5 The Celebrations

As we returned in the morning with our soldiers, back to the palace, we were warmly welcomed by our people at the capitol.

The children came running towards their fathers, women to their husbands, sisters to their brothers and mothers to their sons to hug them. At the same time their were sinking hearts among them because of not seeing the ones they expected. Thats the true nature of the war.

However the whole empire was a celebration at our victory. As i entered the palace it was busy for celebrations. The Emporer had summoned the ministers, Generals and the respective Officers to declare our victory.

The princess wasnt anywhere to be seen. But the Empress was seated next to his highness.

"Commander! Generals! I highly appreciate you'll on your loyalty, bravery and sacrifice! And i congratulate you all on our success. All the Officers and the Soldiers will be honoured.

For the Japanese allies, Minister Choi will have to distribute our appreciations and the harvest they asked for and as for the Princess's Army, the empress will privately honour them. So for the victory we'll have a celebration tonight and all the Officers are invited."

So thats it? Why didnt his highness appreciate the princess? Cause if she wasnt there, this war can be never won! I looked at the empire in a questioned manner but he didnt care to take it.

"Your majesty! Its not a secret that we are standing here today as the sons of dragons, because of the princess's help, skills and bravery. This loyal servant of yours kindly suggest that she should be honoured for everything"  general Shing spoke my words.

"Please consider your majesty!" Me and the other Generals requested.

"Of course! The empress will take care of that." His majesty had an annoying tone in his words.whats wrong?

So we were dismissed. I'll meet her tonight!

The celebration was outdoors infront of the main palace.The moon showed up brightly in the dark sky along with the stars. The palace was lighted with the torches. The tables were arranged to the sides in front of the stairway which led to the other palaces and the entrance. The Emporer's and the Empress's on the middle and the other alligned either side of them. I were seated a seat away from the emporer, between the Crown Prince who is about 12 years old and young spirited and energetic and General Shing. The Defence Minister Choi and the other respective ministers and the Generals were already seated. In the opposite side there are three seats kept fot the two concubines and the Princess.

"The Emporer and the royal family arrives!" One of the personal Officers of the Emporer announced.we rose from our seats. "Long live the emporer!"

His highness, though was still a bit weak because of his sickness proudly walked with the Empress to their seats. The two concubines followed. They all got seated. So did we.

But the Princess and the Crown Prince have not yet arrived.

"Where is the Crown Prince and the Princess?" The Emporer questioned strictly from the personal attendants.

"They must be on their way your majesty!" The Empress replied before the Emporer's temper explodes.

"Father! Your Majesty! Sorry for being late." The crown prince came running up from the stairs dragging someone else with him.

However It was not the Prince who drew attention cause his behaviour was usual, it was the person who came along with him.

Everyone stared at the Princess as if they were enchanted. Step by step she calmly paced down the stairs towards us. The moonlight reflected from her fair skin and made her pitch black round eyes glitter. The chillness in the night air had reddened her cheeks and her lips were rose pink. Her ebony like black hair was fallen flat behind her ears which was long enough to touch the ground if she kneeled. Her long curl which was swaying infront her cheek magnified her perfectness. She walked right infront of me towards the Emporer. She has no other hairdress other than a phoenix like silver symbol pinned at the back of her hair which along matched with the phoenix silver print on her long white dress with pink and silver shades on it which drew along the floor like a waterfall. She was glimmering under the moonlight. Charm yet the most baeutiful women i've ever seen in my life. She looked no human but god. She was a Perfect Beauty.

She paused few steps past me. Its as if the whole world has paused. She bowed.

Forget about me. I am frozen, charmed right now and of course speechless.

"I don't like anyone being late!" The emporer finally broke the charm bringing senses to everyone in the most unexpected manner.

"Sorry your majesty. Please forgive this careless lady!" Her words started to chime like a calm river which could make any hard rock melt.

"It was my fault. Im the one who took Aunt, Princess Huwan U wei for a walk and became late. Please punish me!" The still childish crown prince spoke.

"The Prince has nothing to do with it your highness. I should be more responsible." She still kept her peace.

"Enough, we are here today to celebrate our victory and i dont want anyone to ruin it. You both may take a seat." The Emporer's rude words replied.

They both sat in their seats after bowing again to the emporer.

