Bad Luck
A sweet aroma filled the air. I observed as Xinger skillfully flipped the sizzling meat over the pan, before transferring it to a white plate.
Wow, she's such a pro.
Looking down at the intact ingredients before me, a despondent smile emerged on my face. Ever since the episode at Feiye's house, I haven't been myself since then.
All of Xinger's teachings so far seem to have flown in one ear and gone out in the other.
All in all, I just hope I will be able to survive today’s competition.
Xinger turned her head sideways and looked down at the untouched ingredients on my table.
“Shouldn't you begin cooking right away? There's not much time left before the test rounds up.”
“Ah, that. I'm still thinking of what to prepare.” I answered her with a gentle smile.
“Oh, then--”
“Wow. You are already done cooking, Xinger.” Janice came over and saw the garnished dishes spread across Xinger's table. “They look delicious. I am so envious right now.”
“Hmph.” A snort came from the side. “Only a fool would be envious about a smelly dish.”
“You.” Janice spun around and glared fiercely at the speaker. “You'd better watch your mouth, Natasi. Or-”
“Or what?” Natasi cut in. “You three toads lusting over a swam. Why don't you take a look at yourselves in the mirror and see if you’re suited to be the legendary master's bride? You three shit can't even compare to the dazzling princess.”
Hearing this, the three of us faces went dark.
The princess, who was standing next to Natasi, had a smile on her face. She appears to be enjoying the latter’s slurs. “Leave them be, Natasi. Lowly slaves would always think that they could achieve a greater height. What a farce.”
“Slaves?” I spoke out, looking at the princess with a sharp gaze. “It seems like you are still living in your delusion and need someone to wake you up from it. This isn't your father's majestic palace. Why don’t you get that into your head, dumbass.”
The princess's eyes went grim. “Did you just use a vulgar word on me?”
“Yes, I did. Why? You don't like it?” I said with a taunting look. “If you don't, then come on and face me head-on.”
“Fine.” She stormed forward in rage.
I swiftly lifted my hands, putting up a fighting stance. But who would have thought that instead of coming at me, she went at the cooking ingredients on my table and shoved them to the floor.
“Hey! What the hell do you think you are doing?” I reached forward, wanting to grab her hand, but skillfully evaded it.
A smirk appeared on her lips. “Now, I want to see how you're going to continue the competition.”
“You-” Janice was about to launch at her when a loud voice at the doorstep suddenly halted everyone’s actions.
“What is going on here?” Eason stepped in and looked around the place. When he saw the scattered ingredients on the floor, his temple began to throb in pain.
He had only been gone for a few minutes. How did the place become chaotic?
“Can someone please explain to me what is happening here right now?”
“It's her.” The princess, switching to the role of a green bitch lotus, suddenly pointed at me. “She suddenly went crazy and began to throw stuff around. I tried to stop her, but I was hit in the process.” Fake tears clung to her eyes.
Anyone who saw this would think that she was actually bullied.
What a perfect acting skill.
“You again.” Eason's gaze shifted to me in anger.
I was sure that he would definitely take the princess's side without even hearing the side of my story.
“What?” I met his gaze without any action of evading it.
“Never mind.” He waved his hand in dismissal.
She would soon be eliminated anyway. There's no need for me to waste my words on her.
“You aren't going to punish her?” The princess was stunned, seeing that Eason didn't take any action against me. “Look, she hit me.”
“I know. The appropriate punishment would be given to her once the competition is over.” Eason's gaze became soft as he turned to look at the princess.
“Is that so? That's great, then.” The princess's face flushed red when she saw his gentle gaze.
“This is unfair. Zanillia didn't -”
“Enough.” Eason cut in before Janice could finish her sentence. “I don't want to hear any more words again. Within five minutes, I want you all to round up and bring out your dishes for inspection. Okay?”
No one could defy the order of the immortal lord. Hence, I could only swallow down the grievance in my heart.
“Zanillia.” Janice turned to look at me with worried eyes.
“It's okay. I'm fine.” I assured her with a smile.
“Let me help you with that.” Xinger leaned down and began to pick up the still presentable ingredients.
“Thank you.” Janice and I also got down, making the job faster.
\===
I lay on the bed, enjoying my last stay in the immortal world.
I lost the competition. Well, such an outcome was already expected.
Even though my only chance to leave this world was gone, I still felt a bit happy in my heart.
That's because the one who came out as the winner was Xinger and not that lousy princess.
Thinking of how the princess's shocking expression was when the result was announced, I immediately burst out into laughter.
“Ha-ha-ha.” Serves that bitch right.
May she and Eason rot in hell together.
I shifted to the side, contemplating how my life would be from tomorrow on.
There’s a greedy father who sent out his underage daughter for a marriage competition because of power. A mean stepmother who hated her stepdaughter to death, and a stepsister who seemed cute.
When put together, this doesn't seem to be a happy family anyone would want, right?
Well, at least I’ve got Feiye.
Recalling the face of the handsome young man, a smile spread across my lips.
‘Oh my gosh. What am I to do? I keep finding him charming every time I think of him.’
“Oh my.” I immediately sat upright, recalling an important matter. “I have to go and see him right.”
Tomorrow will be my last stay here. I should bid farewell to him when there is still time.
I got up from the bed and made to put on my shoes. Startlingly, my two feet went through the shoes.
I looked back at the bed and saw Zanillia's body lying peacefully on it.
“No way, again.” I cried at my bad luck.
Why is it when I’m about to meet Feiye?
How am I going to meet him in this state? He can't even see me.
I cursed my bad luck numerous times in my heart.
While grieving, a clever idea suddenly popped into my head.
That’s right. I can still visit him in this state.
The worst is that he can't see me, but the good is that I can do whatever I want to him.
Yippeee!
Thinking of my last unsuccessful kiss, my thoughts became bolder.
“Well, I’ll just call it a parting kiss. It doesn’t hurt to steal one from him, right? He-he-he.” I smiled happily and strode out of the door.
\===
What bad luck.
I looked around the whole house, yet Feiye's figure was nowhere to be found.
Where could he go at this time of the night?
Not wanting to give up on my plan, I headed inside the house to wait for him.
I hopped onto the mattress, which seemed to be filled with his body scent.
‘He must have slept here during the time I was away.’
I rolled about on the bed, inhaling as much scent as I could.
Feiye's perfect face, his icy blue eyes, and pink lips came popping into my imagination.
Why didn't I notice that he was this handsome in the past?
My Heart is for San Alone Belia: That's because our heart was for San alone. However, you broke that promise. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.
Don’t talk to me. I don't care. Zanillia's heart belongs to San, while my own heart belongs to Feiye.
“He-he-he.” A foolish laughter escaped from my mouth as I rolled about on the bed.
…
The morning sky came, and I sat up groggily on the bed.
Looking at the undisturbed sheet under me, it seems like Feiye didn't come home last night.
I should go back to the immortal palace before anyone finds something suspicious about Zanillia.
I walked out of the room and headed towards the palace.
When I arrived at my room, I saw Zanillia’s body lying unconscious on the floor.
“What happened to her?”
My eyes fell on her hands and dress, which were stained with a red substance.
“Oh my.” Thinking that something bad had happened to her, I hurried forward and slipped into her body.
I opened my eyes and began to check for any injuries. After confirming that the body was perfectly fine, I let out a sigh of relief.
“Phew. That was a close one.” Examining the dress that seemed to reek of blood, a frown emerged on my face.
“Where did she get herself stained in blood?”
Before that, let me first get out of this uncomfortable dress.
I walked into the bathroom and began to pull off the dress.