《《蛮族之花》 Flower of Wilderness》Yina_bubbles

27、第 27 章 Befor

　　Chapter 28 — Before the Flames

　　The palace was burning while Suyuan remained inside the area. Smoke drifted through the corridors, turning the once-grand halls into shadows of themselves. Flames climbed the wooden beams overhead, spreading from room to room as the fire consumed everything it touched. She sat quietly near the edge of the great hall.
　　The shouting had faded.
　　The celebration was gone.
　　Only the crackling of fire remained.
　　Suyuan felt strangely peaceful.

　　For the first time in years, there was nothing left for her to wait for. Her mother was gone.
　　The Khan was gone.
　　The people who had made Orchid Courtyard a prison were gone.
　　And soon, this place would disappear with them.
　　She lowered her head against the wooden pillar behind her.
　　Her body had begun to weaken. She had already taken something before the feast, knowing that she would not be walking away from this night.
　　She had never planned to.
　　The fire grew closer.
　　Suyuan closed her eyes.
　　“It's over, Mother.”
　　Her voice was barely audible.
　　“I don't have to be afraid anymore.”

　　Outside the palace walls, however, horses thundered across the frozen ground.
　　A rider appeared through the smoke. Then another dozens more.
　　“GENERAL!”
　　Xie Zheng pulled hard on the reins.
　　His horse reared slightly beneath him as he stared at the burning palace.
　　“What happened?”
　　A surviving guard stumbled toward them, barely able to speak.
　　“The palace… everyone inside…”
　　Xie Zheng's expression changed.
　　“Where is Princess Suyuan?”
　　The guard looked toward the flames.
　　“I don't know.”
　　Xie Zheng dismounted immediately.
　　“General!” one of the soldiers shouted. “The fire is spreading. You cannot go inside!”
　　Xie Zheng ignored him.
　　He drew his cloak over his mouth and rushed toward the entrance.

　　“Suyuan!”

　　No answer.
　　He pushed through the smoke.

　　“Suyuan!”

　　Deep inside the palace, Suyuan heard something. A voice calling her name, s slowly opened her eyes.
　　For a moment, she thought she was imagining it.
　　Then she heard it again.
　　“Suyuan!”

　　Her eyes widened. Someone was coming.
　　She tried to stand but her legs nearly gave way.
　　Outside, Xie Zheng forced his way through another burning corridor.
　　He had arrived too late to prevent the tragedy.
　　But perhaps—
　　Perhaps he had arrived in time to save one person.
　　“Suyuan!”
　　Then Suyuan finally heard him clearly.
　　She looked toward the doorway.
　　Through the smoke and fire, a figure appeared.
　　And for the first time that night, Suyuan looked frightened.
　　Not of the fire.
　　Not of what had happened.
　　But of being found alive.

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