A young girl who is living a life that is not meant for her finds herself somehow swept away to an island, no one can tell her where it is, occupied by a person who is obviously rich and a town of people who don't travel off the island much only to...
The man stared at me for a while before he spoke in Mandarin again to the men. Suddenly two men grabbed me by my arms and dragged me up. Rex stood and began growling and barking at them. They ignored me and followed the man into a room I assumed was the captain's room.
"Stop! Please...!" I shouted.
The man waved the other men off once they pushed me into the room, then turned his attention to me, "It's okay, Amaya. I'm not going to send you back"
I pulled the cape tighter around my body, "Please don't.. I can't go back there, he wants to kill me.."
The man nodded, "I know. Please calm down."
Rex came and laid next to me, "How..how do you know this?"
"One of my men is a spy there." He explained. "Soon, you'll meet them, but right now we need to get you dressed." He turned to dig through the chest in the corner of the room, "As suspected, my sister has extra clothes in here. I'm assuming you know nothing on how to put these on?"
I shook my head no, "I do not.."
"With your permission, I'd like to help you." The man spoke.
"But..." I stopped realizing there is no females here. "Please close your eyes?"
"At least until we get the initial under clothes on" He replied.
I nodded stepping forward and he closed his eyes helping me get dressed, "Your English is very good.." I commented as he tied the tie and opened his eyes helping me place the other layers on.
"I've had much practice dealing with Andreas. My spy has taught me well as well."
"May I know your name?" I asked as he began on my hair now.
"My name is Liu Xiaoshun"
"What are you going to do with me?" I asked looking at him briefly through the mirror, fixating my eyes near his hands as he pinned my hair up.
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"I am going to bring you back home with me to the capital. I'll petition the Emperor for your citizenship." Xiaoshun said.
"Okay..." I whispered, "Where did you learn to put someone's hair together like this?"
"I'd always do my twin sister's before she got married. It was just us and our grandfather until recently."
"What makes you think the Emperor will approve my citizenship as you say?"
"I have my ways and secrets."
I nodded looking at him, "Why are you really taking me back with you?"
"your life has a lot more meaning to it than to await your death at the hands of someone who has no regard for human life"
"Forgive me if I don't fully trust you.."
Xiaoshun nodded. "You can rest in here. I'm expecting to be back in China in a day or two." He helped me sit on the bed, I'm going to go speak to the men. No one will disturb you here."
Once Xiaoshun left the room I called Rex over and he jumped on the bed. I pulled him into my lap and hugged him closed. I laid my head on him, closing my eyes, I soon fell asleep. It wasn't long after falling asleep that I felt someone moving me to lay down and telling Rex to lay next to me. I then felt the soft blanket on top of me and Rex's head on my stomach. Now I felt at peace.
I woke up some time later and Rex sat up, tail wagging in his happy way. I looked around the room to see Xiaoshun resting his head in his hand and eyes closed. I grabbed the blanket from the bed and placed it over him then looked at Rex putting a finger to my lips before walking to the door and out onto the deck feeling the fresh breeze hit my face. Rex and I walked to the edge of the ship where I leaned against the side looking over at the ocean. Soon after Xiaoshun stood next to me.
"Did you sleep well?" Xiaoshun asked.
I nodded my head, "I feel bad you slept at the desk."
"It's okay. I'd rather you sleep in the bed anyway." He said and looked at me, "We are getting ready to pull in." He gestured for a guard to come forward and they stepped up, "I want you to go inform the Emperor of an emergency meeting I need with him."
The man nodded and took off ahead of us. Liu Xiaoshun led the way for Rex and I once the ship docked. Rex hugged my leg and I walked as close as possible to Xiaoshun. behind us were a dozen men I assumed were guards. Ahead of us a carriage awaited. Xiaoshun helped me up then allowed Rex to climb up as well.
"I'll ride on a horse next to you." He said then closed the curtain and I peeked through the window curtain to see him mount a horse.
I was sitting back peeking through the window through the whole journey to inspect my surroundings. Suddenly a thought occurred to me and I looked at Xiaoshun through the window.
"I'm not seeing the Emperor today am I?" I said in a panic.
"You are." He replied.
"I don't know the etiquette in your country...I don't even know how to bow or address him or others for that matter..." The panic really started to set it.
"It's okay, no need to worry. You're a visitor in this moment."
"I'm terrified.." I whispered honestly.
"Don't be." he smiled looking at me, "The Emperor is a kind person."
"How can you guarantee that?"
"He's my brother."
My mouth dropped open and I stared out him dumbfounded. He laughed at me and continued the journey to the palace. When we arrived at the palace the carriage stopped and he got down off the horse then came and helped me down. Rex in tow behind me.
"Rex, behave" I whispered and he nudged me as answer.
Liu Xiaoshun escorted me up the steps to the building the Emperor awaited for our arrival. We stopped long enough for our introductions to be made and we walked in. I watched as he bowed. There was a back and forth with them before the Emperor nodded and dismissed us. Liu Xiaoshun gestured for me to follow him a smile on his face.
