Chapter 7: Chapter 7

In the capital, a woman sat behind the desk in her study. Her face adorned by the pitiful light emitted from the candle, was enough to highlight her exquisite beauty. The man that was kneeling next to her, however, didn't dare to raise his head for even a moment. For he knew, although she had a gentle and demure appearance, her heart was colder than the winds of winter.

"Where is she?" the woman asked flatly.

The man trembled for a moment before resigning himself to answer, "She fled into the woods outside the city. We didn't dare to get too close, and only know that she has travelled farther in by the carcasses that she has left behind".

"Did I not ask you to watch over her?" the woman still asked calmly.

"The subordinate has failed the masters order. The subordinate should be punished", the man said through trembling teeth.

"Go down and get it yourself" the woman ordered.

With a flash the man had left the room. The woman put down the brush, looking down at the painting that had yet to dry. A handsome figure in armour, her lifelike resemblance showed just how much attention the woman used on this painting. 

The woman continued to stare at the painting, her cold eyes showing a tenderness towards the portrait, or more likely, the person in the portrait.

The woman recovered from her daze and said lightly, "One".

A shadowy figure appeared behind the woman, her voice hoarse and scratchy.

"Yes, Master".

"Go and guard the woods. If any suspicious people try to enter, then there's no need to show mercy", the woman's eyes returned to their previous coldness.

"Yes" and with only the sound of the wind, the shadow disappeared.

The woman rolled up the painting. Opening the secret compartment in the study, there lay countless scrolls. All were placed meticulously, and if they were to be opened, it would be evident that they were all portraits of the same person. After she had finished, the woman left the study and returned to her bedroom, the servants  kept their heads down and made themselves as quiet as possible, so as to not disturb the woman, for fear that their lives would be lost for doing so.

The next morning the woman awoke. The early morning light that filtered through the curtains caressed the beautiful woman on the bed, but it still couldn't stop the chill emanating from her. She looked at the roof, trying to shake off the drowsiness left from the night's slumber.

After getting up, the servants outside shuttled in uniformly, their actions well practiced and without mistake. They helped the woman change and wash. Not a single unnecessary movement was made, and when they had finished, they left without delay.

"Anne" the woman said.

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The maid named Anne, walked swiftly towards the woman, "Yes, Master?"

"Prepare the carriage" the woman ordered.

"As you order, Master" Anne said before leaving.

The woman first ate breakfast before boarding the carriage. When the people of the capital saw which nobleman's carriage was advancing up the street, they felt a sense of terror. Soon the street was divided into two sides, the people waiting didn't dare to speak louder than a whisper. Their hearts were racing as they watched the luxurious carriage pass by.

After watching the carriage disappear into the distance, the people breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank the heavens for mercy. I didn't expect the princess to leave her mansion" said a middle aged man.

"It's probably for his majesty's funeral. Otherwise I doubt she would even bother to show up" spoke another.

The people of the capital knew that the princess would only be willing to attend the funeral to make sure that the emperor was really dead. It was no secret that the princess despised her father. When she turned fifteen, she took her right to a separate mansion, and moved out of the palace, only returning when it was compulsory.

The princess's hatred for the emperor was due to how he had treated her maternal family. Her mother was the daughter of a general. Not as powerful as the Dren family, but they could said to be second behind them.

The emperor took her mother as his imperial concubine, and after a year in the harem, her mother finally gave birth to her. However the emperor has always been suspicious. Generals are always the first to be suspected. Her grandfather tried to prove his loyalty, handing back the soldier talisman, hoping that the emperor would spare his family, but to no avail.

The princess's maternal family didn't suffer as badly as the Dren's, but they were exiled in the end. Her mother was framed by the other concubines and was soon imprisoned in the cold palace, where all concubines who have committed crimes are sent.

Her mother lost her mind in that place. The once proud general's daughter, turned into a giggling, unkempt mess. The princess was born intelligent, she knew that her grandfather and her uncles had never had rebellious thoughts. They may not have been as devoted as the Dren's, but they were unremittingly loyal to the emperor.

But their loyalty was still tramped on by her father, now they are still living in dire straits at the border. Her mother had also taken her life, in a moment of sobriety. Leaving her alone to face all the concubines in the harem, and her siblings.

Thankfully her grandfather left her his contacts, and his elite shadow guard. So even if she had lost the backing of her family, she wouldn't be powerless. Otherwise her life would be worse than death by this point.

It was because of her mother's family that she could meet that person. Although it was a shock to find out she was a woman, but looking back on the time they spent together in childhood, she did notice some discrepancies. She did have some doubts, but by that time, she had already begun to have special feelings for the handsome Siraya. By the time she understood her feelings, Siraya had already followed her father to the battlefield. She could only see her a few times when she returned victorious.

Siraya's majestic and solemn figure drove her little heart mad. Even when her family fell, Siraya was their to comfort her, she promised to protect them on their way to the border, and she did exactly that. How could she not fall in love with such a person? 

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