Chapter 95: Lavish Nightmare I
Ren stood before a grand white stone mansion, its elegant silhouette rising against the pristine sky. She tilted her head, eyes narrowing in thought. This is a dream... isn’t it? She was in the training hall!
She glanced down at her hands, then at the light blue dress cascading around her legs. Everything felt too vivid, too tangible to be an illusion. The air carried the soft hum of life, grounding her in a reality she wasn’t sure existed.
She drew a slow breath, her gaze sweeping over the tranquil surroundings. It was beautiful, achingly so. Just as she’d once imagined a life stripped of crowns and bloodlines. A quiet farm. Honest labor. Loving and being loved in return until her final breath. The sky above was a canvas of endless blue, unmarred by storm or shadow of war. She wandered forward, climbing a hill to stand under a lone oak tree, her steps were light, and soon she caught sight of workers toiling peacefully in the distant fields.
"Wife, why are you standing here alone?"
The voice cleaved through the stillness like lightning. Ren flinched, her shoulders tightening as a warm hand clasped hers.
Kai? Her breath hitched. Was she dead?
He didn’t wear that beautifully menacing smile, the one that always unsettled her, yet somehow his face drew her in. But his hair was shorter now, and his eyes lacked the wild, feral light that used to both confuse and captivate her. His expression was soft, serene... like the gentle breath of spring.
This isn’t right.
"Am I dreaming?" she murmured, her brows pulling into a frown.
Kai turned to her and gently cupped her face. "Isn’t this the life you’ve always wanted?"