A couple of days passed as Zhōng and Princess Zhen were still staying in Lord Tyron's home. They were still seven but were having fun being back together as they explored the home. "I hope my mother is okay." wished Princess Zhen when they were working on a puzzle.
"I hope my father is too, it's hard to believe you and I were fighting on different sides." said Zhōng.
"My mother said there's a history between us." said Princess Zhen as she found a piece that fits in the puzzle.
"But why does that have to do with us? We're not like them I don't think." said Zhōng as he found a piece that connected to hers.
Princess Zhen looked up to see Captain Howin was sleeping on the couch. Since they had the rooms, Captain Howin and Lord Tyron slept on the couches while Xing took Lord Tyron's room. He was tired after a long night of keeping watch. An idea popped into her mind and she leaned over to Zhōng. "Have you ever pranked your bodyguard?" she whispered.
"Not him, Howin is great, the others I tried to do all the time." replied Zhōng, matching his voice level to hers.
"Have you tried…'' asked Princess Zhen, getting softer. Zhōng's eyes went wide and an evil grin came across his face.
"Howin! They found us!" cried Zhōng.
Captain Howin's eyes shot open and he tried to sprang to his feet. However, his legs and wrists were tied and he collapsed face-first into the floor. He looked up to see Zhōng laughing and Princess Zhen trying to hide her giggles. "Guess I fell for it." sighed Captain Howin. He looked down and saw they were loosely tied but enough to trip him.
"Not my idea," proclaimed Zhōng.
"Hey! Don't blame this on me." stated Princess Zhen.
"It was your idea, I was the one that had to tie and startle him." stated Zhōng, he was still laughing and Princess Zhen was laughing too. Captain Howin sat up and removed the ropes on him, he looked at Zhōng for it was forever since he heard him laugh and smile so big. He also looked at Princess Zhen, though he didn't know her through her childhood, he was glad to see her so cheerful. "Something wrong, Howin?" asked Zhōng, snapping his concentration.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm glad to see you two enjoying yourselves." replied Captain Howin, he realized a tear began to fall down his cheek.
"Howin," stated Lord Tyron as came upstairs. "It's time."
"Okay," replied Captain Howin, he got up and grabbed his spear before joining Lord Tyron on the stairs.
"Ning is going to take you guys through the festival, please be good for her." said Lord Tyron to Zhōng and Princess Zhen.
"Okay, uncle." acknowledged Zhōng.
"We'll be good, my lord," promised Princess Zhen.
"Okay, how about you two get ready to go out?" suggested Xing after they heard the door closed when Lord Tyron and Captain Howin left.
"Yes, Ms. Ning," replied Zhōng and Princess Zhen at the same time. They then went to their respective rooms to get change.
Zhōng was fitting on the boots he found in the closet, most of the items inside were too big for him but he found some that would do. He was entranced by how his new clothes stretched out to be as big as the other clothes in the closet. After putting on his last boot, he noticed he still had time before they had to go. Though he stayed in the room for a couple of days, he never explored all the secrets it contained. He found gadgets, throwing knives, smoke bombs, and a crossbow as he searched throughout the room. He stepped on a plank and he felt it wasn't secure, sparking his curiosity if there was something there. With the knife he still had, he pried the plank off, and underneath was a box. When he opened it, he found a paintbrush blue powder, and paint jars. He took one of the jars out and shook it around.
"Bet you're curious as to why we have this." guessed a voice. Zhōng dropped the jar and turned to the mirror to see a cloakman inside it.
"Who are you?" asked Zhōng as he looked at the terrifying person who sat and stared at him.
"Even my younger self is afraid of me, I thought it was obvious." stated the person and he removed his cowl. Zhōng could see his face was like his, but he had battle scars and a tattoo on his forehead.
"I don't believe you, you're not like me." stuttered Zhōng.
"How about you touch your forehead for proof, you'll hear the people today booing at you." advised the person. Zhōng touched his forehead, and after rubbing it, he found the same blue paint and powder that he discovered. He looked back into the mirror to see his reflection and he quickly pulled up his hair. His eyes went wide as he discovered the same tattoo he saw in the mirror.
Princess Zhen was humming to herself after she laid out her clothes. She wanted to take a bath since it had been days since her last one. Usually, she bathes every day but traveling with her mother has made her develop a habit of cleaning herself once a week. After she pulled off her shirt, she saw something hidden just underneath her waistband. Slowly, she pulled it down and was shocked to see the Vow Seal on her.
"He knows about that." stated a voice. Princess Zhen turned around quickly to see a mirror with an older version of her staring at her. "He just doesn't want to accept it."
"Who are you?" asked Princess Zhen as she pulled her waistband back up.
"I'm you, I'm your present self." stated the person.
"You can't be," declared Princess Zhen.
The person laughed then said, "Is it because I'm older than you? While you walk around, how about you see if there's any hint of war and terror amongst the streets."
"And what does it prove if I don't see it?" asked Princess Zhen.
"Then you know you're the past and I'm the present. If you asked Zhōng about that scar on our belly, watch him try to pretend you don't exist or it doesn't matter. He'll betray us because he knows that's what we deserve for betraying him." said the voice.
"My lady," called Xing as she knocked on the door. "Do you still want to take a bath before we go?"
"No, I'm fine, I guessed. I'm finishing getting changed right now." answered Princess Zhen as she looked at the door. She turned back to the mirror and saw herself reflect back at her and the older self was gone.
"Okay, I'll let Prince Zhōng know we'll be leaving soon." acknowledged Xing. Just before she knocked on Zhōng's door, he opened up with a pale and confused look on his face. "Are you alright?" asked Xing.
"Yes, I'm fine, may I ask who does this room belongs to?" said Zhōng, his heart was beating fast but he didn't want to worry her.
Xing looked into Zhōng's room, she pondered her words carefully as she couldn't say the complete truth. "It's my brother's, he's rarely home to sleep here. If you're worried about him coming back, I can assure you he won't be home for a while." she said.
"Where is he?" asked Zhōng.
"He's out doing business somewhere in the east, he never tells us anything about what he's doing that far." lied Xing but some of it was the truth.
"Okay," sighed Zhōng, he was still puzzled as to who he saw in the mirror. Princess Zhen opened her door wearing the clothes she laid out. Her hair was left hanging down after she combed it very finely.
"My lady, you look amazing." complimented Xing.
"Thank you Ms. Ning." said Princess Zhen, she turned to look at Zhōng who was amazed as well. Remember what her older self told her, she wanted to speak but nothing came out.
"You look beautiful, my lady." stated Zhōng, thinking she was going to ask him his opinion on how she looked.
"Thank you, your majesty." said Princess Zhen, she brushed the thought away and figured she'd ask at a later time.