Explaining the kittens to Sada proved to be far easier than expected. All Ame had to say was that she found them on her pillows.
Sada beamed happily and chattered the entire morning about how benevolent the Lord, Master Min was. Ame largely ignored her as she fed Morph and Kiro and ate her breakfast. Of course, she gave the same explanation same upon encountering Dara with her kittens.
Ame did sneer a couple of times at Sada and Dara’s words. She was certain that man was incapable for than a minute removing the attention from himself.
Morph and Kiro proved to be well-behaved kittens, never speaking in front of others. Although, they did love to tease Dara by climbing Dara’s body like a tree. They were gluttons for being scratched under their chin and behind their ears. It didn’t help that Sada absolutely loved to smother them with attention.
The weeks passed smoothly until summer came and went. On the 7th day of the 7th month of 1949 for Ame’s 11th birthday, there was no grand party or even a hint of congratulations from the family. However, she did receive a dead bird from Morph, which she politely declined, a new dress from Sada, and even a small bag of coins from Dara.
Weeks pass by with Ame studying as much as she can and meditating quietly in her room at night as usual. She chooses to work on strengthening her weak body gradually with various rounds of stretching and exercises being done with the excuse of playing games with the two kittens. During this period, she had discovered interesting information regarding Spirit Beings. Morph and Kiro had no need to absorb Qi to grow.
Rather, as entities of the Spirit Realm, she could conclude that they must absorb an unknown alternate energy and/or a unique type of Qi different from the norm. Nonetheless, based on her brief encounter with the alternate dimension known as the Spirit Realm, she now knows that her newly created fusion of all Qi types is related to the Spirit Realm, thus inclining her to temporarily name the Qi of her cultivation method as Realm Qi.
Moreover, though Ame did attempt to access the Spirit Realm once again even with the combined efforts of her assistants, Morph and Kiro, they were not able to. Putting off further experimentation for another time, she swiftly gave up further inquiries into the subject. Time would be her ally permitting her to someday renew her investigation into the subject.
On the bright side, she did confirm several aspects about Morph and Kiro thanks to their failed attempts. At all times, near or around Morph and Kiro, she was about 20% luckier. Yet, when Morph and Kiro focused on increasing the probability with their powers, the luck became around 30-35%. Ame hoped that when they were full grown adults, the usual luck would be 50% higher than the norm with the ability usage achieving a 75% increase.
Of course, Ame discovered a rather daunting fact. As long as their bodies weren’t destroyed or Ame perished, both Morph and Kiro’s bodies and abilities would grow without the need for training. It was a trait all Spirit Beings possessed, “Innate Divine Memories,” an ability that had always taught and guided Spirit Beings to successfully use their abilities.
Certainly, not of frustration or irritation, Ame proceeded to bathe Morph and Kiro every single day to keep them clean. Not to mention, with the aid of Sada, every day, Morph and Kiro were dressed in wonderful collars and bows.
By this point in time, Morph and Kiro were already acutely aware that Ame was not an ordinary child. Ame did not go too much into detail into her past and Morph and Kiro were wise enough not to ask unless it was relevant to the subject. Nor did they pester her about her family circumstances beyond the first week. To appease them, she had been forced to briefly explain the reason for her present status within the Min family and hinted that she was not a natural denizen of Sen.
However, as time passed by, Dara seemed to become more distressed at his failure. Ame did attempt to say a few words of sympathy, but they did not seem to lessen his heavy heart. All Ame could really do was lend Morph to Dara in hopes that helped the situation.
Summer turned into autumn, and fall turned into winter. A cold winter day, Ame was bundled up as she returned to her quarters. To her vast surprise and astonishment, she saw an unusual figure running in the distance. A woman in a fuchsia colored kimono with a hanbok skirt ran at full speed towards her.
Ame squinted her eyes in disbelief as her mouth gaped at the recognition of the running figure. The petite woman who was as calm and tranquil as a flower was hurtling at full speed towards her. However, though Ame took perverse pleasure in seeing Sada in such a desperate situation, she was more bothered by the appearance of Sada.
The wind gently brushes her hair and the sleeves of her kimono glide gently in the breeze. Even when running, Sada still looks perfect! Is Sada even human?
Not a single hair was out of place as her ivory cheeks were rosy making Sada look even more alluring and her lips tinged with a hint of pink, but worst of all, she was not even out of breath. Gracefully composing herself, she sweetly says, "My Lady, quickly come with me. It is rather urgent!"
