Chapter 5

With every tear, I hide under shadows to show my stubbornness, I find myself lost at the pit of the abyss.

Flaring battlefields, clinging of swords, screams filled with agony, rotten bodies pilled up at every corner with dried blood mixed with mud and air, This was a look of the place I come from. Clenched on to swords, wounded and burnt, I survived deadly agony every night once again.

Morning came, lightening up the entire prosperous land of Elimer. Washing my face with the cold water, maybe left by Jermia earlier at dusk, I dressed into a pair of grey pants, and brown boots and tugged my black shirt underneath my pants. Pants are indeed a better choice than gowns if you desire to survive in Elimer as the abounded Princess. Tieing up my hair into a high ponytail, I hung down my swords against my hips, ready to drop bombs over the Noble Court of Elimer.

Moments later I step out of the room to find Edwin, vice-captain of the Special Unit of 7 Swordmasters under my surveillance. He was flirting with one of the maids of the Peony Hall, a Hall dedicated to the Emperor's Favorite Concubine aka My lovely brother's birth mother. What is a maid from Peony Hall doing in this damn place?

Nevertheless, I coughed to draw their attention. Given a proper, the maid looked quite familiar. In her wearing were creamy maids grown to reach under her knees, a peony-shaped hairpin keeping her platinum blonde made in a bun, too flawless pale skin for a maid, and almond eyes which were staring at Edwin with so much love. She bowed before me and left, she wasn't sent by the Emperor's concubine.

'' What?" Edwin gave me an innocent look, but he was far from innocent. My eyes followed the maid leaving, her footsteps were soft and almost like a ghost. 

'' New lover or spy?'' I asked, Edwin blinked his black doe eyes in surprise.

Edwin is taller and prettier than most of the knights in the Special Unit. Anyone would fall for these innocent doe eyes, soft facial features, and pink plumpy lips. He recently changed his hairstyle from low fade to fringe, his navy blue hair locks are shiny enough to even make a grown-up lady jealous. But as I said,

In Elimer never trust anyone beautiful.

'' What did you take me as?"He sounded offended. Ignoring his unnecessary whining, I started for the Noble Court of Elimer. Edwin followed me despite having zero interest in following. Often I feel like, I am babysitting tons of muscle babies all together when I am with these Special Unit guys. Then again, these big, muscular baby-like sword wielders are the reason why I remained sane.

'' Just find a proper woman and settle down, Edwin,'' I suggested as always but he shook off once again. " Yet to fall in love for good, My Princess.'' He grins.

"There is no love in real life, Edwin. Having a partner faithful is enough.'' I tell him. Edwin chuckled in amusement as if I creaked some joke. But he didn't bother saying in response. 

We passed through three security gates guarded by 12 soldiers wearing silver armor adorned with the Golden Rose intertwined with a black dragon, the emblem of the Elimer Imperial Family. This same emblem was engraved on the blade that I had been carrying. The passage leading to the Noble Court of Elimer was surrounded by blood-red, royal blue, and yellow rose gardens, as well as countless dragon trees that blocked the sunlight from reaching the roses. I still wonder how roses can grow in such conditions, but I have yet to find a satisfactory answer. Now, we stand in front of the Noble Court of Elimer.

I am always captivated by the stunning outdoor space created for the Noble Court of Elimer.

Built over 30 golden stairs, there stands the glorious cosmic stage of THE NOBLE COURT OF ELIMER.

Five dazzling pillars engraved with enormous gems and pearls represented 5 great families within Elimer- Desmons of North, Wikkee of South, Arbec of East, Rokat of West, and the tall dome over them stands for the Elimer family. 

. Six Musicians gathered under the cosmic stage, two of them are busy singing melodically while others are playing flutes, clavichord, and harp. Who would believe people here gathered to discuss the future of Elimer?

I started climbing the stairs followed by Edwin. Edwin always tags along with me whenever I say I will go to the noble court, why-

'' Princess, you remember your promise?'' Edwin whispered hesitately. '' Depends,'' I grin which wasn't great news, at least for my brother and father. Edwin facepalmed himself, maybe regretting why he even swore his loyalty to a freak like me. 

Standing in front of the round table, I bowed my head with my left hand over my chest, like a knight. Of course, knight greetings are different from a Princess's greeting, it was my childish attempt to make my father feel low.

'' Captain of Special Unit, Greets the Emperor of Elimer. May True Light bless the land of Elimer.'' I declared everyone's attention was on me, Just like I wanted.

'' Captain of Special Unit, not the Only Princess of Elimer!'' Says the young Duke of East Elimer, Lewis Rokat. The other 5 also laughed along with him except my father and brother.

I raised my head and gave them a sweet little smile, '' Not everyone is lucky enough to lead the Special Unit which consists of 5 best swordmasters of the Land, after all.'' Flaunting my credits never felt this good until I see the dark and dull faces of the Members of the Noble Court of Elimer.

'' Your Highness is a proud one, I see.'' This time it's the Elder of House of Wikees, the one in control of managing the dark information guild of the Empire, Elder Asmar Wikees. He might have grown old and stepped down from the family head's position. But his sharp black eyes are something even the Emperor is desperate to escape from. Gray hairs parted at the side, brown robe with rubies shaped like lilies, a symbol of the house of Wikee, a gentle smile over his wrinkled face makes him too harmless, just like Edwin. 

