The Other Side of the Mask

"U-uh, what an interesting question. Why do you think that?"

"Your outfit," I put bluntly.

"Well, if I was an assassin, I would have already been caught."

I look down below and realize that there were actually quite a lot… of guards…

How am I supposed to complete this mission then?

"Then, who are you, Mister?"

"U-uh please don't call me mister, I'm not really that old."

"I'm sorry...uh"

"XiaoLong"

"Ok, XiaoLong. So what are you doing in the castle?"

I further inquire suspiciously.

"Well… I'm a knight in the castle and I'm on break."

"..."

We sit there for a bit as he munches his apple. I take sneak peeks at his face. He has dark blue eyes like the night sky… wow… That's the royal capital for you. I think back reminiscing about my home. I miss my family… I don't want them to have to pay for my crimes. It's all because of that Mayor Chun! He should have picked someone else or something! He knew that my athletic ability is the best in the town!

"Is something bothering you?" XiaoLong asks, looking at my face.

"N-no…"

I stare up at the stars, embarrassed that I was sort of … um… inspecting his face…

"Um, can I ask a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Can you teach me to use a dagger?"

XiaoLong looks at me suspiciously, "Why?"

"U-uh well you see…" I stammer and quickly find a reason, "... self defense purposes…"

"I'll think about it."

After another couple of awkward minutes, I prepared to head inside.

"XiaoLong, I'm going to go inside."

"Wait!"

I turn around as he speaks.

"Uh what's your name?"

I smile, "QiLing"

Breakfast the next morning was way too lavish and some action started to happen.

"You country wench! How dare you ruin my dress! Do you know how much this cost?"

These people! I sip my tea. The noble definitely caused the girl to bump into her… She's definitely trying to tarnish the girl so that there would be one less candidate. I sigh and don't but in, since it would play out well for me too. If anything goes wrong, Mayor Chun would definitely blame my family. Tsk!

The noble woman screams, "You better pay for this! Why did a country brat like you even come in the first place?"

Without looking, I could tell the girl was trembling. She kneeled and begged for forgiveness.

"Please have mercy! I didn't do it on purpose!"

"What's going on?" a knight in armor walks up to them.

"She spilled food on my dress! I bet she could sell her entire town and not be able to pay for this!"

The girl kowtowed and stammered, "P-please… have … m-mercy…"

I put my tea down and walk right in the middle of the fight. I gather all my anger and yell,

"Stop!"