Ame nods in wordless agreement as she follows Sada swiftly back. Morph and Kiro tuck their heads back into Ame’s hood and closes their eyes to nap. Upon arrival to her quarters, Ame places the tiny kittens gently on the bed, while Sada simply picks a quarry without the usual hunt.
The speed which Sada picks a dress bothers Ame. For a woman who loves clothes and loves to treat Ame as a dress up doll, that is a rather odd action. While Sada swiftly readies Ame, Ame asks, “Sada, why the urgency?”
Sada breathlessly says, "My Lady, you have been summoned by your Lord Father and have been ordered to present yourself as quickly as possible in front of him."
Ame raises an eyebrow at Sada’s words. Such a situation does not bode well. But she cannot very well decline the invitation at his point.
Ame frowns as she wonders if she has done anything unusual to attract the unwanted attention, but she finds she cannot find a single reason. Therefore, it must simply be unwanted, actual parental attention. In her opinion though, it is already too late to salvage the situation. She never gotten much attention before awakening herself, and even when she was kidnapped or injured, no one ever came to visit her or send their well wishes. They have already given her the worst of impressions.
Ame firmly speaks out loud, “Morph, Kiro, please stay here with Sada and behave yourself.” Sada smiles at Ame’s cute, but childish actions as she finishes preparing Ame’s hair. All the while, Morph had already happily curled up on the bed and fallen fast asleep.
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A new maid that Ame had never seen quickly arrives and waits quietly for her outside of the door. Sada gently pats the clothes down one last time as she assesses that Ame is presentable. Satisfied with her handiwork Sada softly says, "Please follow the maid my Lady. She will guide you to thy Lord Father. Be calm, my Lady, and all will be well.”
Ame doesn’t respond as she cagily follows the maid out. The cold wind on Ame’s face causes her to shiver as she is only wearing a thin fur coat. Ame keeps her head down low and as much as possible out of the wind. After what seems like hours, they finally reach and cross over the bridge.
With relief, they enter the courtyard as the pretty maid leads her to the same dinner area as the single time before. The maid stops before the closed doors and signals for another maid to take the fur coat. Ame sullenly hands over the coat as she tries to keep from shivering while waiting for permission to enter.
The door slides open as Ame enters the warm room with relief. Seated at the head of table is her father, Min Hee, and seated to his left are his three wives per their order of marriage/rank. On an interesting note sitting at Nuo’s side beside two teenagers were two identical twin little boys about three years old being held by their nursemaids. The twin boys were identical from their light blue-black hair to the tip of their toes with exception of their eyes. One of the twins had violet eyes, whilst the other had blue black colored eyes.
Ame furrows her brows at the sight of the twins. Without a doubt, the children were dead ringers for being Nuo’s children. But she could not and did not recall their existence ever being mentioned in the manor by Sada or Dara, who would have surely at least mentioned their existence at least in passing.
Suddenly, a faint memory comes to mind. Shortly after Ame’s arrival to the manor, a pair of maids were discussing that the servants were looking forward to the day when Dai and Cho were to have their roots tested. Ame had simply assumed that Dai and Cho were children of some servants. However, she was clearly wrong. The twins were her younger brothers born by Nuo after Ame’s kidnapping. And given their age differences and residing in very different parts of the manor, naturally Ame had never encountered the twins.
Worried that she may have missed more than she though, Ame warily raises her eyes to scan the teenagers. Even without her pervious self’s memories, Ame would have known who they were based on their physical appearance. Her elder sister, HuiFeng, about 14 and had an affinity with Earth, Wind, and Metal, but despite her rare talent, she had only cultivated Earth and Metal Qi, due to the conflicting nature of the Earth and Wind elements.
Dressed in an indigo kimono, her glossy, black hair is pulled up into a simple bun as her tan eyes study Ame from beneath her long eyelashes. HuiFeng is quite the beauty at her age, it seems her popularity is already wide spread among the male servants, the city males, and those of her sect, the Immortal Sword Sect. Rumors say that she has received no less than a thousand marriage proposals. Given her talent and sect membership, they were no laughing matter. Anyone would wish to tie their houses with that of hers.
Ame’s older brother, Hong, though only 12 years old, he carried himself with the grace and presence of a man beyond his years. Wearing a mauve colored hanbok, his long silky black hair that reaches his shoulders is neatly tied back. His violet eyes stare passively through Ame without interest.
