YanPing stood there, watching the fire that was burning down the building once again. He was there on that day. He had so many things to tell her. He remembered the night before that he sent the pigeon to her room.

"Did it not reach her?" thought the young man. He waited for so long, but she never appeared. The alcohol he had warmed for her grew cold. He took a sip before an armed guard came to meet him. He kneeled and reported to him, "General we are all ready."

"It's not time yet. Wait for one more hour."

"The sun is-"

"Do you want to disobey my command?" asked YanPing at the armed guard.

"No sir. We will continue to wait," replied the man as he left him alone.

YanPing remembered the day they met. They came on the same day to become Master Li's disciples. Since she was the one who stepped into the courtyard first, the master made her the elder disciple and him, the young one since he was just one step late.

They argued everyday, learned martial arts together and fought each other. Covered in bruises, they would be scolded by the master. They were punished together, carrying buckets of water from the river back to the well, chop firewood or cleaning the house together. They cried, laughed, and shared everything together.

The days continued, spring to winter, year to year until she told him one day, "I am going back home," said the girl when the moon was hanging in the sky above their heads.

"Did the master already given you the permission?"

"He did. He had too. My father is sick. I need to go to him."

"Will you be coming back?"

"No," she told him resolutely. He was confused by the determination in her voice.

She continued, "I will be helping my father."

"You are such a filial daughter," stated YanPing. He never knew that the girl she was always together was the princess and assumed that she was just going back to manage her family business.

"What are you going to do?" asked YuanMing.

"You are the one who is stupid. With all the skills you learned, you should put it into good use. Do something useful for once."

"I never like to do anything. Lazing here and drinking is the best," said the man as he took a sip of wine from the bottle that he had stolen from the master's room. "Isn't it better? To be away from problems."

"You are just running away," said YuanMing while YanPing remained quiet.

They both stared at the moon above.

"Stay safe," said YanPing as he handed her a wooden comb with a single pearl.

She took it in her hands and replied, "Of course."

Next day, YuanMing left with a smile on her face and YanPing too left soon after. He bade farewell to Master Li and headed in the opposite direction from YuanMing. He went to Xia Kingdom to greet his father, the emperor of Xia Kingdom. He was the second prince of the kingdom. The empress hated him and had tried to kill him several times which was the reason that his mother sent him away to the enemy country to avoid any further danger that was threatening his life. She used all the money and power that she had from her marital family to keep him safe until she exhausted herself.

Wearing white, he went back home to see his mother one last time.

The palace was full of schemes and plotting.

Before her mother even passed away, he was greeted by his greedy uncles and cousins who were already asking about his future and position in court. "Even if your mother died, your carry half of our blood in your body. We will surely support you."

He thanked them and left.

"My mother hadn't died, and they are already talking like she was already gone," thought the young man but he knew it too when he saw his mother, how skinny she looked. The beautiful young woman in his childhood had withered and will soon be buried under the ground.

A servant accompanied him, and he asked, "Where is emperor father?"

"His majesty once visited the concubine when he was told of her condition. And never since visited."

"I understand," stated YanPing. "Leave me and go take of my mother."

The servant left him alone in the empty courtyard. The wind passed by, and he felt the coldness in the palace. He punched a nearby pillar. It hurt but it reminded him that he was still human. He could still feel pain. "Before this place swallow me, I will leave."

After seeing her son for the last time, the concubine couldn't hold on any longer, passed away in the peace of the night. A grand funeral was held and YanPing was ordered by the emperor to train as a soldier.

"After the second prince ended his filial piety period, he shall be sent to the border as a soldier to train himself," commanded the emperor. YanPing thanked his emperor, but he knew that it was all along the empress to scheme to have him killed in the war.

He never thought that he would meet her again in the battlefield. He was just a foot soldier, and she was a general that was riding on a horse. During the battle, he had already taken down one of the enemy's general and seeing how another was coming in his way, he aimed for her head. He wanted to raise his ranks. He had to if he wanted to continue living in this hell. "Two is better than one," thought the man.

