It took a moment for me to realize I’d woken up. The dream lingered, its emotions seeping through my mind. I could hear my heart racing, feel the cold sweat on my skin.

When I opened my eyes, the bright light provided some relief. But it couldn’t help my confusion. This dream had been too vivid. I could still feel the alien feelings brushing against me, frustration and rage boxing me in.

Someone failed, things aren’t going their way. But they’re not letting it stop them. They’ll continue, and they’re sure of their eventual success.

I knew that in a way I couldn’t quite explain. Information I’d picked up in the dream. And I also knew that the hostility I felt was directed against myself. The knowledge sent shivers up my spine. Someone wished me harm. Someone who knew me in a way I didn’t understand.

I sighed, sitting up and throwing off the covers. I think I know what my old self was concerned about. I remembered the note, the quick strokes of the first sentences’ letters. Quickly jotted down to work out my thoughts, I think. Then some implications. And when she felt the soul journey coming, she decided to leave it for her future self?

I couldn’t be sure of that, but I felt like I understood what it must have been like. This dream had been creepy as hell.

Shaking my head, I shelved those thoughts for later pondering and looked around. The girl was gone, but the right side of the bed still carried her scent. The night had been great — I’d learned a few … interesting uses for qi — but I was glad to avoid any awkwardness.

I was right. I regret that decision already. At least I had the presence of mind to make sure she was here entirely of her own volition and knew it was a one time thing.

I got out and took a quick shower. After I put on some clothing, I brushed my hair, shooing away a servant. I didn’t need any help for a simple outfit and I liked to leave my hair open.

Then I called for Aston. He breezed into the room almost before I’d shut my mouth.

I fidgeted a bit. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable with that.”

“It’s my job, Princess Inaris,” he replied. “Besides, I’ve had worse errands. If you’re curious, I had Ven guide her to a bathroom and then take her back to her rooms discretely.”

I nodded, grateful for his support, and sat on the bed. “Thanks. So … who was she?” I didn’t know more than a name.

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Hua Li, twenty-three years old. She’s a daughter of the well-off Hua clan and seen as one of their new talents for reaching the fourth stage a year ago. They tend to be practical and not too enamored of traditional mores, but cautious. I’m sure they will treat this discreetly and not try to capitalize on it too much. Hua Li herself seems to be aspiring for strength in cultivation rather than getting an advantageous marriage, which means she hopefully would not try to seduce you.”

I sighed, putting my chin in my hands. “How did you find someone so quickly, anyway?”

Aston shrugged. “I went to Lady Kariva. She knows a lot about the palace’s inhabitants. She and her agents did a good job at setting criteria and weeding out candidates to pick someone.”

I groaned, hiding my face in my hand. I should have seen that coming. “Are there a lot of people interested in me?”

“Of course, Your Highness.” He stepped closer, his expression hard. “Young people of the minor nobility see it as an attractive prospect. For, say, the fourth daughter of some bureaucrat, seducing you into taking them as a concubine or even consort would be quite a step up. They’d probably plan on climbing higher.”

I sighed again. “Of course it is. I take your point.”

Then I stood up and went to my desk. My notes from yesterday needed some organization, but I’d actually had some good ideas. “Well, that was a mess.”

Aston spoke again, his tone tentative. “Your Highness, perhaps you should take a concubine or two.”

“Hmm.” I didn’t refuse his suggestion, even if I didn’t like it. I couldn’t keep calling up random strangers for a one-night-stand. Some sort of arrangement like that might be a better idea.

For now, I concentrated on looking through my notes and considering my plans for the day. I’d need to mull over the implications of my dream, too.

 

---

 

“You shouldn’t have tried to cover your knight. Check.”

I moved my king, realizing how my opponent had cornered it. “I’ve lost, haven’t I?”

“You will in three moves, my lady.”

I sighed and tipped over my figure. You wanted someone smart, I reminded myself, pushing down my irritation.

Then I looked over at the young woman across from me. “I haven’t played much chess, but I can tell you’re quite good, Cousin Tenira.”

She shrugged. “It really is quite similar to that game from my world I mentioned. And I was a regional champion.”

I could believe that. Leri Tenira was a low-level genius, definitely a point in her favor for a prospective retainer.

From what I’d heard, those were what you’d expect, a mix of companion, assistant, and vassal, with a high status. Almost every important noble had some, and they would often be friends. I didn’t want a genius just because I was a snob, the perfect memory would be a big advantage for anyone working like an assistant.

“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?” I said.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“How old are you, and what about your soul journey?”

“I’m biologically twenty-three,” she started.

I nodded. She didn’t look more than a year my senior, but I knew cultivation that went beyond the initial stages started slowing down aging noticeably at the end of puberty, and even more during the twenties. Probably because the brain finished developing.

“In my other life, I died at twenty-one. My soul journey happened when I was twenty, so I’ve been back for three years.” She spoke about it calmly, but I could see a tightening around her eyes.

I looked back at the chessboard, trying not to stare. Tenira was even prettier than most cultivators. Her black hair seemed to sparkle, and her green eyes stood out. I had to remind myself that she was off-limits.

“I’ve read your records about your world. Anything you want to add?”

“Not really.” She pursed her lips. “I was the child of a merchant, so I didn’t learn much about the technology, but I do know a bit. I could design a crude steam engine, and I had a childhood fascination with airships. I never learned about alchemy, though.”

