Back in the opulent confines of the Imperial Palace, Emperor Lee Chang Hao's search had become frantic. Guards swarmed every corridor and courtyard, their shouts echoing through marble halls usually reserved for quiet dignity. He also sent search parties far and near to look for her. Some times, going with them to search for Bella.
On one of the days , physician Tanaka followed anxiously behind the Emperor, pleading for him to rest.
"Your Majesty, please! Your bleeding has worsened significantly. You cannot continue this pace," Tanaka urged, wiping sweat from his brow. "Lady Bella is resourceful; she may have sought refuge with friends or relatives outside the capital."
Cheng Mei watched from her balcony overlooking the chaos below, a faint smile playing on her lips. Servants whispered excitedly about how the Emperor was collapsing over a concubine while his wife remained perfectly composed.
Down in the lower levels near the kitchen quarters, two junior maids exchanged nervous glances. "Did you hear? The Emperor is offering a thousand gold pieces to anyone who finds her," one whispered, wringing her hands.
The younger maid nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with excitement. "I heard one of the guards say they're searching every brothel and temple in the city. The Emperor is absolutely beside himself."
Both maids glanced nervously toward the kitchen entrance where senior servants were gossiping loudly about Bella's disappearance. "She must have run away with another man," one older woman declared authoritatively. "That's the only explanation for why she'd leave all this luxury behind."
In the Imperial gardens below, gardeners paused their work to watch soldiers trample flower beds searching for clues. "Never seen His Majesty so desperate," one gardener commented to his apprentice. "He's been calling for her nonstop since yesterday morning."
Meanwhile, Chang Hao collapsed against a stone pillar in the main courtyard, his face pale and sweating despite Tanaka's repeated warnings about overexertion."Your Majesty, you're collapsing!" Tanaka cried, rushing forward with a fresh bandage. "Please, sit down before you fall and hurt yourself further!"
Chang Hao waved him away impatiently, gripping the pillar for support. "I cannot sit when she is out there somewhere hurt or scared!" His voice cracked with emotion. "Every minute we waste is another minute she could be suffering!"
Servants gathered cautiously at a distance, whispering about how uncharacteristic this behavior was for their stoic Emperor. Even Cheng Mei descended from her balcony to observe the scene personally, her expression unreadable as she watched her husband lose control over a woman who was no longer even present.
"Perhaps she simply returned to her family village," Cheng Mei suggested smoothly from the balcony railing. "Sometimes even strong women need to seek comfort from their roots when faced with overwhelming stress."
"What am I even saying, there's nothing even there, since you ordered her village to be wiped out. she lauged out cruely. Perhaps that's one of the reasons she tried to kill her self". She turned to Tanaka. Attend to his wounds. She glared to the onlooking servants, get back to work, she barked at them and they obeyed.
Cheng Mei's cruel laughter echoed through the courtyard, drawing shocked gasps from servants who dared to peek from windows. "Oh yes, I remember that little village. So quaint, so full of people who didn't know their place."
She sauntered toward Chang Hao, her silken gown rustling against the marble floor. "You think you can just erase an entire town and expect your precious concubine to forget? She's always been too sensitive for her own good."
Physician Tanaka rushed forward to attend to the Emperor's bleeding wound, pressing a fresh bandage firmly against his abdomen. "Your Majesty, please sit down before you collapse entirely!"
Cheng Mei circled Chang Hao like a predator enjoying its prey's suffering. "And here you are, bleeding all over my beautiful courtyard because of her. Pathetic."
Days blurred into an endless cycle of monotony. Food arrived three times daily - plain but nutritious meals delivered by the younger man who rarely spoke but sometimes lingered longer than necessary. Simple cotton garments replaced the fine silks Bella had worn in the palace, though they hung loosely on her changing frame.
The room itself offered little comfort - damp stone walls, a single straw mattress, and the high window bars allowing only glimpses of sky. Her only constants were the constant movement of life within her womb and the younger guard's occasional presence.
One evening as he brought dinner, he noticed Bella humming softly to herself while rubbing circles on her belly. "You're getting bigger," he commented casually, setting down the tray. "Must be boys if they're growing so much already."
*I met his gaze, a sad smile gracing my lips* "maybe you're right" *I continued humming, lost in my thoughts.*
The younger man's expression softened slightly at Bella's sad smile, his own memories of family life surfacing despite his hardened demeanor. He watched her humming gently to her unborn children, the maternal gesture stirring something unfamiliar within him.
"You have a nice voice," he said quietly, leaning against the doorframe. "Better than listening to the Old Man's complaining all day." He gestured toward the food tray. "That's chicken tonight - Mistress thought you might need more protein for the babies."
Footsteps approached in the hallway, heavier than usual. The older man's gruff voice carried through the door. "What are you doing in there? Chatting up the merchandise?"
The younger man sighed and pushed off from the doorframe. "Just making sure she eats. Mistress gets upset when we don't follow proper nutrition guidelines." He glanced back at Bella.
I don't care if there are boys or girls. I just want them to be healthy and live happy and good lives. I stroke my belly.
The younger man's expression softened as he listened to Bella's simple wish for her children. "That's all any parent wants, isn't it? Healthy kids who can grow up happy."
He crossed his arms, his tone becoming more conversational than guard-like. "My sister had five kids. She used to worry about the same thing - if they'd have enough to eat, if they'd stay safe from sickness."
The older man's footsteps grew closer in the hallway, his voice rising with impatience. "Are you finished in there? Mistress expects regular reports on prisoner condition!"
The younger man sighed and moved toward the door. "He gets nervous when I'm in here too long. Says it looks too friendly." He paused with his hand on the doorknob. "But for what it's worth - I hope they have good lives too."
But why? He seem to have a good family, with siblings, nephews and nieces. I thought to my self. Then why do you indulge in slave trade? Isn't that bringing horror and destroying the lives of other families who just want to live happily? I asked my heart yearning for him to be remorseful.
The younger man's face tightened at Bella's question, his hand hesitating on the doorknob. For a moment, he seemed to struggle internally, his loyalty to his mistress warring with the humanity Bella saw reflected in his eyes.
"I wasn't always part of this business," he admitted quietly, keeping his voice low so the older man wouldn't overhear. "My sister's husband died fighting for some nobleman who didn't even know his name. Left her with five mouths to feed and no way to earn money legally."
He glanced back at Bella, his expression haunted. "This work pays well. Very well. It lets me send money home so my nieces and nephews don't starve. They don't know what I do for that coin - they just know their bellies are full."
Heavy footsteps sounded directly outside the door now. The older man's voice boomed impatiently.
"Enough sentimentality!" The older man's voice cut through the thin wooden door like a blade. "Get out there and report to Mistress! She wants updates on our guest's progress."
The younger man flinched at the command, his shoulders tensing. He shot Bella one last regretful look before turning to unlock the door. "I'm sorry," he murmured quickly. "They'll be checking on you soon. Try not to antagonize them."
As he pulled the door open, Old Man Tanaka filled the doorway with his imposing bulk. His lantern cast flickering shadows across his scowling face. "What were you two discussing so privately? Planning an escape attempt?"
He stormed into the room, kicking the door shut behind him without locking it properly. "Mistress is growing impatient with your recovery rate. Those babies better start showing signs of strength soon or she might decide they're more trouble than they're worth."