Chapitre 7: The Unseen Heartbreak
"Is this… her?" The snickering voice pierced the quiet air of the grand hall, filled with suitors and their families. One of the young men, dressed in fine robes of deep crimson, tilted his head and looked Li Xian'er up and down, a mocking smirk spreading across his face.
Li Xian'er tried to keep her gaze steady, though her cheeks burned at the way they looked at her, like she was some strange creature they had never seen before. (Is this really how they see me? Just because I don't fit their idea of 'beauty'?)
Another suitor, a tall man with striking silver hair and an air of arrogance, chuckled softly. "So, this is the girl we were 'promised' to by our ancestors?" He scoffed, glancing at the others as if they were all in on some private joke. "I must say, I expected… more."
"Ouch." His words felt like a slap, even though he hadn't touched her. Li Xian'er bit her lip, trying to hold back the sting of embarrassment.
More whispers echoed around the room, each word another jab, another reminder of how different she looked from what they expected. She could feel their eyes examining her thick glasses, her unremarkable robes, her hair pulled back simply. To them, she was just… ordinary.
(Why do they care so much about appearances? Does no one see anything beyond this?) Li Xian'er kept her head high, though her heart throbbed with each insult.
One of the younger men leaned close to his friend, not even bothering to lower his voice. "I heard she's an immortal," he whispered, a smirk on his face. "But if this is what immortality looks like, maybe I'll stick with my mortal charm!"
The room burst into laughter, each chuckle feeling like it pushed her deeper into the ground. (Immortal or not, they'll never see me for who I am.) Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides, but she held her ground, unwilling to let them see how much their words hurt.
And then, a new voice spoke up, low and mocking. "Imagine if we had to actually marry her?" It was Zhi Rui, the son of a powerful family known for their martial arts. He flashed a condescending smile, tilting his head. "Why would we, sons of noble families, tie ourselves to… this?"
The words hung in the air, sharp and cold, like blades. Li Xian'er felt her chest tighten, but she took a deep breath, holding her head high. (I am more than just my appearance. If only they knew...)
But then, Zhi Rui took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Tell me, Li Xian'er," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "What do you think you can offer us? A 'nerdy immortal'... is that supposed to impress us?"
Li Xian'er's cheeks flamed. She wanted to respond, to tell them that there was more to her than they would ever understand, but the words caught in her throat. How could she make them see? How could she prove that she was more than what they saw?
"Are you speechless?" Zhi Rui sneered. "I guess even immortals have nothing to say when faced with the truth." He laughed, and others joined in, the sound echoing through the hall, each laugh a fresh sting to her pride.
Li Xian'er felt her fists clench tighter, her nails pressing into her palms. (Why am I letting them do this to me? I am strong. I have trained for years… But why does their laughter still hurt?)
She looked down, hoping to gather her thoughts, to find some sense of calm, but the whispers only grew louder.
"This is ridiculous. We're being forced into this 'marriage' nonsense because of some old promises," one of the suitors muttered to another, his tone dismissive. "What kind of woman spends centuries locked away and looks… like this?"
That remark sent another round of chuckles through the room, and for a brief moment, Li Xian'er considered fleeing. (Is this what my life has come to? A joke… a punchline for them to laugh at?)
Her grandfather's voice echoed in her memory, reminding her of her duty, of her family's legacy. But for the first time, that duty felt more like a weight, a chain around her heart.
And then, she felt it—a shadow at the edge of the room, a quiet presence watching. The masked man. She didn't turn to look, but she felt the intensity of his gaze, like a steady flame warming her from within.
(He's here again... watching.) A strange calm washed over her, mingled with an undeniable heat. She didn't understand it, but it gave her the strength to face the crowd again.
She lifted her head, meeting Zhi Rui's gaze head-on. "You might laugh now," she said, her voice clear and steady. "But one day, I'll be someone you can't ignore."
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, the laughter stopped. There was a flicker of surprise in Zhi Rui's eyes, but then he smirked, rolling his eyes dismissively. "Big words for someone who can barely look us in the eye without flinching."
As the crowd's laughter resumed, Li Xian'er felt a sense of defeat settling over her. She had spoken out, but it hadn't changed anything. (They'll never see me for who I am. No matter what I say or do…)
And yet, that presence lingered, like a gentle warmth against the coldness of their words. She glanced toward the shadows, hoping for a glimpse of the masked man, a reminder that there was someone who saw beyond her appearance.
But he was gone.
Li Xian'er swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus. (I can't rely on him to save me every time. I have to find my own strength… even if it means standing alone.)
She took a step back, preparing to leave the hall. But just as she turned, her grandfather entered, his gaze scanning the room before landing on her.
"Li Xian'er," he called, his voice firm. "You still have responsibilities here."
She forced herself to meet his gaze, though her heart felt heavy. "Yes, Grandfather," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.
The suitors began to leave one by one, their laughter fading into the distance, but their words lingered, echoing in her mind. Each step she took felt like a battle, a struggle to hold onto the remnants of her pride.
And as she walked down the empty hallway, her thoughts returned to the masked man. (Why does he keep appearing? And why… why does his presence feel like the only thing that brings me peace?)
In her heart, a strange resolve began to form. She didn't know what her future held, or if she would ever find acceptance among her peers, but she knew one thing: she wouldn't let their words define her.
Li Xian'er glanced back at the empty hall, her eyes narrowing. (One day, they'll see… One day, they'll regret laughing at me.)
With that thought burning in her heart, she continued down the hallway, her mind spinning with the possibilities that lay ahead.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone