Night of the Broken Gliph

Just as he flashed his knife, a figure appeared out of nowhere, blocking him from Lam Zaa. It was a young boy in black, emitting a gloomy aura that made one uncomfortable. 

“Don’t panic.” The youth in grey smiled and reached out his other hand that held a palm-sized wood block in it. He worked on the wood quickly with his knife and in no time, a wooden dog was made. The dog was on all fours on the ground and was in a barking position. Despite being made of wood, it looked vivid and lifelike like a real dog. The young boy in grey turned to Lam Ming Sum and gave it to her. “This is for you.” 

“Thank you.” Lam Ming Sum took the dog with smiling eyes. She looked just like a fox cub. 

Lam Zaa watched the scene from the side and let out a huff when he saw Lam Ming Sum smiling at the boy in grey. “Let’s go!” With a wave of his sleeve, he left. The youth in black remained still, staring at the boy in grey for some time before taking his leave. 

“I can’t get used to this type of communication between the kids here…” The youth in grey watched them leave, muttering to himself. 

Hearing his voice, Lam Ming Sum shot up. She didn’t hear what he said, but it occurred to her that it was this young boy who saved her. She immediately bowed towards him in gratitude. “Thank you for saving me.” 

Her action shook the youth in grey. Doesn’t she know that she’s the princess? She’s bowing to me…

Lam Ming Sum looked at the dog in her hands fondly. “Oh, what’s your name? I’m  Lam Ming Sum, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, smiling with her eyes like a fox cub. She was glad to finally find a friend at a faraway place. 

“I… My surname is Kam. Kam Chin Kee.” 

Lam Ming Sum skipped back to her room happily with the dog in her hands and the palace maid following behind her. Emperor Lam had assigned her a small palace hall and named it Ming Sum Hall. 

Just as she reached the Ming Sum Hall, she saw Kan Hang standing outside in his usual black. Seeing Lam Ming Sum, Kan Hang bowed down towards her immediately. “Greetings, Princess Ming Sum.” 

“Please don’t… Stand… Stand up.” Lam Ming Sum waved her hands, not knowing how to respond. 

After a short moment, they both then entered the Ming Sum Hall. Kan Hang got all the palace maids to leave, leaving only the both of them in the room. After their long, deadly experience together, Lam Ming Sum did trust Kan Hang greatly. Since she was currently in a strange land, she was dependent on Kan Hang too. Thus she went on and on about her experiences today, and Kan Hang listened to her quietly, only raising a brow on hearing about Lam Zaa and Kam Chin Kee’s situation. 

Kam Chin Kee…? The famous orphan protected Princess Ming Sum? 

Tired from speaking, Lam Ming Sum took in a deep breath in an unwomanly manner and picked up the cup from the table to drink. 

“Your Highness, Kan Hang is here today because I have something to ask of you.” 

“What?” she asked loudly as she continued drinking. She learnt this from Chui Yim as she always felt that the nonchalant manner Chui Yim had was cool. 

“Your Highness, Kan Hang hopes to become your shadow and protect you forever the rest of my life.” 

“Shadow? What’s that?” Lam Ming Sum asked curiously. The word piqued her interest. 

Knowing how this girl thought, Kan Hang wore a warm smile on his face, different from how he normally was. “Nothing much. It just means that I’ll live with Your Highness from today onwards and play with you.” 

Hearing this, Lam Ming Sum looked up excitedly. “So that means we’ll be best friends?” Wanting to mimic Chui Yim, she waved her hands excessively. “There’s no need for you to ask! We were friends to start with.” 

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Kan Hang smiled thinly. 

“My first request will be that you aren’t allowed to address me as Your Highness in the future. Call me Ming Sum.” Lam Ming Sum smirked. 

“Yes, Your… Ming Sum.”