There was something about her that was different. Was it the way she held herself high? Her intelligence? Her regal demeanor? They couldn't figure it out. She couldn't understand it either. After all she just happened to have been saved by Ren Gyoku...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Edited: 3.2.23
; ♡⋆.ೃ࿔*
"Lixue we're here at the Kou Empire" Gyokuen said. Lixue drowsily woke up from her slumber rubbing her eyes staring down, eyes growing wide.
"Woah" She stared at the huge palace. It's deep crimson red color and golden accents that only seemed to shine brighter under the sun.
"Hey calm down would you?" Lixue looked back to see Judar grumbling. "Sorry," she quietly said. Sitting down as the carpet went towards the ground. A group of people stood at the bottom, they wore black robes and white cloths covering their faces, with golden staffs in hand.
"Your Majesty" they bowed.
"Rise" she looked over to Lixue and pulled her close.
"Bring me the sealing paper, this child here will now become one of us. She has traded her life to come here" the group of men chatted and whispered before ultimately nodding in agreement.
Beckoning Lixue forward they began to draw symbols onto a piece of paper, walking towards her they began chanting. Suddenly the paper began to glow coming closer to her body, fusing together as one.
"ARGH!" She yelled in pain. Gyokuen walked towards her, "don't worry my dear, this is just the contract that you owe your life to me until you full-fill the requirement of returning the favor of saving you".
Many thoughts went through Lixue's head, the fact that maybe this woman wasn't as nice as she seemed before, maybe she shouldn't have taken her hand. This contract, how long will it be till she's free? This woman was just another version of the slave traders that were after her from the start.
But now, she was stuck here.
Turning around she commanded a nearby group of attendants, "Call a meeting with the Royal family, tell them the matter is important" Lixue continued to follow Gyokuen.
They walked into a large throne room and in the middle of it were 2 golden thrones. Lixue stared at the gold, mesmerized by it. Gyokuen sat down and beckoned her forwards. So she walked and stood next to her.
"Entering, the Princess and Princesses" a servant announced. The large red door opened to reveal a group of people that were similar in appearance.
"We greet her majesty the empress" they bowed,
A girl green hair came forward, "Mother. Please tell us why you've gathered us all here" Gyokuen smiled at her question.
"I would like to introduce you all to a new person that you'll be seeing around the palace" she motioned to Lixue as all heads turned towards her.
"This is Lixue. She is a young girl whom I've brought back with me from the dark continent. And starting from today onwards I've decided to sponsor her." they looked at the girl skeptically, The Ren Gyokuen brought in a child, how suspicious. "Starting tomorrow, she will begin her teachings of etiquette and such amongst you all"
"Is that all, Empress?" A boy, who looked like the oldest pinkett asked.
Gyokuen smirked, "Yes Kouen". With that he left with another pinkett boy following behind. Slowly the room started to disperse. Leaving only Gyokuen, the cloth covered men, and the green haired girl from earlier.
"Mother, may I ask how you came across this child?" Lixue stared at Gyokuen. Gyokuen smirked at her daughter.
Smiling she responded "Of course my dear Hakuei, I saved this girl who was about to be sold as a slave. But I've come to like this child and decided to bring her back. Do you find discomfort in my judgment Hakuei?" Gyokuen showed a hint of malice.
"No mother," Hakuei said silently. Gyokuen looked over to Lixue beckoning her.
"Hakuei. Since you're here, could you show Lixue around and give her a new change of clothes" she nodded as Lixue walked over and followed the older to wherever. When the large doors closed shut the clothed men looked towards the Empress.
"Bringing in this child must mean something right your highness?" She smirked.
"Yes. Judar says there's something special about her, and I can't help but feel a familiarity with her. And we've already made the contract, she belongs to Al Tharmen, she belongs to me!" She laughed psychotically.
; ♡⋆.ೃ࿔* A few years later:
Lixue has since come to live in the Kou empire, and has adjusted well in this newfound home. She has shown signs of power, to which Judar has suggested she'd try to claim a dungeon.
Lixue has also grown close to the 4th princess, Ren Kogyoku, as well as the 3rd Prince, Ren Kouha. No one would ever suspect the timid princess and the crazed prince would connect well with the mystery child.
While walking to the library a shadow covered her own, looking up she saw the familiar magi. "Can I help you, Judar?" she asked, he smirked and lazily floated alongside her.
"You know I really think you should go and try to capture a dungeon" he told her, she sighed exasperatedly in response.
"Judar, we talk about this everyday, I don't think I'm ready for such a thing, not to mention I need to hurry to the library. Kouen and Komuei have request me for something"
"That stuck up snob? Never mind I'm leaving" he said before leaving. Sighing she continued to her destination.
________
Making it to the library she was met with Kouen sitting at a table and Komuei standing next to him with a map showing the country Balbbad. They looked over to her-
"Perfect timing Lixue, we were just about to go over the plans" Komuei said, nodding she pulled up a chair.
"Let's get to the main topic. The King of Balbadd has decided to ally with us. We will have the King and Princess Kougyoku go into a diplomatic relationship. Then we'll have access to their ports and supply" Lixue brought her lips to a tight line. She didn't want Kougyoku to get into an arranged marriage. The young girl had always wanted to find true love, but she was a princess... she couldn't do anything about it.
