"What are you reading?" I looked behind. I forgot to lock up the door. And it was no other person but Xiao Li.
"What are you doing here, you killer?!" I yelled at her. She was wearing a red qipao and looked like she was participating in one of the challenges.
"What are you doing here? What's this room all about?" She wanted to come in but I rose up immediately and blocked her way.
"Its nothing!" I said awkwardly.
"My name isn't Ki Ha. It's Xiao Li." She smiled.
"I didn't say you were Ki Ha."
"Who did I kill then?" She smirked.
"PRINCE LOUIS! You can't pretend!" I thundered and she made a smug smile.
"Oh wow..."
"SPILL THE BEANS! I know you killed him." I was convinced.
"Yes I did. So what are you gonna do? Who's gonna believe that? I'm already top in the TLW. The Prince is already in love with me. But, TLW isn't really my aim here." She said, and I was surprised.
"Haven't you achieved your aim, by killing Louis?" I folded my arms.
"Louis? I didn't plan on killing him. How would you feel, if someone tells you he would rather die than a night with you? That shows he doesn't know what death is. I had to show him, death was far more worse." She smirked again.
"You justified yourself brilliantly. Impressive.. But death is a lot better with despicable people like you. Lien, why are you in Racalyn?"
I allowed her into the room, and locked the door immediately. We both sat on the ground staring at each other.
"Racalyn's people took a lot of things away from my family and I. During Queen Ahyeon's reign, there has been too much hardship. My sister Chen and I were born in Racalyn. Our parents were workers in this palace, many years ago. Queen Ahyeon reigned immediately after Queen Eun, as we were told, but Queen Kyung and Eun didn't die. Queen Kyung only pretended to be disabled, only to steal the kingdom's treasures. Queen Eun and Princess Jennie were friends tho, which caused lots of problems in Racalyn. Queen Kyung and Queen Ahyeon didn't want any May people around them so Queen Eun secretly left her duties to see Princess Jennie in her kingdom. Mind you, we were only told these stories, and were not born then. We were only born during Queen Ahyeon's late reign in her early 30's." Lien explained.
"Alright..." I sounded so interested.
"One day, Queen Eun went to May to tell Princess Jennie that a neighboring kingdom was after them, and Queen Kyung wanted to take her daughters to safety."
"How many daughters had Queen Kyung?" I asked her.
"She had three daughters; Queen Eun, Queen Ahyeon and Queen Leah. But she gave birth to Queen Leah in her late 50's, when she claimed to be seriously ill."
"Princess Jennie cried so bitterly, and complained she couldn't live without her friend. Then Queen Eun planned their escape from the war to a safer kingdom she knew. The next week, the war began and the friends left May to a far away kingdom.
The people back at Racalyn were worried, because Queen Kyung claimed to be disabled, Queen Ahyeon, the queen in waiting was just six years old, and the real queen of Racalyn was actually declared missing. Queen Kyung was worried for Racalyn, and sent guards to go to the enemy kingdom to steal treasure. As they went for their evil plan, gold and silver were delivered back to the Queen, but the guards were captured and killed. She sent powerful knights to go to the kingdom to kill and steal from their king. She arranged for little Ahyeon and baby Leah to be taken to a poor land filled with hardship.
Her daughters were away from the kingdom for two years and there was just a single caretaker with them, who was more focused on her 'business' than what she was assigned for by the queen. They toiled day and night just to get a plate of food and a drop of water. The land was extremely dry and sunny. It was almost deserted. After a year, the caretaker and kids returned to the palace.
Meanwhile, Queen Eun and Princess Jennie were in a kingdom of plenty, hospitality and kindness. They met people who gave them the respect they deserved, and their friendship never died. After another full year, Princess Jennie told Queen Eun about her homesickness. Queen Eun agreed, but still, they just couldn't separate. The next day, she gifted Queen Eun an hair dye and all disguise stuff, to disguise herself as a stranger in May.
Queen Eun readily agreed and had a new face at May. Everyone believed she was a stranger from a faraway kingdom as she told them. Princess Jennie's parents, Queen Paige and King Philip, welcomed Eun with open arms. She had a pleasant attitude, and a good sense of humor. But once while Princess Jennie was discussing with her friend, Queen Eun already pulled off her whole disguise. Suddenly, there was havoc in the palace. Princess Jennie was about taking a look outside, when her mom entered the room abruptly. She was flabbergasted to see Eun, because she was only wearing a short kilt gown. A light shone under her, and as Queen Paige pulled up the gown, she saw a lightning bolt tattooed on her. She yelled loudly as knights entered Princess Jennie's room to capture her. Jennie tried to stop them. The friends were crying and wailing for each other, not letting each other go, despite the force from the knights.
"Is someone in this room?" We could hear someone hitting the door.
"WHO..." Lien covered up my mouth tightly.
"Mom, I don't think there's anyone in here. We should leave." I heard that annoying Reagan's voice.
"Its getting late. I'll take my leave now. Thank you Lien. I hope we meet again soonest." I smiled and left the room.
It was like she knew what I needed.
She didn't even talk about her curse and everything she claimed she went through in Racalyn.
It was now making sense. Queen Eun's friend was Princess Jennie, and I was Princess Jennie's daughter.
Excellent.
All I needed was what this bolt tattoo was all about, and how I got it.
I left Racalyn immediately. I had half of what I needed. I don't need to return back to Racalyn.
And Ethan, I'll never forget what you did.
You kissed me on my birthday, imprisoned me, called me a liar.
You called me so many names.
You even attempted to rape me.
But, I know wherever you are, no one will mend that heart.
It will stay broken.
You will never be happy with your bride, at the end of the TLW.
You will lose, and I will win.