted powerfully across the royal gate, galloping down the forest path with elegance and speed.

“Gemi seems to be active today…” Duri said, holding on tightly.

“Guess he had enough straws for breakfast,” Sisou smirked.

They all giggled light-heartedly as the wind swept through their hair, the forest drawing closer with each stride.

****************

Sisou and her maids had dismounted and stood silently on the clear coast of *Mo Zhu Forest*, one of Fangyi’s lush rainforests.

Their eyes wandered over the shrubby surroundings—tall, towering trees reaching into the sky, birds singing in layered melodies, and insects chirping in the undergrowth.

“What a cool aura,” Duri whispered with delight, her eyes wide with wonder.

“But the air feels… moist, even with all this sun,” Nimaj added, rubbing her arms lightly.

Duri nodded slowly.

“There’s a little humidity here,” Sisou explained. “Mo Zhu is a rainforest. Thick canopy, trapped moisture.”

“No wonder!” both maids drawled in unison.

“Let’s walk deeper into the forest… be cautious,” Sisou whispered.

They nodded, and the group moved forward, their footsteps crunching lightly on dried leaves.

Suddenly—*thud... rustle... thud!*

Sisou’s ears twitched. Her hand shot up, stopping the group.

“I think there’s a game on the way,” she whispered, glancing back at them. “Shhh.”

Her maids froze, nodding.

With swift precision, Sisou nocked an arrow onto her bowstring, every muscle in her body sharp and alert. Her eyes scanned the trees, her ears tuned to every shift in the breeze.

Duri and Nimaj stepped lightly behind her, following her lead—silent, steady, and ready for whatever was rustling through the wild.

The footsteps were getting closer.

And closer.

And closer.

Then—silence.

They had stopped. Just behind a thick grassy cache, a few steps ahead.

Sisou’s eyes narrowed. She turned to Duri and Nimaj. “You both have to stay here. I think... something dangerous is out there.”

Duri reached for her arm, concern etching her voice. “My princess, stay back. You want to risk your life for this?”

Sisou grinned, fearless. “I know, cuties. But I’ve *been* risking my life. Don’t try to stop an expert huntress like me... it’s only a game.”

Reluctantly, Duri nodded and stepped back, letting go.

Sisou crept forward, each step light and calculated. She approached the cache, bow still armed... but there was nothing. No figure. No creature. Just whispering leaves and swaying grass.

Then—*whoosh!*

A chill grazed her cheek as something sped past her like wind with weight.

She froze. Eyes wide. Heart pounding.

“It can’t be an animal,” she whispered, her voice laced with doubt. “Or... can it?”

Her grip tightened on her bow as she took a deep breath.

“*Show yourself before me!*” she shouted, gathering every ounce of her courage. Her voice was bold—but a glint of moisture shimmered in her eyes.

…But there was only silence.

Still. Watching. Waiting.

“I said, *show yourself!*” Sisou shouted louder, her voice echoing through the trees. “You dare not hide before the greatest huntress of Fangyi... *Show yourself!*”

But again… silence.

Only the rustling leaves answered her.

Sisou exhaled sharply, lowering her bow slightly. “Maybe it was just my imagination.”

She turned toward Duri and Nimaj, waving a hand. “Hey, there’s nothing here.”

The maids nodded, still tense, eyes scanning the forest edge.

Sisou huffed, breaking the silence. “Tsk, I think it was just my—”

*“Behind you!”*

The scream tore from Duri and Nimaj in unison.

Sisou spun, muscles coiling, ready to strike with a swift Shaolin crane punch—

But she was a second too late.

A masked figure lunged from the shadows, grabbing her arm and yanking her with unnatural force.

She tumbled, rolling across the soft, damp humus floor, her quiver rattling behind her as she hit the ground.

Leaves scattered. Her bow slid from her hand.

The figure stood over her—tall, cloaked, and silent. The mask glinted with carved symbols. No face. No words. Just presence.

“A masked human?” Sisou muttered in shock.

She struggled against his grip, trying to wriggle free—but he was far stronger than she expected.

“Let go of me!” she yelled, thrashing. But the figure didn’t flinch. He was like stone—deaf to her cries.

Then, it hit her. She remembered Master Fun Ye’s last lesson—*the final technique* he taught before awarding her the red Shaolin sash.

"Only use this when you're truly trapped."

Sisou took a deep breath, calming her pulse. In a flash, she shifted her weight, summoned her strength, and launched upward with explosive force—breaking free.

Her hand sliced through the air and yanked off his mask.

And there he was.

Time slowed.

Topaz siren eyes.

A perfectly sculpted jawline.

Pinkish, soft lips.

Long, silky black hair—just like hers.

His expression: fierce, unreadable... and breathtaking.

Sisou froze, her Shaolin fist hovering mid-air. For a moment, she questioned if he was even real.

Then—snap!

He grabbed his mask, fixed it back on his face with swift precision… and without a word, struck her hard.

Sisou flew backward, crashing into the forest floor with a heavy thud.

Before the masked figure could seize her again, Duri and Nimaj came charging through the clearing.

He halted.

His head tilted slightly. Then—*whoosh!* He vanished into the trees like smoke.

The maids rushed to Sisou, who lay dazed and barely conscious.

“My princess!” they cried, kneeling beside her.

With dim eyes, Sisou murmured, “I’m okay...”

“What happened?” Nimaj asked, eyes wide.

“The freak… tried taking me. Good thing you two showed up on time.” She coughed, struggling to sit up. “He hit me hard. I just feel weak… We need to go back home, cuties.”

"Who the hell was that? "Nimaj whined, like she could go into the thin air and hunt the image, then bring him tied before Sisou.

" I have no idea Cuties, let's go home. I'm weak..."

“Okay, my princess,” Duri said gently.

With their arms around her, they helped her to her feet.

Sisou's gaze lingered on the direction he’d disappeared.

“I’ll deal with him…” she whispered, voice low and cold. “When next we meet… by coincidence.”

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