ALL NOVEL Chapter 21: Sullied Garden
In the beautiful green garden of the Imperial Castle, two women dressed in beautiful dresses were calmly sipping tea. Their beauty were unparalleled: The first has deep dark pulpe silky hair that seemed like it would fuse with the world, her white skin gave her an ethereal aura, like an unreachable fairy.
Her smile as she thought about the Emperor, gave the charm of a maiden in love.
Yet in her dark purple eyes could be seen concern and wisdom beyond her age.
The light breeze gave it all an immortal feeling, like a scene drawn by a brush virtuoso. Her demeanor was indeed that of a woman born in an imperial family, Shahrazad visited her mother in-law, Devran. The mature woman in front of her, had a calmer face, a gracious bearing and a piercing gaze that held the vicissitudes of life:
"So, he wants to cut all ties with other countries."
"He is focusing on strengthening the Empire."
"He is hellbent on this World Conquest of his, isn't he?"
She had a charming smile on her cherry colored lips:
"You know how stubborn he is, and besides, you don't need to worry about his safety. Despite what you saw two weeks ago, he is much stronger than what you make him out to be."
Devran smiled teasingly:
"Not even officially married yet you two already share secrets."
Shahrazad reddened:
"Aunt! You...Keep teasing me."
Suddenly a servant came running, Shahrazad nodded for him to speak:
"The emissaries of the Chani Kingdom, Roland County and Kuzabru Baronery have all been denied the entry to the capital. But…"
"We are sorry for the inconvenience but we made our way here."
A cocky voice could be heard as two elderly man walked in uninvited. Devran recognized a short bald man, his face was calm and the way he walked was exemplary.
'First Minister of the Wanda Kingdom'
Behind him was a hunched white-haired man with a long robe and a golden sword at his waist. Shahrazad recognized him:
'The third elder of Sword sect's siege at Wanda kingdom.'
Her mesmerizing green eyes narrowed:
'They are walking like they own the place'
The bald man bowed before the ladies as he said:
"Princess Devran, it's an honor to meet you again. Your father long for you."
The Imperial Concubine didn't even have to respond that a powerful voice resonated:
"She is not your Princess Devran but our Mother Empress."
The both of them had a glint of light in their eyes.
'So the Emperor abdicated indeed and the new Emperor backed by this new force survived the attack.'
"State your business."
Her eyes were stern, her demaneor exemplary...Like she was born to rule.
"We came here to rekindle our friendship with your King."
Shahrazad light smile turned a tad cold, as she got out a weird dark rectangle from her chest. She brought it to her mouth:
"White hawk, Shoot him in the knee."
The next moment a gunshot was heard and the Minister was down bleeding. The elder drew the sword veins popping out from his head:
"HOW DARE YOU!!"
But before he could continue an other gunshot grazed his face as it collided with the wall behind him.
'He…This is like the Firearms of the Federation! Is it them their backing?'
He immediately calmed down. The Minister raised his head with difficulty:
"…Why?"
Shahrazad slowly drank her cup of tea as she watched his leg brim with blood and, like an angel, lightly smiled:
"Why?"
"Did you say why?"
She then stood up, a cold voice coming from her voice:
"First capital offense, we do not bow before the Mother Empress we kneel before her."
Her voice contain deep disgust:
"We are not a gathering of dogs who decided someone to for rule them, we are a millennial old dynasty."
Mockery could then be heard in her tone:
"For your knee, I am only helping you bend it and correct your wretched ways."
She then walked up:
"Second capital offense, you called his Great Majesty, "King". Huh?"
"Like he is the equal of the dog that rules over your backwards countryside. "
Hearing this insults he cried in response:
"Your country may be victorious in this war, but if you entrave the Rwa Empire effort for peace…You!"
He immediately took out his backing!
Arriving in front of him she smiled, fury in her eyes:
"Third capital offense, Take a little hint you bald bastard!"
"Next time when we stop you at the gates. It means you go Fuck off!"
The old minister who seemed to have hard time believing that a Princess would throw him such langage in the face asked :
"What did you say?"
She looked down on him as her smile transformed into a pissed off expression:
" You heard me right! You go Fuck off, you and your Kingdom , and the Empire Backing him up!!"
She then turned away, as the Minister kept looking at her back in daze. Suddenly she stopped:
"Minister, I don't hear the sound of your footsteps."
She turned her head and stared daggers at him:
"DIDN'T TELL YOU TO FUCK OFF?!"
