I’m hate them so much, my first love, Prince Li, and my stupid Cousin, Yila. She’s not even a legitimate child nor a heir to anything, nor favored! So why did he pick her instead of me?? Does he love her so much to the point of torturing someone just for her pleasure?! These wicked people deserve to pay! In my next life I will find them and make them suffer ten fold what they have put me through...

I open my eyes... I’m on my bed? Rage flows through me but before I have a chance to think about it Abbey, faithful maid in my past life, comes in the room closing the sliding door behind her. “Good Morning again miss” she says while politely bowing and softly smiling.

“I assume you are surprised to wake up here after everything you went through,” she said. I haven’t really had time to think much but now I’m realizing the reality of this, I was tortured to death and now I wake up here again....what’s happening? Why can’t I remember everything about me? And how does she know? So many questions arise in my head, but as I’m thinking Abbey answers them for me, “As you are currently wondering, I shall tell you your current situation and details about you since you forgot some of them” she says smiling like before. But I’m not sure who she is or why, or even if she is, reading my mind, so I just stare at her blankly. “Miss, you have guessed right, I can read your mind, please don’t be to upset or startled, for I am, and always will be your faithful friend and maid” I keep staring at her blankly. What? I’m confused. My head is going to explode from everything going on. I can’t speak I’m so surprised at everything that’s happening...luckily Abbey can read my mind so she knows what I’m thinking and I don’t need to stumble out words right now. “I shall continue to explain then, please excuse me” I am blankly sitting there on my bed, still stunned from her words, as she continues, “Miss suffered greatly in her previous life...” previous life? Does she mean tortured to death? But I also have memories of this other life as well, “You are two souls as one, making you excessively stronger than most and meaning you have two memories, one of your more current past life of betrayal, and another of you in 21st century. But now these two spirits are one and you have been givin another chance at this life” she explains this to me but I’m so dumb-founded I have no words. As I’m starting to organize my thoughts, I ask Abbey to leave so I can think. As she’s leaving I think deeply, and I remember. I have two different memories of two people and I’m here to redo this person’s memories. As my memory of being tortured to death I remember that life, I was, or am, a daughter of the Emperor, and the first daughter at that, which means I can become queen, because women can become rulers too these days, although there are almost none. And I recall I am favored by a lot of influential people including my father, mother, and I was raised to be general of the army or a skilled fighter, but due to my weak body I was not able. I remember in my past life my first love who tortured me to death, Li Soo, is the son of a noble, Ling Soo not even close to the emperor status, but he aimed for it, and got in my past life by killing my family, killing several other families also to make himself crown prince, and if that wasn’t enough, he tricked me into harrying him to secure his position of becoming Emperor. But this time it won’t happen again. And thinking about my OTHER life in the 21st century I was a top grade killer, or assassin, no scratch that, I was the best in the world. I don’t remember how I died but it doesn’t matter much to me, I was well trained in Jujitsu, Boxing, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Karate, and several other martial arts. As well as shooting, archery, and an expert on herbs and an extensive knowledge on medical treatments such as acupuncture and surgery. As I recall these memories I realize I’m pretty amazing to be frank. “Wow,” I say to myself out loud (Yes I know I’m weird) “I’m amazing!”

Just as I start to plan my revenge Abbey bursts into the room huffing, saying “The noble Ling Soo is here with his son Li Soo and they are demanding to talk to the Emperor about you! Hurry we must go see what is happening!”

“Ah geez! It starts sooner than planned but even so, let’s go crush those who stand in my way, Abbey, help me get dressed, and we shall go”

“Yes Miss”

And so it begins.

As I stride across the room preparing to get dressed, Abbey runs frantically trying to get me ready fast. I’m not in a big hurry to see my ‘Oh so wonderful’ first love, Li Soo. Especially when he and his father are demanding to see my father. Whoopie. So much fun. As I finish this thought I realize I’m fully dressed and ready to go, I guess my body was moving on my own while thinking. Oh well, let’s get this over with so I can go back to sleep, or practice, or bury my head in the soil, anything is better than going to see them. Sighing, I realize Abbey is quiet and snap back into reality, seeing I’m already in the ‘throne room’ and there they are, Li Soo, Ling Soo, and another guy? I don’t recognize this man, but he stares at me like I’m a national treasure hidden for many years. Gosh, I don’t care if he is undeniably gorgeous and sexy, he’s a perv, I wish he’s stop staring at me of else my head will turn into a tomato. AGAIN snapping back to reality, (I should really stop daydreaming so much) I hear Ling Soo yelling at father. I don’t care what he’s yelling about honestly, but he makes me want to shoot a arrow through his intestin and will it with bugs while he’s apologizing. I mean what I didn’t think that •*•

