Upon hearing these words, Judith had frozen for a moment. She began to run what Qui Lin had said in her head on repeat, as she tried to comprehend what had been spoken. When she was sure she heard what she thought she heard, she began to think on why she heard what she heard.
Ignoring the panic that began to rise within her, and the pain emanating from her legs, she thought on what could be more important to Qui Lin than her secret. What could be more important?
It didn't take too long before Judith understood why Qui Lin had refused. Now finding her confidence once more, Judith spoke.
"You really care about your Kingdom more than your own life, don't you?" Judith said with a smug tone, which Qui Lin couldn't help but hate. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.
It was true that Qui Lin didn't want her secret getting out. But above the consequences of that, she feared more anything about the safety of Qugan, the safety of prince Lee. If this slave girl was going to compromise that safety, then it didn't matter what happened to her.
Knowing full well this was the reason, and having her suspicion all but confirmed by Qui Lin's reaction, Judith smiled.
"The fact that you know that is reason enough to end you right here and now." Qui Lin had summoned the rings around her arms. Following this, Judith had spoken at once, not letting Qui Lin put said rings to action.
"I haven't lied to you, everything I have said is the truth. I don't pose any threat to Qugan or anyone of its people, I just want to live out my life in peace."
"I find that hard to believe when you have knowledge that all by itself, makes you a living, breathing threat."
"The fact that I've save you and your people twice now proves more than enough that I don't mean to harm anyone." Judith responded.
"The only thing that proves is just how good you are at saving your own skin." Qui Lin's line of words were enough to push Judith to silence. She fell her gaze and began to think.
As she did so, anger welled within Judith as the seconds passed by. Surely, she wasn't going to go out this way. She knew a confrontation with Qui Lin would be beyond difficult, but at this point, it seemed hopeless.
Qui Lin was going to do away with her.
Realizing that she was once again an inch away from death, Judith grinned in irony. Feeling everything now at a loss, Judith had one last card up her sleeve to play. If this failed, then her life would end up the way it was going to end in the real world.
Taking in a deep breath, Judith raised her head and met Qui Lin's gaze.
"If you want to kill me, then go ahead," Judith had said, staring the somewhat confused Qui Lin straight in the eyes. "If you want to throw away everything you have worked so hard for, then go ahead." Judith shifted as she spoke, trying to make herself more comfortable on the wall.
"Yes, I know a lot. I know so many things I'm not supposed to know, but because of that, I know how much the Eclipse Sanctum means to you. If you are willing to throw all that anyway, just for the slim chance that what you could be doing is right. Then go ahead." Judith took a deep breath before continuing.
"I've already told you my intentions, I've already showed you my intentions. I'm not a threat to anyone or anything. On the contrary, I'm here to help. But if you've already made up your mind, then I can't stop you." With this, she had said everything she wanted to say.
With nothing left to do than wait for Qui Lin to respond, she leaned her head against the wall, shut her eyes and began to breath hard. There was nothing left to do, there was nothing left to say.
If she was going to die here, then it was the end for her. All that mattered was that she did her best.
As Judith sat on the floor, back against the wall and feeling a river of pain flowing through her. She couldn't help but think back on her life, how much it really sucked, and how much she did her best to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Even more than that, no matter how terrible her life was, she always found a way to be positive and smile. That's why she felt a certain affinity toward Tsai, they had the same philosophy about life.
A shame after all her perseverance and positivity, the world had doomed her with an obstacle she was not able to overcome, even if she tried.
And somehow, she found another chance at life, only to hit the same road block once more.
Judith had smiled out of irony, forgetting for a moment that apart from her and her thoughts, there was someone else in this small room. It didn't really matter either ways, a simple smile was not going to change the outcome of her fate.
Waiting for Qui Lin to pass judgment, Judith sat in silence. Sat for several moments too long. When nothing had happened, Judith opened her eyes and looked in front of her. What she found was a Qui Lin who was seemingly frozen in place. Lost in thought.
Judith stared at her for several seconds, before Qui Lin had finally lifted her gaze off the ground and stared at Judith in return.
With a moment of silence, Qui Lin finally moved her lips, in an attempt to speak, which caused Judith to wait in anxiousness for what she was about to say.
"If you want me to believe everything you just told me," Qui Lin said, pulling every bit of Judith's attention. "Then you have to do one thing."