MTLNOVEL Chapter 9: 9. Escape with a cup of tea
AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN'S POINT OF VIEW:
I forced my trembling hand forward, holding out the cup of steaming tea like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Here… drink this." I said, voice steady, but my heart was hammering in my chest.
He took the cup, those intense green eyes locking onto mine as if trying to read every secret I hid. Slowly, deliberately, he raised it to his lips and drank. I watched him, breath held tight, waiting for any sign that he'd noticed the subtle hint of the sleep draught I had slipped inside. His eyes narrowed slightly, brow furrowing as if puzzling over something beyond the warmth of the tea.
"Why did you run?" He asked quietly, voice low but filled with a strange ache. "I don't understand… You left so suddenly."
I swallowed hard, fighting the panic rising in my throat.
"I… I heard things." I whispered, voice barely more than a breath. "About the Empress. About you. About me."
His gaze darkened, sharp as a blade. It was clear that he did not care at all that earlier he never wanted me more than a play thing. What did changed so suddenly?
"They don't matter." He said firmly, stepping closer, the warmth of his presence pressing against me. "Only you matter."
A faint laugh soft, mocking, yet strangely comforting, rippled in my mind.
"Oh, the games we play. How long before the truth breaks free? Tick-tock, little one."God whispered in my ear teasingly, as in begging for the answer.
I clenched my fists around the empty teacup, trying to keep my calm. If only he knew how much I wanted to believe him… and how terrified I was to trust. I watched him with bated breath as the tea touched his lips. His green eyes flickered over the rim of the cup, sharp and unreadable. A slow sip. Then another.
"I like this one. I think I would drink more if you made it especially for me."He said and smirked.
Every second stretched out like a tightrope. I dared not blink. His throat moved as he swallowed, and for a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then I caught it, the subtle twitch in his jaw, the slight falter in his steady gaze. His grip on the cup loosened. I bit my lip, my heart hammering in my chest like a trapped bird.
"What the-"He bit lip lightly.
His eyes began to blink slower, lids growing heavy. The strength I had seen moments ago seemed to drain away like water slipping through fingers. His breathing hitched, shallow and uneven. I took a tiny step back, trying to steady myself, but inside, a tempest raged. Could I really do this? Drug him? He wasn't just anyone. But there was no other way. And then, almost as if the world was holding its breath, he set the cup down, swaying slightly. It's happening.
AT THE SAME TIME
EMPEROR LIANWEI POINT OF VIEW:
The warmth of the tea lingered on my tongue, but a fog crept in fast and thick. My vision blurred. The sharpness in my mind dulled, like a blade losing its edge.
"What."I whispered.
I tried to focus, to fight, but my limbs felt like lead. She put something in my tea and I did not realize it until it was too late. My breath came uneven, shallow. A voice echoed softly, mockingly, impossible to shake.
"Caught at last." He whispered. "The mighty emperor, undone by a simple cup of tea."
Zeyrith. That damn god was teasing me again, laughing at my weakness. I swayed, gripping the edge of the table to steady myself. My eyes darted to her, Mei Shen, the source of this betrayal and this salvation all at once. Her face was a mask of calm, but I saw the flicker of fear beneath. She wanted to run. To escape before I woke fully. No. Not this time. I forced the weight of my will forward, stumbling after her. You won't get away.
"Mei...Shen."I groaned as I got up on my feet.
"Oh, sweet Emperor, I purred, you try so hard to hold on, but you're slipping, slipping… Let go. Let her go. But you won't, will you? The chase only just began."Zeyrith whispered as I was getting more sleepy.
My legs moved of their own accord, desperate to reach her before she vanished.
"Wait." I croaked, voice ragged but firm.
She paused, glanced back, wide eyed, unsure. I gritted my teeth, summoning the last threads of strength.
"I'm not letting you leave. Not like this."I groaned a bit.
My hand shot out, grasping her wrist. The drug still clouded me, but my grip was steady, protective, possessive. The world spun, but I held on to her, to this moment, to the impossible hope that maybe, just maybe… she would stay.
I barely had time to steady myself before she tore away, swift as a startled deer. Panic flared hot and sharp in my chest.
"Wait!" I rasped, stumbling forward.
My legs didn't obey quite right, heavy and clumsy, like wading through thick fog. My foot caught on a loose stone, and I went down hard, the rough earth scraping my palms. A flash of pain, but worse was the sudden surge of frustration. Damn this cursed weakness.
"Your Majesty!" A guard's voice called out, steady and urgent.
Two of them were at my side in an instant, helping me to my feet.
"I'm fine." I snapped, pushing away their concern with more force than I felt.
But my strength wasn't enough to give chase again.
"Go." I ordered one guard, pointing toward the direction she had fled. "Find her. Bring her back. Do not fail me."
The man nodded and vanished into the dusk. I stood there, breath ragged, muscles protesting, mind racing half maddened with worry, half burning with desire to protect what was mine. I clenched my fists, determined. No matter what it took, I would find her. And this time, I would not let her slip away.