Lalita found herself in a strange black hole, her body floating in a howling wind, with no sense of up or down, no sense of direction. In the darkness, she could only close her eyes and murmur that it was all just a nightmare. She tried desperately to grab onto something, anything, but it was futile. She realized she was plummeting through the clouds until a vast expanse of land appeared below, with the ocean stretching out in the distance.

    Was she flying?

    No... she was falling. The wind sucked off one of her beautiful shoes, and her billowing skirt flipped over her face. Just thinking about why she was experiencing such bizarre things confused her. She screamed before something whizzed past her quickly. In the next moment, Lalita found herself sitting on the back of a horse...

    No, it wasn’t a horse. It was a creature with the body of a deer and the head of a dragon, covered in shimmering scales. Its eyes blazed like fire, and it roared like thunder.

    “A Qilin!”

    This had to be a dream—a wildly confusing dream. Lalita clung to it tightly, feeling a warmth in the middle of her forehead. There was no way to stop the Qilin, which was galloping through the clouds, leaving fiery trails with every step. Lalita squeezed her eyes shut in fear, slowly reopening them, hoping everything would disappear and she would wake up in her bed.

    In front of her was a white hawk gliding on the wind, its wings nearly brushing her nose. It seemed as startled as she was to see a human at such a height. Lalita forced herself to look at the vast ocean below, shimmering in the sunlight. Soon, she saw clusters of houses and lush green fields, looking like grid points on a cultivation plot, showcasing endless shades of green and yellow. The Qilin was heading towards a majestic mountain range.

    It was taking her north! Lalita began to cry without realizing it and let time drift towards sunset, as if the chaos had momentarily ceased.

    And then she fell asleep.

    ---

    The sky was thick with clouds today, with frequent flashes of lightning above the peaks, unusual for a month past the rainy season. Li Xuanyue pondered, standing alone on the veranda of his palace, gazed silently at the turbulent sky, unfazed by the cold wind carrying snowflakes that covered the land in a frigid blanket, making the air even colder.

    He had felt irritable since morning, standing out in the biting cold, hoping it would clear his mind, but it hadn’t helped. It only made him more frustrated, constantly wanting to strangle someone.

    His father had been assassinated last month. The ensuing chaos left him little time to grieve, and his father's death had driven his younger brother, Li Xuanlong, to recklessly throw himself into battle, ignoring his warnings and barely escaping with his life.

    “Your Majesty,”

    Cheng Mou, the head eunuch, bowed and presented a fox-fur cloak. Meanwhile, officials filed in, bowing low, not daring to meet his fierce gaze often. His long, black hair was loosely tied with a gold band, contrasting with his strict demeanor. Currently, the royal officials were pressuring him to choose a consort, and the sound of deliberate sighs filled the air.

    “The Empress Dowager’s condition is worsening. I fear...”

    “Fear what?”

    Li Xuanyue turned and locked eyes with the elderly officials, making each one tremble, exuding the pressure of a roaring tiger. Hearing that his mother’s health was deteriorating, he looked back up at the sky with an impassive face. His mother hoped he would have many heirs to ease her worries. The palace had been devoid of children's laughter for over twenty years, which was considered extremely inauspicious.

    “She wishes for Your Majesty to arrange a marriage soon.”

    “With whom?”

    “A royal descendant or a noblewoman from a prominent family. But if I may suggest, marrying a princess from the Chu Region would be most beneficial.”

    “I will decide what is best for me.”

    His fierce eyes met everyone’s gaze. At this time, war between the regions was about to break out again. The Li Region, with its high terrain and natural mountain barriers, was difficult to attack. But now, the Chu Region had agreed to send a princess to the Yan Region to marry Crown Prince Yan Shen. This meant that if the two regions joined forces to invade from the Chu border, supported by Yan’s supplies, Li would be easily defeated. Therefore, the ministers suggested he form an alliance with Lian Region through marriage.

    “I have no intention of accepting a maid masquerading as a princess. How’s the fortification of the border wall with Chu coming along?”

    “It will take about ten more months to complete, Your Majesty”

    “Finish it in three months.”

    “But...”

    "Double the budget and manpower. If it’s not done, I’ll have your head."

    The sky behind his sturdy figure was at its most turbulent. The sound of thunder warned, shaking the earth, dangerous and powerful. As the storm raged, lightning struck repeatedly, followed by fierce winds. The officials stumbled and fell in panic.

    "That… Look there!" Their faces filled with extreme fear as they saw a massive Qilin galloping down from the dark clouds. It moved gracefully yet fiercely, leaving trails of fire in its wake. The Qilin charged directly towards Li Xuanyue, Wang of the Li Region. Just as the Qilin was about to collide, there was a blinding light and a thunderous sound across the land.

    Li Xuanyue stood firm while everyone else fell silent, stunned. In the light, they saw a beautiful woman in strange clothing lying at his feet. Her fluffy pink dress looked odd yet enchanting, with beads on it sparkling like stars. She looked like she was sleeping amidst a bed of starry roses.

    "Do you see what I see?" Amidst the astonishment, the officials exclaimed to each other.

    "Yes, the Qilin brought her."

