Siren Song

"Lady Dumont are you hurt?!" The guards anxiousness prompted her to raise her head, she shook it tersely, angrily wiping away her tears. She grabbed the pictures and stuffed them under her belt as she didnt have pockets. She smoothed her hajib and the mess if hair underneath, she checked her fingers, expecting to see blood after the hit she took. There was none, but by all rights she felt like there should have been. After she had wiped her face and tidied herself she faced her guard.

The man stood a few paces back standing beside a familiar figure in a long white robe and black vest. It was the older man from earlier who gave her the wine. He smiled at her and gave her a nod before turning to her guard speaking fast gesturing with his hands. The guard responded with a nod, it looked like thanking the man before handing him a sack of money. The old man bowed his head at her before shuffling away in his sandals.

"Lady Dumont are you injured in any way? Why were you on the ground Lady Dumont, are you not feeling well?" The man came forward attempting to assist her without touching her without her express permission. Chang wearily held a hand up trying to stop the man and his string of concerns. Her mind was far too bogged down at the moment.

"I'm fine, please don't overly worry yourself."

"Were you accosted in some way, Lady Dumont, why were you on the ground? No one will get away with laying a hand on you, you need merely say the word my lady."

Chang was getting tired of the "lady" shit, it only seemed to remind her now what a lady she wasn't, especially when compared to that other woman who eeked poise and class. She snapped back at the man."Let me be, my business is my own. The man shut his mouth silencing himself for the rest of their journey, back to the tethered horses and back up to the palace.

Once they reached the stables she smoothly dismounted her horse and ran to main palace grounds and her mom's room.

When she reached her mom's room she knocked first to hear a pleasant come in and barged in and headed right for her mom, who was seated, burying herself in her arms like she was a small child again.

Li Hua was astonished to see her daughter come flying in and throw herself in her arms like she was little again. She enclosed her arms around her as she started to break down sobbing.

"Xiao Xie what's wrong honey? Oh honey"

Chang held onto her mom letting out all her hurt, bitterness, and anger, and just so many emotions it was overwhelming.

"Mom." Chang cried out on her mom's lap, barely intelligible due do her sobbing and the snot clogging up her nose.