He struck the spear at the general. It missed and her helmet fell off and he recognized her in the midst of all the blood and death. He ran away, before she could recognize him.

When he went back to camp, with his achievement in the battlefield and winning strategy, he was promoted to a general. However, her appearance fazed him, he couldn't feel the happiness from his promotion and at night, he sneaked out for a drink by the river, and he met her again. She was outside, searching for herbs.

"Why are you here?" she asked him.

Since he didn't want to expose his identity, he lied. "I lived around here. I just a village boy, sneaking out to have a sip."

"Still same," said the girl with a cheerful voice.

"Why are you doing here?" he asked her.

"I am collecting herbs. They were beneficial for the army. Thought I could collect more so everyone could have a share," stated YuanMing. "I will help you," replied YanPing and while they went searching for herbs, they talked.

Two hours later, they sat down, and he found his fish trap and began cleaning and grilling the fish, and suddenly, she told him about her real identity. "I am a princess. I not some merchant's daughter. Sorry for lying to you," as the girl confessed over grilled fish.

He almost dropped the fish that he was holding.

"I didn't mean to lie but my identity was a bit sensitive but since we meet again. I think that I shouldn't be lying to you. My emperor father was sick, and I really went back to check up on him and luckily, he recovered, and I told him about my dream to contribute to the country. He objected to the idea of me being a general but still granted it when I insisted. So here I am a general, protecting my country."

YanPing was surprised with all the information.

"I hope that I could end this war between Yuan and Xia Kingdom. After joining the battle, I knew how many injuries the soldiers suffered and the people who died, they could never return back to their families."

YanPing was in deep thought, "If the war ended, we would be friends, just like how we were learning under Master Li, instead of enemies." He remembered just in the morning, how she was almost killed by his fellow soldier, "If I hadn't moved the horse in the way-" He can't continue thinking about it. He couldn't bear to see her death.

"That is your wish?" he asked her.

"Yes," answered the girl resolutely.

He smiled. He knew that she would always get what she wants.

"I will help you."

"How? You are just a village boy."

"I can do chores around the camp. That would consider helping too."

"No thank you. You would be lazing around more than working," said YuanMing bluntly.

He laughed out loud, and they drank till dawn and the next morning, he sent many transcripts to his father and thought of many strategies to persuade his father to end the war between their two countries. He advocated for peace and finally his father agreed.

'A marriage alliance will be granted, and Yuan Kingdom's only princess will be the crown prince's bride,' was the agreement.

YanPing stared at the reply that his father had given. He knew that it was for the best, if a marriage alliance could stop all this bloodshed, however in his heart sunk as he read the sentence over and over again.

"This was for the best."

Foreign officials were sent, and agreements were made, the dates were set, and she was coming over to Xia Kingdom as the crown princess as agreed. The war at the border was stopped and taking the opportunity, he sneaked to the capital of Yuan. He sent her pigeon knowing that she too had returned to the capital.

They met again at XiYan Pavilion.

"Why are you here?" she asked him.

"I am visiting master," said YanPing.

"How is our master doing?"

"He is doing well. Master, told me that he wants to build a small garden to plant some vegetables and maybe buy some chickens and pigs to tend to."

"Master, he is willing to touch animals?! He didn't even allow us to keep those pigeons. Saying how they were filthy animals, dropping shit everywhere he went."

He laughed, and said, "Yes, that master. He wanted to have animals around because he found a wife and she likes animals."

"Love does change a person," said YuanMing.

"Yes," he mumbled in a soft voice.

"What did you say something?"

"Ah... nothing. I was just mumbling."

"You always mumble when you have a problem. What is it?"

"Nothing that I can't handle," replied YanPing.

"Let me know. I am your senior sister and the princess of this country. Whatever problems you have. I must surely be able to solve it."

"What if you are not a general?"

"Then I would be a princess," replied YuanMing.

"What if you are not a princess?"

