The New Life of Amaya

Chapter 25

"Miss, who is that man?" my maid asked peeking her head through the window.

I could see Zhi look our way as if he heard her, I shook my head putting a finger to my lips indicating for her to be quiet, "I don't know. Someone my brother's know." I lied.

The path to the mountains was a long one, but I understood why it was so far. We want them to believe that Amaya was buried with some sort of dignity away from the capital. My maid remained quiet as the ride continued, though it soon came to a stop. I opened the window's curtain slightly to watch as Andreas, Zhi, and Xiaoshun walked to the tablet with the letter A necklace draped on it. 

"I don't believe it." Andreas said in English.

I noticed movement in the corner of my eye and looked to Zhang Wei who'd joined me inside. He put a finger to his lips as if to tell us to be quiet and I nodded drawing my gaze back to Andreas.

"Boss, this doesn't seem like a set up. I feel like it's time to let her go." Zhi said

"She belonged to me!" Andreas shouted.

I went to speak but Zhang Wei covered my mouth shaking his head no.

"Boss, it's over. Let's go home." Zhi said.

"Good." I whispered under my breath.

"I will escort you guys back to the ships." Xiaoshun said getting off his horse. "Rong'er" He called and I looked out, "Take my horse back with Zhang Wei and the others. I'll be back shortly."

I nodded and climbed out of the wagon with Zhang Wei's help. With little help from my brother I was lifted up on my brother's horse. Zhang Wei mounted his horse after helping my maid on my brother's horse with me.

"Let's go Princess" Zhang Wei said and we were off.

"Stop that, Zhang Wei." I scolded him.

"Stop what, Princess?" he asked

"That!" I said.

Zhang Wei laughed as I chased after him on my brother's horse. Suddenly he stopped and grabbed the reigns of my brother's horse when I neared him. He put a finger to his lips as if to tell me to be quiet as he effortlessly moved from his horse to my brother's horse then spoke to another guard briefly before that same guard got on his horse and take off in another direction with a couple of other guards on horses. He gave an order for those on foot to scope the area as he took me back to the palace. Though that wasn't the direction he took. He went back the way we came and stayed far enough away from the docks to not be noticed, but close enough for me to was Andreas and Zhi board the ship.

"I wanted you to see him board and sail off. So you know you are safe" Zhang Wei whispered in my ear.

"Thank you." I whispered back as I watch the ship depart and Andreas and Zhi who were on board walk to the edge and look out in our direction. "I'm grateful for your help and for my new family."

"The Emperor and the Prince have taken you in as their sister. Now you are a Princess, of noble blood thanks to the decree of the Emperor. He is hosting a banquet in your honor today to reveal you as our princess, his sister."

"I still don't understand why they would help me like this." I mumbled

Zhang Wei sighed steering the horse away, "Amato has come many times in the past. You are not the first women that has been in his care but you are the first to escape. The Emperor trusts his brother with his life. Aside from his brother, I am the only other one he trusts. So when his brother came vouching for you and asking for your safety and to bring you into the family the Emperor agreed without issue. I was not blind to you prior to our meeting, Hai Rong. I was keeping an eye on you to make sure you had no ill intentions. It was when I saw you deep in your studies and hiding without complaint in your room away from everyone but the Prince and the maids, that I saw you meant us no harm and relayed it back to his majesty."

"I'm going to happily be their pawn for saving me from Andreas." I said quietly.

"Hang on tight, Princess, we are going to be late and you must change before the banquet."

Zhang Wei kicked his heels into the horse making it run faster. It wasn't long before We made it to the gates and the guards opened them. Once through Zhang Wei dismounted the horse and lead me all the way through the city. At times I'd point to things from above telling Zhang Wei how pretty they were.

"Hai Rong, your a Princess.. Remember that." He whispered and took me home where he helped me down from the horse.

"I'll go in and get ready then." I said and began heading inside with my maids.

"I'll wait for you. I was asked to escort you to the banquet." Zhang Wei said.

After some time I was emerging from my room and outside fully dressed in beautiful white clothing. Zhang Wei smiled and gestured to the carriage waiting for me. I walked closer and he held my hand as I climbed the stairs. Once I sat down he walked on the side of the carriage near the window I sat by. 

"Are you ready?" He asked. 

"As ready as I'll ever be." I whispered, "I want to train. To learn how to wield a sword. I don't trust Andreas or Zhi to stay away. I think they'll be back."

"The Prince and I will make sure you get the training you desire." Zhang Wei promised then knocked on the wood of the carriage, "We are here, your highness." 

Soon the carriage closed and Zhang Wei helped me down and walked side by side with me inside. Once through the doors we were surrounded by many nobles. They all looked over and I could already hear the murmurs of gossip. The talk was all about me, and who I was, and Zhang Wei, and our ties to each other. We drew a few steps closer to Liu Wang before we stopped and bowed to him giving him our greetings. 

"Rise" He said "Liu Hai Rong, I'm happy you made it."

"Wait she's the long lost princess?" One of the girls spoke causing the room to erupt in a roar of commotion and rumors.

Suddenly Xiaoshun arrived next to me and bowed, "Forgive me for being late"

"Rise, Xiasoshun. This is a time for us to celebrate our sister's return. Please enjoy yourselves." Liu Wang said.

Xiaoshun, Zhang Wei and I bowed thanking him and dispersed to the nearest seats to Liu Wang and sat down. Zhang Wei took a moment away from us and went to speak with Liu Wang. Once I caught the concerned look that Liu Wang gave me I waited for Zhang Wei to spare me a glance just so I could mouth the words tattle tale to him. Zhang Wei smiled and went to sit down behind Xiashun. Thus the festivities continued and my new life, as Princess Liu Hai Rong, began.