Days, weeks, months, and years passed.
Living in the De residence for seven years, Liam learned a lot from this world.
This world was like an ancient time on earth. Where female was inferior to the males. Girls at home and boys had to work.
She also learned that her father was the Right Prime Minister in court working at the Imperial Palace. Her mother was the former number one beauty in the Gong Kingdom in her youth.
These seven years, all individuals in De's home, from the workers, from her grandma and granddad on the two sides, and folks spoiled her. Everything that was best they unhesitatingly gave it to her.
Of course, Liam was delighted with her situation.
But in her seven years in this world, she never stopped thinking about her purpose why she came here. What is the thing that she regretted the most?
Liam was currently looking outside her window. From there, she could see the sons and daughters of their loyal servants who were playing while sweeping the yard. The children of their faithful servants could stay at their manor for one reason, that was to serve her until they grow together with her. In other words, they were going to be trained to be her loyal servants.
Seeing these children play, Liam could not help but reminisce about her own childhood.
'Eh...??
'I did not have any childhood memories? Odd.'
As far as she could remember, she was ten and studying hard to become the cream of the crop. But there were no childhood memories of her.
'Maybe I'm a late bloomer?'
She remembered her professor said when she was in college that there were children who are late bloomers. Their memories do not start at the age of two or three like most children do, but older. Their consciousness and awareness were awakened in older age [1].
'Maybe I was like that...'
She observed the children who were happily playing. Then her eyes shined. Maybe...
'What I regret is childhood! I don't have childhood memories! Then I shall make one! Hahaha!'
Liam felt very alive since she came into this world. As a child, it was acceptable to do anything you want.
'Anything I want...I will create good and unforgettable childhood memories...'
Having found a reason to live, Liam did not hold back. She ran towards the group of children who were playing and joined them.
That day, the mischievous Little Li was born.
*****
"Li! Aunt Shao Mei will kill my butt if I let you get out! Please come back! " a nine years old servant ran after a seven-year-old Liam.
Liam made her mission to have an unforgettable childhood become a disaster to De's residence.
At first, this child let the servants be her playmate and even threatened them if they did not call her "Li" instead of "young miss." The children were scared. First, they were strictly following the customs and etiquette of the manor. But little Li pretend to be hurt if they called her 'young miss.' The little servants did not want to make their Young miss sad. So if no old people were watching them, the children freely called her by her name. That was their secret rendezvous. But little Li became more mischievous each day.
Today, the seven-year-old Li dressed in plain clothes and sneaked out from their residence.
Liam was excited to go outside. Since she came into this world, she did not have a chance to check out her surroundings because she was a baby. Now that she was a little older, she can walk, run, talk, and hide. She always wanted to do this. She read and watched historical fiction. Most female protagonists did it. Sneaking out and finding their charming prince outside. Who knows, maybe she can find hers too...
'Why not try my luck today? Besides, I will do everything I want!'
She just ignored her maid's tattering.
"Little Li! Wait for me! Why you're so fast...?" The little maid said in a quick breath. She was taller, but this child was faster than her!
Little Li looked back at Xiao Min while running."Little Xiao! You're just slow! You also eat a little! That's why----" she didn't finish what she was about to say because her small feet step on a small rock causing her to lost her balance. She immediately fell in the mud.
What bad luck. It just rained earlier.
'Aahhhh! There's no doubt! I'm unlucky today...no need to try my luck ah...'
Xiao Min quickly helps her to stand up. Little Li's adorable face was now dirtied with mud. Her plain white clothes were also drenched with mud. She looked like a beggar. Seeing this scene, Xiao Min began to cry.
"Huhuhu....young miss...forgive this servant..whuhuhu...I did not take care of you...I'm going to be punished.." Xiao Min knew that Little Li was very distinguished and doted in De's residence, even as a lowly servant loved her young miss the most.
Liam's heart softens seeing this child crying because of her unluckiness.
"Don't worry, I will not let them know. Besides, I'm not hurt. It is also my fault. Don't cry..don't cry."
Seeing her young miss comforting her, Xiao Min cried louder.
Liam sighed.
'Why this child so emotional? I just got slipped.'
"Fine, I don't feel good. I felt sticky. Can you look for good and dry clothes for me? I will wait for you here."
Xiao Min nodded and dashed. She needed to find dry clothes immediately!
Liam was left alone. In this area, a lot of trees could be seen. In every tree, orchids were growing in its trunks. From afar, she could see a lake with lily's growing on it.
'What a beautiful scene...'
What she liked the most were orchids and lilies. She was about to walk forward towards the small lake when she heard a whimpering sound.
Her step faltered.
'What was that?! Don't tell me ghosts are common in this world?!'
Liam was suddenly scared. What she hated the most in her past lifetime were horror movies and ghosts. She was afraid of them. Mainly she lived alone in her condo.
She tried to run where Xiao Min went to, but then stopped. What if it was a child who was hurt and needed her help? With this thought, she calmed herself.
'It's not real...it's not real...London♬ Bridge is falling down~♪...no..it's scarier...'
She scoffed and sing a Happy tune softly while looking for the source of the whimpering sound.
"Happy♪ birthday to you♩...happy♬ birthday to you♪...happy birthday happy♬♪ birthday to you~♬" At a particular tree, where most of its branch was surrounded by orchids, the whimpering sounds got louder as she approached.
