Yandere Levelling in Her World

Ren walked beside Amanda, the sound of rough gravel under their feet echoing softly between the tall crimson pillars lining the road. A faint breeze carried the scent of jasmine and old stones.

Amanda let out a small, pleased sigh. "This place," she said, her eyes sweeping over the curved roofs and carved dragon statues along the path, "is always beautiful no matter how many times I come here."

Ren tilted his head, glancing at her. "You come here often?"

"Enough times to remember the roads by heart," Amanda replied, a faint smile curling her lips. "This entire estate is twice the size of Norbata's national park. It's easy to get lost if you don't know your way. This is the biggest real estate in our country even more than our parliament."

Ren whistled low. "Twice the size? That's insane."

"Not insane," she said, "just old money. The Lan family built their palace like a city."

As they walked, the great gates of Lan Palace loomed ahead. Red lacquered wood, golden lion knockers, and a tiled roof curved like the wings of a phoenix. Beyond the gate sprawled a complex of courtyards, gardens, and inner halls—an entire world enclosed by high white walls.

Ren slowed his pace to take it all in. "So this is the famous Lan Palace…"

Amanda smiled faintly. "The jewel of the Lan family. Every visiting official takes a picture here, and every architect who steps inside feels humble."

Two workers carrying baskets of silk hurried past them, bowing slightly. Another man, dressed in a blue tunic, polished the stone lions at the steps. A group of gardeners in straw hats trimmed a maze of hedges shaped like cranes.

Ren found himself murmuring, "It's like walking through a painting."

Amanda nodded. "It's alive. This place always breathes."

They passed a koi pond lined with lotus flowers. Children in embroidered robes chased each other along the edge, giggling. A bhikunni rang a bronze bell in a pavilion.

Ren stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Never thought I'd see all this."

"You wouldn't have," Amanda reminded him lightly, "if I hadn't convinced Misa to let you come. You know she's not fond of sending you to places like this. If you weren't so stubborn about seeing Meiling, even I wouldn't bring you here. This might look peaceful, but more people died here than any other palace or estate combined."

Ren gave her a sideways glance. "Yeah. And you promised to protect me, didn't you?"

"I did." She tilted her head toward the next courtyard. "So stay close."

At the end of the pathway, a grand stairway led up to the main castle—a towering building of jade-green tiles, carved woodwork, and glimmering gold leaf. Lanterns shaped like dragons hung from the beams, swaying gently.

Ren stared. "This is… not a castle. This is…"

"The most luxurious house in the country," Amanda finished for him. "Originally a fortress. Now a palace. Lan Meiling has been kept here since the incident. They refused to move her to a hospital."

"Why?"

"Because this is safer," Amanda said simply. "And media or government can't interfere here."

Ren exhaled, a quiet sigh. "All this… and Meiling still lives pretending to be something she's not." He muttered it under his breath. "I guess everything we hope we get comes with a price."

Amanda didn't answer.

Inside the doors, the palace opened like a dream. Polished stone floors reflected a thousand lanterns. Silk tapestries painted with phoenixes lined the hallways. The smell of sandalwood clung to the air.

If Ren had been surprised earlier, now he felt as if this palace wasn't even real.

"Welcome to Lan Palace," said a soft, feminine voice.

Ren and Amanda turned.

Standing at the foot of the stairs was Lan Hua, dressed in a flowing violet cheongsam embroidered with cranes. Her long black hair gleamed under the lantern light, pinned with jade combs. Her skin was porcelain pale, her smile poised.

Ren blinked.

Even without knowing her name, he could see why men whispered about her. Her presence was not loud like Lan Xinyue's or cold like Lan Ying's. It was warm, elegant, and effortlessly magnetic.

Lan Hua was a famous model for Fouge magazine, so it wasn't hard for anyone to instantly recognize her. She possessed something none of the other Lans had—the ability to attract people not through strength or schemes, but simply by being there. Her presence was louder than anything else.

