"Big sister, I'm scared..." Duanmu Qingyuan's little body trembled uncontrollably, her soft voice thick with tears. She clung tightly to Duanmu Qingwu's shoulder, her small palm icy cold. "Where are Father and Mother? Why are we running?"
Duanmu Qingwu was a little steadier than her younger sister, but she was only eight herself. Fighting back the tears in her eyes, she hugged her sister tightly. Her little body shook, but she still did her best to sound calm as she comforted her. "Don't be scared, Qingyuan. Our maid is here, and I'm here too. We'll definitely escape."
But the sounds of fighting drawing closer filled her heart with growing despair. She vaguely remembered being jolted awake from her sleep the night before by her father's anguished warning. Covered in blood, he had shoved her and her sister into the maid's arms, roaring at them to run, never return to the capital, never seek revenge, and just live well.
Before she could ask what had happened, a raging fire erupted in the manor. Men in black wielding sharp blades killed everyone they saw. The usually kind steward, guards, and cook all fell in pools of blood. Their bright red blood stained the manor's stone paths and left its mark on the hearts of the two young girls.
Theme: Emotions
