Hidden Within Kingdom

The Beginning

Y/n's POV

My life could've been much worse. My father was already aware of what would happen to me if the truth about what I was ever became known. I see that now. We had lived in a very small town with only a few family members on each side, but I never questioned why a small town was much smaller than the stories I had heard. I never met my grandparents, but I had lots of aunts and uncles, all with various personalities and appearances. I still loved them, but I wonder now if maybe the truth was always right in front of me.

This was the first time we had gone out in such a rush in the middle of the night and, while I was young and still unaware of the intense situation surrounding us, I became slightly concerned when my mother hadn't returned while we were on a surprise camping trip. My father had burst into my room and picked me up, quickly running out the door with me in tow. I didn't think much of it as I played with my doll, ignoring the strange sounds around us when my father quickly stripped some of his clothes and began to shred them into a smaller size and dress me in them.

I looked around, thinking it was dress up time and trying to see if my mom was nearby to do the finishing touches.

He gripped my chin with a strength I wasn't used to in order to get my attention. I pouted but did my best to focus on him.

"Never show that you are a female. Do you understand, Y/n?" When I tried to pull away from the uncomfortable position without answering, he kept me still. "Do you understand??" His voice cracked and I knew something weird was happening but couldn't understand what that might be.

I simply nodded as he dressed me but when he grabbed scissors and reached for my hair, I jumped back and shook my head fiercely. "No!"

Flashback

My mother was always proud of my hair and let it grow well past my shoulders. Even though I wasn't aware that I was a mixed child, my hair seemed to have a strange array of color to it. My mothers' family would say it almost had hints of red and purple in it. My mothers' hair was straight and black and my fathers only shared the same color with curls throughout, so even though my facial features fit with theirs, my hair did not.

She used to sing soft melodies of mythical creatures while she would brush it as gently as possible. "You truly are as beautiful as fresh cherry blossoms." The compliment was something that made my heartbeat with pride and my father told me always to accept compliments with grace. I heard these compliments often from boys and girls alike and saying it didn't give me a sense of superiority would've been a lie.

I'm glad I'm pretty!

"Thank you!" My girly reply was let out with soft giggles, but my mother pulled me on her lap with a stern face.

"You are not just the daughter of a foreigner from the dark land. You are also my daughter. Being humble is important. Do not just accept compliments. This will make your head big. Always work hard but do not do this for praise. Do you understand?"

I simply nodded. "Okay!"

End Flashback

I looked in every direction for her and began to frantically call out for her when I saw what looked like a torch heading our way. My father quickly put his hand over my mouth, but the sound of galloping horses quickly surrounded us. While I wasn't paying attention, my father turned and cut off my hair and smudged mud on my face and body. I didn't have the chance to cry over what he had done.

I saw my mother riding with one of them and without caring about the streaks of blood on her hands and face as she sat with her hands tied together, I I smiled brightly at her. I was young and it didn't occur to me that she looked more than tired and the red on her body could be anything more than makeup of some kind. I tried to remember my promise to my father, so I chose to stay silent beside him. I don't remember what happened. My father started crying and yelling, but when he ran toward my mom, something shiny flew through the air and he was suddenly on the ground.

I stared at him, expecting him to get back up, but he didn't move.

Why won't he move?

"Grab the brat. The woman will make a good penny, but the boy can be sold as a worker." I looked desperately toward my mother, but she shook her head really fast in an attempt to stop me. I felt tears well up as I was tied up and thrown into the back of a scary cage. I gripped the bars to try to watch my mother being taken in the opposite direction and was hit with the butt of a sword when I began to sob aloud.

I woke up many hours later to a little boy gazing at passing warriors. I wanted to ask why he was so amazed but my promise to my father sprung to the forefront of my mind, and I kept silent.

I may look like a boy, but I don't sound like one...better to stay silent...

"Don't you think that's so cool!?!?" His sudden question made me jump but he had such an intense smile, I did my best to smile back at him with a short nod.

Why is he smiling? Why am I smiling? I miss my mom...

He raised an eyebrow and sat beside me. I looked down at my dirty feet when he elbowed me in my side. I winced. "You too stupid to talk or...?"

I wanted to bite back at him for such a mean comment, but I did my best to remember my promise to my father. My shoulders drooped as I shook my head no. He elbowed me in the side once again to grab my attention.

I wish he would stop! THAT HURTS!

"One day, I'll be an awesome general, too. I won't let this be the end of Xin." I tilted my head in confusion, and he jabs his finger at himself. "That's me! You got a name?" My eyes widened at the question.

I still can't tell him anything. He is being reasonably kind I guess but I promised!

Sensing my silence as being a no, he seemed to be in deep thought for a while before clapping his hands together. "I heard this story about how a phoenix has red, yellow, and purple feathers. Your hair is weird like that. So, I'll just call you, Phoenix."

I'm weird?!?!?! ME?!?!?!!?

The new insult made me remember my mother. I clenched my fists and nodded in agreement at Xin. He clapped his hand on my back and even though I knew it was supposed to be a sign of friendship, I couldn't help but wince once again.

Are boys always this rough!?!?!?