"MAMA!" The young Li Ai ran towards her mother's body, but Da held her back. Tears blurred the young girl's vision as she screamed, desperately trying to reach her.

"Shh, Li Ai…she's gone." Da tried to comfort her, but all Li Ai could do was struggle to break free. Everything turned dark and cloudy to the girl, not even her brother's face was visible as he told her with a shaky voice what had happened. A gypsy spy had committed the crime; It was in retaliation of some new tax law that had been passed. Li Ai didn't care who had done it, all she knew was that her mother was dead. She would never again see that strong, gentle smile or hear the soft singing that often echoed through the halls of the palace. Her mother was gone, and there was nothing that the young princess could do.

Guards quickly surrounded their queen's body while others ran off in search of the murder. Strong arms encompassed the princess as Li Ai collapsed. She didn't remember much after that, only that Bai Jian told Da to take her to her room while everything was sorted out. Her pillow was soon stained with tears as she cried her heart out. Da was quiet as he watched her, letting the girl let her emotions spill out. The boy stayed with her until the world faded away into a black dreamless sleep, watching over her and standing guard.

Li Ai quickly snapped back into reality. Her golden eyes were wide with horror as she relived those dreadful moments. That memory would always be forever burned into her mind.

She stared at herself in the mirror, seeing hints of her mother and father all over her face. They were both gone, but their memories still lived on in her heart. She would never forget them nor what they taught her: to be kind, and always stand strong.

"Um…your majesty?" A maid stood at the door.

Li Ai whirled around to see her, "Yes?"

"Your bath is ready."

"Oh, thank you."

The maid nodded and quietly left the room. Li Ai turned around once more to face the mirror. The situation with the gypsy princess needed change, and she was going to bring it.

Lianghu stared at the wall. She had been stuck in that miserable bedroom for the last three days with nothing to do except the occasional chat with Li Ai. The bleak beige walls seem to close in on her, and she began to feel claustrophobic. She tapped her claws on the small mahogany table in front of her as the sun reached it's peak. There had been no recent news about her father, but that was to be expected. The Rom Bora wouldn't dare risk contacting his daughter while she was still in captivity; It was far too dangerous.

If I can't get out of this room soon, I'll go crazy, Lianghu thought.

The tigress twirled a small writing brush between her paw as boredom slowly set in. It seemed that there was no escape for the gypsy princess.

"BAI JIAN!"

The young leader looked up from his document about the recent housing tax and sighed as he rubbed his face.

"…..What is it Li Ai?"

His sister put a paw on her hip, "Lianghu has been stuck in that room for over three days without a soul to talk to except sometimes me. She needs fresh air and sunshine."

Bai Jian shrugged, a disinterested look on his face, "So? What am I supposed to do about it?"

"Let me take her for a walk in the palace gardens, it'll do her good."

He snorted, "Not a chance. She'd escape and run back to her lowlife gypsy clan."

Li Ai's eyes saddened for a moment, "…Their lives matter just as much as yours, Bai Jian. The sooner you realize that, the better."

Bai Jian glared at the tigress, "I'll realize that when every single gypsy is either 1,000 miles away from us or cold in the in grave. And as far as that gypsy princess goes, she might as well stay in that room for the rest of her miserable life."

She returned the solemn glare straight back at her brother, a determined look set in her face. "Fine, but the Rom Bora will not be pleased to find that his daughter was thrown into a room for weeks on end."

The young leader groaned, obviously annoyed. "Then what do you what me to do?!"

"….YOU can take her for a walk."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, you take her for a walk. That way you can keep an eye on her and make sure that she doesn't escape," Li Ai picked up a small figurine of a soldier from his desk and fiddled with it, "Besides, you've been stuck inside this musty office all day anyways; you need the fresh air too."

Bai Jian rolled his eyes in annoyance, "….Fine," He stood up from his chair, "But only as long as you stop bothering me."

Li Ai gave a slight smile, "Of course brother. Thank you."

Fresh Air. Blue skies. Sunshine. This was the first time Lianghu had been outside in almost a week, and the gypsy girl was thrilled to taste the slightest bit of freedom. Bai Jian walked beside her, a focused and solemn look on his face. Lianghu giggled slightly; he was obviously hating every minute of this, but she didn't care. She was finally outside, and she was going to enjoy it.

Bright and colorful flowers adorned the path that they walked along in the garden, making the place seem like a fairy wonderland. Butterflies floated in and around the flowers, resting every so often on a petal or branch. Lianghu sighed happily, this place was truly beautiful. She stopped to pick a camellia flower, admiring its beauty.

"You must come here often, this place is truly amazing."

Bai Jian shrugged, "I guess it is, but I have more important matters to deal with other than standing around and looking at flowers."

Lianghu frowned, "But…when winter comes, the flowers will die, and you will have never even seen their beauty."

"I don't care if they die; as long as I'm able to get my work done, I'm content."

She looked at the stern tiger, a small smile creeping up on her face, "You're so serious, maybe that's why you always frown. You should try smiling sometime, it'll do you good."

Before the bewildered Bai Jian could retaliate, Lianghu had continued walking, humming as she went along. He watched confused as the tigress walked among the flowers. She seemed so peaceful even though she was a prisoner in a strange land. Surely she couldn't be happy, could she?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND I'M BACK! I know, I know, it's about time! I've changed up the storyline a bit, so be sure to go back and read Chapter 4 and 5 again! Love you guys

Okay byyyyyeeee!