Chapter 8: Sneak
2004 Words
::Ryanna's POV::
Night fell sufferingly slow. But, it happened. Emperor Kenji left in one of those fancy embroidered carriages. The horses were also well-dressed.
Must be an important occasion.
I was surprised that Kana also followed Emperor Kenji. Which leaves the whole complex to Kagura, Emiko, and I. Well, Emiko said that the Emperor's guards are around, but I've never seen them.
To think that even the Emperor was cocky enough to not be guarded at all times.
Awe well, none of my concern.
I memorized the two's routine like a hawk. Well... mostly because I knew their "nightly" routines. On the days that they aren't visited, they spend time with Emperor Kenji. And those were the nights I dreaded.
I sneaked around the corridors and carefully looked both ways. I did my best not to make a squeak on the wooden floor boards, which took skill because they are susceptible to that. I passed the peach tree and went north. I passed the bathroom that got me regretting my stealth mission.
I can't believe he saw me full blown naked in there!
I felt the embarrassment rush to my cheeks. I shook away my doubts and huffed on.
I stopped in front of the doorway to his room. There was an incredible and delicious aroma seeping through the cracks of the doors. The bamboo blinds were a nice touch to the privacy. I knew if anyone punched my wall it will tear right through.
Back in the southern borders, our walls were made of concrete or at least slabs of rock. It's just strange to experience the difference between two worlds on one planet.
I carefully slid the door and peaked inside.
This man's favorite color is red.
His bed linings were red, there was a red shagged carpet on the edge of his bed. He had golden statues and oil paintings on the walls. Red and gold. Those are his favorite colors... has to be.
Right! Scrolls... looking for scrolls of documentation.
I rifled through his desk and found a few. They had katakana or kanji lettering on them so I did not understand a lick of it. However, Emiko told me that most of the documentation's contents were in English, to confuse the enemy if they ever got a hold of it.
That was all the luck I needed!
I searched some more and flipped through some scrolls and tomes. They were in English and the penmanship of the author was astounding. They wrote in clear calligraphic cursive. Every stroke increased and receded perfectly in each letter.
Okay Ryanna, not the time to be admiring handwriting craftmanship!
I can't waste time. Where would something secret be kept?
I glanced around and figured I'd check near his bed or between it. I just hope I don't find more than I bargained for!
Lo' and behold!
I held a small book that had some old school papyrus lined between it. This can't be the documentation that I am looking for.
Is this a diary?
No, diaries are for girls. This must be his journal!
I debated long and hard, and decided a second's worth of peeping into this creep's point of view would be beneficial.
And there it is! The beautiful cursive writing! To think Emperor Kenji possessed such talent and patience in writing all of those books I flipped through. I carefully turned the hard cover.
It dated back to when he was 10 years old!
Dear Diary, It pains me to rewrite words that should have remained lost. But, in my mind, the memories refuse to fade. I am attempting to bury the burden of my emotions within this book, hoping that the nightmares will end. When I was merely four years old, Dravon managed to turn the citizens of Nihon against my father. It was a grueling and long process, but it was successful. Many feared my father, but he did not. His courage and strategies were admirable. Until the day came, the day he retired from being my royal guard.
I still dream about the visual of my father's head thudding against our sakura season. His blood stained the pink-petaled river. A part of me wasn't sure if I was sad he was gone, but the rest was happy he wasn't here. All the lashes and torture I had to endure as he knew his fate and control would befall on my shoulders when the sun sets on his time. I didn't want to be Emperor, I wanted to be a son.
And I felt like a son to Dravon. But, he soon bid farewell and informed me that he had a child about to be born. The way he smiled and wished me luck... a four-year-old? The new Emperor of Nihon? Surely, he wouldn't abandon me. I didn't care that I was now ruler, I never wanted to be. Why couldn't I be a part of his family? I was not wanted in mine, I knew that. But, it pains more knowing how blissful it felt thinking he felt the same, only to be turned away.
His way of apologizing was him promising me his daughter. Whom I have never met nor had interest in.
I blinked at what I just read. This was invading his privacy, but it involved me now, so I have to know! I skimmed through most of it just being unimportant details of his every day life. I finally got to where it referred to me. I read on:
The wind whistles unforgiving news. Dravon's spirit has left this world. It's been 25 years and he has not set foot or sent letters to Nihon. My father died 30 years ago, and now he is gone! I will never feel complete. I didn't ask for much, just for someone to care to check on me!
