Chapter 19 Sima Cao, My Brother
Qiao and Lin Chung were making their way back to Big Green.
You did so well, Qiao… You were one step ahead of him the whole time…
Qiao smiled, "Yeah, I did it."
Lin Chung and Qiao arrived back at Big Green, greeted by the rest of the members of Big Green and the other princesses.
Mystique Sonia walked up to Qiao and gave her a huge hug, "You did it! High Roller will never bother you again!"
Jumpy joined the hug, "I'm so happy that everything turned out well!"
Mighty Ray even joined the hug, "You're as mighty as me, Xin."
Apetrully and Mr. No Hands were informed on how the mission turned out and its exciting outcome.
"A successful mission! I must commend you, Princess Qiao, for another job well done!" Apetrully praised.
"Now High Roller won't get in your way, Xin. You can go back to doing missions!" Mr. No Hands grinned.
Everyone cheered and praised First Squad for their amazing rescue, all except for Dai Yu. She walked up to Qiao, and smacked her hard across the face. Everyone around them gasped.
"Oh, heavens!" Apetrully yelped.
"Hey! What was that for?" Mighty Ray yelled out.
"Silence, commoner!" Dai Yu spat at him, and then faced Qiao, "Now, do you understand why I told you not to join Big Green? This whole mess all started because of you and it could've been avoided if didn't show your face to High Roller! You almost jeopardize me and the others, and you almost killed the new prince!" she continued shouting and criticizing Qiao, "You never listen to me!" She raised her hand again.
"I-I'm sorry, Dai Yu." Qiao held her stinging face.
Meng Yi and Li Ling held Dai Yu back from hitting Qiao again. "Stop it!" Li Ling shouted, "Qiao saved us. She knew what she was doing."
"Qiao is smart and strong! We all knew she could be a big help to Big Green, Dai Yu!" Meng Yi added.
It was my fault… I was hoping your disguise and High Roller's idiocy would go hand in hand, but I was wrong…
"Sima Cao, it wasn't your fault." Qiao spoke aloud, "I underestimated him too."
Niang perked up, "Qiao, did you just say Sima Cao?"
Qiao covered her mouth, "Well, um…" she trailed off.
Go ahead, Qiao… Tell your sisters about me…
Qiao confessed, "Yes. Sima Cao is a voice inside me and he guides me. He was the one who urged me to join Big Green. He told me I could be a part of something that can restore the pride of the Liang family. We just wanted to help."
"Sima Cao was talking to you this whole time and you never told us?" Dai Yu spat, "Why wouldn't you tell us that our eldest brother was still around?"
"Eldest brother?" members of First Squad said in shock.
"Sima Cao, you're my brother?" Qiao questioned.
This is true… You and I came from the same mother…
"Dai Yu, Qiao doesn't know that Sima Cao was our brother. He died the day she was born." Niang defended Qiao, "It is very much like Sima Cao to tell her to keep it a secret, too. It is no wonder she acts and behaves just like him." Niang gave a warm smile, "We were never in danger to begin with. Qiao was being watched over by him this whole time. He was protecting her and making her into a strong woman."
Thank you, Niang… I do my very best to raise Qiao…
Niang's eyes widened and gasped, "I heard him! I heard his voice!"
The others were in awe because they heard him too. The members of First Squad were taken back on how masculine yet gentle Sima Cao's low, smooth voice was.
My hatred towards animals came to be when I was killed by the very same bear that High Roller has following him, while returning to the castle on the day Qiao was born…
"That's why you wanted me to fight the Bear King." Qiao understood, "You wanted revenge."
That is correct, Qiao… My soul was sent to your body and I have guided you ever since… Though I am dead, I am still just a human, and even I can make mistakes… I apologize to everyone for my rash and prejudice behavior, especially to you, Jumpy Ghostface…
"I forgive you." Jumpy quickly responded and then said in thought, "I just thought he ordered Xin around."
"Whoa, I never imagined Sima Cao to be so virtuous." Mighty Ray said in thought.
Mystique Sonia spoke, "He's so noble and modest."
Lin Chung listened in awe of Sima Cao, "I was terribly wrong about this spirit. I saw him as evil and manipulative when this whole time he was just trying to protect Xin and lead her down the right path." He gently closed his eyes, "If I could see him, I would draw him."
Now, High Roller will no longer pester my younger sister, Qiao… Let us fight even harder now that one problem is finally done and over with…
"Right." All members of First Squad agreed.
"I'm tired!" Dai Yu blurted destroying the moment, "I need my beauty sleep!"
Niang lightly nudge Dai Yu from embarrassment, "Excuse her. She's always been the rude one." She bowed lightly to apologize.
Qiao's face turned a light red because of her older sister's impulsive behavior, "Mystique Sonia, can you…"
Mystique Sonia quickly responded, "Got it!", and gave her an okay sign.
"Thank you, Mystique Sonia." Qiao bowed, "Good night, everyone."
Rest well, fellow warriors… We still have a war to win…
Everyone bid Qiao and Sima Cao a good night after having a strong sigh of relief that the torment of High Roller has finally died down. All was left was Lin Chung looking as if he was trying to say something to Qiao.
She gave him a gentle smile, "Good night, Lin Chung. Thank you for helping me." She bowed and turned to leave.
"Xin, wait." Lin Chung stopped, "I need to tell you something."
Qiao turned back to him wondering what it could be, "What is it?"
Lin Chung walked up towards Qiao getting as close to her as possible, "I've been trying to fight it, but I can't anymore."
Qiao was puzzled, "What are you saying?"