Under the Moonlight

Royal Guard standing patiently in front of the gate of Xiao hai house, and in front of the carriage door for Qing Yang to go inside. His face looks calm in the dim moonlight of the night. His armor looks fit on his sturdy muscles.

Seeing Qing Yang coming out of the gate who had changed her clothes, stepped reluctantly and carefully. the clothes worn do not look grandiose but ordinary. But not the clothes she usually likes to wear for everyday life. Her face looked nervous and tense under the dim moonlight. her footsteps were heavy.

The royal guard she knew reached out his hand to help her to go inside the carriage. before going up she turned towards the Gate raised her hand and waved with a small smile at Grandma and Tan Ruo, then turned to face the royal guard and accepted his hand by placing her palm on top of the royal guard's palm. When she is stepping up, she held her dress so that she would not fall when climbing the stair of the carriage.

The carriage is empty, she sat by the window facing the front of carriage. The royal guard had also gone inside in the same carriage as her. he sat facing Qing Yang who was sitting restlessly, her hands on her lap clasped so tightly make hers knuckles turned pale.

The royal guard then knocked on the carriage wall three times signaling the coachman to leave. In the moment the carriage starts to move, leaving the Xiao Hai house. To divert her anxiety from being seen by the royal guard sitting in front of her. Qing Yang looked outside the window, the street seemed deserted past the people's houses.

the moonlight appears brighter as it approaches the east seacoast. The faint sound of waves heard from a distance. Hearing the sound of the waves Qing Yang's heart calmed down a little but restlessness was still visible on her frantic face. thinking about how to face and act to the emperor. her heart pounded even faster as the carriage stopped by the beach.

The carriage door opened, a coachman's face was seen waiting in front of the carriage door waiting for the Royal Guards and Qing Yang to turned off. The royal guard got off first as he was sitting by the door. He didn't leave immediately but turned around waiting for her to get up from her seat to take his hand, helping her to get off the carriage.

Qing Yang took a deep breath as her feet touched the sand of the beach. Not far from where she was standing was a golden tent with a dragon embroidered on it. in the middle of the tent there is a figure sitting relaxed with his eyes staring at the beach. From that figure she already thought that he was the Emperor who was waiting for her arrival.

Her eyes glanced at the royal guard who had been patiently waiting for her. The royal guard tilted his head slightly forward, his body half turned around with his hands gesturing for Qing Yang to step on. Bowing her head slightly indicated she was ready to follow him. The royal guard led her to the tent.

The wind was blowing hard, followed by the sound of the waves that made the night no longer quiet. This time the beach was guarded by palace guards. The emperor sat staring at the sea with the light of the moon shining quite brightly tonight. When the two arrived at the tent, the two of them stopped about two steps from where the emperor was sitting.

"Your Majesty" said the guard who had always followed the emperor wherever he went while bowing his head

The emperor looked at Qing Yang, she lowered her head standing behind not far from his royal guard. "Leave us," said the Emperor to the royal guards.

"Yes, Your Majesty" replied the royal guard then turned to walk away.

Seeing Qing Yang still standing motionless "Are you going to continue standing there" the Emperor said breaking the awkwardness.

Qing Yang raised her head slightly "Ooo, hmm" she muttered incoherently.

"Come and sit here," said the emperor by inviting Qing Yang to sit beside him.

"Sorry Your Majesty, I didn't..." She was surprised to hear the emperor's invitation to ask her to sit beside him. She tried to find an excuse but her words were cut off by the emperor.

"Didn't you hear the orders of an Emperor?" said the Emperor, cutting off Qing Yang's words.

"Hmm..." Qing Yang heavily stepped closer to the Emperor and sat down on the couch where the emperor had pointed her to sit and with her head still looking down at the floor.

Silence...no sound was heard between the Emperor and Qing Yang. Seeing her sitting with her head down. She looked scared. Her body looks tense.

"Sorry" said the emperor starting the conversation and wanted to melt the atmosphere and tension that was felt between them.

"W-what" Qing Yang replied, raised her head, looked at the Emperor, when their eyes met each other she immediately lowered her head again.

"Sorry, I made you awkward" said the emperor feeling bad.

"Oohh...not Your Majesty, I should be the one apologizing for being rude to you all this time" Qing Yang replied. Remembering all the things she had done to him. Talking to him like he was a commoner, accusing Him to following her wherever she went. In her heart she really didn't know what to do. Only bowed her head and if possible disappeared from the presence of His Majesty.

"In fact, I prefer your behavior all this time, so act as usual, after all it's only you and me here."

'You' what you mean Your Majesty? She asked confused in her inwardly. I'm just a commoner with no status, no parents who are now an orphaned and living in an orphanage under Grandma Fen Fang's care. Nor should I sit on the same level as an emperor ruling this kingdom.

Qing Yang awkwardly didn't know what to say. "Y-Your Majesty"

"Sshhh..." the Emperor hissed as he raised his right eyebrow.

"There's still a difference, Your Majesty is an Emperor who rule this kingdom, and I'm just a commoner" said Qing Yang who finally managed to control herself and spoke fluently.

Hearing that the Emperor just smiled. It was quiet, both of them looked at the sea, even though the moon was shining brightly but the dark sky made the situation even more awkward.

Qing Yang recalled the incident earlier this morning, where she and the Emperor were also sat side by side like this. The difference was that this morning she sat relaxed and could talk freely without any fear. She considered the Emperor her savior. She thought he's a kind man. Which has given her hope to continue to wish.

Life is not as easy as expected, but if there is passion and will, hope can find its own way to be present in everyone who wish for something to happen.

Deep in her heart, before, she admired the Emperor, wanting to see him up close. Just looking was enough for her but here she was. Not only seeing but talking, but even many events have happened without her knowing that she with the emperor.

Happiness, fear, anxiety, disbelief, all mixed into one under the moonlight.