Divine Empress (COMPLETED)

Chapter Thirteen

Raina's POV

Since I entered the world, it transfixed me by its exquisite colours and wonder. Peace and kindness greeted and presented to me, and I had the edge to stay a little more and explore this world like I was on vacation. However, my bad luck followed me into this world, and I got myself ‘engaged’ to the one known as the Cursed Emperor. A breath of fresh air, he was handsome and mysterious.

My mission to go to the Capital was to see an Omen, who might have the answers to how I may go about getting back to Earth. The world I belong. But despite my interaction with the Emperor, I had to see an Omen to break my ‘engagement’, though it was mistake—we were told to marry each other as it was ‘fate’. I asked the Omens if I can leave the world, good news as I can, but bad news… I don’t know how.

Married, entering the palace, and pressure placed on me to fit the Empress appearance. Grace and pride, that was just being uptight nobility, and the desire and thought of finding oneself and position in society through exams and military service. Madness…

“Theatre performance, you can learn history and literature. Also, religion,” You Rina said, following beside me as we walked through the garden. Glanced over my shoulder, I see the rest of my handmaidens that followed behind me then glanced at You Rina, “there’s a Theatre House the palace love hiring is the best choice to watch. I’ve seen them and they are outstanding.”

That sounds interesting, watching a play to pass the time and possibly avoid the palace life. But… Suddenly stopping in my tracks, I realised, “I’m an Empress…” I whispered with a smirk. “I’m an Empress…”

“Yes, you are, Divine Empress,” You Rina said, confused by my sudden revelation.

“I can do and get whatever I want, right?” I turned to face her. Still confused, nodding her head, “I can travel around the Empire and stay in summer homes—Wait, do we have summer homes?”

“Yes—”

“Good! I can just sit back and relax, while trying to figure a way to go back. If it times, then I go just enjoy the high life and be lazy. I need to make a basket list while in this world,” I muttered to myself, thinking about what this world could hold. “okay, if I win and you’re really a goddess, then give me some ‘divine’ powers.”

After pouring another short, she lifted her glass up to a cheers and smirked, “okay…” I groaned quietly then clicked my glass with hers, “cheers!” She cheered, and we both gulped the drink.

Suddenly, remembering my wish, “or… I should just focus my time and energy on finding a way home.” I threw my head back and groaned, annoyed about my thoughts going back and forth. “Ah… What should I do!?” I asked loudly and continued to down the garden path. Stay or go.

“Divine Empress, have you ever thought the whole reason you are here, is for a specific reason and a good reason. Maybe you here to help the Cursed Emperor, not just ruling the Empire but also help him. You are a Divine Empress and goodness to bring balance in the Royal palace.” You Rina said, pacing behind me. “Divine and curse, ruling the Empire like one and to bring more ease to the government and people, is by involving yourself in the council like previous Empresses and Emperors had done in the past.”

And there it was, responsibility, responsibility, responsibility! Stopping once again in the tracks and groaned loudly, “DIVINE EMPRESS! DIVINE EMPRESS! Never have I wanted to be Empress or married to an Emperor in the first place! I just want to go to my world!” I yelled, hearing a gasp from You Rina. Snapping my gaze to my handmaiden, noticing her gaze was elsewhere, “what are you…”

Turning my gaze, seeing Lady Shen Ava and Emperor Kai Jai staring back my way. Lady Shen Ava's eyes widened in shock as Emperor Kai Jai just stared at me with no glimpse of emotion. “Huh…” I gaped, glancing at You Rina for help, but she still shook.

Lady Shen Ava thought fast and bowed gracefully, “many blessing Divine Empress.” She greeted when she did this. Emperor Kai Jai was quick to bow to me, then mutter his excision before striding off with his handmaidens running closely behind him. I watched as they disappeared farther into the garden, guilt ate inside me, I had an unpleasant habit of stumbling into the Emperor in the garden while he was with someone. “Divine Empress?” I heard a soft voice calling out to me.

This is embarrassing, thinking to myself as slowly turned my gaze to Lady Shen Ava. “I am so sorry!” Howled, hurrying to her. “I did not mean to be that loud and disturb the two of you!” Grabbing both her arms, pouting my lips and furrowing my brows.

There was silence, awkward atmosphere? Uncertain where we stood. Despite the situation in hand, my mind wondered what was going between the two and why were in the garden in first place, and in this time? Knowing they were engaged to each other, could there be more to a simple family arrangement? Unaware, Lady Shen Ava giggled and shook her head, “I wish I had more time be your friend.” She said.

Now I’m confused.