    "Look, she has the Lindian mark on her forehead."

    She slept soundly. Even though she was still unconscious, those who saw her agreed that her fair skin and sweet face were unparalleled. A red mark was visible on her forehead. The tall figure knelt down, close enough to see her gentle chest rise and fall. She looked like a child having a peaceful dream, which made him smile unconsciously. Li Xuanyue reached out to touch her arm, curious if she was human or something else.

    "Your Majesty, be careful. She could be a demon."

    "The Qilin is our sacred beast. Are you saying it brought a demon?"

    "Uh... no… no Your Majesty."

    According to legend, the Qilin was born from the five elements: earth, water, fire, wood, and metal, and could live for a thousand years. It was considered the supreme creature among all animals. Since ancient times, it was believed that a woman appearing with a Qilin was a seer who could bring peace and prosperity to the land. But Li Xuanyue didn’t believe in such superstitions. She seemed like an ordinary woman with no special powers.

    The heat from his rough hand brought Lalita back to consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes, holding her head in pain, and sat up. Her bright eyes made everyone, including him, hold their breath, frozen like wooden statues.

    Lalita looked around in confusion, gazed up at the sky, then at herself, and finally at him. He was dressed strangely, and his face looked very stern.

    Why wasn’t anyone moving? Wooden statues?

    Neither dared to move. Lalita closed her eyes again and slapped her cheeks hard. He noticed her dark, almost brown eyes, clear like precious stones. Her breathing was quick, escaping her rosy lips. With as much ladylike grace as she could muster, Lalita straightened up, reaching out to touch the man’s cheek. He tensed, thrilled, but she withdrew her hand before he could savor the gentle touch.

    "Uh... uh..."

    Lalita was still confused, unable to make sense of the situation. Her mind was so foggy that she was annoyed with herself for not even being able to think of words to say. Her body still remembered the sensation of experiencing three rounds of a rollercoaster followed by a free fall, making her legs not yet ready to function. After trying to stand for a while, the large figure spoke.

    "Need my help?"

    Lalita flinched.

    What did he say? What language was that? Lalita sat there, bewildered. Why had she ended up among these strange foreign people? Li Xuanyue glanced down at her and locked eyes with her. Lalita was startled that the statue moved and slapped his hand away. He stood up abruptly, his cloak flaring as if in annoyance.

    "Take her to my palace."

    Though she didn’t understand the words, Lalita’s instincts told her to resist. Observing everything again, she noticed everyone was kneeling, and the intimidating soldiers obeyed this man. He wore a crown adorned with strands of pearl, indicating his authority. Lalita became even more confused. The ancient-looking people were chattering loudly in an unknown language. Lalita tried to wake herself from this dream to no avail.

    "Hurry and take her away. Do not frighten her," Li Xuanyue commanded, waving to the maidservants who were still in shock and had fallen on their bottoms. The maidservants crawled over because they couldn’t stand, looking as scared as Lalita.

    Then she remembered something.

    "Jade! Did anyone see the jade?"

    Lalita panicked, but unfortunately, no one understood her. The first word she uttered was incomprehensible. Li Xuanyue strained to listen but didn’t understand. He had never heard this accent before. It wasn’t from any border tribe or southern dialect. His strong hand gripped her shoulder, and he noticed a strange scent… no… it was the scent of death. Why did this beautiful woman have such a terrifying aura?

    Lalita patted herself but had nothing with her except a small wallet.

    "A jade... about this size, and... uh, with a chain, and... the man with the scar on his cheek, uh... jade." She spoke incoherently and still seemed confused, but no one understood her.

    "Have you seen the jade..." Lalita looked up at the tall man in front of her. He was so tall she had to tilt her head back to see him. He seemed to be no older than thirty-five, with long, silky black hair tied with a gold filigree band, and he wore a crown adorned with twelve strands of pearls. Even though she couldn't see his face clearly, Lalita stared in awe.

    The word ‘handsome’ wasn’t enough to describe this man. He was perfect, with powerful eyes and a sharp jawline that made her daydream. His broad shoulders and chest were so muscular that Lalita felt like a dwarf. Li Xuanyue pulled Lalita's shoulder closer. Suddenly, she kicked high, barely missing his chin, and grabbed his wrist. Li Xuanyue quickly let go of her delicate shoulder, sensing that if he continued to touch her, his wrist might be broken.

    "I am Police Sub-Lieutenant Lalita Asavachanon, forensic doctor at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Police General Hospital, Royal Thai Police, Thailand." Lalita took out her ID and spoke in English. "I can verify my identity and I do not have malicious intent. As a civilian, you have no right to touch me without proper cause."

    "What are you saying? Speak slowly," Li Xuanyue stepped forward. His massive, muscular body was intimidating. Lalita was startled and backed away, throwing her remaining shoe at him. Unfortunately, it missed as he dodged it.

    "A woman should not expose her bare feet in public, and you should not throw your shoes at others, especially not at your sovereign."

    Li Xuanyue drew his sword, and the surrounding soldiers also drew their weapons. Seeing this show of force, Lalita bolted, running down the corridor. "Police, help! Brothers, help me! There are armed assailants here!"