The minister scared to his wits immediately limped away as fast as he could! The elder looking at his back was impressed in his heart:
'What a wild gal! To think she handled that Minister who raised hell in the Wanda Kingdom that easily.'
She then faced the old man and her expression completely changed as a charming smile appeared on her face:
"It's a pleasure to meet an elder of the sword Sect."
He nodded pridefully.
'Indeed, even if they can afford to offend a little kingdom, they can't offend the Sword Sect, one of the cornerstones of the Martial Alliance'
"Sit down, please."
He sat and deeply sighed. She followed and said:
"I trust the trip hasn't been too hard on you."
"Well, these old bones can still walk some miles."
"Do not fret, Elder Ye our Empire always take care of Experts."
He nodded:
"Good policy."
Shahrazad smiled lightly:
"We only hope that they can take care of us in return."
He understood the underlying meaning as he sipped his tea:
"I understand your concerns, but the policy of the Righteous Martial Alliance is to never interfere with otherworldly affairs."
"Of course if one of our disciples chose to aid you, it will be between you and him."
Devran wanted to slap him on the spot:
'You Shameless bastard. Doesn't that mean that you get help who you whenever you want!'
But Shahrazad only replied calmly:
"Indeed, Ancestor is wise. No wonder my Elder Sister is a disciple."
Hearing her, he immediately perked up:
"Ah, Kosem, a good child, unparalleled in her age. She will be a great competitor in the sect tournament."
Devran again wanted to rip his head:
'Good child? She is way stronger than you! You old fart!'
"Anyway, as a reward for Princess Kosem's hard work, our Sword Sect is to help you in rebuilding your Empire. I need to see the Emperor for that."
Shahrazad seemed moved to the tears:
"What great generosity! As expected of the Great Sword Sect upholding justice for the poor citizens."
The women servants of Shahrazad who were hiding in the dark with their snippers made all the effort in the world to contain their laughter! The other soldiers too wanted to burst out too!!
"I will surely discuss it with his Majesty when he wakes up."
'Is he asleep? At this hour?'
He stood up:
"Well, I will be waiting for an audience."
"It will surely be our pleasure."
He walked out like he is 6 foot 4!
Then a cheerful voice rang out behind him:
"Oh a minor detail, My elder."
"Yes?"
Her voice seemed still, somewhat cheerful:
"Are the guards at gate, okay?"
He stopped and responded nonchalantly:
"They will be fine, I only made them know their place. Hehe..."
"Oh! I see! Then…In this case...."
"SHOULDN'T YOU KNOW YOUR PLACE TOO?"
He barely turned his head to meet her gaze when he heard:
"FIRE!"
Hundred of gunshots were heard at the same time as it resonated thought the Imperial Hall. The elder could defend against 20 of them, before he was riddled with bullets. Yet he still stood up:
"What does that mean! PRINCESS OF THE COMBROSIA EMPIRE!"
She didn't even respond to him as she yelled:
"FOR THOSE WHO HURT OUR PEOPLE WHAT DO WE DO?"
A response downed like the voice of hell itself:
"WE KILL"
Gunshots descended again! Like The torrential Rain! Destroying him in the Process:
"Princess! This is The Martial Alliance you are messing with!!
"FOR THOSE WHO BELITTLE US LIKE FOOLS WHAT DO WE DO?
"WE KILL!!"
Gunshots sounded again, as he descended on the floor drowning on his own blood!
She bent over him and announced:
"Welcome to the ATLAS Empire, elder."
The Soldiers who witnessed the whole scene had tears up their eyes as they saw what unfolded. For a mere guard, their Imperial Family executed a member of the Sword Sect! They wanted to lay their lives right here for her just to return the favor! She finally spoke to the frightened servant:
"Next time someone from our Empire is harmed by an outside foe, execute him immediately."
Devran looking at the sullied garden sighed:
"Didn't you take it too far?"
"Only a Dog from A Dog Sect! Don't bother yourself with him!"
"He is from the Sword Sect."
Shahrazad had a proud smile on her face:
"And We are from the ATLAS Empire, what's your point?"
She sighed and laughed quietly:
"It seems, that it is not only that old Emperor that was eroded by time. You are right indeed; we are from the Atlas Empire."
"I need to go check on his majesty. It's been a day already."
"Yes, go. Tell him to come visit me."
"Yes, Mother Empress."
She walked out of the bloodied garden and as she entered the hallway, she staggered as she began throwing up.
'It's much harder than expected.'