• I love standing outside on my balcony watching the shimmering stars at night especially when I’m frustrated like tonight. I finally escaped the maids after they slapped on this stupid uncomfortable pink dress, these tight heels, gloves and mask on me. Although I’m usually very tolerant, there’s no way I’m letting them touch my hair.
    “Princess Meili! There you are!” I jumped as I heard the imperial soldier stomp towards me and clutch my arm. I winced in pain but he didn’t seem to notice as he dragged me to the dressing room and threw me on the chair. Great way to treat a princess, I thought bitterly. It was never my choice to be a princess, it was something I was born with and I hate it. I want to be treated like a normal person. 2 maids quickly shuffled towards me and started doing my hair. I knew what they were trying to get me ready for the masquerade ball where all those bachelors are waiting. I struggled against their grasp and finally got free.
    It was dark and hard to see but the stars guided me to freedom. Outside the palace I wandered in the deep forest. I tripped several times already because of these stupid shoes and long dress. I ripped at my dress and finally got it to be more mobile. As I looked back I could already hear the menacing yell of the soldiers and see the search light shine. I spun around and bumped into something. Frightened, I stumbled backwards and fell.


    I couldn’t breath. My heart was at my throat. My panting wouldn’t stop. Arms full of bread and other stolen goods I ran for my life as the merchants chased after me with furious screams. I looked back to see them quickly gaining on me. I rushed into the forbidden forest without thinking when something hit me.
    “Oww…” I yelped in pain. In front of me was a young girl about my age wearing a muddy and ripped pink dress, pink high heels, white gloves and a mask illuminated by the shining stars in the dark night sky. She had beautiful running brown hair and under her mask she had frightened hazel eyes.
    “Ah. Sorry…” I sputtered in embarrassment. I could feel myself turning red as she got up and dusted herself. I stared at her in amazement as she bent down and helped me collect my bread and other goods and handed it to me.
    “There he is!” The angry cries rang out once again from behind me and when I turned to run a bright light suddenly shined on me. Rapidly the merchants approached and soldiers surrounded us. Something inside me made me put a protecting arm out for the girl.
    “He’s got the princess!” They gasped. I tilted my head in confusion when I turned to the girl and suddenly realized.
    “Ah. Ah. EHH?” I gasped. Then I bowed apologetically towards the princess.


    His blonde hair glimmered under the starlight. Although I knew he was a peasant with his tunic of skin and cloth, I could feel something developing inside me. My face grew hot as he bowed at me. The soldiers were all around us.
    “That’s the thief everyone’s talking about!” a soldier suddenly said out. The boy winced and instinctively put his arms over his head for protection as the soldiers pointed their sharp spears at him. Something inside me urged me to protect him and I felt my arms spread out into a protecting stance.
    “He’s with me.” I heard myself say. I glanced at the boy who looked up at me like a whimpering puppy. His big brown eyes shined with fright and mischief. I looked away with embarrassment as our eyes met and before anybody could say anything more I grabbed his arm and led him towards the palace.


    My eyes grew wide with surprise when the princess took my hand and led me away. My bread rolled away behind me as her quickened her pace.
    “A-Ah... My bread” I stammered. Then blushed when I realized what I just said to a princess.
    “That’s okay. I’ll treat you to something good when we get to the palace.” I lifted my head in surprise and happiness and looked at the princess. Now eyes of courage and sympathy replaced those with fear. The rest of the way to the palace was silent.
    The palace was grand, majestic with a fountain at the front. The great roofs had black tiles and the actual building was made of red brick. The grand doors to the palace were a red-brown colour with lion head knockers. On it was painted “福” meaning blessing or good fortune.
    The princess led me into the palace and through a room with a very long table and into a room with 2 women and a big mirror placed in front of a table. She said something to a passing servant and went into the room.


    I glanced back at the boy as I led him around the palace. I giggled at the sight of him gaping and staring at all the rooms in the palace. When I led him through the dining room his eyes grew big and I’m pretty sure I heard his stomach growl. A pang of guilt hit me and I sped up leading him to my dressing room. I found a servant passing by and told him to get the boy a makeover. I took a breath and went into the dressing room.
    The 2 maids were surprised to see me. I ordered them to dress me up. The new Caribbean blue dress they put on me was as tight as the other dress but my determination made me forget about it. I winced as they did my hair but ignored it as much as I could. When I got back outside I saw the boy walking around the outside of the dressing room staring at paintings hung on the wall wearing a tuxedo. I laughed and took his hand again.
    I led him back towards the dining room and once again giggled when his eyes grew wide. But that wasn’t where I was heading. I grabbed a mask from the table and put it on. Then I led him to the ballroom.