“LING SOO” I interrupted his non-stop yelling, as the room quiets I say, “You dare yell at the Emperor?! My father?! If he was not as kind hearted as he is now you would be dead for talking like this!” Everyone’s silent. Father seems stunned by my sudden attitude change, for before I was meek and would cower at any eye contact, but he just smiles and says, “It is okay, his yelling is not unjustified I suppose” WHAT? My dad is such a pushover I’m afraid people with take advantage, I must protect him, and what does he mean it’s not unjustified?! “What do you mean father?” I innocently ask tilting my head even through I am brimming with anger. “This man,” he pointed to the handsome stranger standing there quietly, “Came to ask for your hand in marriage” said my father smiling, I am confused, do I know this man? “YES AND I REFUSE!” Screamed Noble Ling Soo. “SHE WANTS TO, AND WILL MARRY MY SON!! HOW DARE HE ASK FOR HER HAND??!!” This old man makes me angry. I know he knows about the plan, and he’s acting, and I have no resentment, to anyone, but he annoys the crap out of me I could just scream in his face, instead I continue my calm demeanor and strong posture and declare, “Ah yes I forgot we always said we wanted to marry each other since we where little, but even so you have no right to refuse his request, for you are not my father,” they look stunned at my words, even the strang man, and I stare at him and we meet eyes and he stares back, but I quickly avert my eyes, and I continue, “About that, I’ve changed my mind and I don’t want to marry you at all Li Soo” They all stare at me with a shocked expression, but I can tell my father is happy and cracks a smile. He never liked the Soo family but in my past life I never listened to him, now I will. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND?! YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR MIND!” Screamed Ling Soo, while Li Soo is standing there obviously mad. I’m glad I did it because if he truely loved me he would look heart broken or crying, but he just looks mad, I mean he could TRY to look heartbroken or something! Geesh! Smiling politely despite my temper I say, “Why can’t I? We don’t have a marriage contract and we never promised to marry each other. We only said we wanted to, but we where stupid kids then” The room was completely silent, and father says coolly, “My daughter, your demeanor has changed and you seem to have more confidence...” As he says that I see Ling Soo happy, I suppose he thinks I’m going to get a scolding from father. But he’s wrong. “I hope you keep this up, I like this side of you my sweet daughter, it seems I can put to rest my worries now. You where so meek and scared before I thought you where going to end up with a hard life (like me)” he says. I don’t know why but I’m so happy to hear this. I love my father and want to make him happy. “I am also currently working on my martial arts father, so in the coming days I may be busy, so if you need to inform me about anything, do so now” I say. Father looks surprised because I never had interest in learning the arts until now, but nonetheless, he continues, “Ah yes well you do that...oh there is a gathering happening in a few days for your mother’s return from overseeing the army control. So I hope you will attend, there will be be events such as martial arts tournament and archery and sword combat, to celebrate your mother’s return from where she was stationed, also I would be pleased to see how you progressed with your training if you don’t mind, and also these people here will attend, right?” He says noding to the stranger and Soo family, as they nod back a little disoriented it seems. “Yes of course I will attend if it’s for mother and I will compete. But aren’t we forgetting the main reason we are here, father?” I say, and father springs up surprising everyone, loudly says, “Oh yes! I completely forgot! The matter of marriage!” The guests look relieved we are back on topic, I suppose they felt awkward while we where chatting about personal issues, although the stranger looks unfazed, like he’s used to it. “So what shall you do Pearl? You say you won’t marry Li Soo so will you take this man’s proposal instead?” My father curiously asks. Everyone is looking at me now waiting for the answer they are waiting for, I speak, “Indeed I do not want to marry Li, but may I say, and forgive me for my bluntness, I do not have any idea who this man is” my father seems to remember that I he forgot to introduce him to me, and perks up. “Ah yes I forgot to say! This is King Andrew Qing, he rules over Europe and some of Eastern China” I’m speechless, and everyone else is too, I guess Soo didn’t know who they where talking to, neither did I. This man, standing in front of us, who can’t be older than 16, rules a whole continent?! Plus some of China?!?! I would have never guessed, he’s wearing commoner clothes and father is so casual to him! Interrupting everyone’s thoughts, he speaks up, “As future father-in-law says, I am Andrew Qing, I am 17 and am asking for permission to marry your daughter, Pearl” I guess I was wrong about him not being over 16...Everyone is stunned into silence, well except father, he’s over there sitting on his throne smiling and looking content, he wouldn’t force me to marry, but it seems like he likes ‘King Qing’ enough to accept him. Then I look to the Soo’s who are bowing there heads in shame for yelling in front of him, I tilt my head hoping to see a better view of their faces, at least they know they are only a noble family and cannot compete, but Li looks angry, even while his father is forcing him to keep his head down, it seems he won’t give up yet, how troublesome. Then I look at Andrew.