"Hmm... I don't know. I never thought about it. I was born a princess."

He smiled as he poured her a cup of wine. "Drink up. It will warm your body."

She gulped down the wine.

"You still drink so fast."

"Wine should be appreciated like this. The spiciness just hits you. It's exhilarating."

"Are you free tomorrow? Maybe we can go visit master again?"

"No, tomorrow I have to attend court. I was summoned," said the girl as her face turned solemn. She could guess their intention to an extent, the border had sent news to her. The war was in a standstill.

YanPing's heart sank as well, for he knew the reason for her invitation back to court. "They are going to ask her to quit being a general and be wedded off as a sacrificial pawn for the allegiance."

YuanMing saw his expression, "Why are you looking so sad? I am the one going to court tomorrow. Not you."

"Yes... you are correct."

"Wow, the first time that you have actually agreed with me," teased the girl. "Here drink up. Need to keep your body warm," as YuanMing filled his cup. He stared at her and wanted to tell her the truth, "I-"

Before he could talk to her any further, Ah Hua entered the pavilion and whispered into YuanMing's ear, "His highness has summoned you to enter the palace now."

"It was supposed to be tomorrow," thought the girl. "But it must be something urgent."

She stared at YanPing and said, "I have to go now. There is something urgent at the court. I need to go back."

"I see. Go, it's alright. I will be here waiting for you," said YanPing.

That was the day that he left her and the day that he regretted the most. "If I hadn't let her go. She will surely not go like that day. This curse wouldn't have inflicted us all."

YanPing walked down the path that led to the outer walls. He remembered vividly all the happenings like it was yesterday. Although there was renovation here and there, but the memories that he carried were very fresh. He touched a part of the red wall.

Snippets of it came back to him.

"My brother," thought the man.

He opened his eyes and saw YuanMing in front of him.

Wearing the same red wedding clothes just like that. YanPing thought that he was dreaming but before she could pass him. The young man took out his hand and caught her. "YuanMing?" he asked.

She stared at him and hugged him as she started to cry.

He hugged her back, "Don't cry," he comforted.

It took her a while before she stopped.

He let her go when she regained her composure.

"Why are you here?" she asked him.

It took him a while before she recognized that she was not the YuanMing that he knew. The girl that he knew had long passed from this world. No matter how much she would looked like her.

"I was together with Ah Hua. We got separated," said the young man.

"I am sorry that you are dragged into this problem. It was all my fault."

"No, it wasn't. It was mine," he mumbled again.

"Yes? What did you say?"

"Ah no... nothing," said YanPing.

"You should tell me. Although I am not a princess of this country and I am soon, to be fugitive but if it's within my power. I would surely help you in return especially since you are my savior," replied the girl.

He fondly remembered the words that YuanMing had once told him.

YuanMing bowed and said thanks.

"You must leave this place now before they capture you," said YanPing.

"Yes. I should have left with Ah Hua just now. I shouldn't have but my mind was suddenly clouded by unknown images. My head felt like it was splitting. I pushed her away and ran away."

He recognized the symptoms. "She is on verge of remembering," thought YanPing. He became nervous and said, "We must leave immediately." He pulled her hand, and they ran across the path, unknowingly, it had planted a seed in the young girl's heart. She stared at his strong back that was so familiar and felt safe.

They meet up with Master Li. The man quickly took the girl away from him and glared at him.

"Master, follow this path and you will soon leave the palace."

He nodded but at the same time, the Master was quite disturbed by his surrounding because they were now at the South Gate, the place where the famous princess fell from. They exchanged glances and took a sneak peek at the girl. She remained the same and they nodded to each other. "I will get Ah Hua and leave with you. Master you bring YuanMing away from here first," stated YanPing.

He handed something to him. "Use this."

"Alright," said the man, as he walked out towards the gate, when guards appeared.

"Who are you?"