I felt a pang of hurt within my heart. Emperor Kenji must have felt all alone. I reluctantly flipped the page to the next entry:
It's interesting how there is so much war within the west. Sources tell me that a half blood had been kidnapped and forced to marry the southern savage ruler.
Okay... it wasn't kidnapping, but I understand looking in on it.
Such coincidence on my luck. The winds have brought in a peculiar puzzle piece. A reward for 100,000 gold pieces for the return of Ryanna to the northern borders. But, didn't they want to be rid of her? If she was kidnapped and within the grasp of that savage, she'd probably be dead by now. Domarius is not one to have mercy.
Again, not kidnapped. I sighed and half smiled at Dom's full name.
I've looked at the drawn out picture hundreds of times and she looks closely related to Dravon! I had my scholars confirm that Ryanna was indeed Dravon's daughter! But, he had two that we know of. This particular one was the one who got kidnapped. She's kinda cute.
I blinked three times in rapid speed at those last words.
Jerard sure knows how to keep things entertaining. Such a leech and a coward. After finding out from one of his royal guards that they plan to behead Ryanna I could not bare to see Dravon's soul dying like that. Maybe it is time to collect due. I offered the guard to exchange her life for exile. Not that it made any difference, since she was already exiled. But, it also benefits them by potentially having the focus of the southern borders on me. And I can't wait to catch them on my shores if they dared.
Wait... what?! He knew? He knew about my death date. Royal guard... who was he talking about? More importantly, is he an enemy of Dom now?
It's like playing chess with a player who only played checkers. Jerard agreed to my terms and devised a facade to please his people. I was to receive my promised bride soon, and I bet she is cuter in person.
I really should stop reading! But I continued. There was an entry just a few days ago.
What an eyesight for sure! Her skin was that of light mocha and to think a beauty like her has yet to be defiled. It only makes my hunger grow knowing she was pure. Emiko confirmed she was indeed tasty...
OKAY!!
I shrugged and did not care to read any further. Who cares what he thinks of me, or how I taste... I shuttered and closed the journal. I carefully slipped it back into its original position between his bed. I paused for a second.
What was going on? Why am I involved with a lot of people I have never met before? I felt my chest heaving a lot heavier than usual.
I had a family, after dad died... I was all alone too! It hurt so much reminiscing those memories, but I at least had the privilege to be there on his dying bed. Emperor Kenji had been alone, and still waited alone. I'm not sure if having me around will fill that void he has in his heart, but a part of me wanted to make sure he would be okay when the time came.
I wanted to find out more, but I was exhausted visualizing all those entries. I know he will be back in a few days there is no need for rushing, I'll just come by tomorrow!
Besides, I didn't know where else to look for clues at the moment.
I exited the room quietly and returned to my room. I stared at the ceiling with numbness.
King Jerard, Lord Do, Emperor Kenji... such important people. Then there's me... a half blood, with a fate stained before birth. I have these people involved with me, but why do I feel so lonely?
I switched onto my side and began to deepen my curled hands into the pillow.
Dom, where are you?
::Dom's POV::
The stars remained the same every night, but the coldness of my bed was becoming unbearable. I am not a patient person, I wanted to pillage Nihon and forget about killing Jerard. But, I can't do that! There's waters we do not know, and enemies focused on my men.
I felt cornered, and I was waiting for the right time to bite.
But everything was taunting me! It's like they are dangling Ryanna in front of me. Out of reach, but alive to hold power over me. I recalled Tyrion's cold words at the war chamber the first time he saw her. How she cried but smiled, only wanting happiness for me.
But here I am... not happy.
We had gone nowhere, the men are starting to ask what our next move is. Leo had offered some guidance, but I did not want to proceed without consulting my right hand. Tyrion refuses to speak to me, he had traveled home to mourn his loss. The capital was a ghost town, completely abandoned.
I could not catch a wink of sleep, but the sun rose as scheduled. I and Leo went into the throne room. I ordered my men to gather the remaining soldiers, prisoners, and common folk into the throne room. This was part of my duties, to liberate and respect their decision for their future.
It was high noon and I stood before what Jerard would consider lost causes. The villagers were scared, the prisoners awaited their deaths contently, and the royal soldiers looked down in defeat.
"My name is Dom, and I am the Lord of the South," I bellowed, "A week or so ago your leader has left you to fend for yourself. Jerard showed no remorse for abandoning the people who made their government run. I do not come forth to you today to demand your surrender. I ask that you set new grounds and boundaries for a successful economy."
The room was silent. I sighed and rubbed my head.
This is what I hate about liberation.
- Writer
