Shadow Empress (GirlxGirl) (COMPLETED)

Chapter 24 | EMERGENCY!

ELPIS'S POV

I wish this day wouldn't come, but here we are. It's finally the day of empress dowager birthday banquet, and I can't believe how much effort my concubines had been putting just to make sure I didn't lose face in front of that witch's guests today.

Even the gift they prepared were extravagant befitting of my image as the shadow empress. I am impressed, but at the same time, I think that the empress dowager doesn't deserve all of these. That woman was the reason why I grew up without a mother.

"Elpis, look at me." Virtra lifted my chin before putting on some powder on my face.

"Why do I have to doll myself up? I don't see the reason why a soldier like me should even thinking of being pretty." Virtra ignored my comment as she continued to make me beautiful.

"As the shadow empress, you have to be presentable. To others, you're a princess general who conquered the battlefield with your strategised tactics and sharp mind. You're a warrior who brought glory and peace to the Empire. This banquet is your first public appearance after you came home from the war. Of course, you have to look the part." Virtra smiled while she asked me to bite on a bright red paper.

"And you're done." Virtra looked so proud of herself.

"Ma'am, how do I look?" I turned around to see the boy from the village all dressed up. I placed a hand on his head.

"You look like a gentleman. The high consort has outside herself." The child blushed in a deep shade of red. Bella couldn't bear to leave the boy at the village without anyone to care for him. The village head did offer to give him a place to stay, but Bella thought otherwise.

"Nicolai, I thought we agreed on calling each other by name?" The child was frozen when he heard Virtra.

"I'm sorry. I forgot." Virtra kneels and helps the boy to straighten up his suit.

"It's okay. You have an important mission today. Do you remember what is it?" The boy nodded.

"Lady Bella said I have to protect Rose at all cause. I will never leave her side." Virtra smiled. Who would've thought that Virtra is such a natural when it comes to dealing with children.

"That's right. As a man, you need to protect those who are weaker than you." The boy nodded yet again.

"Don't worry. Once Nicolai old enough, Nicolai will learn how to use a sword so Nicolai can protect everyone." I raised an eyebrow when he placed both hands on Virtra's shoulder.

"What a noble thing to say, Nicolai." Did Virtra just blushed?!

"What?" She asked when I was staring at her. I chuckled.

"Bella made the right decision bringing the boy back to the capital. If not, I wouldn't be able to see my dear wife blushed as she did." Virtra was embarrassed, but she let it go.

"You two should go and wait outside. I'm going to change to my attire now." This wife of mine just shooing us out. I decided to take Nicolai by his hand and walked out of the room.

"Ma'am. I wasn't kidding when I said I want to learn how to use that." He was pointing at my sword.

"I know little one. You were eyeing my sword when you told Virtra about your desire." If this boy wishes to be a swordsman, so he shall be.

"Is it hard to learn how to use a sword, ma'am?" We walked down the stairs while I think of a way to explain to him about the basics of wielding a sword.

"You have to have discipline and never give up on your desire to learn. To be able to wield a sword, you require not only the skills but also wittiness. So if you want to learn how to wield one, you should start by learning the basics first." He looked up to me with determination.