12 The Girl From The Crystal Palace

Elegant structures made from stones like ivory, beautiful flora flourished by the crystal clear streams and a bustling friendly crowd greeted the crown prince and his companions as the great door opened. The crowd paved a way for them and greeted "Welcome back crown prince!". "Long live the crown prince!". Suddenly, a little girl from the crowd ran to the direction of the crown prince and reached out a flower to him. "Will you marry me when I grow up?", asked the little girl. The young girl's proposal startled everyone, especially Zhen Mei. Seeing the strong conviction in the little girl's eyes the prince smiled warmly and replied, "Well, If you study hard and be a good girl to your family then we'll see when that time comes". "Lily!". A panicking mid-aged woman screamed. She hastily seized the child and bowed to the prince. " Please forgive my daughter. She is still young and foolish. She doesn't know what she's saying", the woman pleaded. "No worries lady. This child will surely be beautiful and wise in the future. Please take good care of her". The prince and his companions continued to head to the imperial palace.

A few minutes later, Zhen Mei began to wheeze and pant. "Aren't we going to take a break before entering the imperial palace?", Zhen Mei asked. "Oh.. are you anxious to meet my parents", the crown prince teased. The young girl did not reply and just remained quiet. " Are you tired? I'm sorry but we can't. I have matters to take care of, so we need to arrive as soon as we can. Is riding a horse for more than a day and a half very exhausting to a pampered lady?". " Who you calling pampered?! Be thankful that I made a promise to you which unable me to kick your sorry ass, cradle-snatcher", the young girl bit back at the prince. "Ohhh cradle-snatcher.. Is someone jealous of a little girl?", the crown prince poked fun at Zhen Mei. "Who'd be jealous!? I'd rather be a nun than to be jealous ....!". Before she could finish her sentence, the fuming girl fainted.

Inside the crystal palace, the young girl assessed the young man who was able to break the defensive spell. "I know you are quite, no you are really strong to be able to escape this place's illusion. Why did you reveal yourself? You could have just quietly slipped away. Are you the assassin from the palace?". Zhen Mei began to ask the man some questions, one after another. "Woah! One question at a time, my lady! Hmm.. of course, I am strong.", the young red hair man proudly replied. "but I'm not an assassin. That's what I'm sure of. Regards to why I revealed myself, well it's because I'm a gentleman. I feel bad seeing your body before your husband does. Unless you wanna show me then that's quite a different story".

"Quite honorable but more of a creep. Tell me why are you here?", Zhen Mei threatened. "If I tell you will you help me?", the young man sincerely asked. "Depending on your answer, Mr. Apple", Zhen Mei replied. "I am looking for a medicine that can cure any sickness.". Hearing the young man's intention, Zhen Mei felt puzzled. "That's all? You're not here to kill me?", Zhen Mei questioned. "Why would I want to kill you?", the baffled young man asked. "Alright! My fault for judging you but if it's all that you need then I can give it to you". "For real?! Are you sure!?". Zhen Mei's statement made the man brim with joy. But suddenly the bright expression on his face turned into a worried one. "I am grateful for your kindness but won't you be punished by the witch of this place?". "Witch? Where? Who told you there is a witch?", Zhen Mei asked. "They said she has long hair and a body of a snake. She will devour any person who will steal the medicine from her", the young man told her in fear. "They said? Did you honestly believe their stories?", the amused young girl asked while laughing. "I dunno. I never saw her so I guess I did. For a month I was trying to practice how to run away from snakes just in case", the young man said as he burst in laughter.

"My lady". Suddenly a guard entered the room. Strangely, the guard bowed facing a different direction from the lady. The lady made a signal to the man to remain calm. "What is it?", Zhen Mei asked. "There's an intruder in the Imperial Palace. By your brother's order, you are coming with me, immediately", the guard commanded. Irked by the guard's manner of speaking, Zhen Mei answered sarcastically, "Since when did I become a military personnel? Is the militia already that weak to ask a lady to do an easy job, they pathetically failed at?". "My lady, please know your place. To you, your brother's words are absolute", the guard reprimanded her. "Then do you want me to teach your place?", Zhen Mei threatened. A heavy black aura suddenly shrouded the room which made it hard to breathe for the guard and the young man. The guard and the young man fell to the ground and choked. "My lady! I'm so sorry", the guard pleaded as he remained crippled on the floor. Zhen Mei noticed that her outburst, not only affected the rude guard but also the young intruder. She started to collect her composure, then suddenly the heavy atmosphere dissipate. "Then what are you waiting for? Immediately, disappear from my sight!". The guard thanked the lady and hurriedly ran out of the room.

After the guard left the room, the young girl turned to the direction of the young man. "Clearly, I'm not a snake but maybe I am the witch whom you are looking for". The young lady's statement left the man wide-eyed in wonderstruck. He couldn't believe that contrary to the monster from the rumors before his eyes is a belle. Truly, the girl from the Crystal Palace was more beautiful but also more frightening than what he was expecting.