    "Capture her and escort her to my palace. Do not harm her in any way."

    "But, Your Majesty," Cheng Mou exclaimed, alarmed to see the small woman running as fast as a horse. The easiest way to stop her was to order her shot. "She tried to attack you. She deserves to be executed."

    "If she’s injured even a little, I’ll have your head," Li Xuanyue declared. He began to think that this girl from the heavens was more unruly than he had anticipated. She was running aimlessly like a startled doe. When cornered, Lalita screamed in fright. Li Xuanyue watched closely and had to retract his statement that she was just an ordinary woman. The pale-skinned woman in strange clothes turned quickly, punched a soldier three times her size, and swiftly kicked another in the chin before anyone could react. It would take a while for his soldiers to get back up.

    She shook her fingers to dispel the pain and ran off again like a madwoman.

    "Help! Help!" Lalita ran desperately with a dozen people chasing her. Running in circles, she thought she was doomed. While searching for an escape route, she was pursued by at least three large soldiers. Lalita guessed this place might be a film set or a Chinese temple on the outskirts of Bangkok with ancient Chinese-style buildings. The further she ran, the more she heard the commotion behind her, with many people chasing. The elegantly dressed women were shocked to see Lalita running barefoot for her life, kicking large soldiers until they fell. They fainted in shock.

    Where was this place? What was happening? Who were these people? How did she end up here?

    It was now sunset, but strangely no one had turned on any lights. They used paper lanterns and lamps placed at intervals. Lalita ran until her body felt heavy and she was out of breath. Finally, she realized that running all day wouldn’t help, so she took a break in a dark corner, exhausted.

    As a doctor, you must stay calm. As a police officer, you must be composed. As a woman, you must be sensible… Lalita peeked out from the corner of the building to look for a way out to the main road. But then her body was suddenly lifted into the air.

    It was him!

    "You run faster than my horse, little one."

    Her soft, smooth skin was hard to let go of. The frustration he had felt over the past few days vanished almost instantly. Lalita tried to pry his hot hand off her waist and twisted to break free, but Li Xuanyue quickly held her firmly, overpowering her with his strength. Lalita had no choice but to follow him. When she tried to shake him off to attack, he swung her over his shoulder, his strong arm like iron clamping around her thighs, and walked away. Lalita was stunned. None of her three brothers in the Arintaraj unit had ever been so swift she couldn't keep up, nor had anyone dared to carry her like a sack of rice!

    "Let me go! You Bruce Lee wannabe!"

    "What are you saying? I don’t understand."

    "Let me go! Don’t touch my butt!" Lalita screamed, but his strong shoulder pressed against her stomach with every step he took, making it hard to breathe, let alone shout. But her mouth didn’t surrender. Lalita struggled with all her might, reciting every law she could think of regarding assault, harassment, mental coercion, and abduction. She guaranteed that her father and three brothers would cause him serious trouble.

    "Such a talkative girl," Li Xuanyue grumbled as he climbed the stairs and threw Lalita off his shoulder when they reached their destination. Lalita scrambled to her feet, glaring at him like a frightened cat. The tall figure sighed in exasperation and pointed outward.

    "Look, see for yourself. This is not the place you came from."

    "Where... is this?"

    Seeing her pale face, like a lost child, Li Xuanyue could guess that Lalita was scared. His sharp, dark eyes glanced down, but he didn’t answer the question of the strange woman he had just thrown to the ground, leaving her to understand on her own.

    "Look out."

    "What? What..." Lalita didn't understand but turned to look where he was pointing. She realized she was on a high tower, the tallest point of this vast place. Looking out, the moon rising in the sky seemed normal, clear and unobscured by clouds.

    But Bangkok... the familiar city was gone.

    The buildings, roads, cars, and lights of the big city were all missing. The sounds of the metropolis were different. Lalita didn’t pay attention to the cold wind hitting her cheeks and blowing her hair because the scene in front of her was a vast metropolis surrounded by strong, imposing city walls. Far away were dark, silent mountains, as if time had reversed.

    "Impossible... No way..."

    Snowflakes drifted onto the tip of her nose. Her breath turned to white vapor, indicating that this was definitely not a tropical climate. The rooftops made of bricks and tiles were covered in clear white snow. Lalita had seen pictures of such ancient buildings from her father's collections of old paintings. Last year, she had visited China, where many ancient city walls and towns looked similar. But here, the walls and houses were not dilapidated and old. They stood majestically, new and strong, with millions of people living in this metropolis.

    Lalita collapsed, drained of the energy to resist when he pulled her up and lifted her chin to meet his gaze.

    "What is your name?"

    Lalita still couldn’t speak, her eyes wide and breathing heavily. He placed his palm on his chest to introduce himself. "Young lady, who came with the Qilin, I am Li Xuanyue, the Wang of the Li Region."

    "Li... Xuan... Yue..." Lalita repeated, eyes filled with fear, because the only words she understood were "Li Xuanyue?"

    "Correct," the owner of the name nodded.

    Not gone, not forgotten, steadfast and eternal... Not far, not abandoned, everlasting...

    Lalita fainted immediately.