Chapter 10: Getting Ready

We've been training for weeks now. The nearer the travel date comes the nearer the nerves began to arise. We have been revising and revising coming up with backup plans and new strategies for the war, we have very little record of the north, and we all relay to the history books and environment they are in. I hope we can defeat this or much better, settle this peacefully by talking and forming an alliance.

"Deep thoughts?" A voice said, Prince Ryker was behind me as i sat in the pagoda, sipping tea

"Just day dreaming" I replied smiling at him

"Would you like some?" I asked offering him a sit

"It would be my honor" he said. His honor? more like mine. Casually talking to the next ruler of the western kingdom and having tea with him would be a talk on the historical scriptures.

I poured tea on his cup and he sat down in front of me

"Lady Adalia if you don't mind, may i ask a personal question?" His majesty asked, making my brows furrow

"You may" I said in curiosity

"How did you end up as a strategist?" He asked

"Like the process of it, I even heard you were trained to be Queen or Empress in your term" He said

"Well...." I smiled and meet his eyes

"Every year a on going exam happens even I am still alive the process of finding the next strategist is a yearly process. I started taking the exam when I was 8 and I was put into the program and classes, take a exam again and slowly the chosen people fall of the program if they could not keep up the standards. It was like a pyramid, start from the bottom and make your way to the top" I said offering him bread called Pande

"I was 13 when they put me to the successor program and strategies class. They think I was the perfect candidate for the prince at the time, the battle strategist before me was healthy and young. But when I was 16 and the north tried to evade the South" I paused and looking at the river view in front of us

"They sent 30 assassins in his home. It was a festival season so more guards were not present at the time. He was stabbed to death multiple times. It was an ultimatum decision and I chose to be a battle strategist" I said smiling at him

"The empress looks at you with...." He trailed off

"The empress thinks I should be in her position" I concluded his question

"Why?" He asked

"I excelled in both classes, she thinks I gave it to her out of pity, she exudes that aura and authority and passing her work to me. The emperor or at the time crown prince always favored me, but when I was 8, I always wanted to be a strategies." I smiled

"And you are a brilliant one" He smiled

"Not really. Not yet" I said taking a sip

before he could ask what I mean I cut him off with a question

"Did you visit the markets and the plaza? It is Festival season" I said asking the questions this time

"Sun Rise Festival?" He asked

"Yes, it is filled with great food like sun buns and spirit drink which is this fizzy cold drink made out of cherry and apple" I said

"That sounds amazing" He smiled

"Do you wanna go?" I asked smiling

"Do you want to go with me?" He asked

" It would be an honor" I said smiling

"I'll pick you up in your home?" He asked

"Sure and make sure to wear something light" I said since it is the warmer season

"I'll pick you up at 5?" He checked

"5 sounds good" I smiled

Suddenly a voice interrupted as. We looked over to a man wearing an official uniform from the east and said

"Sorry to interrupt your majesty, but Emperor Yuvi is asking for an audience with you" He asked Prince Ryker

"Ah yes let me be on my way" He said sitting up, I stand and offer a bow at him.

"I'll see you at 5" He said and I gave him a smile and said

"The honor is all mine" I replied