Chapter 3: Colors

Adalia's P.O.V

"Here" weilia handed me the red ribbon for my sleeves, "Do you need help with that?" I asked grabbing the black cloth for her waist. "No I got it" she sight and pick it up from my hand. "Why the long sight?" I asked "No… I just hate this black uniform" she said, I turned around to look at her to look at her uniform "What do you mean?" I asked "You look beautiful" I continued

"No, what I mean I really liked the design of it but the color is just…. So depressing" she said picking up her skirt and letting it go. "I think the color is depressing and it would be better if it's blue or even light green" she complained "I think you look great in black" I said holding her shoulder and meeting her eye "You look very elegant and sophisticated in black" I boasted. "Easy for you to say, you look amazing in red and I look dull in black" she pouted. "I look like someone was set on fire, and you look like a beautiful maiden" I argued back.

She smiled to me and happily says "If your fire then I'll be the coal, so together we burn together" she jokes. I burst out laughing by her jokes and hugged her tightly "Now let me do your makeup" she said looking at me "Fine" I said in defeat. She look so happy in this moment that I don't want to ruin it. She then grabbed me by the hand and have me settled in the chair. "I'm going to make you beautiful" she smiled and grabbed the rouge from the box.

"You two are having fun" Renekal's voice filled the room, I looked over to see him in his blue uniform his long black hair was neatly tied with black ribbon and he was leaning from the door frame of my room. "You look good" I complemented and saw his eyes rolled but ended up smiling, he came in and sat on my bed as he stared at us getting ready "Will meet the west today, one must look intimidating in order for them to know their lane" he said as he laid down on my bed.

"Don't ruin your uniform" I said as I looked at him in the mirror "Well there goes your goal in looking intimidating" Weilia said. "Wei wei just hurry it up" he said as wei applied blush on my checks "One must look like the goddess of the moon when confronting enemies" she argued back.

They started to bicker as I just laughed and continue to put hair pins on my hair, I combed the ends of my long hair and we suddenly hear a knock. We turned around to see keilian dress in white and crossed his arms over smiling at us "We're late" he said as he came in and sat on the chair next to me.

"We wouldn't be late if Renekal didn't distract us" wei complained as she finally finished touching up her makeup. "Let me give this to pali" Wei said grabbing our red and black dress to change later after the formal meeting. "Come one the westerns are here" he said. "I can't wait to meet them" renekal smirked as he raised up from my bed. We stood up and piling out from the door. We walked out from our house and made our way to the palace which was in the same area as our home.

The pebble stones were lit up with lanterns and the trees were decorated the colorful flags, my robes ever slightly brushes against the floor, my head feels heavy with the pins. I gave a sight us tip my head slightly back. "What is it?" keilian looked over to me "Nothing really, it's just this lui-rei pins are so heavy" I complained and looked at his long hair neatly tied in a white ribbon "Just bear with it a little bit" he said as I pouted "Hey if if you find someone annoying, you can stab them" he joked as i made a face of disagreement "You look beautiful " he patted my hair as I nudge his shoulder.

"Where here!!!" weilia cheered, we looked at our front to see the long stairs and guards adorn in bronze and red armour. As we made our way on top they bowed at us in respect, we suddenly went into our position as we made it to the long and big doors, the attendant became alerted by our presence. Renekal went to my left side as to my right keilian positioned and weilia to his right.

"Ready?" the attendant asked, we nodded our head us he shouted

"May I present to you the masters of strategist!" he shouted, as soon as the two doors opened the light greeted us. Gold walls decorated with blue, red, and purple long clothes adorn the ceilings, the people stood up and bowed to us, his majesty and empress in the front stood up as we made our way to them. The west were standing out with their clothing and looks, they were seated in front of the left wing opposite to us. As we walked in front we kneeled and put both arms cross and greeted.

"May our emperor and empress live long in prosperity, may the two of you strive in greatness" we greeted

"Please stand" we raised from our knees as we face the emperor and empress

"It's been a while" Empress Ophelia said with a smile on her red lips "May the moon light shines with you" I said

"Please be seated" Emperor Yuvi raised a hand as we bowed and took the right sits. I sat on the cushion as they brought over tea, I finally looked up to them and saw a pair of blue piercing eyes meeting mine "Let the banquet begin!" the emperor announced as we break our eye contact, I grab the official sermon cup and raised it as we said "May we live in happiness, peace, and prosperity" as I drank from the cup.

The familiar drums started playing his majesty ask for the hand of the empress as she gladly accepted. They made their way in the middle and soon familiar strings and different instruments started playing, beginning their dance, soon people started following and one by one they started dancing.

"Come on" weilia nudges me as she urges me to stand up and follow her. "We need to go to the back and change" she grabs my hand and leads me to the exit. We walked out and went to the nearest room where pali and serling were waiting. As we enter they both bowed and quickly made it towards us to help us undress.

Serling then grab my red dress with puff sleeves, "aahhh wait!" I said as she quickly tries to put in on me "No time to wait! We must do it quickly" she said strongly, she then tried to put the skirt next as I inhaled my stomach in "gently" I plead as she ties up.

I looked at the mirror to see the puff sleeves up with a square neck line almost exposing my right scar, the dress itself was tight fighting and the skirt flairs put, plenty of sequence and gems adorn into a swirl mimicking a fire blaze. She then grab an accessories and I almost cried on the spot instantly "Please we need to adorn you" she said as she I put on the ring and grab the fan.

"Ready?" I asked as wei as I turn to her, I smiled to her as she happily looked at herself in content "You look beautiful" I said staring at her dress, it was a similar dress but she had shawl over her with pearls. "Come on!" as she excitedly grab my hand to drag me out.

We went back to hall and as soon as we open the door I see plenty of people dancing and even the west was joining in. I walked towards are table to see keilian sitting. He was already changed into a white long sleeve dress with embroidered flowers, I sat next to him and grimace in discomfort, he moved his position facing to me and resting his hands on his chin.

"Well don't you look beautiful" he complimented "If only I felt beautiful in the inside too" I said grabbing the liquor pot and pouring him a drink, "Why not go dancing?" he asked accepting the drink "Like anyone would dare" I said. It was difficult enough to be a strategist not to mention a battle strategist and a female too. "I would" he said. I looked at him and stared at his warm brown eyes, I gave out a laugh and grab an alcoholic drink from one of the servants. "Only you and Renekal would" I said drinking at it one shot. "Careful now you don't want to drunk" he said grabbing the cup from me. "Please I did a worse during the war" I said leaning my head on to my hand.

"Is it because of....." Keilian questioned as his eyes traveled toward the emperor

"Oh no, no no no that was years ago, I wouldn't dare" I said refusing fiercely

"Relax a little" He said pouring me a drink

I greatly accepted the drink and looked over the people dancing tonight, the music was lively and the sea of people look magnificent.

I looked over to see weilia dancing to a handsome fellow wearing yellow. I smiled at them adorningly, only "weilia would pick a guy in that color" I thought. I saw a beautiful lady in light purple went up to us and stared at keilian , the then lowered her fan and said "Would you like to dance?" she asked at him

Keilian looked over to me as if he was asking for permission, I furrowed my brows and covered my face with my fan "Go" I mouthed at him as he let out a breath and stared at me and back at the lady. He stood up and offered a hand as the lady smiled brightly at her. They went up to the floor and danced.

I then grab a pot of liquor and my cup from my table, I went out towards the exit and search for the nearest pavilion. The nearest pavilion was in the lake nearby, it was covered in water lilies and the moon shined brightly along with the lanterns. As I sat the ladies nearby then put a pot of tea and cups near me. "Thank you" I said as I put my cup and alcohol next to it.

