Crowns and Roses: Kill My Husband

Chapter 1: The Princess of the Turcic Tribe During the 386 period, there were two reigning kingdoms: the Northern Kingdom, which was ruled by Emperor Shen, and the Southern Kingdom, which was led by Emperor Kai. After countless wars, eliminating almost half of the Northern armies, Emperor Shen suggested an alliance with Emperor Kai through marriage. Inciting that the chosen Crown Prince of the Northern Kingdom was to be wedded by the chosen Crown Princess of the Southern Kingdom. However, if both heirs were male, the second-rank princess would be wedded by the prince of a neighboring country. The unification was held on the Central Plain, the border between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms that was celebrated by thousands of people from different kingdoms. With these unions, a new dynasty was established - the Drogon Dynasty.  The country became prosperous and was considered the golden age. Central Plain became the palace of the Emperor with his Empress and concubines. Every three years, the palace selects concubines and primary spouses, to expand their harem. However, only the daughters of high ranking officials and wealthy clans of the country are qualified to be concubines and only the members of the wealthiest, powerful and influential families are qualified to be the primary spouse of the princes. This time of the year, I wasn't part of the selection. I wasn't a part of the Northern or Southern people who they called themselves now, Drogons. I was chosen to be primary consort for Crown Prince Lois, effective even before we were born. Honestly, this is not news as the 5th daughter of the tribe's leader, since all Empresses came from our tribe. It is an exceptional case since the Drogons want to expand their place and they want our self - invented weapons for the Drogon armies.  This is one of the conditions to maintain the alliance between the two countries since Emperor Shen came into this tribe. I was chosen by my father to be wed to the current crown prince who is a decade older than me. "Princess Sabelle! Princess Sabelle!" I turn my head away from the voice who keeps calling me. "Shin, why are you shouting?" Shin is my personal maid. She was actually an orphan who I found when I was practicing horseback riding. Out of pity for living in a dumpster, I asked my father to adopt her and be my maid, which he immediately agreed to my request. Shin and I are inseparable; most likely I will bring him to Central Plain once I get married to Crown Prince Lois. "People from the Central Palace are here. Your father and Prince Dorji is asking for our presence." I guess I should just accept my fate. For someone who is of marrying age, I am expected to bore the child that will soon be the ruler of this country. I beckoned Shin to enter my room to help me dress up to meet our visitor, who had traveled for days for the engagement. "Princess Sabelle, I heard Central Plain is famous for their pastries and festivals. Do you think His Highness, Crown Prince Lois will permit us to attend those festivals?" Shin was full of curiosity and excitement about the Central Plain while putting my phoenix headdress and other jade ornaments on my head. Aside from our military weapons, Turcic people are famous for our unique dresses and hairdressers. "Shin, we are going there to be the consort and not for the festivals. After that festival is our marriage, so we should expect a lot of changes from Turcic customs to Drogon customs." She pouted and arranged my hair for the final touch. "We'll see, princess. Now, you are ready to meet those people who are going to be your new family." I smiled at her and extended my arms so she could assist me in walking to the main hall. My heart keeps pounding from nervousness. Who wouldn't be? I am just an 18-year-old princess of the tribe who is bound to marry the future emperor of Drogon Dynasty. As I entered the hall, I could already feel all eyes on me. I wasted no effort to mind them and greeted my father and a guy, who I presumed to be my future-in-law. "Princess Sabelle, greet father, brother and honorable visitors." I say this with my right hand placed on my left shoulder and bows down. "Rise my daughter. Come and sit with us." "Yes, father." I said this before standing up. Shin is quick to assist me by guiding me to my place and serving the dishes. I smiled at her and motioned for her to sit beside me and face the Drogon people. "May I ask, who are these people, father?" Even though I already know the sinister appearance of one of the princes in me, I feign ignorance. I noticed my father drinking his tea before answering my question. "Sabelle, they are the brothers of His Highness, the Crown Prince Lois, paying respect to you." I looked at the two people in front of me, but I didn't show any emotion in my face. I remain neutral. "I haven't married His Higness, Crown Prince Lois, why are you paying your respects to me this early?" I asked politely and calmly to the princes. The man, who is almost the same age as my brother, gets up from his seat and bows at me before answering my question. "Prince Henry of Drogon replying to Your Highness, Princess Sabelle. My brother is busy with state affairs so he can't come with us. That's why me and my brother, the 6th Prince of Drogon, Albert, are here on behalf of my brother. Also, I want to know who is the 'lucky' Turcic princess my brother will marry." I can feel the spiciness of his words. I know these princes: Your Highness, Prince Henry is the most inferior one who always challenges Lois to everything just to prove his worth. Of course, a guy like Prince Henry needs confidence who is similar to him, and that the person beside him, Your Highness, Prince Albert, spends the country's money on women. "We are honored by your presence, princes, but the marriage is still far away." My brother stated as he bowed down to this gentlemen. "We will be family soon. What's wrong with visiting the future consort of our brother?" Prince Albert of Drogon stated. I sigh and look at Shin, who is sitting uncomfortably beside me. I know, from the looks of it, my marriage is purely political. I can deduce that they are here for another reason. In addition, the power struggle between the siblings of Drogon is evident and they are using me to ascend to power and the throne. However, I need to be courteous with visitors. I stand up and bow down with the princes of Central Plain. "I sincerely thank Your Hignesses, Prince Henry of Drogon and Prince Albert of Drogon for visiting me. If you want, I can tour you around our tribe so that your visit will not go into waste." "No need Princess Sabelle. Thank you for your generosity, we still need to travel after this." Prince Albert of Drogon says as he stands up. "Hoping for a prosperous alliance, King Tsu'er."  