19 the net has cast

The young lady grinds her head with her pale hands, leaning back on her seat, her eyes flutter open. The shockingly bright and pure violet seems more painful and cutting under the soft morning sun flowing in from the window.

"Blackey." Ruthless stands up from her seat, a dark shadow looms from behind.

"You're back, how's it?"

"Master, Aron Quint has secretly written a decree for Prince Ethan to become the Crown Prince."

"That old man is indeed getting older, just a little threatening by me and he can be fooled so easily, he's easier than I thought."

She gestures for a pill on her table beside her, "here's your antidote for this month, have you decided where to go?"

A test.

"I will return to my homeland."

She nods. And Black One disappears.

"Teari," a woman kneels before Ruthless, "we have already prepared everything, we shall wait for the wind to blow."

"Inform them."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Another shadow appears.

"Ruth."

His amber eyes are full of affection and gentleness. His arms close in around her thin waist, his face sinking into her neck.

"Ruth..." Lilando breathes into her neck, biting on the soft skin, "did you miss me?"

Not waiting for a reply, he turns Ruthless around, his thin lips closing in on her soft ones.

He sips gently on her lips, then slipping his tongue into her mouth, entangling with hers.

Lilando exits her mouth, a thread of liquid forms a bridge. He leans forward, his tongue sweeping it away.

Ruthless's lips, red and swollen.

His eyes burn of a fire and look at her hungrily.

"Ruth..." His voice is raspy and heavy.

"Lan, it is in the morning." Ruthless laughs gently, as she caresses Lilando's perfect face. His face is more mature and grown-up from the first time they met. The edges of his face, sharper. He has grown taller too, 5 years older than Ruthless, and is already one head taller.

But, of course, Ruthless has also grown, from that underaged little girl to a young lady. With a perfect golden ratio body, her face, with more seductiveness and charm. 15 years old... This year is her Coming of Age.

"But, I want..." Lilando whines, his hands reaching under the cloth, stroking and massaging.

"I..."

"Don't worry, this will do for now..." He takes her right hand in his and sucks on the skin.

Leaving a mark, of love.

The room fills with heavy breathing and strange murmurs.

With a last intense growl, Lilando takes his handkerchief to wipe her hand. He leads her to the washroom.

And come out fresh.

"Let's not do this in the morning."Ruthless sighs, her hand feels like jelly.

"So we can do at night? In the afternoon?" He massages her hand softly and smirks.

She slaps him on his back and quickens her pace.

"Mother."

Cordelia plucks the last note on her zither.

"You are very late today, my dear."

"Lilando greets Mother." Lilando bows and greets Cordelia as well.

"Lilando, greetings to you too, take a seat,"

"Maria, prepare one more set of utensils."

After they finished eating, the Queen asks, "so what else do you have now,"

"Don't worry, Mother, the net is closing soon."

The next morning, in court.

"Hail to Your Majesty!" Hundreds of officials, kneel, while princes and Imperial Regent Princess stand and greet the Son of Heaven.

"If there is nothing to say, leave!" Eunuch Li screams, his usual high pitched voice as screechy as ever.

"Father, Ruthless has something to say."

The Emperor's eyes widen, "Speak."

"I want to reveal Prime Officer Oboi Ebilun's evil deeds!"

"Prime Officer Oboi Ebilun."

"evil deeds"

Her words are like throwing a bomb to the ministers, especially those from Dong Party.

"Horrendous! Even if the Imperial Princess is of royalty, she must not bully the old ministers!" Oboi Ebilun kneels and cries, a spark disappears in his eyes quickly.

"Oh, what evidence do you have?" The Emperor touches his left eyes, stopping the muscle from jumping.

"May I call in someone to bring in the proof?"

The Emperor nods.

"Summon the evidence from the servant of the Imperial Princess!" Eunuch Li announces. His voice can even be heard from the outside.

Two soldiers carrying a large chest.

They kneel and greet the Emperor.

"Father, why don't you look at the evidence I have collected first?"

The soldiers open the chest, filled with books, up to the Emperor, after receiving his permission.

The Emperor takes out a book, flips through quickly, then another, and another... His face is turning darker and darker.

"Oboi Ebilun!" Aron Quint slams the table and bolts up, pointing his finger at him.

"Look! Look at what you have done!" He throws the books at him in great force.

His eyes turned red and his face twisted from the anger.

Oboi Ebilun picks up a book and reads, his iris narrows, and his body trembles, "no...no! Your Majesty, I am innocent! She is framing me! Yes, she is framing me and Dong!" He mutters excitedly.

Damien Dong frowns, of course, he must help Oboi Ebilun, that dumbass.

"Your Majesty, there must be some kind of misunderstanding. General Ebilun is kind-hearted and is loyal to Your Majesty, he will never do anything to harm you!"

"May Your Majesty reconsider!"

The ministers part of the Dong party speak up, their leader even speaks for Ebilun, we must show some loyalty to our leader too!

Damien Dong smirks, his eyes challenging Ruthless. Does a mere child still dare to threaten me?!

As more ministers kneel to ask the Emperor to change his mind, the calmer he gets.

Aron Quint sits back down on his chair, his brown eyes, turning a deeper shade of brown, that it is almost like black.

He watches those who plead for Oboi Ebilun carefully, "Throw Oboi Ebilun into the dungeon, all who plead for him," he pauses, "20 canes each, overwatched by Imperial Princess,"

"dismiss!"

Ruthless narrows her eyes and smiles as per normal, but her smile...never reaches the bottom...

The Emperor waves his arm, and leaves quickly, followed by Eunuch Li.

Soon, the court fills with moans of agony and thumping of canes.

Damien Dong bites down on his lip. I was careless!

"By Heaven's wishes, the Emperor's decree, Imperial Princess Ruthless, my 9th daughter, has served the kingdom well. Therefore granting her thousands of silk, and gems, hundreds of the best herbs!"

Chests after chests like a neverending trail of ants filled with precious items are delivered to Ruthless's Amethyst Fall Palace.

Dong Manor.

"Grandfather, since when are you so careless and let your pride be carried away?" A young man sips his tea calmly, watching his grandfather pace the room.

"I cannot believe it! She is only a young girl, not even of age yet! A female! She dares to challenge me!"

"You must treat everyone equally, especially, she is a strong opponent.

Now, more importantly, it is something else. That 20 canes did not affect you too greatly, but, how about the others? They will blame you, Grandfather."

That is true, he is a general and has tough skin. But the others...will not be able to bear the pain.

Damien Dong frowns deeply, he sits down and listens carefully.

"But, the good thing is, His Majesty should not punish him too harshly, after all, Oboi Ebilun is our party, he will not forget our existence too easily. He left the court early, which means he does not want to listen to anyone, which is also good, knowing that she will not be satisfied, granting her all those is only to comfort her.

But Ebilun is useless already. The bad side is, he will start to see Dong as a threat. This period of time, we must lie low."

"I understand, Eugene. How are you at the borders? It has been 10 years since you returned."

"Eugene has been very well."

Damien Dong nods, deep in thought.

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