Hong not only was rather talented and the next head of the Min Clan, and despite only having an affinity with the element of Fire, he was said to have great comprehension ability and just as equal potential as his older sister. After all, he had been selected and joined no less of a prestigious sect, the Blazing Fist Sect.
Despite having a heart-breaking handsomeness, Hong’s cold attitude did not destroy his image. Rather, it only made the girl’s heart beat even more, but what was unusual was that Hong at his age was still unbetrothed. Rumors had it that Hong was already interested in a certain girl.
Ame frowns slightly at their presence, but it would soon be New Years. It made sense that the Min household would spend the holidays together. Still, there is no reason for there to be an official reunion, right?
Without her intention, Ame’s gaze flickers over the twins in passing. Dai and Cho appear to be heavily doted upon for being male but seemed to be close to HuiFeng and Hong given the seating arrangement. It is likely that HuiFeng and Hong will care and ensure that the twins behave themselves and act accordingly as members of the Min Household.
Ame for a moment freezes as her gaze catches that of Ayako. Her previous self had always wished to see her mother to no avail. That child even though she was unwanted since birth still wished to be loved by this woman.
A touch of coldness appears in both of their gazes as they turn away from each other. As Ame glances to the other side of Min Hee, she finally notices the familiar couple sitting next to him.
The handsome man is rather tall and wears a dark blue tunic similar to Turkish style of clothing. He is slightly tan with black hair and large piercing green eyes, and his beautiful wife sits at his side wearing more of a traditional red Thailand dress, the Pha-Nung. She has ivory colored skin with her beautiful chocolate hair pulled into an intricate bun. Her large, warm coffee eyes kindly study me.
After a moment, sudden enlightenment enters Ame’s eyes. The figures were Lord Ono Arun and Lady Ono Drishti, her former fiancé's parents. Upon Ame’s disappearance, the betrothal was subsequently passed to HuiFeng to be fulfilled. Though there were abundant rumors, why the betrothal was passed down to HuiFeng, despite having better offers for her hand.
A cold stare causes Ame to turn and face the glare. A handsome younger child glare back at her. The boy possesses silky brown hair that reaches his neck with large, piercing emerald eyes, and surprisingly almost pink touched lips and well-defined facial features. The poorly concealed arrogance only served to enhance his childish but budding handsomeness, making one think he would definitely live up to his father’s grace in the future. The child can only be one person, Lord Ono Hyeon, her former fiancé.
Ame recalls her manners and bows properly to parents, siblings, and guests.
“Greetings Honorable Father, Beloved Mothers, and gracious brother and sister. I am pleased to find you all well. And greetings, Lord Ono Arun, Lady Ono Drishti and Lord Ono Hyeon,” Ame politely said.
Lord Ono Arun smiles ruefully as his wife nods in approval of the proper greetings. Min Hee nods his head motioning for Ame to be seated. Nuo gestures her fan to the side in a signal as Ame smiles faintly in thanks. Ame tentatively seats herself at the side of Hong.
Lord Arun winks at Ame and turns towards Lord Min Hee. “Min Hee, your youngest Miss has become quite the beauty,” Lord Arun teasingly commented to his friend.
Ame lips twitch in a sneer at the man’s words. At best, she was cute, but a beauty? How laughable. Because the real beauty happened to be HuiFeng.
Lord Min Hee politely waves the comment away. He then looks pointedly at the maids as they hurriedly begin to serve the food. With relief, everyone begins to eat.
The ladies chatter while HuiFeng and Hong remain silent. Ame doesn’t attempt to speak as she picks at her food, disappointed how at how bland the food tastes. Halfway through the meal, Ame excuses herself by stating she has a headache and scurries away.
With relief, Ame escapes and returns to her quarters. Sada is not there upon Ame’s arrival, which means she is with her fellow comrades. With a relieved sigh, Ame firmly closes the door behind her.
Morph yawns sleepily as Kiro pokes his head up and says, “How was it?” It seems that they must have found out about the family dinner by judging their expressions. Having not seen a single glimpse of them or heard a peep, that meant only one thing, Sada. The lightning speed of servant’s gossip within the Min Household would leave any cultivator speechless and left her aghast.
Ame sighs as she undresses and gloomily answers, “Useless.” She wasn’t expecting much, but a present would have been nice.
Morph glances at Ame and nods his cute fuzzy head in understanding. “Well, in that case, let’s go to sleep.” Ame smiles warily at the drowsy kitten but complies with the kitten’s request. Soon, they were all cuddled together under her covers.