I followed behind Gao Chen as she walked through the long, chilly halls of the Shimmering Palace, making sure I was only a step or two behind her.
The trip to wherever we were going only reaffirmed the fact that my new home was gigantic; we were walking in silence for over fifteen minutes, dozens of empty courtyards and rooms passing us by.
Each step I took only strengthened my newfound resolution, as more and more of the Shimmering Palace was revealed to me.
Holding my stomach in one hand, I started thinking of more ways to guarantee my desired future would come to pass.
Strengthening myself was the priority; if I reached a certain threshold, I couldn't simply be tossed aside on a whim.
Gao Chen would need to treat me well when I grow stronger, both for her own reputation, and to make sure I myself didn't cause her troubles inside her house.
With each of her Servants being around the Ascendant Realm, if I clawed past them and cemented myself as the strongest behind Gao Chen, I could maintain my current status.
Of course, they weren't slacking in cultivation either, but that was my current goal; to make my way towards being an Ascendant Cultivator.
However, there was another path I could take, one that made me slightly disgusted, but...
If I started clinging to Gao Chen more, to make her see me as more than just some useless fiancee, I could, at the very least, continue to live as I was.
All I needed to do was to start servicing my fiancee as best I could, to give her the pleasure she so craves and etch a spot for myself in her mind.
There was no escape from this marriage, at least not one that was immediate.
If I, somehow, someway, grew stronger than Gao Chen, I could divorce her and flee, but...
That wouldn't happen anytime soon; she was a Void Realm Cultivator, and every Realm above the Ascendant Realm took years of hard work to reach; one could make their way from Qi Condensation to Ascendant in a few years, but the gap between Realms past Ascendant was like the gap between heaven and earth.
A giant leap between two separate Realms would take the more time than restarting your cultivation and returning to where you were.
So, since I couldn't escape the marriage, and Gao Chen herself had said she planned on having multiple children with me, then...
Biting my cheek, I looked up towards her hand, wondering if this was the route I should take.
If I was to be living in her room, warming her bed, should I just...
Give myself to her; give her my heart and soul, in exchange for the warmth that I crave?
If I provide her with an outlet for her lust, a pleasurable woman to bed, would she shower me with love in turn?
Was that the kind of person Gao Chen was?
But, even if she wasn't, did I want my child to grow up with two parents who never saw one another besides in a bed?
Could I stomach my hatred for the child growing inside of me?
While we walked more, I found my thoughts drifting again, down that line of questions.
Even if I did give myself to her, would Gao Chen rein in her lust to be with only me?
I doubt it.
How large would she grow her Harem then?
Would I be alright with her having a Harem, knowing that she was always drifting from bed to bed, having her way with different women while I cared for our children?
Could I bear that?
My thoughts were pushed from my mind as Gao Chen spoke, her voice filling the hall as she said "We're here, little bunny."
Gulping, I nodded as I entered the room behind her, glancing around with curiosity at yet another new environment.
It was a small, cozy room, the rug laden floor providing warmth alongside the crackling fire pit in the center.
Two tables were prepared, sitting across from one another on opposite sides of the fire.
Each was laden with a variety of grilled meats, fruits, vegetables, and broths, while one of the tables had a bottle, filled with a rich red liquid.
A small smile appeared on Gao Chen's face as she sat down behind that table, her hand reaching instantly for the bottle.
Taking a seat behind the other table, I stared at the assembled food with wide eyes, the fragrant scents overwhelming me, my mind undecided on what to try first.
Pulling my robe tighter over my body, I reached forwards and grabbed my chopsticks, deciding to start with the small bowl of salad.
Each shredded piece of lettuce was laden with Water Qi, and I happily dug into the bowl, enjoying the taste more than the benefits.
As I slowly filled my belly with the variety of food prepared in front of me, Gao Chen had all but licked her table clean, every last ounce of food gone, while the wine bottle remained in her hand, the orange eyed woman grinning as she sipped from it.
Her relaxed posture and happy expression made me freeze for a moment, her figure and face searing themselves into my mind.
She looked utterly beautiful in that moment, her past actions against me momentarily forgotten as I stared at her, my mind wandering around in circles as she took another sip.
That moment was shattered as someone entered the room; the newest of the Servants, the gray skinned Da stepping into the room, making her way over to Gao Chen.
Leaning down, the Midnight Crow whispered something to my fiancee, who's grin only widened as she nodded, getting up.
"Finish eating, little bunny. When you're done, have Bao take you back to my room. I'll be... a little late tonight..."
She stared at Da's curves with lust, and I felt my heart tighten in my chest as she exited the room, not casting another glance at me as she followed behind her Servant.
Leaving me in silence, I stared down at my table, my fist clenching the chopsticks, shattering them.
Letting out a low growl, I let the splinters of wood fall from my hand, staring at the blood that dripped down my palm for a few minutes.
Getting up, I made my way to the door and opened it, stalking past Bao, who stood outside.
The Tigress wore a confused expression as she followed behind me, only asking a question as we entered the large hall that housed Gao Chen's throne.
"Y-Young Miss, this isn't-!"
"I know."
My whisper was icy, and I continued to stalk back towards my old room, my mind in turmoil.
Was I an idiot?!
Of course Gao Chen wouldn't only bed me; she had made that perfectly clear over the years.
Why the hells did I think she would change now?!
Slipping into my old courtyard, I walked over to my White Willow, attempting to calm myself by returning to my previous routine.
Pouring my Qi into the trunk, I then sat below the Willow's swaying branches, closing my eyes.
Moving my hand to my turquoise pendant, I grabbed it, no longer flinching as pain swept over me.
I needed to improve.
Not only my strength, but my mind as well.
As I absorbed the black vapors, I could have sworn I heard a voice, drifting along the winds, calling out to me.