Page 29 of Sweet Dominion

Tradition was good, but Moni was more important and would forever be.

Now, let’s see what the fuck is making her so scared and nervous.

Chapter six

A Cruel Test

Monique

Lei and I left the elegantly decorated tea ceremony while news reporters’ murmurs and whispers faded into the background.

My hand trembled in Lei’s hold. Thank God he didn't say anything. Instead, he just tightened his grip on my hand slightly and guided us away.

How do I tell Lei his sister is dead? Do I say it now or after the tea ceremony?

In another city, those questions would have been ridiculous. Of course someone would tell the person of their sibling’s death.

But during my short time in the East, I was learning that everything was important—colors, traditions, symbols, etc.

This is crazy. What should I do?

Leo had put me in an impossible position by gifting me with his daughter’s head right before the damn ceremony.

What the hell, man?

However, I also had to remember that Leo was notorious for his constant mind games and tests. Every interaction with him was like navigating a minefield, where one misstep could lead to disastrous consequences.

Fuck. Seriously. . .what am I going to do?

Silent, Lei continued to guide me away.

The house seemed to stretch on endlessly. The lavish decor and extravagant furniture blurred as we moved and my mind was too preoccupied to take in the details.

All around us, the staff engaged in a flurry of activity wearing crisp blue uniforms and carrying trays stacked with delicacies.

Others rushed by with mops and dusters in hand.

Still, Lei led me with a purposeful stride, his expression unreadable.

I followed, my heart pounding in my chest, the weight of the impending revelation pressing down on me.

Alright. Think.

My mind returned to the decision.

If I tell him, he is going to be in so much pain, and he’ll want to kill Leo immediately.

Instead of a tea ceremony, it would be a blood bath.

But. . .didn’t Leo know that would happen?

If Leo remained steps of ahead, then he had to guess that his giving me the head would trigger chaos.

Alright. So, if he figured that would happen, then why give me the head in that moment?

Leo wanted me to be a top Mountain Mistress—a position that held great power and respect in the East. The tea ceremony served as one of my unofficial first steps in this role.

Wasn’t I supposed to be focused on doing my best for that?

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