Lei Xing felt the view was truly breathtaking, she had always wanted to see this and it was even better than she imagined being in the middle of it.
She had always wanted to experience this and even looked into visiting Thailand during its Light festival, but never got around to it, it was one of the many things she never got a chance to do.
She sighed as she thought of all the things she set aside for the future that will ultimately never be.
{...What was the point of all that stress now? I should have had more fun...Actually, considering the cruise was supposed to be "fun"...Maybe less fun was the way?...}
"Is something wrong?" Li Ru asked, turning to Lei Xing after hearing Lei Xing's depressed sigh.
Lei Xing blinked and turned to her, "No, no...everything's fine. It's beautiful." She finished with a smile and looked back up at the sky filled with floating lanterns.
Li Ru also turned back to the sky as well, taking in the view. It was also her first time seeing this, as they never did this in her city.
Tung Mei who was still standing with them looked at Lei Xing's captivated expression and then glanced back up at the sky of lanterns, "Tch it's okay, we've seen better."
Lei Xing was immersed in the sky scene and was no longer paying attention to her surroundings. Seeing the departing lanterns made her feel oddly nostalgic.
She recalled fond memories of her past life, her family, the few she called friends...the life she was no longer part of.
{...I wonder what they are all doing now?... If time passes the same there, they should have heard by now...}
As that thought crossed Lei Xing's mind, her eyes welled up, and two teardrops escaped her eyes, she quickly lifted up a hand and covertly wiped them away.
She looked on transfixed at the departing lanterns that seemed to represent the beautiful things she had lost and could no longer regain. Lei Xing took a deep breath and then laughed to herself.
{...This is not how envisioned my lantern release experience going...I was supposed to be at Thailand's Light festival taking beautiful shots with my phone hahaha...}
Lei Xing's face at this time was full of smiles, and she was trying hard to restrain herself from laughing out loud.
If she didn't laugh, she would end up crying, and laughter had always been the better emotion of choice at times like these.
The next moment, Tung Mei hugged Lei Xing's arm, Lei Xing instinctively tried to pull away, but Tung Mei held on tight. Lei Xing turned to look at her with a frown, Tung Mei smiled at her and then looked back up to the sky.
Lei Xing blinked at her, oddly enough this was not as bad as usual. Maybe she just really needed comfort right now, either way, the urge to fight her quickly subsided and Lei Xing sighed, and then looked back up at the sky, solemnly.
After the lanterns had floated far away, the celebration was over and concluded with farewells to the royal family.
When Lei Xing returned to her palace, she was in a stoic mood and just sat down quietly with her mind blank.
After a long while, she glanced around the room and looked at Ah Jin and Xiao Ruo, who had been standing there the whole time, and she suddenly recalled something.
"Ah Jin, are Tung Mei and I really friends?" Lei Xing asked, looking at Ah Jin with a blank expression.
"Yes, your highness." Ah Jin swiftly replied.
"Like sisters?"
"Yes, your highness."
Lei Xing sighed and relaxed back in her chair, "I see...and how did we meet?"
Ah Jin's knit her brows, hesitated, and then glanced towards Xiao Ruo, Lei Xing followed her line of sight, "Xiao Ruo, can you go have the bath ready please?"
Xiao Ruo complied, bowed, and made her exit, glancing curiously at Ah Jin as she did. After the doors were closed on Xiao Ruo's exit, Lei Xing continued, "Now you can talk."
Ah Jin nodded and complied, "You met her a few years ago when you...you...you left the manor for a while."
Lei Xing raised her eyebrows and asked, "Alone?"
"Yes."
"How come?"
Ah Jin hesitated again, "Well...you left by yourself."
Lei Xing narrowed her eyes, "Ran away?"
Ah Jin knit her brows again, "Well, not exactly...you left a note saying you will be returning soon."
"I see...and how did I run into Tung Mei?"