Blood is thicker than water.

'' I see my insolent Grandson still follows you around,'' He laughed, I gave Edwin a quick to find him sulking. That's right, Edwin is the Eldest Grandson of Asmar Wikees, the next Head of Wikees. If played right, I can finally ensure Elder Wikee's support is dedicated only to me. 

"What brings you here, uninvited?'' Spoke to my father finally, not so pleasantly, not disappointing my already disappointed self. I smiled and stepped forward with my eyes on my father.

'' I have prepared a small gift for my lovely brother, Cassian." 

Cassian, looks in my direction, coldly gazing at the small box I am carrying. Cassian is beautiful. His brown hairs are styled into a buzz cut giving his high cheekbone and sharp jawline a clearer look, The coldness and ruthlessness in his bottle-green hooded eyes clearly show disapproval toward my presence, in his wearing is purple silk-tunic and a pitch black cape. His big muscular body is more visible in these than his typical so-called Prince Outfit.

" A present for the Prince?'' Lady of House Arbec, Lousia Arbec sneered. I nodded with my infamous mischievous smirk, '' You won't be disappointed.'' 

I opened the box and gripped the beheaded head of Aric, throwing it just before Cassian. Everyone gasped, including my father, clearly frustrated and angry. However, Cassian kept his calm and unbothered look, not something I wanted to see. 

Just stepping over the roundtable, I kneel before Cassian with my sword pointed at his neck. 

'' MARIA ELIMER! WHAT KIND OF DISRESPECTFUL ACT IN THIS IN THE NOBLE COURT OF ELIMER!" Father shouted angrily, he has the right to be angry after all I am degrading the stand of Elimer Imperial Family.

Cassian twisted lips and the arrogance in his look are frustrating.

" My little sister has no social etiquette." He raises his black eyebrows, and my lips curl into a sweet smile, " I was sent to return as a dead body or beast, I choose the second one." His eyes darken, his grip on the sword underneath his cape tightens, pupils shake a little. 

" You stand no chance against me, Maria." He whispers shouted, loud enough for me to hear only. " Why are you scared of me then?" I sneer. 

"Maria, Do you want to be thrown in the underground dungeon?" Father says, with the Emperor's authority visible in his voice, maybe if it was me when I was 7 years old, I would have begged for forgiveness. But I returned as the Mad Dog of Elimer, must I care?

No,

I don't care. I choose to be a beast to survive and beasts are careless, reckless, and mannerlessly.

" I have seen worse from the age of 7, Imperial Father." I withdraw my sword and jump down from the table, leaving everyone speechless, probably awestruck.

My father is my father at the same time, the reason behind my misery. Looking closely, his dark brown hair, shining bottle green eyes, perfect nose, and sharp jaw even at the age of 50 clearly show that both I and Cassian are his children, after all, we are carbon copies of his in female and male versions.

" You can't afford to have 7 best swordmasters going on halt for this small surprise, right?" I say emotionlessly looking at my father. He gritted his teeth, " Are you threatening me?'' He asks me. " I am giving you a brief explanation of what might happen if I were to be gone." 

I have hurt his pride and ego, I know the consequence won't be good. However, I care less. And it didn't take long before the Emperor's shadow warriors came out of the shadow and pointed their crossbows and swords at me. Members of 5 families grasp, Cassian looks shocked too. 

" I am the Emperor of Elimer, I can execute you right away and none will question me either." Arrogance and confidence in his voice, the Sound of Edwin's unsteady breath right before he is on the verge of bursting in anger rings near my ear but I gesture to him not to do anything.

" Just like you executed my mother under the accusation of your concubine," I ask him with the tone of the question. Elder of Wikke takes a liking to my braveness of speaking against the Emperor.

Ragefully Father takes his sword and steps toward me. I will have my arms sliced through again, prepared to feel burning pain I clenched my eyes.

Fuck my anger and nasty mouth. But instead of feeling pain, I heard something else.

" What a beautiful sight of a father killing his daughter! Elimer is indeed an amusing place."

My eyes widen hearing the familiar sarcastic, amusing voice, the voice of a siren, melodic and enchanting. Others' faces turn pale, including my father who was mad in rage just a moment ago.

I turned my head around and there he was. As beautiful with his infamous sneer over his lips, silver hairs parted in the middle, and golden eyes looking at me curiously, dressed into a maroon cloak with silver leather belts around his small waist and pants, showcasing his buffed chest and broad shoulder. Arvan Darhors is as beautiful as ever, causing chaos in my mind. 

He is standing only a few steps away from me, his guards standing behind him. Why is he here, why now out of all time? And I am relieved to see him standing in front of me, just like when I was locked into an ice cage 4 years ago when Elimer was invaded by Kus. None of the Emperor's shadow guards dared to stop him as though he was the most powerful here, and he was.

" Missed me, Silver Warrior?"

He says in a low-pitched, deep, and rough tone, sending a shiver down to my spine. 

There he is, and here I am.