“Please, let’s walk to my palace,” she said, with a gleeful grin. Still confused, I quietly nodded my head and released her arms, and we quietly walked in the garden, heading to one exit. She giggled again, “the Emperor and I meet seven years ago, in this very garden. He was a quiet boy, did not speak because he was afraid to say the worry things.” She chuckled.

He still quiet, nodding in my head as she continued. “I asked myself, ‘is this the Cursed Emperor everyone talked about?’ But then I did not know more about him and had not seen him as he left to serve the Military. I continued my studies, but uncertain which exams I would be taken because the Emperor that I met looked like he would be easy prey for greed members and once I become Empress, it would mean more work. But I never had an interest in politics, so ask my parents to have me take a short course in military services, hoping I mean see if the Emperor changed from that quiet boy I met.”

"And I was right,” she sounded surprise when she said that. “He spoke in confidence with those around him and they would listen. He looked free and happy from then. His closest friend, Zu So, knew him like that and I wanted to see that smile. My time in the military ended, and I decided on which exams I would take because I was confident that the Emperor, I left in the military would be a great ruler. The Emperor returned to the palace, and it was time for me to move into the palace, and shock to see him as he was back to the quiet boy I first met.”

I have an idea why he went back to that persona, the damn rules of the palace that were giving me headaches. I wanted to say that, but I stayed silent, wanting to hear more of the story. Also, looking at Lady Shen Ava, I could not believe she did anything related to military. She was tiny, graceful, and warm.

She lifted her gaze to the sky and sighed, “that day, I felt anger for the first time. When we were alone, I stormed towards him and asked him why he changed and not the man I saw in the military. He laughed at me and told me, ‘how can I be happy in a place for seeing me as a monster and see me only a curse.’ I knew there tension between him and Grand Empress Dowager, never have I thought it serious after she blames him for the death her son, Emperor Kaisan. The Emperor is too kind, as he placed a request for our engagement to be dissolved.”

What!?

“Council was having, and they will fight for it not to happen. I don’t know if it was luck or not, when Mistress Han Maya revealed her pregnancy, and the Emperor was the father. The Emperor said nothing, and they placed our engagement on hold because of the pregnancy and the request. The council was and is divided by Mistress Han Maya’s position, arguing she must marry the Emperor and become Empress. Some wanted to wait until the child’s birth, and she will take the title of Empress.”

“Wow sounds like not everyone is a fan of her,” I muttered.

Lady Shen Ava heard me and nodded her head, “she has done great things and given General of Maka. She declined revealing the pregnancy, making it crystal clear she does not want any boring position but Empress of an Empire. Mistress Han Maya will stop at nothing to archive her goals, and you need to keep your guard up, Divine Empress. The Emperor fears the plots she schemes each passing day but is well because you’re here.”

“Wait, what?” I stopped, bewildered by her bold statement. “Why does my presences here to do with anything? I mean, yeah, from the sound of things I basically stole the position she always wanted, and I know would be mad if I was in her spot. But…”

“You bought time for the Emperor to see a clear picture of the scenario, and who to have in his side and how to protect the Empire. Please, Divine Empress,” she turned to face me. “Help His Majesty,” as she begged she went down to her knees and bowed until her forehead touched the ground. “Please, Divine Empress.”

Taken aback by her display, “Lady Shen Ava!” I gasped, immediately squatting down to pull her back up, but she refused. “Please get up,” I begged.

She shook her head and boldly said, “unless you promise me.”

Silently gasping, I glanced up to the sky and asked myself, how can I make that type of promise? I told myself I shouldn’t get involved in the palace drama. Glanced back at Lady Shen Ava, who bowed and begged me to do something that was out of my power. She cared for both the Emperor and the Empire, and I was Empress. Sighing loudly, “okay, okay! I promise I’ll try to help the Emperor. So, can you get up?”

Lifting her head, stared up at me with a warm smile, which made me feel more awful—now I need to get involved. “Thank you, Divine Empress! Thank you!” She said, bowing her head again and again.

Quickly I grabbed her arms to stop, “let’s get you off the ground. You’re too cute if it.” I murmured as we both stood. While I fixed her clothing, I scolded her, “why are you using your cute face on me. It’s not like you’re leaving or something.”

“Well…” She nervously whispered with a side smile, turning her gaze. I followed her gaze, and I saw we were close to her palace and there was wagon parked outside as palace servants seemed to packing boxes into it. And those boxes were coming from her palace, turning my gaze back to Lady Shen Ava, “they have approved the request… The Emperor and I are not engaged anymore.”

Stepping back, my lips parted and closed, not sure what to say as she smiled at me. Taking a deep breath, “when did this happen!?”