She carefully peeked behind a tree and find.....
'A boy?! Ghost or not??'
The kid hunched. His head was covered on his knees. He wore splendid shading robes. Being the daughter of the prime minister, Liam knew that the dress of the boy symbolizes royalty.
A Prince? Or just a relative?
But Liam did not wander at that anymore. She guessed there were tens of princes out there. Since the emperor had an imperial harem.
With the boy's small figure, she could guess that he was probably nine or ten.
Liam could not help it anymore. She needed to know if he was a ghost or not. If he was a ghost, she would run as fast as she could. But if not, she would help him.
So Liam poked the boy's shoulder. She felt the soft clothes. She poked again to make sure of it. When she felt the soft clothes and a little flesh, Liam was relieved.
'It was good I did not run earlier, or else I can't help this pitiful boy. Maybe he's lost?'
The boy stopped sobbing and looked at the 'thing' that poked him.
"Ahhhhhh!!!" The boy screamed as he was shocked to see a monster in front of him.
It was a small creature with a muddy face and dirty clothes.
"Go away! You beggar! " the boy shouted and pushed Liam away.
Liam, who had a small body, was laid to the ground. She stared dumbfounded at the boy in front of her.
'This boy is rude! No respect for elders! This kind of boy needed a lesson...'
The 'little creature' stand up, held 'its' muddy chin up, crossed those small arms in front of her body, and glared at the boy.
"You rude boy, a coward who is crying and hiding behind a tree, no respect from elders and even pushing a beautiful, kind, and loving granny like me?! Who do you think you are to call me beggar?! You don't have a right to judge me!" Liam lived in the 21st century. It was taboo for them when someone disregards human rights. However, she forgot that she was in a different world.
The boy did not like her tone."Be thankful my servants are not here, or I'll have your head." He threatened.
'What an arrogant boy...threatening a lady like her...Don't blame me for being a bad granny to you...'
"So the coward boy, who was hiding his tears behind the tree, wanted to act brave now, isn't he?" She asked to no one.
She walked closer towards the boy and encircled him.
"A boy like you wanted to act like a grown man? Look at your clothes. It seems you came from a noble or even royalties. What they're gonna say if they saw this respectable boy was crying like a baby? A rumor like that sounds good." Liam smirked evilly, but it did not turn out to be threatening but cute instead. A seven-year-old child threatening a ten-year-old kid. What a sight to behold!
However, despite her cute appearance, the boy was horrified. He could not let a nasty rumor spread about him!
"You!" He glared at Liam and ran towards her.
Liam was shocked. She just wanted this boy to cry--ahem--bully him a little--because of his rude attitude. But she did not know that this boy would suddenly attack her. However, she was a fighter. She readied her stance and prepared for his attacks. The boy only wanted to pin her to the ground. But he did not expect her to avoid it and held captive his hands instead. Since he was bigger, he used his strength to be freed from her hold. But Liam was an experienced fighter than this boy. She took taekwondo class and even managed to be a black belter in her past life.
However, her body was still too small. She managed to hold the boy, and she pinned him down onto the ground. Both children were breathing so fast.
"Ha..ha..now..you..ha..are bitten by a girl..ha?"Liam said between heavy breaths. Her small body was on top of the boy who was kissing the grass.
"Le--gghhtt me-gghh gooh!"
"Why? Afraid people might see you and start rumors about how badly beaten you are by a lady?"
"Dogggt tell!"
"What?" Liam mocked the boy more.
"Don't..tell anyone...please.." the boy managed to speak accurately despite kissing the grass.
"Again? I couldn't quite hear you. You should ask for forgiveness from me if you want me to let you go."
The boy looked down. He was humiliated that he was being beaten by a seven-year-old girl! Where her strength come from?
"I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you."
"And?"
"And?... I-I shouldn't have called you a beggar?"
"I can't quite understand. Why don't you put it into a complete sentence?"
The boy gritted his teeth. It was quite a feat that he said the word 'sorry.' If people knew that he apologized to this beggar, they would laugh at him for sure. But he did not have a choice right now. So he endured this humiliation.
"I say..I'm sorry. I'm wrong. I shouldn't have pushed you and called you a beggar."
"Good. Good.", then Liam let go of the boy's arm.
Watch it refreshing to bully a kid.. vulgar kids...
(A/N: Don't try this at home )
The moment he let go of the boy, the boy ran away from her.
Liam laughed. She was that scary, ha?
Tsk. She was just a busybody who wanted to help a little kid. Turned out it was a rude kid, and he got bullied by her. Liam put her finger under her nose. She was not that bad. She was actually a sweet little granny who was a bit strict with children since children need sweets and rod at the same time. But of course, that depends on the character of the child. This made Liam think of her niece and nephews and the grandchildren of her brother. She missed those kids.
She walked and went in the direction where her servant Xiao Min ran into. However, she heard another whimpering sound.
Her step faltered again. The sound came from a nearby tree, three steps away from her.
'It's still a human boy this time, right? Not a ghost, not a ghost.'
"Happy birthday to you♪♬, happy birthday, happy birthday ~♪♩" she started singing again while walking towards the tree. Well, she was curious, even she was afraid.
She peeked behind the tree and was startled.
'What?!'
*****
1- Source: Avalondra's encyclopedia. In short, I just created this idea. I don't know if it's true or not.