Shadow Empress (GirlxGirl) (COMPLETED)

Chapter 11 | The Unspeakable Truth

"Why do you insist on wearing commoner clothes, your majesty? You even asked the imperial consort to look like a traveller. But, God must be on her side. Just look at how beautiful she looks even without high-quality clothes and jewellery on her. She's truly a goddess of the Empire." Elpis smiled as the noble consort helped her to put on her clothes.

"Because I like to see your homeland without all the pretentious comment. Your father has been monopolising this land's resources for his selfish gain and his goons. If I want to protect my people, I need to see things from their perspective." Grace sighed.

"Okay, then. Are you sure you don't need me to accompany you?" Elpis nodded.

"Having Virtra with me is enough. Besides, I wouldn't want anyone to be suspicious. Since most of the people of this land never went to the capital, they won't know who we are. It's easier for us to walk around the town." Grace nodded.

"Alright, then. Please be careful." Elpis turned to the imperial consort who's having a hard time adjusting herself to wear such clothes in public.

"Remember, Virtra. We're just travellers who wander into town." Virtra looked at Elpis from head to toe.

"And why do you insist on dressing as a man? Why can't I be the man and you be the woman?" Elpis was surprised by her question.

"Sister Virtra, do you think you can pass on being a man with the size of your breast like that?" Elpis turned to the noble consort.

"Are you saying that I have no breast?" Grace kowtows when she oversteps her boundary.

"Of course not, your majesty. I was just being stupid. Please forgive me." Elpis chuckled.

"Rise. I was joking. How many times do I have to tell you that no concubine of mine ever needs to kowtow? Even in front of an emperor, you shouldn't do such a thing. It's disrespectful to me." Grace apologised for her action.

"We should get going now. Elena, keep your bow and small knife close to you. Protect your sisters' at all cause. I don't trust this household at all." Consort Elena bow her head.

"Is it wise to let Elena protect them? She may have the patience of a saint, but she won't be able to control herself once she gets to shoot her bow. Do I need to remind you that she almost killed Margaux who tried to keep her calm after she shot the bandit a few days ago." The imperial consort seemed a bit worried.

"It's okay. We should focus on our task at hands. My concubines aren't weak. They know how to take care of themselves."

After leaving the duke's estate, Elpis asked the coachman to get them off at the forest near the town's entrance. They want to avoid riding in the royal carriage since they're in disguise. Elpis helped her wife walked the hard terrain by holding her hand.

"This smell reminded me of the time when I was fighting on the battlefield. The sweet smell of rotting human flesh." When Elpis turned to the nearby river, her eyes caught on something. There was a group of men carrying several bloody sacks.

"Instead of burning the body, they threw it in the river? What are they trying to do? Poisoning the whole city? What is going on?!" Elpis grabbed hold of her wife's hand.

"It's not the right time yet. Remember, we're just travellers." Virtra clenched her hands, knowing that there's nothing more she could do to help the innocent soul to have a pleasant journey towards the underworld.

"Let's continue." The imperial consort nodded. The journey towards the gate was memorable for both Elpis and her wife. The guards who stand by at the gates were nothing but scoundrels. Elpis has to pay quite a lot just to get inside the city walls.