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...
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Edited: 3.2.23
꒰ 🥥 ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
The ship swayed as it made its way to Balbadd. The crew members shouting at one another as they were about to head into the docks. "Lixue" the said girl looked over her shoulder to see Judar walking in her direction.
"I heard we have some complications in Balbadd..." she said to him.
"Well, apparently the marriage between the King and Princess Kougyoku has come to a halt. It was stopped by Balbadds previous kings adopted son. He made a few claims that stopped the Kou Empires advancements" Judar replied to her, only for her to sigh.
A nearby maid walked over to the two, "Lady Lixue. Please come with me, we need to dress you in formal attire".
"Alright I'll get going soon. Judar. Don't cause trouble" leaving at that, she followed the maid.
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As the ship finally made it into the docks, Lixue, accompanied by a few servants, started making their way to the palace.
There were many onlookers who could tell she wasn't from their country and that she had a relation with the Kou Empire. From the way she dressed, the people who followed her, the amount of guards, and that she was heading straight to the capital.
Approaching the palace she was met with large doors, not caring, she opened them and upon her entrance she was met with many people. On one side were Kougyoku and Ka Koubun. The other was the current King of Balbadd with some government officials, and finally the last corner, where Sinbad and the 7 seas alliance members were, additionally with them was a blond haired boy around her age.
"Lixue!" Kougyoku exclaimed, walking towards her. Now standing by her side, people began to notice her.
"Excuse me. I am Lixue, a delegate for the time being, of the Kou Empire. And from what I'm seeing. There appears to be a problem?"
"Ah. Lixue! We do have an issue! This boy here wants to change Balbadd into a republic country, and he wants us to forget about the debts this country has" Ka Koubun told her. The said blond-haired boy walked forward.
"Yes, I would like you to disregard the fact that we ceded everything to your country!" Lixue stared at him stupidly. "What?!" she exclaimed.
"The kingdom of Balbadd that you speak of has been destroyed and doesn't exist anymore. And what's about to be formed is a completely new and separate country! And so promises made to the Kou Empire should no longer be legitimate. Right!?" Kougyoku took a step back in shock.
Then they all heard the sound of laughing, turning to look over at Lixue with a pulled out fan to hide her face. "Haha, I'm sorry. What was your name again?" she asked.
"It's Alibaba Saluja," he said confidently. She only smirked behind her fan.
"Ah yes. The rumored 3rd prince of Balbadd who seemingly ran away from all his troubles years ago. You suddenly come back and make all these claims. How can we forget about all the debts? If Balbadd is claimed to be a country that no longer exists, that means this country is for the taking now, right?" she smirked, Alibaba faltered. "If this country is gone, it's not wrong for the Kou Empire to take it now is there?
"Then please speak with your Emperor about this issue," Alibaba asked.
"How absurd" Kougyoku said, "Even if I were to tell him, I'm confident my father would only reject it" Ka Koubun looked at her like she was crazy. 'Even if you did tell him? You would try to talk to the Emperor about this issue? What are you saying your highness' he thought to himself.
"You cannot fulfill the marriage please go home" Alibaba stated
"The Kou Empire's objective was to acquire this country without bloodshed, should we be denied, my father might very well launch a military attack" Kougyoku replied back.
"Please tell him to spare us that as well!"
"Listen here, boy. You aren't even part of the royal family, now that you decide to abolish the system here. You have no right to tell us to leave since this land isn't Balbadd's. And asking for the Emperor to spare you, is quite idiotic. You assume we will go tell the Emperor this? Like Princess Kougyoku said, the Kou empire will still want this country. What you wish to achieve cannot happen. You have no power and you don't have anything of equal value." Lixue said, causing Alibaba to take a step back.
"Of course. I don't expect all this for nothing. The profits you'll receive from sea trade with us should compare favorably to the profits you will acquire from bloodshed, and that's how we'll repay you. Balbadd is the main trading hub out the southeast. Would you reduce it to a barren wasteland through war? Or show us mercy, and gain profit for yourself?" Alibaba stared at the delegates.
"Being the wise ruler who made the Kou Empire flourish, not just by military might but also through his political skills, which do you think his majesty would choose?" he stated.
"This is unacceptable to me..." Kougyoku said.
"I don't believe that the emperor would take military action. And why not? Because the republic of Balbadd will be joining the Seven Seas Alliance. I'm sure his majesty is aware of what that means. Our superiority isn't something to be dealt with lightly" Sinbad finally spoke up, Catching the eye of Kougyoku, Lixue standing off to the side.
"Hm in that case. This matter would be better to leave to the emperor" Ka Koubun stared in disbelief at Kougyoku's words.
"However, I have one condition for our withdrawal. If Balbadd is going to join the Seven Seas Alliance, then King SInbad must come to the Kou Empire with proof" Sinbad nodded.
"I shall come without fail" Kougyoku turned away-
"Very well then" Turning around, Kougyoku headed towards the exit of the palace, Ka Koubun following suit. Lixue however didn't follow with, she also took into account that the Princess was acting odd around King Sinbad. She advanced towards Alibaba standing face to face with him.
"Uh yes?"
"Though I understand your intentions and your resolve. You must understand what I said was true. You wouldn't have gotten away with this so well had King Sinbad decided not to add you to the Seven Seas Alliance. Remember Alibaba Saluja, you have no influence or power, the one who truly saved Balbadd today was the Seven Seas Alliance. That aside I shall take my leave" beckoning for the servants to follow her as she left.
"King Sinbad. Who was that woman?" Alibaba asked, exhausted by her intense statements.
"If I'm right. That girl Lixue, her existence wasn't known. But a few months ago she made waves as one of the Kou Empire's most valuable assets. This was my first time meeting her as well." Sinbad thought to himself. He most definitely knew there was something off about her.