The princess who was sitting straight infront of me face to face lifted her head up towards the empress and nodded with a warm smile. The empress nodded in return. Then she nodded to the concubines who were intrested on her clothings. The rest of the ministers and the generals were able to mutter few things surely about the Princess, before the dancing troup took the space between the tables. But nothing was attractive than the Princess.

"She is magnificent! Isn't she?" The Crown Prince cut my concentration on the princess who is enjoying the dance with a lovely smile which lit her face.

"May I ask who? Prince!"

"Who else? My Aunt! I thought that my mother, the empress is the most beautiful but now, it seems like Im wrong." I couldnt stop cracking a small laughter which could only be heard by the Prince.

"What? Do you think im joking?"

"I'm sorry your highness. What your saying is true, but the Empress appears still majestic and attractive."

"Obviously. She should. Shes my mother and the Empress" . Then the prince kept fiddling with the table cloth with no intrest on the dance.

I looked back at the Princess but this time our eyes stitched together. She smiled and nodded at me recognizing. I did the same at her. Then she focused back to the dancing troup all women dressed in pink ended their performance and left.

The concubines seemed to be pleased by her cause they kept on talking with her.

Then the dinner was served.

"This is all for our heroes and our victory!" The Empress stated. All of us did the same and enjoyed the meal. Later as there were some more musical performances the royal family started a talk among them.

Princess:

"Princess Huwan Uwei, you look beautiful today." 

"Thank you your majesty, but not so magnificent as you are" i replied the Empress though my stupid brother seemed to ignore our conversation.Then she smiled and turned towards the crown Prince.

"Did you even remember about you having a mother today Crown Prince? I didnt see you at all!" The Empress asked mockingly.

"Sorry mother! I had lots of things to show to the Princess and i had lot more to ask from her!"

"Don't worry, from tommorrow onwards I'll visit you andhis highness every morning before my lessons."

"Now why is that again. Cause its me who comes to you everyday."the empress asked impressed.

"The princess taught me today that the family is the most important. And to be a good Leader you first should keep his family strong, united and protected, cause inner peace is essencial for the success as a ruler." The Empress seemed to be pleased by the words but incontrast the brother who never even thought of my existence,

"So it's true there are people who speak empty words. Some enjoy their lives walking all around the world leaving the family behind." The emporer eyed me and said sarcastically.

So this is what he's thinking? Have i being enjoying my whole life? Am I the one who didn't care? Does he know atleast what i have gone through all this time without my blood family?

Anger revolved in me.

"Your highness, also some think that the others enjoy and lives their own lives in their way. By the way there are families which dont even know whether they exist." Our eyes then faught with each other in fury.

Understanding the horrible situation right now the empress broke the dark aura.

"So Crown Prince Ill be waiting for you tommorrow at his highness's palace."

"Yes mother!" He smiled innocently only knowing that the emporer and his new aunt are not in good terms.

"So your highness, you must take a rest." The Emporer agreed with her wife nodding at her releasing his frown over me.

" We shall now dismiss this celebration." The empress announced. The emporer stood up to leave. Everyone did the same for his majesty's departure. As his majesty,Empress and the concubines left the Crown Prince and I followed too since the others were waiting for us to leave. As we exited I noticed the moon as the brightest out of all this night.

"Good night Crown Prince!" I greeted him.

"Good night Aunt!" He hugged me and ran away with his servants to his mansion.

Feeling a bit lonely i went towards the stables for my horse. I strolled along with Black spirit side by side cause i didnt feel like going on him. As i stepped outside i saw General Shing out of the Palace doors with the Commander. I hurried my steps towards them.

"So would you'll mind this lady disturbing your conversation. Its just nice to see you two."

"Princess!" They both bowed.

"How was your day General Shing. I think you should take a good rest cause you look exhausted."

He smiled."Of course Princess! Its so kind of you to concern."

"But what are you princess doing outdoors at this time. Your mansion must be surely arranged."

"Yes it is. But I took permission from the Empress to stay at my own place in the capitol. So I was on my way." I added excitedly not wanting him to worry. But I failed.

"But Princess its not safe. And all alone? Why dont you have your guards and servants to accompany."

"Thats fine. Im used to it. And..... my home, this palace is too unfamiliar to me. However every evening I'll be coming back to the palace. So Please don't worry Sir! I'll be fine. I could even survive the war."

He looked at me kindly and took hold of my right hand with both of his.

"Then please let me drop your highness. Atleast only for today. So i know your safe."

