The Crazy Art Called Love

12 | Never Talk to Strangers

~~Harumi's POV~~

"Time to go, Princess." Hutchins knocked on my door.

"Coming."

For the last 48 hours, I continued to do the Royal family's bidding where I would pretend we were the example of a perfect family. Hutchins changed my guards and made them promise to keep an eye on me.

He never really believed my excuse of meeting Lloyd on the phone. So I had to be more careful now because I know he would be observing me. The day went by slower than expected.

This time I was handing out presents through the streets of Ninjago city. Many children did not recognize me so we ended up having a story time session in the middle of the park.

"And that is why you must never trust a snake." I closed the book and looked at my small audience.

"Wow. But aren't they on the good side now?" A little boy raised his hand.

"After they realized what they did was wrong, they changed for the better." I answered with a smile.

"Thank you, Princess." The children gathered around me and gave me a hug. It took me back to the times when I was a little girl playing in the park too.

"You're welcome."

I heard a cough behind me and I turned around to find a girl in rags.

"Do you have anything for me, Princess?"

She had grey skin and her black hair was all frizzy as it flowed to her waist. She looked very pale and dehydrated so I did what any person would do.

"Here. Please, hydrate yourself." I held up a bottle of water and she took it. I noticed her hands were shaking as she drank.

"T-thank you, Princess." She bowed and went to walk away.

"Wait. Let's get you something to eat." I smiled and grabbed her hand before she could leave. I turned back to the guards. "I'll get her some food. You two can continue handing these out." I gave them my basket and walked away.

We approached a noodle stand and I ordered two bowls for her and myself. It was the least I could do.

"Thank you." She muttered before digging in. I could tell she wasn't fed much.

"It's my pleasure."

It was quiet at first. I wanted to say something but she beat me to it.

"How does it feel, to be a princess?"

I was taken aback by the question. But I guess she just wanted to make conversation.

"Well people think it's really easy and fun, and yeah I guess sometimes it is but most of the time it's really hard." I answered honestly and began eating.

"It must be nice to live in a palace and have everything you ever need." She scofted before taking a sip of the soup.

"It's really not as good as you make it sound."

"Perhaps you could give me a tour? I would really like to experience the life in the palace."

She was so direct and I started getting a weird aura from her. I placed down my chopsticks and made myself clear.

"I'm sorry. But I can't just let anyone into the palace. Enjoy your food, I need to get going." I stood up and proceeded to walk away but what she said made me stop.

"Wouldn't you like to know about your parents, Princess?" I turned around and that was when I caught a glimpse of the knife in her hands.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I crossed my arms and acted clueless. She can't know anything about that, it was all just a trick.

"Please, everyone knows you're adopted." She spun the blade in her hands. "Wouldn't you want to know what really happened to your dear mommy and daddy?"

"Leave me alone. That's an order."

"You're not scaring me, Princess. Think about it. You know where to find me."

She got up from her chair and walked into an alleyway. I felt shivers run down my spine and I hurriedly ran back to my guards. I could have gotten myself killed! But what did she know about my parents?

"You can't go. It's too dangerous." Lloyd advised. I called him the second I got back to the palace. He was currently training alone, a sword in his hand and a dummy in front of him.

"But my parents—."

"Whatever information you need on them, I'm sure I can find it." He stopped attacking the dummy and turned to face me, or rather his phone.

His head glistened with sweat and his muscles popped out of his gi. I had never found him more attractive than how he is now. I just hope he did not notice the heat on my cheeks which I tried to subtly cover up with my hands.

"I don't want you to be in anymore danger, got it?" He swung the sword around and all I could respond with was a nod. "Did you get her name?"

"No. But I know how she looks like." I managed to compose myself and act normal. Although I can't say the same for my stomach.

"Good. Keep that in mind I might need to report her to the commissioner if she goes near you again." Lloyd started training again, it was clear he just took a break.

"Does this mean that I can't hang out with you anymore?" I pouted. If it was not safe to sneak out that meant less time to go on adventures with Lloyd.

"Sorry, Princess. Maybe I can pick you up from outside the palace?" He offered with a small smile.

I could tell he was still trying to come up with solutions just to make me happy. No one had ever made me feel that special before except for my parents. Now, I had Lloyd.

"The Emperor and Empress would never allow it and Hutchins always has his eye on me." I sighed and buried my face in my pillow. "What do I do, Lloyd?"

"I'm sorry, Rumi. I wish there was something I could do." His voice got louder and I looked up to see him holding his phone. His eyes suddenly lit up. "That's it!"

"What? What is it?"

"There's a night market in town for Christmas. You think you could meet me outside your room at around 8pm?"

"That's perfect! Everyone would be asleep by then and we can get home before they wake up."

Excitement filled my body and I wanted nothing more than to jump up and down. Lloyd was the best. I couldn't have asked for a better adventure buddy.

"Alright. I'll see you tonight, Rumi." He ran a hand threw his now wet golden locks. "I better hit the showers otherwise Kai would complain again."

"See you, Greenie." I waved with a laugh and the call ended leaving only a photo of me and Lloyd on my screen.

~~?? POV~~

"What do you mean she didn't agree?" Killow crossed his arms after I declared my report. We held another meeting to check on the training progress of the rest of the g**g. Everyone was filled with sweat and bruises but I didn't care. It should only make them tougher.

"Ugh! She was still scared, maybe I should have been more subtle." I contemplated my decisions from earlier on with my encounter with the princess. I made sure to tie my hair up again. I couldn't afford the g**g to see me like that.

"Did you give her the location?"

"I told her she knew where to find me and since she brought me at this cheap noodle stand, I would rather meet her there if she does show up."

"She better show up. Otherwise this plan is going to take longer than expected."

"Patience, Killow. We'll have our time to shine soon." I rubbed my hands together and let out an evil laugh that I had been practicing.

"Quiet One." A voice called from behind me which made me jump in surprise.

"Don't sneak up on me like that, Luke! Unless you want to be removed from the mission." I glared at him.

"Sorry, ma'am. It's just, Mr. E has informed us that there is a night market going on tonight." Luke informed me.

"I see. Prepare the bikes, we're committing crimes tonight." I commanded after taking in the information. Although my parents would not approve of my actions, they weren't here anymore to criticize my every move.

"This is going to be fun!" Killow rubbed his hands before making his way to his own bike.

Crimes. How I love crimes.