He is intoxicating. As our eyes meet, I can’t look away, and it seems he can’t either, I realize he is blushing and I realize he is blushing for Me. And I know I shouldn’t trust someone so easily because of the past, and I may be a fool, but I can tell his feelings are sincere and I can tell he really likes me, and if I’m being stupidly hopeful, maybe he loves me. But even if I’m wrong. One thing I do know, is I may fall for this man, and if I do it could be disastrous, this man I barely know may ruin my life like Li Soo. But I will give him a chance. I hope he will eventually become someone I can trust my life to, but for now, I must decide what to do. I think I will marry him, or accept his proposal for now, and try to start trusting him. Also maybe if I accept it the Soo family will leave me along for the time being. So after a long moment of contemplation, I speak up, “I will accept your proposal on the condition that we spend time together (Get to know each other) before we get married” Andrew’s eyes widen in surprise but also in happiness. “I have loved you since the moment I first saw you when we where children” I can’t stop staring at his lips,how can something so cheesy come out of his beautiful lips? And the way his voice sounds it traps me in a trance, I didn’t notice it before, but his voice is commanding, yet soft, and rough, yet soothing. I can see why millions of people follow him. As I regain my senses, I say, “Although I do not remember meeting you when we where small, in the time that I have met you today I can tell you that you have interested me, Andrew” I smile at him, and he blushes when I say his name, he also smiles back, with a smile that could slaughter a kingdom with one look. Reality hits and I come to my complete senses realizing that father and the Soo’s have been standing there listening the whole time because they haven’t been excused to leave. My face so red you could mistake me for a rose. I look at Li Soo and he’s looking at me he’s very mad but he seems to be trying to look sad, although it’s not very convincing. I speak up hoping to be excused with Andrew, “Father, may Andrew and I be excused to talk more in the garden privately?” I asked, father coughs realizing that I’m asking to be alone with Andrew and he says, “Of course daughter, you may go with him to speak if you wish” I start to walk towards the door and take Andrew’s hand and he gets flustered by my sudden affection. It’s so cute when he gets shy. As we leave I try not to pay attention to the Soo’s glaring at us but their hate is so illuminating it can’t be ignored, and I suppose Andrew feels the same so he stops, and turns to face them and says, “If you have a problem with me I’m happy to duel or challenge you in other forms” he says in a challenging, mocking, way. Everyone shut their mouths and not dared say another word in fear of they being killed on the spot. And we left the room, hand in hand, together. “Off to the gardens to talk and get to know each other?” Andrew asks while seductively smiling at me. I nod quietly.

Once we reach the gardens I ask the question that’s been bothering me for awhile, “What’s the real reason you want to marry me? Is it because I’m the crown princess? Or maybe because of my looks?”

... \~Silence\~ ...

Then he speaks up, “I thought you knew? I don’t blame you for being suspicious, but I like you, and only you, that’s why I want to marry you, Pearl” he says to me earnestly. I sigh, “Hah don’t say things like that or I may fall for you, Andrew” I say. “But I want you to, Pearl. And I won’t stop trying. But for now I want you to know that I’m utterly, and deeply, in love with you” He says while taking both his hands in mine. I’m so speechless it’s hard to breathe but I finally have the courage to speak up and say, “I want to trust you, and love you, but if I do this may turn out terrible for both of us and I don’t want to make your life hard, or ruin it” I say in a small voice. I don’t know what I expected him to say or do, but he says, “Pearl, for you, I will do anything or go through anything. Share your burdens with me, share your fears and thoughts. I love you fully” I don’t know what to say, nobody has every said anything like that to me, and for the first time I don’t feel alone, so on an impulse, I kiss him, on the lips, yup. Me being a creep. I realize what I just did, and I freak out, what if he doesn’t like that? What if he doesn’t like me anymore?! In a moment of desperation, I quickly shout, “I’m sorry!” And run to my chambers, knowing that I could’ve just lost the only person who was sincere to me, I ponder in self-pity.