The Other Side of the Mask

"Let's split up, I'll take the far side," I tactically say, "We'll rendezvous back here. Horseman, Ji, stay here. We'll be back in an hour if there's no trouble."

I rush off, jumping from roof to roof. The cool breeze of the summer night comforts me as I look around at the stars. After finding a spot of trouble, I stop and eavesdrop.

"... the Pirate League… we'll… hah they'll never…"

Suddenly, one of the more skilled pirates looks up.

"Who's there?"

I stay silent, not daring to even move an inch.

"Captain Bartholomew, you must've drank too much beer. This town is filled," one of the other pirates says.

"Yeah…" he responds while looking right at my hiding spot.

All of a sudden, the sound of hooves stamping the ground appears and grows louder. I retreat towards our carriage. Either way, whoever it is is definitely not on our side.

I rush only to find a black figure appear suddenly, in front of me.

I try to run, but he grasps my hand. I look to see a familiar face. XiaoLong! Of all people, why him? Even a bandit would be better! I looked away, hoping he didn't see my face… but it seems that he did.

"QiLing?"

"..."

He pulls me closer and tries to get a closer look at my face. I resist to the best of my ability, but, of course, my 'old teacher' is stronger. He searches my face for something, and I look straight at him in the face, a thing I haven't done in a long time.

"I heard you have built your harem, your majesty," I say as I pour salt into my wounded heart.

Why is it so hard to stop liking someone?

XiaoLong's face became surprised for some reason, "...y-yeah…"

Abruptly, XiaoLong suddenly hugs me.

"Please come back, QiLing. Become my empress,"XiaoLong says.

"Why?" I try even harder to break my own heart.

"Because I love you," XiaoLong says.

I knew deep down that he might have, but those three words were enough for my feelings which were hanging by a thread to recover.

At that moment, a soldier called for XiaoLong.

"Crown Prince! I need to report!"

I take the chance and run as fast as I can back to the carriage. I pant once I get back.

"Where were you?" Ji rushes up to me, concerned.

"The port was in bad shape already. Luckily the Yue Kingdom's knights are here," Commander Yang reports.

"Yeah, we'll leave it to them," I state, half-heartedly.

I just want to leave this place, and that person...