Reborn as the Weakest Heiress, I Gave My Inheritance to the Enemy's Daughter novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: The Quarrel

The ladder shook under Zhaoxue's hands.

She was hanging paper lanterns along the east terrace, one every arm's length, with a ball of twine and a bad temper.

Every knot she tied came out tight enough to cut her fingers.

She had been at it for an hour, and the sun had begun to lean toward the western ridge.

"You can light one candle," she said aloud, to the paper lantern.

She tied another knot.

"One candle. It's true. It's very true."

Footsteps crossed the terrace behind her and stopped at the foot of the ladder.

She did not look down.

"Go away," she said.

"No."

"Linxia."

"I'm not going away." Linxia's voice was rough. "But I'll stand here and hold the ladder, if you want. I'll hold it all night."

Zhaoxue finally looked.

Linxia stood at the foot of the rungs with her hands on the rails, black robe pressed, hair re-tied, red cord bright.

Dark shadows bruised her eyes, and her jaw was set tight.

"I'm sorry," she said. "That was a rotten thing to say."

"It was true."

"It was cruel. And it's the least important true thing about you."

Zhaoxue came down one rung at a time.

She stopped on the last one, so that their faces were level.

"I know what I am," she said. "I've known since I was seven. You think you've found out something I haven't. You haven't."

"I haven't."

"I'm weak. I have never been a swordswoman. I can't hold a gate. In my first life I was the first one killed in the hall. I'm not stupid enough to think I won't be again."

"Then why..."

"Because it's my hall."

She said it fiercely, a little loud.

"It was my father they burned. It was my home. I died with a banner over my face that I thought belonged to you. I have been afraid of one night for eight days, and I will not be locked in a bedroom while somebody else finishes it for me."

The wind caught a loose lantern and swung it against the rail.

← Chapter 18 · All chapters · Chapter 20 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend