CHAPTER 2

The Left Guardian smiled at her and said, “I’m glad that you never changed. I would have been worried if my mistress was lost. The Royal Consort gave birth to another baby boy and the Emperor will be hosting a huge celebration for him in a week.”

“That’s the case; I guess the consort is busy. How many children had she birthed after she entered the palace?”

“That would be the fourth child,” he replied.

“She sure is lucky, no wonder why she is highly favored,” she commented thinking of how she would never be able to have that feeling of birthing a child.

“It’s because you raised her well mistress. Because of your grace she is who she is today.”

“I guess you could say that. So does Xavier know?”

“He does.”

“What was his response?”

“He is still drinking; he probably isn’t taking it well.”

“That’s good then. Prepare for the journey, we will be leaving in two days and Xavier would be joining us. Send him a message and tell him to return to the palace immediately,” she instructed.

“I will do that immediately. I will take my leave now.”

“Farewell!”

Valery watched as the Left Guardian left and sighed. It was time to settle an issue she had been pushing aside for years.

“Nora!”

“I’m here, what can I do for you?”

“Prepare the men and let them settle in the capital first. Have them scout and spy on those generals. It’s time to uproot them,” she said.

“I will get down to it now.”

“Go and do your thing, I will take a walk,” she said standing up.

Nora left the hall and she made her move too.

She took her time seeing what her palace was like now. While she was asleep it had been taken care of very well. She was going to reward everyone for being responsible.

The Lotus Palace consisted of many halls; there was the main hall which she conducted the palace affairs in; her golden hall which she resided in as the mistress; the red hall she used to live before when she was the young mistress and recently unoccupied; another hall which the Left Guardian resides in with his family; halls for maids and the guards.

The palace took the whole mountain and since they didn’t lack financially, they easily expanded and built more halls if they get too many. Her mountain had over three thousand disciples; some were responsible for farming the lands, some were merchants, spies, royal guards, soldiers, scholars.

There wasn’t any city you wouldn’t find a lotus palace follower or disciple. They were everyone like a plague and difficult to find sometimes though some would get caught.

Without information one wouldn’t get anywhere, one need to know what was happening around him or her in order to grasp the situation and to plan for the next step.

She exited the palace and walked towards her parents’ tomb. She prayed and hoped that they were reunited and fine where they were. She really missed them a lot.

She was young when her father passed away leaving her and her mother alone. Her mother was so devastated she couldn’t see anyone. She was very young at that time and didn’t understand anything.

Her mother didn’t see her for three years but went on a killing spree. She understood why she did it when she was grown up. Her father was murdered and her mother was only seeking justice for the love of her life.

She never really had her mother’s love since she was busy mourning the love of her life and who will love her now?

She sat down next to the tomb and wondered what life would be if they were both besides her right now? Would they be proud of her? Would they blame her for what she did these past two decades?

Would they smile at her and tell her that she is the best? She had so many questions and yet there was no one to answer her.

She sighed and took a deep breath; she had a long journey ahead of her now. She didn’t remember the last time she went to the capital but it was time to do that. She had scores to settle down and it was the perfect time for that.

“Saintess, you have guests,” Nora said and she looked at her.

When did she begin walking like a cat? She didn’t hear her approaching at all.

“Who is it?”

“It’s the Willow City Mayor,” she replied.

Why that old geez would come to her the day she woke up? Did they put spies in her palace while she was sleeping?

“Take me to him,” Valery said and Nora helped her up.

She went back to the palace and found the mayor waiting for her in the main hall she receives guests in. he greeted her respectfully and waited for her until she took her seat.

“Mayor, why are you here?”

“Saintess, I’m here to ask you for a favor,” he said.

“Just get straight to the point, I have things to do,” she said.

“I have heard that you will be travelling to the capital and I was wondering if you could make me tag along,” he said and she smiled.

“I don’t know how you heard all that news but it makes me wonder if you have planted your people in my house,” she said and saw the man shaking.

“I wouldn’t dare, Saintess.”

“It better be that way because if I ever find anyone spying on me, I will skin them alive and hang them on the trees in the mountain road so that everyone would see them while passing through the mountain as a reminder and a warning of who I am,” she threatened and the man fell down on his knees.

“I wouldn’t do that Saintess. It’s because of your grace that I can still be mayor of the city. I wouldn’t do anything shameful to you.”

“I really do hope so because I’m in a bad mood. So, what do I get for taking you to the capital?” she asked changing the subject.

“I have something in my manor that can be to your liking,” he replied and she wondered what that would be.

“What is it?” she asked.

“It will be better for you if you see it for yourself. I’m afraid I can’t move it easily,” he said.

“I will be leaving in two days, so let’s go and see what this thing is before I decide to let you come along,” she said and looked at Nora.

“I will get the carriage ready,” Nora said and left the hall.