Destiny

Chapter 19

Families were losing hope, yet no one in the kingdom could help ease the worry. As each season passed, a new wave of relief passed along with it, and now it was nearing the end of winter again, but their army was yet to come back.

No words of the Empress seemed to fill the void in the hearts of the people. Jennie's anger grew by the day. With the people not listening to her and the lack of words from their army, she began showing her anger.

The servants she held friendships with broke off ever so slowly. Even if Nayeon protected them from facing Jennie's wrath, she could not stop them from beginning to lose their adoration for her.

Guards that once protected her as a treasure half-heartedly did their duties. Even the General's in court that looked at her in respect now trembled in fear of offending her and receiving punishment.

If only they knew, she was nothing but a puppet with power.

Only a few seemed to truly care for the Empress now. Only a few did not change their heart on her.

Among them stood her own guard.

Through all of Jennie's tantrums and abuses, Lisa stayed on her side. She protected the others from her yet did her best to serve Jennie to her ability.

Even if she sensed disdain, Lisa stayed through it. She believed Jennie had lost hope. After all, she had made a promise. Whenever she had the chance, she informed the Empress that they would return as the General promised.

Jisoo will come back with the army. Once she is back, the Empress will be back.

That is what she told herself every day and night.

Patience was dripping away, and all the people did was pray to the Gods with hope. She was one of them. Being by Chaeyoung gave her hope. Her family gave her hope. That hope was what kept her alive.

The end for their hope had long arrived on a day that seemed to be like no other.

In the cold and dried land that dreadfully lay, a message finally arrived like a whirlpool of water.

Generals rushed from their homes, and the court immediately assembled, eager to hear. They impatiently waited for the Empress, who arrived ever so slowly.

Lisa was sure her heart was loud enough for the Empress to hear. No action could be taken to take care of that. She stood by idly, unable to help.

Please. Please be alive, Sooya. Please let them say you will come back to us.

"I arrive with unbelievable news, Your Majesty." Tears brimmed his eyes as he fell to his knees. "I...I can not believe this myself.

Fear quickly filled the room. Had all their prayers gone to waste?

"General Lee..." His hands that laid on the ground curled up into fists. Jennie did not move an inch. She remained unphased, much to Lisa's surprise.

"General Lee has single-handedly taken the life of more than a hundred of their soldiers overnight." A glint of shock and fear passed the Empress' face before returning to her look of nothing. "But most importantly, the life of their Army General."

Their messenger looked up from the ground to smile at their leader. "While they were stranded, our General had used our army to set the battlefield ablaze and had finished off almost all of them."

The court finally saw his tears for what they were. Tears of joy.

"The ashes that were left of their army have accepted defeat and are retrieving. Silla has conquered it to its North. General Lee and our army have conquered Baekje for Silla!"