From her descriptions, the world of her soul journey reminded me a lot of the steampunk genre. Everything depended on steam engines, and cogs and gears were the silicon chips of their technology.

“I’m sure that will come in useful for my projects, Cousin,” I replied. “If you’re interested.”

I couldn’t just commandeer her even if I wanted. She was something like my fourth cousin. No — I quickly recalled the family tree I’d read and traced it —  a third cousin once removed. And quite talented at cultivation, considering she’d reached the fourth stage shortly after her soul journey.

“I am, Princess Inaris. That seems like an interesting challenge.”

I couldn’t quite figure Tenira out, she was too composed. But I didn’t get any bad vibes. In fact, she seemed like the sort of person I would enjoy debating things with.

Before I could continue the conversation, though, a familiar presence approached. The door opened, and the person marched inside. It might have been more intimidating if she wasn’t an eight year old girl.

“Elder Sister Nari!”

I knew I was forgetting something. I schooled my expression into a smile and turned around. “Hello, Little An. This is cousin Tenira.”

“We’ve met,” Tenira said, inclining her head to the girl. “Nice to see you again, Princess Xiaodan.”

I stood and opened my arms. “Come on, give me a hug.”

My sister hesitated before she went forward and accepted my hug. But she didn’t cling for as long as I’d feared. And when she disengaged, she still didn’t look happy.

Looks like someone’s pouting about my absence. I scratched my cheek. Mother must have kept my siblings away when I’d arrived, for which I was grateful. But I couldn’t ignore them.

“You’ve been away too long, Big Sister!” she declared. “You need to make it up to me.”

“Oh? And how do I do that?”

“I want you to go play with me in the gardens.” Her eyes moved to the board. “And teach me that game!”

I sighed and ruffled her hair. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time right now, Xiaodan. I’m talking with Cousin Tenira. Some other time, okay?”

She crossed her arms. “Can’t you talk to her later?”

I had to express a chuckle at her expression. “Are you pouting at me?”

“No, I’m not!” Her pout intensified.

“Yes, you are,” I countered. “You’re doing it on purpose, too.”

“Am not. Please, Big Sister Nari, just come play!”

“There, you’re making those big puppy dog eyes.” They were really effective, too. Xiaodan was one cute little girl.

“Big Sister Nari!”

“The answer is still no.” I patted her shoulder. “It’s for your own good, Little An.”

She titled her head. “Why?”

“Someone has to resist your charms,” I explained. “Otherwise you’ll grow up to be a spoiled little princess that thinks everything has to go her way.”

See, I make perfect sense!

“That’s stupid. Isn’t it, Cousin Tenira?”

The young woman stifled a chuckle. “I think your sister has a good point, Princess. We all need to learn to deal with adversity.”

The girl turned back to me. “But other people are resisting me, too. Like my tutors. So there.”

“Are they?” I raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you here and not in your lessons?”

Xiaodan opened her mouth, then closed it again. It didn’t take a genius to figure out she’d made them let her go with the power of cuteness. If I didn’t miss my guess, even Mother would spoil her when she could.

“Do you want me to ask them?” I said. “Or are you going back to your lessons?” I didn’t enjoy playing the strict older sister, but I’d meant what I said. Someone should.

“You don’t need to,” the girl mumbled, “I’m going.”

“Great.” I gave her a quick hug goodbye, then ushered her to the door. “I’ll be checking.”

She looked back once, then walked down the corridor, her shoulders slumped. Unfortunately for her, my self-control could weather a lot worse than a cute kid.

“Sorry for the interruption, cousin.” I sat down again.

“Don’t be.” Tenira smiled wryly. “It was informative.”

I scrutinized her. She didn’t show any reaction to my gaze.

“One more question, if you don’t mind,” I said. “Why? You’d do quite well without me.”

That was a good thing. A retainer with such a high status would mean that the power imbalance wouldn’t be big. And since she was from the clan, she’d be unlikely to work for an ‘outsider’.

“You don’t remember it, but we had a relatively good relationship.” She crossed her fingers. “We played together as children, on occasion. Later, I even showed you a technique.”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize.”

She waved my apology off. “No need, Princess Inaris. But I’d say I have a good idea of your character. Especially with recent developments.” She hesitated, and her knuckles started to turn white. “Honestly, you’re someone I felt would show support. When it comes to, well, personal issues to do with social conventions.”

“I consider myself an open-minded person.” I smiled to make it clear I wasn’t put off. “Unless you hurt others, I don’t care who you are, who you sleep with, how you behave, or whatever the issue might be. We don’t need to talk about it.” I had an inkling of what the problem might be, but I wouldn’t want to press. I knew ‘safe spaces’ were important.

She exhaled audibly. “Thank you.”

“Of course. So, what do you think? I’d gladly take you on as a retainer.”

She stood up and bowed. “I’ll serve you faithfully, Your Highness.”

“So long as you tell me when I’m being stupid.” I stood as well and started clearing up the board. “Call me Inaris, if I can call you Tenira. Do we need a ceremony?”

“Why would we, Inaris? I think it’s pointless.”

“Ah, a woman after my own heart.” I grinned. “Let’s go to the workshops Mother set up. Sorting out the logistics can wait, I want so see what they’ve come up with so far.”

She returned my smile and started moving almost before I did. This may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

But I knew she might report to Mother, or Kariva, or whoever. I wouldn’t be quick to trust her, but I hoped it could come with time.