Everyone stands up to greet each other goodbye. When the princes are gone, my father stands beside me and warns me of the upcoming danger. "Be careful, Sabelle, when you marry His Highness, Crown Prince Lois. I can already see you will play a big role in this power struggle." "You should also beware of that General Putin," I looked at the man my father was pointing to. "I can feel he is up to no good." Due to the cloak he wears, I can't see his face but the big scar on his hand is noticeable. So I definitely have to avoid the man with a hand scar. But the man faces us with the hood covering half of his face as he bows down and gives me a sinister smile. A chills ran down my body as my head hurt from a blurred memory that appeared in my head. "Princess, are you okay?" Shin asked concernly. I nodded and told her I wanted to rest in my room. A few minutes had passed since the princes left the Turcic Tribe, but questions remained in my mind. It seems like I've seen General Putin somewhere, but I can't recall when or where. "Princess, do you find the General familiar?" I look at Shin's reflection in the mirror as she removes all of the ornaments on my head. "Tell me what you are thinking." "I dare not conclude, princess, but General Putin was one of the greatest warriors in Turcic Tribe. He betrayed the tribe, so he was exiled. I didn't know who helped him become General of Central Plain. Princess, don't you think it has something to do with Prince Albert of Drogon?" So was he part of Turcic Tribe before? I wonder what kind of information he did spill that my father had to exile him on the Central Plain. Furthermore, the princes who visited me were suspicious. Who would see their in - laws without their future spouse? "His Highness, Prince Albert of Drogon is really suspicious. He was silent but I could feel that he had a plan, much bigger than Prince Henry of Drogon. They are our future family and we have to serve them until our death. Besides, we don't have evidence to support the fact that Prince Albert of Drogon would harm us." "Am I interrupting something?" I turned my back to see who was speaking, without asking for permission to enter. Shin gasps when she sees my brother, Prince Dorji, who is in a battle suit. I stood up from sitting and grabbed his arm, asking if he was going to war again. "I have to." "General Putin, was once our warrior? Why is he exiled?" I asked, full of curiosity, but my expression remained blank. Prince Dorji of Turcic gently grabs both of my arms and looks at me straight into the eyes. There was one emotion that dominated, and I could easily recognize it; he is worried. Maybe he is worried about my upcoming wedding, or he is worried about our tribe. Is there something that I need to know? "Sabelle, listen to me, there will be a festival tomorrow and I want you to enjoy it until you sail to Central Plain. When you are on the outside, do not ever go back and run for your life." My forehead furrowed from his statement. What's with this sudden warning? Is someone after my life? I am getting terrified of what my brother is saying, so I tightly grip his wrist and ask him. "Does the Central Plain have something to do with why are you dressed like this?" He smiled at me and told me to go to sleep, have fun tomorrow and he would be back in no time. I don't fear my brother going to war, since he is always and has been the General of Turcic Tribe; however, he seldom said anything and just left me a letter stating where he was and often what his day was like. "I know you won't tell me anything. Always be careful and remember to send letters to me and father." Prince Dorji smiled and patted my head like I'm a child before running to his horse and flying like the ground was on fire. There is only me and my brother residing in our small tribe. Prince Dorji is the 7th prince, while my other siblings are married to other princes of the country and some died a hero in a war. I looked at the blank and serene picture in front of my room and went into my bed. "Shin, do you remember the place I asked you to buy secretly?" "Yes Princess, it's been renovated as per your instructions." I slowly nodded my head. "Good, I have a bad feeling about the sudden visit." Shin didn't reply and sleep peacefully, but my mind is worrying for tomorrow. My intuition says that there is going to be lot of chaos, and I am born ready for it. Morning came and Shin was helping me with my clothes. As per the instructions of my brother, I need to attend the festival. It is a tradition in our tribe that whoever is married, all people should celebrate as it is a happy event for everyone. I wore an ocean blue robe with pearls embedded in the dress and my hair is tied in half. I don't usually dress lavishly on this kind of occasion so as to not overshadow the couple at this wedding. "All done princess!" Shin exclaimed after putting the silver hairpin in the bun of my hair. "Are you done with everything?" I asked her, since Shin has a habit of forgetting things when she is excited. "Yep, I didn't forget to bring our gifts and.... Where's the dagger?" She asked while looking at my leg. I forgot to mention, this robe has a slit in my right leg and this is where we hide my daggers in case of an emergency. I am not a warrior, unlike most of my siblings, but I learned how to use swords, bows and arrows to fight. Suddenly, one of the servants knocked on the door and handed Shin a wooden box. The servant who delivered the box said nothing and excused herself. I walked towards Shin and opened the box, revealing what was inside and we gasped in shock. "Princess!" Shin exclaimed. This was the sword of Emperor Shen he used during the battle in the East. Securing victory that unifies the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.