Divine Empress (COMPLETED)

Chapter Nineteen

Raina's POV

“White represents Heavens, Gold is Royals, Green… Earth or the people, blue is union and Red is blood,” I said, looking up to my Tutor who gave me ‘continue’ look. I cleared my throat, “these colours present outside the Mental Hall, to show an united Court and that… Royals must uphold this?” I cringed, glancing back and forth from my Tutor and opened books.

“And what the Royals must uphold?” He asked, softly pacing back and forth, and looking out to the great nowhere. “Why must uniting the Court be important?”

My lips parted, “huh…” Quickly leaning in, and glancing over the opened books to find the answers. Hearing some clear their throat, I snapped my gaze up and saw the Tutor looking at me with an eyebrow lifted. Nervously chuckled, slowly leaning back, “to ensure peace?”

“Is that a question or an answer?”

“Whatever sounds right,” I smiled, lifting my head.

There was silence, tension in the air had me unease, feeling cold sweat trickling down my skin as he stared down at me. Swiftly he turned, continuing slowly pacing back and forth, “in the Court, the Omens represent the Heavens to keep order, the Royal on throne is to listen and pass orders, and the council are the voice of the people… HuddOmen Empire, Seers Peace Empire… Hudd Ashhya Dynasty, the Knowledge Peace Dynasty. So, yes, your answer is correct, peace in the Empire, united by blood.”

Sighing in relief, and he continued, “as Empress, you must remember your decision for the Empire must remember to listen to the people and Heavens. Since you don’t want to take the exams, you must learn the basics of government, so that you can teach and guide your child in the world of politics. Royal blood must seat on the throne, ruling or not, Royal blood must stay in power.”

“Is this peace thing have to union of the five kingdoms?” I asked, leaning on the tabled. “Yeah, peace is important in a nation, but don’t you think it’s too…” Taking a deep breath, trying to find the right the word. “… Abstraction?” I shrugged.

“True, it sounds like a wish, but we are fighting for it. The Empire has ensured everyone learns the culture and teachings of the Heavens, education opened to both low-born and highborn people, and a stable income from business alliances and trade. For seven hundred years of Hudd Ashhya Dynasty, there has been peace, if you don’t include the two hundred years of conflict with Kong Phynya and Li(e)qu Patae(h) Kingdoms.”

“Wow… It’s hard to believe that everything here is perfect,” I muttered slowly back against my chair.

“Perfection is key to have a better life,” he said, grinning ear to ear.

Furrowing my brows, ‘Perfection is key’? No! It’s not, I wanted to scream to him, but I did not want to ruin his smile. The time we started lessons, he took everything serious with his teaching… Especially, me. I never was the ‘ideal’ student, when I get bored, I’m bored, and I want to do something interesting. But if perfection was a goal, then there would not be room for happiness.

“Hopefully, no one wants a serious Empress,” I rolled my eyes.

“Divine Empress, you need the council’s respect,” My Tutor stopped pacing, looked at me in worry. “The council may have taken a vow to serve the Royals and the People, but if you have done nothing for the Empire, then there is no trust. In fact, they would threaten your power and push their ideals on your child, to the point you step down.”

I gasped, “that’s too harsh! Why would they do that?”

“Trust and respect,” he muttered, then clapped his hand. “Let’s continue your lesson.”

“No!” I yelled/whined, jumping on to my feet. He gave me a confused look, and I nervously chuckled, “why don’t we take a break. A lot has happened in our lesson and… I’m tired and hungry.” Gracefully walked around the table, approaching him with a smile. “And I believe you are tired and hungry… Don’t you agree?” I asked, his lips parted to say something, but I quickly turned and ran out, my hand up with a peace sign. “Thanks, Teach!”

“Divine Empress!” He called out. “Divine Empress!”

“Run…” I whispered to You Rina, grabbing her wrist and picking up my pace, running away from Study Hall. Ignoring my Tutor’s call as I ran with one hand holding You Rina’s wrist and another held gathered clothing of my coat and dress. I ran into inner palace’s first corridor until I saw another gate and ran through it, into the common corridor, and again I spotted the closest gate, then ran to it.

Ran through the gate, and hid behind a tree, panting heavily, and glanced around my area. It looked like I was in the Memorial Garden, letting go of You Rina and leaned on the tree, and sighed loudly in relief. “Divine… Empress… W-why… Were w-we… Running?” You Rina asked, huffing and puffing.

I sighed, still glancing around, “I’m tired of listening to that old man… Not to be rude, but I’m done for the day.”

“Or you want to know if there’s an answer?” You Rina smirked.

“let’s meet and talk.”  The message I sent to the mad King.

A week passed since I went to the Herb Shop, and I had been waiting to hear from the mad King. Also, I heard the Emperor was evading his council, knowing it was not wanting to plot a conflict with a Kingdom that has a King, who wants to end his family’s bloodline, and no one knows who would become next heir or who would rule the Kingdom. This was a headache for me, and I want some peace, “… I’m hungry.” I sighed.

You Rina laughed softly, “you don’t change, Divine Empress.”

“Why would I?” I asked, grabbed her hand and smiled warmly to her, “let’s get go back to the palace or else I’ll die from hunger.”

“You’ll be okay,” she chuckled, I whined and pouting her lips as we stepped out from hiding behind the tree. Strolling peacefully, taking calming breaths of the garden’s fresh air, “we just need to make sure Grand Queen Dowager does not know you are skipping out of your lesson and running around in the palace.”

Rolling my eyes and chuckled, “I don’t really care.” Smirking proudly, keeping my head up high. But I felt her narrowed gaze on me, looking to her from the corner of my eyes and silence exchange between us, “okay, that woman scares me!” I whined and groaned. “She and Court Lady Rin are totally besties, and it’s hard to tell who’s worse.”

“Court Lady Rin is easy to understand, but Grand Empress Dowager looks like she’s hiding behind her title.”

“I don’t think so, Court Lady Rin hides behind her smile, and goes mad with her stick whilst Grand Empress Dowager shows her strength. But they both have confidence, which I find inspiring and amazing.”

“Divine Empress…”

“Yes?”

“You’re also have confidence.”

I glanced to her, surprised she would think of me like that, “you think I’m confidence?” She looked at me with a bright smile and nodded her head, “why?”

“You’re always quick thinking with a sharp tongue, and how you always find a lightness everything.”

That’s not me… I whispered in my head, seeing her grin proudly as she spoke about me. I had noticed You Rina looked up at me as role model, but I would choose to ignore that as I do not see myself that much inspiration. I never had role models, so, I spoke out my mind to make it clear. “It’s that easy,” I sighed.