It was bright and sunny yet dark clouds hovering above bring such cold and chilly wind. The boat that Elizabeth took has finally reached port. Despite what happened, she continues to believe that her father has no clue of where she is and that he has nothing to do with everything. As she bid farewell to the Captain and the old man who helped her. She felt ashamed for lying to them even though they"ve helped her.
"Captain, Grandpa, everyone, thank you for helping me. I may not know where I"ll be going from here, but don"t worry about me. I know my way around the world and rest a.s.sured, once I"ve settled down. I"ll come and visit you again."
Captain: "Girl, you"re always welcome. If you need our help again feel free to look for us."
Old Man: "Child you be careful out there. I know you and your family don"t see eye to eye at this moment. But always remember, what they"ve done is for your own good. They don"t want you to get hurt."
Elizabeth somehow finds it suspicious why everyone"s att.i.tude suddenly turns 180 towards her family. As if, they are siding with them and showing great pity as well.
Old Man: "Child, us parents make mistakes sometimes. Someday, you"ll understand why we parents make decision very rationally."
Elizabeth didn"t say anything back and took her leave as she thanked them for the last time. As she vanished in front of everyone, they have this look of a.s.surance that they"ve successfully completed their mission.
Old Man: "Everyone, thank you for your help. I"ll go ahead now and report to Lord Knightley."
Captain: "No worries, you can contact us anything. But, will she really be alright? I mean, we gave her some money to help her but that would only last her a day?"
Old Man: "Don"t worry, do you really think no one is keeping watch on her. She is the daughter of one of the world"s most powerful man and family. She is loved not only by the Royal family of England but also China"s most aristocratic military family. Rest a.s.sured, the Young Princess will be fine."
Captain: "If you say so, but before you go, I have one thing to ask?"
Old Man: "Hmm…"
Captain: "Why was she declared dead? I mean, even if no one knows she is the Young Princess, she is a very famous celebrate and now she back and walking alive won"t that cause quite a shock on everyone?"
Before answering the captain"s question, the old man observes everyone"s expression who seems to have the same question in mind. "Don"t worry, she does not look like Li Zi anymore but the Young Princess. People will only think they look alike but her eyes and hair now is a proof she is the Young Princess and not Li Zi."
Everyone agreed with what the old man stated as he too greeted them and left as well.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth has made a great progress at all. She is still not sure of how she"ll return home. She is a thousand miles south of China and still has not reached the main city. Right now, she"s a hundred miles away from the main city of the island which is her ticket out. However, she doesn"t even have a ticket out for she has no identification on hand. Her only way out now was to smuggle her way out.
"I have no choice but to find work somehow. I need to save up the money to get myself out of her. Plus, I need to contact Jackie. I just hope dad has not locked her away as well…"
Elizabeth pressed on as she walked around the empty streets. I was still daybreak when they arrived at the port and only fishermen are walking around. She happily greeted them with a smile trying her best to blend in and not grab everyone"s attention.
As she continued on foot, after an hour of walking she only made around at least five kilometers which were not good at all. Her foot was getting heavy and her vision was fading, she was exhausted already for she has not eaten yet.
"I better look for a place to eat…" Elizabeth looked around but most of the shops were still closed. She was on the verge of hunger and dehydration as well.
Seeing there was no place for her to eat, she pressed on once more in search of a place for her to rest and eat. As she was walking down the street, a strange woman came towards her.
"Can I help you?" Elizabeth directly asks with a very suspicious look on her face.
"I notice that you"ve been walking for quite some time. I thought maybe you are new here and lost. Seeing you don"t have anything on you, I"m guessing you"re not from here and you have no place to stay."
Elizabeth did not respond at all and continue to observe the woman excessively.
"Hha, why are you staring at me like that for? Have I done something to offend you?" The woman laughed seeing how serious Elizabeth"s expression was towards her.
Elizabeth was taken aback yet said nothing. She continues to keep her mouth shut and let the woman do the talking instead.
"I see, you really don"t trust me don"t you? I mean, yes… You think I could be a bad person trying to lure you or something. Please, don"t overthink yourself…" The woman continues to giggle for no reason which was making Elizabeth a bit awkward with the situation. "I think you"re more suspicious than me. I mean, this is my hometown and her you are… A wanderer who seems to have no clue of where she is and no ident.i.ty as well. I mean, seeing you don"t show any signs of being friendly, I can report you to the police and maybe you"ll finally talk."
"What do you want?" Elizabeth finally spoke and opened her mouth seeing the woman was threatening her by telling the officers about her which will lead her father and Yun Shen from discovering her location.
"I never wish anything from you, all I wanted to know was if whether you are lost or not? I mean, you do look lost and seeing how pale you look at this moment and your lips seem dry. You haven"t eaten as well."
Elizabeth did not deny anything anymore and went directly to the point, "I am not lost, I know where I am heading. Yes, it"s true, I haven"t eaten for I"m trying to look for a place to eat yet most of the shop are still close."
The woman could only laugh once more seeing how honest Elizabeth was. Her face was all teary from the laughter and she looked at Elizabeth who seemed to be annoyed with her. "I"m sorry, I just didn"t expect you"ll be direct and honest towards me. I mean, this just means you really someone suspicious seeing you"re so afraid that the cops might find you. Are you like running away from a crime?"
"No, of course not. Do I look like a criminal to you?" Elizabeth became fl.u.s.tered and agitated that she was unable to control her tone of voice.
"I don"t know, sometimes, people like you have very frightening sides. You look so angelic but who knows, deep down a devil might be hiding behind this fake image." The woman spoke of such cold truth which left Elizabeth speechless. She could only look at the woman in her eyes as if she was seeing this devil side of her.