Liam peeked behind the tree and was startled.
'What?! This boy just choose another tree to hide and cry again?'
Liam saw the scene like earlier. The boy was still sobbing, hiding his face away. Liam stared at the boy. She admitted that this boy was rude, probably a result of being pampered since young. He came from a noble family, after all. Remembering his panicked expression when she said she would tell what she witnessed to others, Liam could not help but think that this boy was pitiful. Being pressured at a young age, even hiding his feelings and pain.
In her past life, Liam really liked to help children. That she even donated her shares from her company to orphanage and children's programs. Whenever she saw a vulnerable child, her heart was in pain. It was a part of her-the habit of helping children. She simply joked before was at the youngster. She had a niece, and a portion of those offspring of her sibling was ruined. So she reprimanded them and taught them lessons, albeit strictly. They all grew up well.
Seeing this lonely boy tugged at Liam's heartstrings. She felt incredibly guilty of bullying the boy earlier.
Liam slowly approached the sobbing child and sat beside him.
The boy noticed her presence and instantly wipe his tears.
"Why are you here again? Can you just go?!"
"Why will I go? It's beautiful scenery here."
"There are so many trees. Go there. " the boy said with narrowed eyes. He wanted to be alone! He wanted to cry so much right now so that later, his eyes would be too dry to call when he met them again.
"But you're here. It's too lonely to admire the scene alone." Liam said with a childish voice, well, she can't help it. The body she was in was still a child.
The boy looked at the little girl. Even he was older, this little girl did not listen to him. She was also more assertive. He cannot use strength.
So he laid back again, his head to his knees, and stared blankly at the small lake.
'No matter what I say, she will not listen to me.'
Liam also stared at the lake before her. The lilies were swaying through the wind making the surface of the water dance rhythmically. With the smell of orchids lingering in her nostrils, Liam felt a sense of contentment for the first time in this world. That this world she came was not bad after all.
"You know, there were times that I feel lonely and empty. Crying to yourself and hiding behind a tree is not a good habit. It is okay to cry, but you should not keep it to yourself. You may get sick and have an unstable mind."
The boy heard her words. He looked at the small girl.
"What do you know?! You are younger than me. You probably don't know what you are talking about. How can you know what life I have?! Do you know how hard it is to watch those people bully my mother?! And now...and now...my mother would be ....while me...I-I can-n't do anything... I can only watch and not cry...."
The boy's tears flow endlessly. All his pent-up frustration came out. Inside that place, he could not show any emotion. His mother always reminded him to not show any weakness in front of them. Even if she died.
Liam looked at the boy. He is matured despite his young age. A boy who was forced to grow would be hard to tame. Liam could see what kind of man he would be once he grew up with a belief like this.
"You're right. I don't know what you've been through. But I can only see a boy who needs someone to talk to. And it's your lucky day. I'm here! You can talk to me, and this will be our secret." Liam said seriously, but it looked like she was cheering up the boy with her child's face.
The boy looked at her with a pained expression.
"What I can do even I talk to you about it? Can you save my mother from being executed tomorrow? Can you change the mind of the emperor? I --I can't do anything... how much a beggar like you?!"
Tears and mucus now flowing freely in the boy's face. He did not care about his image anymore.
Liam weight the situation.
'So, that's what happened. Any kid, even me, would surely feel hopeless and felt the world is my enemy.'
Liam lived seven years in this world. She somehow understands how the political system works in this era.
Emperor is the Law. Wealthy people get justice. Servants are disposable. Etc.
There were so many that Liam could not list them all.
She sighed heavily. Life was in question here. The kid was correct. She was just a child at this moment. How could she help him? The only thing she could do was comfort him.
She reached out her short arms and patted the boy's head.
"I know. We can't do anything even you tell me. But at least I'm here for you now."
'I'm here for you now...'
That's her favorite line whenever she comforts a child. Even it was meaningless phrases to an adult-like her, to children, they were precious.
The boy looked at the little girl. His heart was profound and complicated. He needed to let it out. When he heard those words, warmth spread to him, tinging his eyes. It made him cried louder. He reached out to the little girl and hug her tightly. He needed someone right now. Who would say to him that he was not alone, that everything was a nightmare? That he would not lose his mother tomorrow. He cried so hard for the first time in his life.
Liam was feeling strange. In the past, whenever she comforted a child, she would be the one to hug them and cuddled them in her arms until they calmed. But now, she was the one being nestled. And tears and mucus of that child were flowing to her.
She was full of MUD. SWEATS. TEARS. And MUCUS.
SHE BADLY WANTED TO TAKE A BATH.
After a long while, the boy's waterfall tears stopped. He let go of the little girl, which delighted Liam.
The boy's heaviness in his heart was lifted up a little. But his heart was not that painful anymore. He had calmed down.
Liam saw this opportunity to give tips to the boy to have his mentality and emotions stable.
"Remember this, when you reencounter things like this, don't put all your sorrow in the corner of your heart. You have to let it go through other means. Like me, whenever I am distressed and frustrated, I just watered the orchards and lilies in my garden or watch k-dramas, eat sweets and chocolates, or spicy foods." Mentioning the last part, Liam's mouth watered.
She really missed those spicy delicacies!
"How about I'll make you my concubine instead? I'll let go of all of my sorrow to you." The boy suggested.
When he cried earlier with the little girl in his arms, he felt comforted. If he grew up and have this little girl as his concubine, his loneliness right now might be reduced.
"I'll cry every day to you." He added.
'What?!! Make me your tissue?!! No thanks! My kindness ends here, little boy!'
"How cheap! I don't like to be your concubine!" She said instead.
The boy was hurt and tried to reason with the little girl.
"But your only a beggar. With your look and status, you could never be my wangfei (wife)."
"Even though! I don't like to be your concubine." She had to reject this boy. What if he grows up and holds this deal important ?'
It was better to reject him now.
"What's wrong being a concubine? I'm a son of a concubine! I--"
"Litttttllleeee Liiiiiiiiiiii!!!! Litttllleeee Liiiii!! Huhuhu....."
Xiao Min's voice echoed loudly in the forest.
'A chance!'
Liam ran towards the voice. While running, she shouted,
"Remember what I said. Be safe and sound~~."
The boy tried to run after her, but Liam was fast. He did not saw any of her shadows anymore. The boy was disappointed.
The boy just stood there when Imperials guard appeared and found him.
"The fifth prince is here!"
Guards after guards came. The chief guard walked towards the boy and bowed.
"Your highness, the lady consort, and the emperor are worried about you. Please come with us."
"En (yes) ." the boy followed them obediently. His crying face earlier looked like an illusion. His face now was cold and stiff.
But his thoughts wandered at the little girl.
'Someone called her Li....No matter, I will look for her in the future .....'
But years after that, he never saw her, even her shadow.