I shook my head." Please, youll get sick if you dont get a good rest. And i should go a  bit far. A bit away from the huge crowds and markets. So you'll be late. I'll go on my horse." I smiled at him trying to convince him. Useless he again tried to say something, but this time Commander,whom i almost forgot was standing with us because of the Generals fatherly conversation, spoke.

"I shall escort the Princess to her place, if you allow General." The General shifted his look to me and the commander who had a motionless, feelingless, hard look on his face and nodded.

"That is better if the princess doesnt want me to. But I wont let your highness go to the far end of the capitol at this time of the night all alone."

I sighed."Fine. Good night General Shing!" I bowed with respect. He patted my hand .

"Please take care of yourself Princess! Now get on your horse. I want to assure that you are leaving with the Commander." I nodded and did as he said. I looked back and waved at him. He bowed.

Then the Commander and I went across the closed markets and housing schemes which were pin drop silence except for few hotels and bars with the torches still lit and crowded. So we came to a path which strodded a bit away from citizens. More with trees with a bit high geography.

"Princess!are you sure about this path?" The Commander asked a bit confused.

"Of course Commander! I know this path too well." " Now how is your wound?"

"It's better. thanks to your kindness princess!"

"Can I ask you a favour?" I looked at him for the first time after getting on the horse.

"Anything possible Princess!"

"Can I call you Ming Zeng when we are alone cause you have done me a lot and has shared one of my worst memories and i dont like calling people in official ways. I would like to count you as a friend in the same time as the Commander of Chinese military." He looked a bit surprised but nodded.

"If thats what you want Princess you may."

"Now MingZeng can you stop calling me Princess atleast now cause i feel uncomfortable with it. Call me anything. Many call me Huwanuwei and their are other names too."

I kept my eye contact with him looking for an answer still strodding along the path on horse.

"Im sorry Princess!" Seriously. I rolled my eyes and fastened our pace ignoring him.

P.o.v. of the commander

She is mad at me. I can't help it though. Prìncess please try to understand me. It's easy for you to say so but as a responsible servant of the Emporer I cant talk to his sister like that. I know that I respect you and let me keep that and this is the way.

"We are here Commander!" She stopped her stallion.

I looked around and i only saw the forest around other than the street we were trodding.

"But where? May I ask princess!"

She smiled.

" i own this part of land and my house is a bit inside this forest"

"I m sorry but may i know where you live."

"Dont worry, i dont live like an animal. I have a small cottage on top of the small hill you see infront of us behind these trees. Now you know where I live but your not allowded yet to step in." She said seriously.

"But Princess I want to assure the General that you are safe."

"Now thats your problem. Everyone around here knows my existence and without my permission they dont enter this area."

"But its my duty,"

"Fine!!!!!! just peep in but as you see my cottage please leave." She rolled her eyes again and got down from the horse. Then she took off the covers and the guards of the stallion and patted it. So it galloped away into the woods freely. As she entered to the thick line of trees i followed her dragging my horse with me.

The thing i saw next was different. A line of huge well know fruit trees acted as the fence of her land. It was indeed a small mountain. But soon after the trees, were some well known herbs. I identified some as rare expensive ones. And the other plants i dont know.

We kept on walking on the  marble stoned path which led to the top. Though it was dark it wasnt hard to identify the next area of crops, grains. Then we passed a line of Cherry trees which surely will bring a picturous view during the summer since we are still at the end of the winter. Then her cottage was seen. It was small and was surrounded by bushes of flowers. Her stallion was already there where a stable like part was right next to the cottage. She stopped and turned.

"Now leave!" She turned at me with a furious note. Her cheeks reddened more. Her tiger eyes warned me to get out before she punch me on my face. She looks intresting when she's furious.

"Have a good rest princess!" I bowed and waited her to enter her small cottage.

"Good night Sir!" She disappeared into the house. No one was there to be seen. All alone by herself! She can easily stay with her family. The Emporer doesnt seem to be happy with her but anyone would like to have the family by their side. Will she be safe? Should I do something or stay?

Then as if shes got telepathy, from inside the house she spoke.

"Dont even think of staying here! I ve being living here for years and i am capable of taking care of myself and you should know that! Please leave cause i want to sleep!!!"

Can she read minds? True she was a warrior àt the war.Her images of her releasing the arrows, her gleaming sword flashed in my mind. Of course anyone would fear her tiger eyes on fury. So I'm leaving.