Chapter 2 The Criminals

"Jia Li. A famous writer in the capital with a pen name 'Sora [空]' which means sky. Wrote about the palace's deep secrets along with the hidden princess who didn't get to debut her presence when she was young."

"She wrote about my manipulative father and how he tortured the commoners by raising the taxes even in small businesses."

"Being wanted in the palace, father would tip anyone who can bring her to him, alive.",

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"Yi Shaolin. Owner of a brothel that's not registered in the palace. Kidnaps women often and sell them to customers at the brothel. Owns 26 merchant people that sell illegal opiums and poisons."

"Known for being a mastermind for all of the missing people in the capital. He's not gentle as you see. He kills people if they dare to disobey him."

"Wanted in the Kingdom. Dead or Alive."

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"Yi Meifen. A bastard child of a noble family. She often talk about herself and choose to stay quiet, but is good in observation. She always cook for us as we tried to steal expensive ingredients from restaurants."

"She calculates our money as we tried to steal more. The more you get close to Meifen, the more she'll observe you. Known for being a murderer of her own family."

"Wanted in the entire Kingdom. Rewards are high if they bring her alive. Penalty: Torture till death."

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"Zu Shen also known as Warrior III. His father is a former knight who was sentenced to death by the King for betraying the realm, but Zu's father was later shown to be innocent."

"Even when I apologize for a million times, he insists that everything is fine and that it wasn't my fault because I was unaware of the situation. Only the king made the decision to kill his father."

"He's wanted for killing my father's new personal knight. The one who's behind from his father's death and the one who will ruin the empire someday."

"Wanted in the entire Kingdom. Penalty: Death."

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"Sun Tiang. A famous merchant that sells illegal information on the black market. Was known for his knowledgeable skills in gambling and the one who's responsible for killing his entire family in one night."

"A noble of a family who treats him like a dog. Feed him leftovers and sometimes, starve him to death."

"Not on the watchlist. As my father doesn't care about a noble who's

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Luan dropped her pen as she finished writing. It's been months since she lived with them. She knows that they might not be rich as her father and not as comfortable like living in the palace..

But she knows that her heart belongs to the criminals, who was once saved her from the cage called 'palace'.

She closed her notes as she slids it back inside the cabinet. "You better not waste this opportunity, taking notes." Luan chuckles as she saw Yi Shaolin, leaning against the wall.

During her stay in the garage, even though mosquito bites in the evening and they're actually sleeping on the ground, she felt safe in every second.

Maybe it's because, they can't die that easily. Because all of them are actually half-awake. Not letting their guard down.

"I'm finished." Yi take a glance on the cabinet as he looks back at her. "What did you write?" Luan shakes her head as they both go inside.

She can't just say that they were on her notes. Zu and Sun will tease her about it. "How's the birthday girl?" Jia said as she wraps her arms around her.

Months have passed and it's finally her birthday. She became close with all of them. Specially, the girl who didn't like her before. Jia Li. Who turns out to spoil her a lot during her stay on their hideout.

"You look like a sloth while clinging to her." Zu said as he laughs. "Stop laughing motherfucker." Jia said as she hit him hard in his arms.

"Happy birthday, Your Majesty." Yu Meifen greeted. In the times of hardship and loneliness, she finds herself relying on the 5 people in front of her.

She wipes her tears as she noticed the efforts, help, and everything they did for her for these past few months.

"You know that you look ugly when you cry." Yu punches Sun's stomach while smiling as her one hand is carrying the cake.

"You're too strong for a girl–"

"And you're too talkative for a man." Yu sighs as she wipes her tears. "It's your day, you shouldn't waste it. The cake might go to waste if we don't eat it." Yi guided Luan inside as Zu started to sing for her.

"You're useful in these kind of times. I'm impressed." Jia said in a teasing tone.

"I'm not like you. You're just all about make-up and beauty products. No talent." Jia raises her eyebrows as Zu looks to her with a wide smile on his face. As if he wins this round.

"I just thought it's better to learn those things for you to make you look handsome." Luan laugh in this point.

"Other points for me." Jia added as she winks at him. Losing in the battle, Zu stays in quiet as the garage began to fill with laughter.

"Blow the candles. I'm hungry." Sun said as he looks at Luan. She closes her eyes as she wished.

'I wish for us to stay together. Until we grow old. Till death do us part. ' She blows the candles as everyone claps their hands.

"What did you wish?" Zu asked. "It's something that can't be fulfilled if I say it." Luan said as she gets some icing and puts it on Yu's face.

In shocked, Yu gets some icing as she looks at Zu. "Oh fuck, please NO!!!!!" Everyone laughs as Yu tried to catch him.

This is the day that she's supposed to be known by nobles in the palace. But 6 months ago, she was kidnapped.

And she doesn't regret what she has for today.

A warm home that she didn't even get to experience at the palace.