Ah Jin's brows scrunched up even more, "Ah...I'm not exactly sure, by the time I found you, you were already together."
Lei Xing squinted at her, "You found me?"
"Yes, your highness."
"So you were looking for me?"
"Yes, your highness."
"I thought you said I didn't run away and planned on returning, so why were you looking for me?" Lei Xing was staring fixedly at Ah Jin, who seemed to be quite nervous, which was unlike her usual self. Lei Xing scrutinized her lightly scoffed.
{...Well, this seems quite interesting...}
"Ah...I was worried." Ah Jin responded.
"Worried about?" Lei Xing swiftly followed up.
"Ah...Well, you...you were all alone outside the city...anything could happen to y-"
"I was outside the city? How did you know?" Lei Xing interjected.
"Ah...Your father, I overheard him. The guards at the city gates saw you."
"Hm...but how did you know where to look though?" Ah Jin stared blankly at Lei Xing, who calmly staring fixedly at her, Lei Xing smirked, "You knew where I was going, right?" She was in a nosy mood right now, anything to get her mind off useless thoughts.
Ah Jin remained silent, so Lei Xing directly asked, "So where was I going?"
Ah Jin looked back up at Lei Xing, it seemed she had regained her usual calm composure and said, "I really don't know where you were going...honestly, I met you on the way and we came back...and Miss Tung was there too."
"Ahh, I see...you wouldn't know then..." Lei Xing said nodding, "You seem quite close to that Miss Tung..." Lei Xing said casting Ah Jin a questioning look that made it clear she was waiting for an explanation.
Ah Jin swiftly got on her knees and responded, "We really are not close at all, she traveled back with us for a while...that is all there is to it, we don't have anything to do with each other." She looked up at Lei Xing with imploring eyes, which to Lei Xing seemed like accusing eyes.
{..Tch, it's not like it's a crime to know her...Now it seems like I'm bullying you -_-)'...}
Lei Xing sighed, this was no longer amusing. She was just about to tell Ah Jin to stand up when the doors opened, and Xiao Ruo ran into the room urgently, "Your highness, your highness..."
Lei Xing looked at Xiao Ruo, "Calm down, what is it?"
{...Doesn't she get tired of always being so anxious about everything -_-)'...}
Xiao Ruo bowed, "I apologize, your highness, the Emperor is waiting for you outside."
Lei Xing immediately frowned at her.
{...What does he want now? Can't someone have a little fun in peace for once?! Is it a crime?!... Also, why is he waiting outside? -_-)'...Wait, not that I want him in here...Outside is good, very good...}
While Lei Xing was zoning out, Xiao Ruo implored her, "Your highness, you should hurry up and go out. It isn't good to keep the Emperor waiting."
Lei Xing sighed, got up and glanced at Ah Jin, who was still kneeling, "You should get up, there's no need for panic, it's not a crime even if you know her."
Ah Jin bowed again, and Lei Xing walked out of the room.
When she got outside, she was led to the gazebo on the side, where the Emperor was standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
Lei Xing inwardly sighed and then walked forward and bowed in greeting, "Your majesty."
He glanced at her, "Ah, you're still awake?"
Lei Xing's forehead pulsed, and she inwardly sighed.
{...Not in the mood for this crap -_-)... You called me here, I didn't "stumble" upon your quiet time...Actually, this is my palace too...so this is not a coincidence, don't talk like it is! -_-)'...}
When Lei Xing didn't respond, the Emperor smirked and then looked forward again. Lei Xing looked at him and waited for him to state his business.
But he didn't say anything. After a while, Lei Xing traced his line of sight.
{...Hey, the wall couldn't be that interesting...also, if you want to wall gaze, there are so many other places around to do that, and I know for a fact it is a hobby better enjoyed alone -_-)...}
Lei Xing inwardly sighed.
{...He's really just there to ruin my night, isn't he? -_-)..}.
"How did you find the view of the lanterns?" The Emperor finally spoke up, still looking forward.
