Flowers Blooming in Sorrow After the Fog of Love Clears

The eighth day came.

Viola’s family was running a fabric shop, a cosmetics store, and a bunch of other businesses. Anyone who shouted “Liberate Women!” inside would get a box of cosmetics or a roll of fabric as a reward.

At first, nobody dared to go in, but the folks from Awakening Manor took the plunge. Once they got their items, the crowd outside surged forward, filling the streets with cries of “Liberate Women!”

The chaos naturally caught the local government’s eye. Adam, who had organized the whole event, was quickly arrested.

We came up with this idea, but Adam took the fall for it. The dark circles under his eyes drove us all to act. “Kids, it’s up to you now. I can only stay with you this far,” he said.

Viola cried her heart out, and her mother’s voice was choked with emotion as she reassured us, “Don’t worry, we’ll succeed.”

I felt like a ghost in that moment. I missed Ronald terribly, but he was grounded by my father. I looked at Viola and her mother, and my resolve solidified.

When I got home, I found vegetable scraps freshly swept over the wall into our yard—clearly a move to push me into a corner!

After calming my sobbing mother, I quietly headed back to Awakening Manor, only to bump into Princess Angela at the entrance.

“So, Awakening Manor is right here. You’re quite bold!” she said. “With such an obvious location, it’s no wonder the king is mobilizing everyone to take you down.”

I was stunned and quickly invited the princess into my home to talk. I gathered everyone and introduced Princess Angela.

Princess Angela, ever straightforward, settled into a chair and started munching on nuts. “No need for formalities. I admire what you’re doing, so I came to give you a heads-up. The king knows where Awakening Manor is and is working with generals on a plan to capture you all. They’re aiming to act in three days.”

Three days from now was the eleventh day, and my execution was set for the tenth.

Viola and I exchanged a determined look, seeing the same fierce resolve in each other’s eyes.

I bowed first. “Thank you for the warning. We’ll take steps to stay hidden.”

Princess Angela raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you afraid?”

I managed a smile. “If the laws aren’t changed, I’ve only got two days left. Besides, the people of Awakening Manor aren’t afraid of death. If our sacrifice can wake up the people, we’ll accept it willingly.”

“Willingly accepting it!” Princess Angela suddenly stood up, her expression fierce. “With that spirit, I’m committed to helping you. If my sister had had allies like you, she might still be alive.”

I kept my lips tightly sealed. Life is unpredictable, and so many women have died. We are all victims of the times.

“I came to introduce someone to you,” Princess Angela said.

That’s when we noticed the woman pretending to be a maid behind the princess—Duchess Isabella! Her father was a half-brother of the king, unlike my father, who was the only non-royal noble in the dynasty with no blood relation to the king.

Duchess Isabella’s father, aware of the king’s distrust, had been stationed at the border for years to avoid any direct contact with him. However, Duchess Isabella had been summoned back to the capital, making it clear she was now a hostage.

Duchess Isabella stepped forward confidently. “I’ve heard so much about Awakening Manor but never had a clue where it was. Who would have guessed it was right in a place I pass by every day? The most dangerous place is often the safest. That’s really clever!” she said with admiration.

I offered a faint smile and chose to stay silent.

“I came to the capital when I was eight, suffocating under the rules. If you have any plans, count me in!” she declared.

“Thank you,” I said.

“No need to thank me. I’m doing this for the future of all women,” she replied.

Seeing this, Princess Angela quickly spoke up. “I know there are other noble girls who are unhappy with these laws. I’ll gather them immediately.”

Before we could react, she hurried out the door.

I glanced at the sky and decided to head home to avoid raising suspicion with my family. I always slipped out through a small hole in the wall, and my parents had no idea I was gone.

When I returned through the doggy door, I was stunned to find our yard packed with people. Wendy was tied to a chair, her clothes drenched in blood, her condition uncertain.

“Wendy!” I screamed as I rushed over.

Holding my breath, I nervously checked her pulse. Thankfully, she was still breathing. “Get the family doctor! Quickly, we need the family doctor!”

“She’s had thirty lashes; she won’t survive,” my mother’s heartbroken voice said.

I looked up to see a crowd of faces in the yard, with my father at the front, my mother by my side, and my uncle, aunt, and cousin among them. The scene was a far cry from the cold, deserted house where I had once knelt in silence!

My eyes filled with tears, and the emotional weight of the past few days made me cough up a mouthful of blood.

My mother reached out to help me, but I stopped her. I glared at my father, who had been pleading for mercy in the palace just days ago. How could he be so heartless now?

I struggled to my feet, faced my father, and performed a deep bow. “Father, I’ve always looked up to you and never disobeyed you. But if you don’t get the family doctor to save Wendy today, I will make sure this family is ruined!”

I raised my chin defiantly, like a peacock with its feathers spread.

“You.” After a long stare, my father was the first to give in. “Someone, get the family doctor.”

My uncle tried to stop him but was completely ignored, throwing a resentful glance at me as he left.

With the crowd gone, only the three of us remained in the yard.

“Emily, tell me, are you involved with that notorious Awakening Manor?” my father demanded.

I looked down and replied softly, “Yes, I’m one of them.”

“You’re being reckless!” My father waved his arm in frustration. “You’re dragging the entire family into this mess.”

My mother, equally shocked, looked at me in disbelief. “Emily, listen to me. Tell your father where Awakening Manor is! If he goes to the king and reveals it, maybe the king will spare you for your information.”

“Mom, are you asking me to betray everyone? To sacrifice the lives of dozens for my own safety?” I asked.