    We passed that room with the long table again. My stomach growled and I could smell a delicious scent somewhere.
    “Ah. Princess,” I stammered.
    “Just call me Meili. You?” She smiled.
    “Wuli.” I could feel myself blush under her gaze.
    “Yes Wuli?” Again with that heart stopping smile of hers. She stopped. We were in an even bigger room filled with people dancing and tables and… and FOOD! I breathed in the delicious aroma and felt myself walk towards it. Then stopped dead and looked at the smiling princess.
    “Help yourself!” She answered. It was the best day of my life. I stepped happily towards the food and as I was about to stuff a pastry into my mouth I heard a bloodcurdling scream.


    The glass windows shattered into a million pieces as men in dark black suits and masks broke in. I was enjoying myself to a piece of cake when one of the men came up behind me with a gun. Then I did all I could do. I screamed. From the corner of my eye I found that Wuli had disappeared. I hoped he had escaped but the next thing I saw was a blurred figure rush up in front of me. I shut my eyes waiting for something to happen but when I opened my eyes I saw the man who ambushed me on the ground with Wuli hovering above him. Around us the dancers, musicians and other people who came were frozen, shocked, and with their mouths opened wide. Through the mask of the man on the ground I could see terrified eyes as he pointed the gun towards Wuli. His trembling fingers around the trigger were full of hesitation. The gun dropped with a thud against the hard ground as Wuli kicked it hard. Through my eyes I could see Wuli’s unwavering eyes as he glared at the man.


    The pathetic black man and stumbling around. I never planned to use any violence until that man knocked the pastry out of my hand. Although I did get mad I didn’t vent it so I reached out for another pastry. That’s when he shot the gun as a test shot and it hit the cart of pastries sending it tumbling on the floor. Then everyone freaked out and ran around stepping on my precious pastries. What’s more, he pointed a gun at my saviour, Princess Meili!
    Ever since I was born, my family treated me roughly because of the famine. Everyday I would have to go get water from the river and buy food with our money. My father was a kung fu master well respected by the people of our village; therefore I had to go through intense training as his successor. My father said I was a failure for I was horrible at martial arts, until one day someone came and threatened the family. I was only 6 at that time when held hostage so I didn’t know what to do. But of course I was very sensitive to pain so the moment the knife touched my skin I freaked out. My vision went black and the next thing I knew the man was dead, the ground, my hands and my face were covered in blood and my mother and father ran out screaming monster.
    That’s what happened just then. My vision went black and when I finally saw again the masked man was under me trembling in fear. Princess Meili cowered in a corner and I could feel the gaze of everyone in the room.


    He stared at his hands in disbelief then ran out terrified. Something inside me urged me to run after him. I found him crying under the fountain at the front of the palace.
    “Again…it happened again…” He muttered. His face was buried in his hands but I knew he was angry.
    “It’s okay…” I soothed. I patted him the back hoping he would feel better.
    “You- you’re not scared?” His lifted his head and turned towards me. I jumped but when I looked into his lonely brown eyes I knew they weren’t menacing and evil. I shook my head.
    “No.” I said softly. I wished he would open up. I was curious. For once in my life I was experiencing something exciting.
    “T-the way you fought back then…was really cool…” I stammered. He glanced at me and laughed. I felt myself go red. His smile was so…refreshing, like a fresh morning breeze in the spring. It was warm and I felt like I could melt any second. Something formed in my chest then, though I didn’t notice.


    I woke up in a strange place. It was soft and warm. As I began to arouse images from last night flooded back to me and I could feel the blood drain from my face as I remembered the incident. I froze. What happened after that? My question was answered as the door to the room swung open.
    “Breakfast!” Called the princess. She was dressed in a white robe. I blushed as I realized I was half naked. I struggled back under my blankets.
    “A-Ah. P-princess.” I stammered.
    “I told you to call me Meili!” She said. She seemed to be pretty comfortable around guys…even the half naked ones. I told her all about my past life and family but I knew nothing about her.
    My mouth watered as I entered the dining room after getting dressed into new clothes the princess handed me. The scent of chicken lingered in the air. I could hear the high-pitched giggle of the princess behind me as she told me to sit down. We ate in silence.


