Shouts of men and clashes of swords brought me up from sleep. I blinked. I woke up in panic hearing the clamorous sound of my surroundings.

I was having an insane dream earlier. I was dreaming vividly. I stared at my hand, particularly at my scar. I had no idea what happened. 'Mother of–!'

My head was heavy. My body felt a little tired. I felt like there was a giant duck sitting on my chest.

'What's the hell is this?' When my vision cleared, I recognized Qiuyue and Jin'er by my side.

"My lady, you fainted thirty minutes ago and by that time, the faction of the Duke of Hebei.. have infiltrated the Yongshou Palace. But don't worry, my lady. His Highness Nan King is here to save you."

"Protect the wàngfêi!"

My eyes snapped at the familiar voice.

'Li Han.'

Swords flashing. Not far away, the assassins sprinted towards the male lead. Dozen of arrows were flying everywhere and one almost hit my feet.

"Oh god!" I exclaimed.

Chu Wanwan clothed in a man's attire, fought side by side with Li Han. They were surrounded by assassins. My eyes gaped wide at their 'we-have-each-others-back-kind of scene'.

I must say people who've seen such scenes can't absolutely deny the two protagonists impressive chemistry. Their fighting stances and fast movements were in harmony to each other. The incredible connection between them was flourishing during the battle.

'My power couple! My CP.'

(*)

When Chu Wanwan mysteriously stumbled a little, Li Han was there to the rescue. His arms circled the sexy waist of the female lead, their lips almost touched.

'Oh-my-god. Are they shooting a C-drama right now? You two. Just marry already.'

Chu Wanwan's face was glowing red in contrast of Li Han's expression, so cold and indifferent. The speed of his sword was extremely fast. Such intrepidity! Such ruthlessness! There was no doubting the decisivenes of his victory.

'Male lead-sama, so handsome!'

Heaven ah! Witnessing the male lead's coolness were too much for my heart. The whole effect was dazzling!

"My lady, how are you feeling? Can you stand?"

Yup. This villainess was kinda useless. Another batch of assassins charged towards the protagonists with drawn swords.

"Hurry, to the carriage!"

I wobbled. Qiuyue and Jin'er helped me balance myself to my feet. When I glanced again to the male lead, I gasped in horror.

Ghastly crimson color of blood flowed. Shielding Li Han from a deadly attack, a sword pierced through the female lead's shoulder.

"Wanwan! Why did you.."

'The overused I-will-protect-you-with-my-life scene!'

Wanwan softly smiled, "Li Han, I'm.. fine."

The female lead certainly doesn't look fine. At all. I swear, I almost cried watching their interaction. 'Author-san, is this part of the plot? Why are you so heartless?! My poor goddess!'

"My lady, hurry."

Something caught my eyes. Instantly, fear filled my heart. My scream was stucked on my throat.

From his back, an arrow was heading to the male lead.

In the next seconds, my body moved on its own. I didn't know where did I get such shockingly insane strength; I slipped from my servants grasp and ran towards the male lead.

'F****k!'

Getting shot by an arrow wasn't part of my plan. 'Mother of Pearls! It freaking hurts so bad!'

An arrow had struck me in the abdomen. As I bit back a groan, series of curses passed through my head. 'F*********k! I'm f******!'

I put my hands on my abdomen, around the long spine of the arrow; I took a deep breath before applying a firm pressure directly on the bleeding. Instantly, my hands was soaked with blood.

'Heaven, this is too unfair.'

Jin'er looked at me, petrified. Her voiceless shouts, her trembling lips and those tears that ran down her lovely face. My lips curled watching her.

"Jin'er, w-why are you crying?"

I know she wanted to hold me like she usually do; however her hands won't stop shaking. I know why she's hesitating. Jin'er was afraid that if she carelessly touch me, she would aggravate my injury. Seeing as every time I moved, I would gasped in pain. I could feel the arrowhead's rough edges penetrating deeper into me. My flesh felt terribly inflamed.

I spoke in a hushed. "Shh. Don't cry."

I endured the pain with great fortitude. But the truth is, I'm the one who wants to cry. 'Mommy!'

Qiuyue also ran to my side. Her eyes were bloodshot. She opened her mouth to speak but I interrupted her. "Don't. Not a word to the prince."

Qiuyue bit her lips, her tears fiercely trickled down her cheeks.

"Jin'er. Hurry, t-the cloak."

With her trembling hands, Jin'er wrapped me with a red cloak, completely covering my entire figure to everyone.

"Jin'er. This is it."

I staggered; blood gushing from where the arrow penetrated. I tried to stand straight and be firm; but it seemed more blood was coming out from the wound, numbing my senses.

"You promised me that you will forget everything and live well. Jin'er, you have to live well."

Huang Jin's shoulder shook as she sobbed. I smiled faintly as I listened to her soundless cries.

Good.

No one noticed my wretched state because the guards were all distracted by the protagonists touching moment. Hmp. This insignificant villainess felt a little bitter because of that.

"Don't worry Wanwan, I'm taking you to the physician. Stay with me."

The worries in his eyes..

'Huh? So weird. Why am I feeling this way?'

"Your Highness, I'm really.. fine."

So strange.

"General Ming, bring the wàngfêi to the carriage! Take her to the Taiji Palace." Li Han spat out. "Protect her with everything you have!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

'Protect my ass. There's already an *effing arrow embedded into my stomach!'

Li Han lifted the wounded female lead and carried her to his arms. Under the cloak, I watched Li Han turned around. He walked faster and the moment he mounted his horse; my eyelids tightly shut, a tear fell.