Amanda stepped forward and bowed her head slightly. "Lady Lan Hua. It's an honor."

Lan Hua's smile widened. "Amanda. It's been years since you've last came here, hasn't it? How was your journey here? Did you enjoy the Chinatown district outside the palace walls? You should try the pork buns of our locals."

Amanda chuckled softly. "It was lively. But I think I'd be more impressed seeing your motherland one day."

"I know you will. This Chinatown is nothing compared to my motherland." Lan Hua's eyes softened, as though remembering something far away. Then she turned her gaze on Ren.

Amanda gestured. "This is Ren. The one I told you about."

"I know who he is," Lan Hua said gently. "The young man who refused to join the Lan family."

Ren stiffened. He half-expected a sneer, or a cutting remark. Instead Lan Hua's expression remained serene.

"Not everyone in this world chases worldly things," she said, her voice like warm tea. "There are more important things than money or power. I'm glad there are still men like you, who walk their own path, but I got to appreciate your boldness.."

Ren blinked. "…Thank you?"

"You're welcome," Lan Hua said. "I received the note earlier. I know why you're here. Come with me."

She turned gracefully, her long sleeves flowing behind her, and led them down a corridor lined with carved wooden panels.

They passed hall after hall, each more ornate than the last. Guards stood at every junction, silent and watchful. The deeper they went, the quieter the palace became.

Ren leaned toward Amanda and whispered, "This place feels like a maze."

"It is a maze," Amanda whispered back. "Only insiders know the real layout. I heard not even servants of this palace know the layout. Apparently, they are not allowed to enter certain sections of this place."

Finally, they reached a heavy door flanked by two guard women in black.

Lan Hua stopped. "She's inside. Still hasn't woken up after the incident. Still under treatment."

She pushed the door open.

The room beyond was stark compared to the rest of the palace—white walls, soft lighting, and a faint smell of antiseptic. A hospital bed sat in the center, connected to a saline drip.

On the bed lay Lan Meiling, once proud and untouchable, now pale and fragile in a simple hospital gown. Her eyes were closed.

Ren felt a pang in his chest.

Lan Hua spoke quietly. "As soon as we heard the news, we brought the best healers and doctors. We're grateful her condition wasn't fatal." She turned to Amanda. "And we thank you for saving her."

Amanda blinked. "I… have no idea what you're talking about."

Lan Hua's brows lifted slightly. "Nor do I, it seems. Perhaps fate is simply kind. Meiling was never into chaos, unlike our other family members. My heart pains to see her like this, despite her being one of the kindest members of our family."

Without another word, she bowed her head slightly and left the room, the door closing behind her. "I will take my leave. Take your time with Meiling—she needs all the strength she can get."

Amanda exhaled slowly. "What a terrifying woman."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Terrifying? She didn't seem all that powerful to me. She seemed very nice."

Amanda gave him a sharp look. "If you were in my industry, you'd understand. Power doesn't reside in huge ice bricks or fireballs or bullets. It resides in the mind. Even the most powerless person can take down someone if they use their mind correctly, and that woman knows that very well."

Ren thought about that for a moment. "…I see."

Amanda glanced at Meiling's still form, then back at Ren. "I have something else to attend to in the castle. I'll leave you with her for now."

Ren nodded slowly. "Alright."

"But," Amanda added, her voice low, "be careful of who you meet. Don't roam around without me. This castle has… layers. Not all of them are friendly."

"I'll stay put," Ren promised.

She gave him a brief, firm nod, then turned and walked out, her footsteps fading down the hall.

Ren stood in silence, staring at the unconscious Meiling. The drip from the saline bottle ticked softly like a clock, each drop marking the passing of time he couldn't control. Outside the window, the wind whispered through the palace gardens, carrying with it the faint rustle of leaves.

He exhaled, his shoulders sinking under a weight he couldn't name. "Meiling… what happened to you?"

But the only answer was the slow, steady beep of the monitor by her bed, a hollow reminder that she was still here—yet so far away.