    He was so cute as he ate. It seemed like he hasn’t eaten in years as he gobbled down his share and asked for seconds. I smiled. When he finished I led him around the palace to the garden. The clear water of the pond shined under the sun and the flowers sparkled. We sat down on the stone steps. In the sand I wrote “無力”, the Chinese characters of Wuli’s name meaning inability or no strength. Wuli said his parents named him that because of his instability and weakness, but I found that unbelievable after seeing his performance last night. I looked down at the name and found that I unconsciously drew a heart around it. I blushed and quickly spread it out. I looked at Wuli. He too, was spacing out and looking at the clouds. His pale face regained some colour after eating.
    “Is something wrong?” He asked glancing at me. I turned red and looked away.
    “N-no…” I murmured. The loud bang of the knocker filled the courtyard. Wuli jumped and I giggled. I led him out to the palace doors where the maids opened the door.


    I watched the doors open with a creak and a figure stepped in. He was a handsome man wearing the imperial gold and red colours like the princess.
    “Lee!” Something inside me hurt as I watched the princess hug the unfamiliar man. What was this feeling? It was the first time this happened to me and it was very painful. I clutched my chest.
    “Wuli, this is my brother Lee. Lee this is Wuli.” Introduced the princess. As I realized that was the royal heir to the heir I panicked.
    “Your majesty” I kneeled before him. The feeling in my chest disappeared. Lee laughed and told me to rise. Then he looked me in the eye and inspected me.
    “Hey, aren’t you that thief that robbed the market?” He asked after a while.
    “Brother!” Cried Meili angrily, “He’s my friend!” although I was very happy to be princess Meili’s friend, somehow those words hurt like a knife and the feeling in my chest came back.
    “Ah. Sorry.” He said apologetically. Then he faced princess Meili.
    “Oh, right, Meili, look who I brought with me,” A man older than Meili and I stepped in. Meili gasped with a look of terror in her eyes.


    He was wearing the red uniform of a royal soldier. A sudden rage of anger took over me.
    “Princess Meili. I have longed to see you. I just returned from the war.” He said. Then he turned and glared at Wuli, “Who is that filthy peasant?”
    “Wei. It is none of your business to involve yourself in me and my friends.” I said bitterly.
    “Actually it is, as your fiancé I must protect you.” Wei replied flatly. Then he turned towards Wuli and raised his sword, “Filthy peasant go back to where you belong” I started at Wuli protectively but brother held me back.
    “I too, won’t allow you to associate with that low peasant,” said Lee. His voice was cold, not that warm soothing voice I knew. I grimaced and looked at Wuli. His eyes didn’t cower and I was afraid he would go crazy like last night. But he didn’t and left on his own. I could feel a pang of guilt hit me.


    I kicked absentmindedly at the rocks on the trail leading from the palace back to the village. The words just played over and over again in my mind. Fiancé. It felt as if my life up until I met princess Meili was just a dream and this is when my real life started. I could feel my eyes burn and something hot run down my cheeks. I wiped at it. It was wet. Tears? All my life going through that harsh training I have never cried, but now? My mind was confused.
    My house was worn down. It looked as if it would break any moment. I went inside to the abandoned house. The thatched roofs were breaking, I noticed. I sighed I fell onto my bed. Suddenly the door swung open and a mob of angry merchants came in.
    “Hah! We’ve found you, you petty thief. Let’s see how you feel being robbed!” The merchants came in and destroyed everything in the house. I just sat there stunned and I couldn’t do anything as they destroyed my last memories of my family. As they left and threw their torches at my house I lay there and stared at the ceiling. I felt hot tears roll down my cheeks again and rubbed them furiously. The temperature of the house was rising quickly as the straw was set on fire.
    What does it matter now anyways? There’s nothing to live for anymore. My parents, my one sister, princess Meili, everything’s been taken away from me. I sat up as I heard coughing fill the room. A figure was drooped over in the entrance. A merchant? I raised my eyebrow. Serves them right. I watched as the figure slowly fell to the ground.
    “W..Wuli…” They muttered. The voice sounded familiar. Images flashed back into my head. That high-pitched laugh, cry and voice. I strained my neck to see better. Princess Meili! I gasped and ran over to her. It really was her.
    “Wuli…” her voice was rasp and her face was turning pale. The flames hit the roof and it fell behind me.
    “Princess!” I cried desperately.
    “C-call me Meili…” With that her head fell back.
    “MEILI!” I cried. I kicked the door open and ran as fast as I could to the doctor. My heart sped up and the panic inside me increased as the doctor inspected her.