Blades Of Destiny

After changing into fresh clothes, I stepped out of the room. I washed my face and tried to make myself presentable, though the bruises on my face stubbornly refused to fade. Still, I felt a little better about myself now.

I wandered through the manor but soon realized I was lost again. "Damn! Just how big is this place?" I muttered, my lips twitching in frustration. I had been walking and walking, yet I couldn't find even a trace of Li Yanyu!

"System," I whispered in an annoyed tone, "You irresponsible attendant! I swear, I'll sue you once I get out of this stupid novel!"

Before long, a metallic voice chimed in, accompanied by a faint blue glow.

System: Initializing response. Host has successfully acclimated and is now ready for communication.

"You don't say," I replied, dripping with sarcasm.

System: Distinguishing the host's role in the novel...

Before the system could finish, another voice interrupted. "Li Xue, there you are! Hurry, take this soup to the First Young Master!"

"Huh? Why me? You take it!" I protested, my irritation bubbling over. I was just about to get answers, and this lazy maid ruined everything!

"The Eldest Young Master specifically ordered you to deliver it," the maid said with a pout before shoving the bowl of soup into my arms and bolting off faster than lightning.

I stared after her retreating figure, then turned to the system. "Who was that?"

System: A minor, unnamed character.

I sighed and started walking. "System, show me the way to the Eldest Young Master's room." After giving this stupid bowl, I will ask my questions with ease, I thought.

The system's blue light flickered and displayed a massive map. No wonder I kept getting lost in this ridiculous manor, It was basically a never ending black room!. I followed the directions, trying to organize the questions swirling in my mind.

"It's a harem novel, right?" I asked.

System: Correct.

"I'm just a maid. That means nothing I do will affect the story, right?" I said, a sense of freedom blooming inside me. If I was just a maid, I could do whatever I wanted!

But before my excitement could grow, the system's metallic voice interrupted.

System: Host is mistaken. Your death is a pivotal event that ignites the male lead's revenge arc.

"What?" I stopped in my tracks, stunned. "How could a maid's death affect the male lead's life?"

The system did not respond back. "Host is required to act calm." It spoke before disappearing into thin air.

Ignoring my confusion, I continued walking. Eventually, I arrived at the Eldest Young Master's door. I didn't know his name—and honestly, I didn't care to remember.

I pushed the door open, and the sight that greeted me froze me in place.

The soup bowl trembled in my hands.

System: Introducing Chen Yuxuan, the male lead.

The man before me wore flowing white robes with intricate embroidery, his posture exuding effortless grace. His piercing blue eyes met mine, radiating a strange mix of longing and curiosity. Though stunningly handsome, I could tell this wasn't the most beautiful man in the novel. His little brother, Chen Yi, was still superior.

"Li Xue," Chen Yuxuan said softly, his voice sending an inexplicable chill down my spine.

I stood there, clutching the soup, unable to process the fact that I had just walked into the male lead's story—into the very heart of the chaos I wanted to avoid.

I stood there, frozen in place, as the man named Chen Yuxuan stepped closer, little by little. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, filled with a helplessness so intense it made my stomach twist. Was it guilt? Sympathy? No, it had to be the lingering emotions of the previous soul in this body—definitely not me.

"Li Xue, why were you ignoring me?" he asked softly, his voice dripping with hurt.

I blinked at him, utterly baffled. Ignoring you? Buddy, I've been too busy trying to stay alive in this chaotic harem novel to even think about you!

"I…" I stammered, trying to find an escape. My eyes darted to the soup in my hands. A lightbulb went off in my head. I shoved the bowl at him with all the grace of a toddler throwing a tantrum. "The soup will get cold! Please take care of yourself!" I yelped, spinning on my heel to make a hasty exit.

But as I took my first step, I realized I couldn't move. My wrist was firmly held by none other than Chen Yuxuan.

"You—" I began, whipping my head around, but before I could finish, he flicked his sleeve like some drama villain, and with a smooth motion, he pulled me onto his lap.

I froze, crimson flooding my face in sheer embarrassment. "Excuse me?! What do you think you're doing?" I snapped, my voice louder than I intended.

Chen Yuxuan, however, seemed entirely oblivious to my discomfort and chuckled. "Li Xue, don't you remember? You always used to sit like this with me. You were the only one who made me feel at peace." His voice was soft, longing, and heartbreakingly earnest.

I bit back the urge to scream. Don't you remember? Uh, no, pal, I don't, because I'm NOT the Li Xue you knew!

"Look, Chen Yuxuan," I said, forcing calm into my voice while my eye twitched, "I think you've got the wrong idea. First, I'm not a chair. Second, I am not a chair. And third—well, you get the point!" I tried to wiggle out of his hold, but it was like being trapped by iron chains.

"Li Xue…" he whispered, looking at me with those heartbreakingly beautiful eyes. "Why have you become so distant? Did I do something wrong? If your angry about earlier, I'm sorry, I really am."

What sorry!? I don't even remember! Oh, great. The sad puppy eyes. Just what I needed. "Nope, you didn't do anything," I said through gritted teeth, internally screaming. Except trap me in this nightmare, pull me into your lap, and now make me question my sanity.

"You used to look at me with warmth," he murmured, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Now, it's like you don't even see me."

I snorted, the sarcasm practically dripping from my voice. "Oh, I see you just fine, Young Master. You're hard to miss when you're kidnapping people into your lap!"

He frowned, his expression so pitiful it would've melted a glacier. "You've changed, Li Xue. But no matter what, I'll always cherish you."

I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my past life flash before me. Changed? Of course, I've changed! The original Li Xue is gone, buddy, and good luck finding her! But I swallowed the words, keeping my irritation to myself.

Instead, I sighed dramatically. "Look, can you just… let me go? I have important things to do. Like, oh, I don't know, NOT sitting on your lap?"

Chen Yuxuan didn't budge, his arms tightening slightly as he rested his chin on my shoulder. "Don't leave me, Li Xue. I can't lose you again."

I groaned internally, fighting the urge to scream into the void. Dear system, is there a return policy for male leads? Because I'd like to exchange this one for a less clingy model.

But on the outside, I plastered on a strained smile. "Sure, sure. I'm not going anywhere. Now can I please have my personal space back?" I tried to make my voice sound more sweet as I struggled to comfort him.

The longing in his eyes didn't fade, but at least he finally released me. I scrambled to my feet, muttering a barely audible "thank you" as I bolted toward the door like my life depended on it.

Behind me, I could hear him softly say, "Li Xue, I'll wait for you."

Yeah, you'll be waiting a long time, I thought, my lips twitching in annoyance. Good luck with that.