Lei Xing raised an eyebrow at him and flatly responded, "It was magnificent."
{...Did he really come here to converse about floating lanterns? ...If he's looking for someone to praise him for his aesthetic choice, he came to the wrong place -_-)'...}
The Emperor turned to look at Lei Xing with a calm smile, "Really? I thought it had evoked some unpleasant memories for you."
Lei Xing raised her eyebrows, "No, not at all."
{...What tangent is this guy on now? -_-)...}
"Really? Then why the tears?" He calmly asked.
Lei Xing blinked and was confused, "What tears?"
{...Is this guy hallucinating now?...}
"You were crying as you watched the lanterns." The Emperor stated matter of factly.
Lei Xing nervously laughed and flatly said, "I wasn't crying."
"I distinctly remember seeing tears..."
Lei Xing put on a strained smile and repeated, "I wasn't crying."
The Emperor laughed, "There is no need to feel ashamed, it is understandable..."
Lei Xing's lips twitched, "Two teardrops doesn't equal crying."
"Very well...why the two teardrops?"
Lei Xing blankly looked at him.
{...Are you bored? -_-)'...I know life here is very boring, but there should be plenty keeping YOU busy...}
Before she could respond, he added, "...Is there something causing you grief...or perhaps something you miss?"
Lei Xing gave a half-smile and offhandedly said, "It was just a beautiful moment...a nostalgic moment."
"A nostalgic moment?" The Emperor repeated and then looked forward again and sighed, "That is an apt description."
The two of them stood in silence for a while, each with their own thoughts. Then the Emperor turned to her with an outstretched hand, "Here."
Lei Xing glanced down at his hand which was holding a carved jade object and then back up at him, he motioned for her to take it, so she hesitantly took it and turned it over scrutinizing the object. Then he continued to explain, "That is a pass to leave the palace."
Lei Xing froze and looked up at him wide-eyed in disbelief, "A...A pass?"
The Emperor smiled looking at her awe-stricken face, "Yes, it is."
"I...I can leave?" She asked, still in disbelief.
"Yes, you can." The Emperor calmly responded.
Lei Xing smiled cheerfully and then laughed, and then remembered to show gratitude and bowed, "Thank you, thank you so much...The universe will reward you, thank you..."
{....Oh my goodness! I can't believe this happening! Finally getting out!... Oh, wow I can't believe this....just when I was giving up hope T_T)... I'm sorry for all the insults, you're a really good person...}
Lei Xing was so overjoyed and felt like she would cry.
{...Today's really something...I'm usually not a crier, hahaha, but who cares!... Today we cry, Tomorrow we're free!!! ... This feels too good to be true! T_T)... Wait, this is really too good to be true...and if it feels that way, it usually is...}
Lei Xing's happy excited demeanor immediately vanished, and she cautiously looked at the Emperor, who had been watching her moment of joy with a smile. Lei Xing looked at him skeptically, "...Thank you...but what's the catch?"
"The catch?" The Emperor repeated, confused.
"Ah...I mean, like the cost..." Lei Xing tried to explain the expression.
"Cost?" The Emperor asked with a raised eyebrow, still confused.
Lei Xing pursed her lips, thinking of a better term, "...Um, the pitfall."
"Pitfall?" The Emperor knit his brows, "You mean like a trap?"
Lei Xing nodded, "Exactly!"
"Catch..." The Emperor quietly said to himself and then smirked at her, "...should there be?"
Lei Xing slightly narrowed her eyes and became even more guarded.
{...I knew it, there is no way this was a going to be a free walk...I knew it! It's probably a prank too...Wait, but why would he lie? -_-)'....I don't know, crazy's not my forte! -_-)...Maybe baiting?...
...It may truly be a pass but watch him say something like, "It is a pass and you can use it to leave...after my death." or "It is a pass, that you could have used to leave yesterday" or some other stupid crap like that -_-)...}