Vengeful Souls

Dismissed Honor

"She's still a woman, your majesty."
The king's advisors chimed in the lowly lit court. Shadows danced on the walls as the candlelight flickered faintly, casting dim illumination over the gathering nobles, creating an atmosphere of hushed whispers and secretive glances. The air was thick with tension and intrigue, the low murmur of conversation echoing in the cramped space


The king sighed with exhaustion. He valued her. He thought Rin was capable. But he was still skeptical over her value. Will she truly remain the fearless commander that she is now even when she turns 40? Men grow stronger with time, but will she still be able to lead and fight after a certain age? 

Questions...so many questions lingered on the king's mind. 
Rin Aki was the best commander Eruvia ever had. Despite being a woman, she never lost a battle. She trained hard 24/7. Rest was a foreign concept to her. She protected the kingdom with all her might. Her soldiers followed her without any questions.

Yet...she was still a woman. That's what the king thought.

"Commander Rin Aki is 25 which is way past the prime age to marry. However, certain nobles would still love to marry her. After all, she's a beauty- the only thing that a woman needs to be", the Grand Duke states.



"Pardon me, your grace?", Rin stood at the entrance of the expansive throne room.

A hush fell over the court, the whispered conversations coming to a sudden halt. Those gathered, from the king and his stoic advisors to the haughty nobles, found themselves at a loss for words. The sight of her standing there, with her eyes fixed upon the king, was enough to still the very air itself. No one dared to speak, for the weight of unsaid words hung heavy in the atmosphere. They all knew what needed to be said, but none could find the courage to utter it in her presence.


The king broke the silence.

The king leaned forward on his throne, his eyes locking onto Rin's. He seemed to be contemplating how to phrase his words.

"I have been thinking," he said slowly to the Commander, "about your duties as commander."

He paused, searching for the right words.

"You've served me faithfully for many years, and you've proven your loyalty and competence time and time again."

The king paused to gather his words.

"The court wants you to get married to one of the nobles. The man you marry will become the commander in your place. You have done your job well for the last 8 years, Commander Rin. Now, we believe it's time for you to rest and enjoy what women usually enjoy. The life of a mother and a wife."


Rin clenches her teeth. 
"No"
The king raised an eyebrow, noticing the clench of Rin's teeth. He knew that this topic was a sensitive one for her.

"It is not an insult, Commander," he said, his voice firm. "It is merely a requirement that you should consider. You need someone who can support you, someone who can-"

"Did you ever say the same thing to male commanders before me?"

"Well, no," he said slowly. "But you are a woman, and it is expected-"

"Why does it matter if I am? If I get married, I'll have to raise kids and serve my husband. I joined the army specifically to avoid that. And now, I am the head commander. I thrive in this role. I've done an incredibly good job for this kingdom. I've won battles for you...and now you're telling me I need a husband?"

The king rubbed his temples, sensing that he was treading a dangerous path. He knew that Rin's dedication to her role as commander was unshakable, but he also knew that the rumors among his advisors were growing louder.

"I understand your frustration, Commander," he said carefully. "But you are still just a woman, and society expects you to marry, bear children, and be the wife of someone powerful."


"Your majesty-"
The king held up a hand to stop Rin from speaking further.

"Listen to me, Commander," he said, his voice soft yet firm. "I understand your concerns, and I know that you are happy with your role in the army. But the whispers of the people and the demands of the nobles are becoming louder. I cannot ignore them, no matter how much I want to. I value your services and your loyalty. But the thought of you having a partner, someone who can support you will calm the gossip and the demands for you to marry"

Rin grits her teeth

"You are hiding your words. I am no fool. You want me to marry a man- and give up my position to him. That's what "support" means, doesn't it, your majesty?"

The king's expression hardened, knowing that Rin had saw right through him. He sighed, knowing that he couldn't deny it.

"I will not lie to you, Commander," he said. "That is indeed the thought of the nobles. They believe that a woman's place is in the home, not on the battlefield. They want you to marry a man who can take on the responsibility of being the commander, so you can focus on being a wife and mother instead."


The advisors and the nobles watched the conversation with underlying ill-intent stares. They despised Rin. To them, she was a beautiful woman being wasted.


"8 years of hard work...I have won 121 battles for you...yet...this is what I get in return? Being reduced to the term, "just a woman"?"

The king grimaced, guilt etched on his face. He knew that Rin had sacrificed so much to get to where she was, and now it was being taken away from her.

"Commander," he began, "I understand your frustration and your disappointment. You have dedicated yourself fully to your role, and you have done an amazing job as the head commander. But you must also understand the demands of the court, the traditions, and the whispers of the people."

"You are listening to nobles....for what? I AM THE ONE WHO HAS BEENDEFENDING YOUR COUNTRY FOR SO MANY YEARS, YET YOU ARE LISTENING TO THOSE FOOLS!"


The king slammed his fist on the armrest of his throne in frustration, a rare sign of anger.

"I am not listening to them because I want to," he replied through clenched teeth. "I am listening to them because they are part of the kingdom, and they represent the people's desires. The nobles may be fools, but they are powerful fools, and they have the power to start rebellions and uprisings."

"I JOINED THE MILITARY BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO BE DIMINISHED TO "SOMEONE'S WIFE"!I wanted to be me...and I was me for 8 years and now you want me to give up my position to a man whom I will marry??", Rin could not handle her emotions. She was rarely ever worked up like this.

The king's eye twitched, his irritation growing.

"You will still be you," he said, voice rising. "But as a wife, you will have new responsibilities. It is the way of the world, Commander. Women marry, and men lead. That is how it has always been, and that is how it will always be."

"Fine", Rin replied through clenched teeth.
The court sighed in relief, thinking that she had finally given in.
But then...she did the unexpected.

She walked to the dais, kneeled before the king, and put her sword on his feet.

"I, Rin Aki, give up my position as the Head Commander."