Raven

Chapter 8

Raven's POV

We once again roamed around the streets. I also figured out that the lanterns on every shop were filled with puzzles and riddles. I tried answering one and got it right but the shop owner doesn't want to give me a lantern, instead of some little souvenirs and toys.

It was when I got bored that my stomach growled. The two heard my tummy grumbling and laughed at me.

"Sorry, I'm just hungry," I said apologetically with a face of confusion and embarrassment. I wonder why am I hungry knowing I'm inside a dream. This is weird.

Jia was about to open her mouth when she paused as she stared at the extended hand near my face.

"Here you go. Take this." A piece of bread was displayed in front of me. I looked up and saw that it was the smiling guy who's helping the girl with heavy clothes earlier.

"Uh, thank you?" I accepted the bread shyly and silently cursed at the two who left me.

"I saw you looking at us earlier. What brings you to the festival?" He asked. He was holding a lantern in his other hand.

I gulped. Knowing that he saw me looking at them, I must be careful about what I will say. I glanced at him and answered calmly. "I just want to pay a visit and maybe my wishes will be granted."

The guy nodded, agreeing. Did he actually believe me? He looked at me curiously but when he realized that he was staring too much, he apologized. "I'm sorry. You just remind me of someone." He paused. "Anyways, I have to go and hang this to the tree. Maybe they'll grant my wishes too." He raised his hand and made a salute before leaving.

I nodded and waved goodbye at him. "Bye." When I turned around, I saw Jia and Lin peeking from the corner, giggling. I feel weirded out since this situation was really opposite from the "them" in reality.

I went to where they were hiding and nudged their shoulders. "You know," I showed them the bread that the guy gave me. "This isn't enough. Any suggestions?"

The sisters were about to take me somewhere to eat when someone walks up to us hurriedly. "Young Mistress Zhang! There you are! The madam has been looking for you everywhere!"

I was dumbfounded. Young Mistress what‽

"Whoa, we didn't know you're a young missy with a high status," Lin said, covering her mouth in shock. Jia also covered her mouth, in awe.

I could only laugh at them awkwardly. 'Me too, alright. I'm also confused.'

I saw the servant from my peripheral view became fearful when I stayed silent. People were looking at us so I guess it made him even more nervous. He called out to me again, maybe trying to test the waters? "Y-Young M-Mistress? Is everything alright?"

I reluctantly nodded and gave him a small smile which came out awkward. "I'm good. Please, lead the way."

The servant's face went pale. Wait, did I say something wrong? Why did he look shaken?

"Is there something wrong?" I asked worriedly, which even made him flustered.

"No no no! Nothing's wrong, Young Mistress. Please, this way. The madam might get mad if we delay more." The servant then led us into a restaurant. It was three-storey high and filled with people attending the lantern festival.

We went to the third floor and arrived at a private room located at the innermost part of the restaurant.

"Madam, the young mistress is here." The servant announced.

A familiar voice replied, "Let her in."

I entered the room and was shocked. I saw Lilibeth wearing a Qixiong Ruqun-styled hanfu, sitting like some gangster compared to the lady beside her. She looked like the head of the brothel a few blocks away from this restaurant.

"You look like someone who owned a brothel." I voiced out.

Lilibeth choked on her tea and pouted at me. "Very funny."

The lady beside her was more refined, garb with a heavy set of clothes and hair ornamented with jewels and flower. "I know you're hungry, eat." Miss Harley spoke.

The two sisters beside me froze. Before I could ask what's wrong, they already fell on their knees and paid respect to the lady.

"Greetings, my lady. What brings you here?" Lin asked without raising her head.

Miss Harley placed down her cup and looked at Lin and Jia. "Please rise. You two, join us."

Lin and Jia then raised her head and nodded happily. "Yes, my lady. It is an honor. Thank you."

The two of them sat on the vacant seats. I was left standing, figuring out what's happening. Why is my dream like this?

I looked around and noticed that the theme of the room was a phoenix. Although it was filled with the color red, it was pleasing to the eye.

"Why are you here?" I blurted out again, looking at Miss Harley straight in the eye. I always do this when I try to communicate with the people inside my dream, breaking character.

Miss Harley opened her mouth but was interrupted when Lilibeth stood up and smacked my head. "Don't talk casually to her. If the people heard you, they would definitely have your head on a pole."

"What's wrong in talking casually? We both knew each other in real life." I mumbled while rubbing my head, still breaking character. That was painful knowing this was just a dream. She really used force on me, I can still feel it throbbing.

I wasn't expecting Miss Harley to answer me, 'cause you know, this was just a dream. I was going to brush off what I asked, but was dumbfounded when she looked at me straight in the eye and said casually, "I'm the Empress Dowager."

I was speechless. She's a part of the imperial? No wonder there were so many palace guards on the first floor of the restaurant. I suddenly remembered that book I read about history. Those who disrespected the royal family will be punished severely.

"My apologies, your majesty. It was my mistake of talking casually." I apologized. I then looked at Lilibeth only to find out that she was giving me a cheeky grin, even sticking her tongue out. Very childish.

The sisters and I started eating. Lilibeth and Miss Harley were just drinking tea and talking about stuff like politics and economics, I'm not sure though.

As they were busy eating, I was just contemplating on whose identity I am using right now or what is my role in this dream.

A daughter of a servant? Meh. No servant is as cocky as Lilibeth right now. She even had her feet up and rested her arms on her knee.

Maybe the daughter of a merchant family? After all, the servant earlier called me young mistress. It should be that.

The room was quiet and we were just peacefully having our meal when a knock came on the door.

"The Emperor and the Eleventh Prince is here!" The attendant announced.

Lin, Jia, and Lilibeth immediately stood up, I followed suit. The door opened and it spitted out two handsome men dressed in royal clothing.

The 'emperor' had a faint smile on his face. His long hair was adorned with accessories. He looked handsome wearing the emperor's clothes, it suits him.

The 'emperor' looked at me and smirked. I was caught off guard and could only look down to hide my embarrassment.

I peeked at the 'eleventh prince' who looked like Hyperion. The same stern face and eyes that had a glint of playfulness. I just noticed that his long black hair was longer than Lilibeth's waist-length hair. The same when I saw him at the mall last time, it was in a ponytail though. I wonder what's his shampoo.

"Greetings, your majesties." Lilibeth and the two greeted.

The 'emperor' and the 'eleventh prince' only nodded and looked in Miss Harley's direction. When the attendant left, the serious faces of the two newcomers relaxed and both bowed, paying respects to her.

Eleventh Prince: Greetings, my lady.

Emperor: Greetings, big sister.

Me and the two sisters: ???

Miss Harley gestured to the two to sit down. "Report."

Hyperion sat beside Miss Harley and poured tea on her cup. He served her food like a doting father to his child.

The 'emperor' sat on the other side, between Miss Harley and Jia. The latter then served him with tea and osmanthus cake.

"Thank you." He said, giving Jia a slight smile. He looked at me and raised his cup. Again, I looked away in embarrassment and continued eating.

Except for me and the sisters, the four of them talked about politics and war. Their voices were muffled and it hurts my head so I focused on the food I am eating. The group then ordered more food and hurriedly ate, saying they wouldn't want to miss the fireworks later.