The Other Side of the Mask

TianYu looks at me with amazement.

\t"Ah- it's nothing…"

\t"TianYu, QiLing, do me a favor and please stand outside the classroom today."

\tI could see the teacher's fake smile. She was definitely bribed by the nobles, but we comply, with nothing else to do. The same went on for the rest of the classes as we got the worst things or even nothing in each class.

TianYu pouts, "I can't believe this; I thought everything is supposed to be fair!"

"It's fine, TianYu, don't let it get to you."

The Prince arrives in the garden for the cooking trials, and I recognize the guard beside him. It's XiaoLong's fellow guard that we met before going into the training grounds! I look around desperately for XiaoLong, but I don't find him in sight. His mask and outfit… I know I will recognize it once I see it, but I don't see it at all. I sigh.

I sneakily pull out the vial of poison and I add eight drops this time. I add one more drop each day to the amount I add. I stir it in and serve it.

At night, XiaoLong and I spar while I think of a plan to allow the teachers to teach TianYu and I again. I think and think… I suddenly slip on a patch of wet grass.

"Aaahhh-"

I extend my arm to catch myself before I hit the ground, but XiaoLong grabs me. I haul myself up and put my arms around his neck.

I lie to him, "I'm tired."

I stay in that position while thinking about what I should do… no Mayor Chun doesn't have that much money… no, that'll just be doing what they want…

Before I realized, XiaoLong carried me to the bench on the side.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

"Hmmm…" I realize that he asked me and I explain, "Well, you see, my friend and I are sorta shunned out of class so I'm trying to think of a way to … get back in…"

\t"Oh, so that's the matter. Want me to help?"

"No, it's fine I can do it by myself."

I ponder a bit more.

He stares at me intently, "You're not gonna be able to sleep if you keep this up."

\t"Well, if I let you do it, you're probably gonna tattle tail to the prince or something…"

\t"Ah, no I wouldn't!" he looks offended, but I ignore and keep pondering.

\tHe carries me all the way to my room and puts me on my bed.

\t" Go. To. Sleep."

\t"What does my sleep have to do with you?" I fire back.

"Go to sleep. I'll stay here until you sleep."

\tI immediately responded, "No way!"

Then I quiet down a little, "Fine, I'll just think on my bed, then. You'll be here all night."

\tHe lies down on my bed beside me, "I'll be here all night-"

"No!" I whisper-scream.

\t"Then go to sleep."

"Fine, fine, I will, I will…"

\tAt lunch, I return to my room to put my books back, and I spot a second letter from Mayor Chun.

\t"Dearest,

I heard that you're doing very well in the trials along with a certain friend named TianYu. You know what I want you to do. This way neither of us are to blame

Mayor Chun

Ps. I heard you haven't done it yet so use the whole bottle."