I stared at the moon longingly as I drank the strong liquor "It would be nice if someone played a tune" I said to myself. "Would you like for us to call for a musician my lady?" one of the ladies asked me. "No, its fine this scene right here and the peace is enough" I said as I looked back at them "The moon shines brightly at you" the other lady complemented "The moon is…. it is the only thing that stays constant" I said "The greatest people stared at that moon" I continued

"Great like you" someone said, I looked over at my shoulder to see a white man from the west talking to me. He was wearing long brown pants, white shirt, and a long coat. I looked back at the lilies ignoring him as I drank from my cup, "We have met before? By the docks?" he continued on "I wouldn't say that we actually met, I don't even know your name" I looked at, turning my body and facing him "I would just say it was a coincident" I said bring my cup down the table.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked, I looked at his green eyes as it showed a sign of anxious. I deeply inhaled and looked over to the two ladies, "You can retire now" I smiled at them as they showed sign of concern. "My lady it is best for us to stay here" she says coming near me "No its fine, I'll be safe" I said grabbing her hand and caressing it. "Please retire now" I said, as one of the lady quietly came next to me and put in a small dagger beside my chair. I smiled at the sight and looked at them and nodded my head.

The two looked at each other and quietly walked away from us. I rested my head on my hand and stared at the blond alien in front of me as he was standing "Would you like to sit?" I asked as I tilted my head. "Ah, yes thank you" he said as he sat down beside me.

"I am Ryker Bosevell" he greeted and bowed "Bosevell…. Your king Serulia's son?" I asked meeting my eyes to him. "You know about my father?" he asked "I know a lot of things" I smiled at him as I offered him a cup "tea or alcohol?" I asked "tea please" he said, I poured the cup in front of him as I poured another drink for myself.

"I am Adalia Chein, 65th battle strategist" I said raising my cup at him as I drank it in one shot, he then grabbed the tea pot and poured tea onto my cup. I raised my brow at him in question "I would like to speak to you an important subject and with that let us refrain first from alcohol" he said as he sat the tea pot next to him.

"Already? That was quick" I said grabbing the tea and drinking from it. "I apologize for damping your night. I can just talk about this tomorrow" He said sincerely.

"No. Continue on, I find this exciting so don't feel bad" I said drinking from the cup "Thank you for your kindness" He said "The north is planning to attack the west empire soon" he continued "how terrible" I said sadly and looked at him knowingly was he was going to say next. "I asked the emperor to join in the war" he said "and why would we?" I taunted "We need you" he said. I stayed quiet in thought and ask "what do we get in return?" leaned closer "Well if we defeat the North, political ties shall be bestowed and the trade for resources will be strengthen and constant " he said grabbing the tea pot.

"What did his highness said?" I questioned "he like the idea of the possible outcomes but the rest of the decision is up to you" he said. I breathed deeply and flexed my head "Yuvi… why would you do this to me" I muttered in distress.

"It may be a big decision but you don't have to answer immediately" he said as he was holding his tea cup "How long?" I asked "how long what?" he asked startled "how long before the war?" I asked looking at him "A year and a haft" he said. "Well I need to first see how your army handle the sword or other weapon of choice, next we need you to confirm the terri-"I was suddenly cut off "is that a yes?" he asked quickly "not a definite yes, let me evaluate your strengths first before I can guarantee, I want to see if we have a chance" I said grabbing the tea pot.

I was suddenly startled when he grabbed my hand, I looked over at him to see hope in his eyes "thank you for saving my nation" he said "Don't thank me yet" I said trying to removed my hand away from him. "I'm sorry I am normally not liked this, is that I carry the responsibility" he stepped away, "I understand, we will meet in another day surely" I said as I took the initiative and walk back to the party.

The party was lively, I looked over the crowd and meet eye to eye with our emperor. I squinted my eyes at him as he gave a laughing look at his face, I rolled my eyes and walk away from the crowd. I push the door to meet to see the servants rounding up the kalesas. "Where to my lady?" the man bowed "a ride back to my house" I said as I walk towards the kalesa. A driver got up and talk to the servant for the directions, as we started moving my hearing pick up his majesty Yuvi "Where is she heading" he asked the servant "Home my emperor" I couldn't hear the rest of their conversation as I was too far away. "Yuvi "please don't do this and just let go. I thought as I closed my eyes and listened to the horses walking.