Master Li took out the item that YanPing gave him. He showed it to the guards. "We have the crown prince's plate with us. He had given us permission to leave this palace." A head guard ordered one of the guards to go check. He came down from the castle wall and inspected the plate.

"This is a fake one," he yelled out, but YanPing had already went up the castle walls to immobilize the troops, joining him was Ah Hua. She had come to their meeting point.

"Luckily you found the mark that I left and meet up here," stated YanPing who had marked a cross on the red wall so that if Ah Hua saw the sign that she would come to the meeting point instead of searching for the princess."

"It's bad luck to be indebted to you but I am grateful that you found her," said Ah Hua coldly.

"Let's finish up here and have our princess leave this place."

"For once I agree with you," she replied.

With all the guards down, Master Li and YuanMing was able to leave the gate safely with YanPing and Ah Hua following behind. It was luck for them that the fire was burning at the main hall which caused all the guards and soldiers which were usually stationed were moved to help save the fire or else they wouldn't have been able to leave this place safely.

They escaped into the crowd and didn't stop for rest at all until they were far away from the palace. YanPing hid them again at his troupe. "They are some relatives that I have. Can they stay for a day? They will leave tomorrow," he begged the troupe master.

The man stared at his lead actor. He was a man of few words and he had never asked him for any favors until now. He nodded and said, "Just for a day or else I will cut your pay."

He thanked the man.

"And prepare now, the show is starting soon."

"You are an actor in this life," stated Master Li. He was his disciple, never thought that the arrogant and lazy student he once had, would become a lowly actor.

"He provided me food and hefty sum for work that didn't require any hard labor," said YanPing. "You guys stayed here, backstage. No one will surely find you guys." Before the man, the maid and princess could complaint, he hid them behind some curtains and clothes.

"Ah Ping, get ready. You are next," ordered the troupe master.

"Coming," replied the young man as he left to get ready.

Ah Hua checked on the princess, "Are you alright? Is there any part of you still hurt?"

"My hand, where the woman cut me," she told them.

Master Li quickly tore off a piece of cloth from his clothes and began bandaging her wound. "You have to take care of yourself. You shouldn't have lied to us, making us worried. All this was caused by your little troublesome scheme."

Ah Hua pinched the man.

"What are you doing-" as he glared at the maid, but she was glancing at YuanMing. Master Li stared at the young girl; tears were wallowing in the corners of her eyes.

"You were both lying to me. Who are you guys? Why are you treating me with so much care?" asked YuanMing. Master Li and Ah Hua exchanged glances.

He lifted her little chin so that she would look up, "I am your Master, this lifetime and in your previous lifetimes." Ah Hua held her hand and said, "I am your maid, this lifetime and in your previous one as well. And we both care for you very much."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"We were afraid that it will trigger your previous memories."

"Why?"

"Knowing more is not good. Sometimes, people forget for a reason," consoled Ah Hua.

"Why can't I remember about you? Both of you had memories from your past life. Are you guys immortal too? Just like that shaman. Do you guys want my blood too so that you can break the curse?" aske the girl as the tear finally fell off her cheeks.

"No, we are different from her. We will die and then we will reincarnate. But we will always find a way to be back with you again. It had been like this for five hundred years."

She couldn't believe their words.

"Maybe they are lying to me?" Ah Hua stated. YuanMing stared at her face, stunned.

Mater Li continued, "It's hard to believe us but we have been with you for a long time. You just have to survive tonight, and our curse might be broken."

"Tonight?"

"Today is your birthday," said Ah Hua. The girl had forgotten about her birthday. She was too occupied with all the happenings around her.

"If you are able to live past the age of eighteen. Then this curse will end," continued Master Li.

"I couldn't live past the age of eighteen..." mumbled the princess.

Ah Hua hugged her closely, "You surely will this time."

YuanMing was confused with all the information that was given to her, but she had no choice but to accept it and returned Ah Hua's hug. Her warmth was real, and this moment was real. She didn't get married at the palace; she is now a fugitive, but she was with two most important people in her life. It was all that matters.