The promised day soon arrived.
But I didn't wait for Huston, the man who had promised to come to fetch me home in three years.
I remembered our first meeting when I was the most beloved little princess, my father still alive, and my mother was the favored consort, reigning supreme in the harem.
The female lead, Nina, was born of a discarded concubine, suffering endless humiliation. She and Huston were childhood friends.
He often sneaked through a dog hole to bring her food. He was the devoted second male lead.
While I was merely his admirer.
That day, Huston was beaten mercilessly by a group of eunuchs, and I protected him, even though he didn't say a word of thanks and cursed me instead, saying I was just like my wicked mother.
Huston told me not to pretend to be kind, and I could only follow him from a distance, afraid he'd reject me even more.
I watched as he stayed by Nina's side, bringing her countless fireflies to cheer her up.
At first, I didn't care. To complete my mission quickly, I even tried to seduce Huston.
But as time passed, my heart yearned for his closeness. My previous life had been so painful, and it seemed this one was no different.