Crowns and Roses: Kill My Husband

Chapter 4 - Divergence

Chapter 4: Divergence

Clashing of swords, cheers from booze, cheek slapping and people laughing and shouting like they own the whole street, people wore different clothing while they showcased their dominance over each other.

I massage my temples as their voice rings in my ears, but I choose to ignore it and continue eating my potato stew. This is really the place where we have lived for the past few years of our lives. This is where anarchy exists.

The only rule that applies here is to die or fight. If you don't have the guts to face the murderous gangs here, then die. However, if you plan to prolong your life, then you need to get your hands bloody.

The stronger and fearless you are, the more people will submit to you. This is Chukuo, a dangerous place where all criminals gather. A small island that is far from other cities, aside from criminals, members of noble families that they deem shameful were thrown here like a small puppy that they don't want to rear.

Like that man who is being slapped by Lu'er, he is noticeably petite from other male and he came here a month ago. I pity you but I don't want to involve myself in any dangerous situation that could harm them.

This is where we plan to hide until the very last breath of our lives. I heard that Lois is expanding his power and territory with his concubines, and this is a perfect shelter for us. A place will never be owned by the Central Plain; even the notorious General Putin can't just order his men to invade this place, because a lot of countries have already tried and they all give up.

I remember the first time we stepped foot in this country, the elders and children shaking upon witnessing a gruesome killing by different gangs. That time when a man riding a boat ahead of us suddenly declared that he was the most powerful man to ever step into this place because he killed his own father for favoring his younger sibling, he was choked by a man, muscular in build and thrown into the sea full of garbage.

We all witnessed how the man succumbed to the sea and smoke appeared on his body. The water became acidic!

The children were surprised and started to wail and hide behind the elder's thigh, comforting them that it was going to be okay.

Then the man turned in our direction and asked in full of arrogance, "What is it that you want?"

I bit my lip and gulped the lump in my throat, as I held Ali's hand to speak. "We came to live here."

Without a word, I threw the pouch containing our money to him. He opened it and saw it was full of gold coins. He raised a piece and inspected it was true, then he suddenly laughed like a madman and left us like it was their way of telling us that we can reside here from now on.

I motioned for them to follow me and, luckily, the children had already calmed down. This is not a place I want them, but it makes them safer than in Central Plain. I am willing to destroy the child's innocence.

"You seem to be alone. What's your name?"

A voice distracts me from thinking about the past and looking at the man who sits besides me inside the wine house I'm currently dining in.

I know this guy, the infamous bandit leader named Bat'er. This fur clothing is only used in the West because of the cold climate they have. He's a guy from the Socross Clan of the West. They try to revolt and murder a royal member and are now hiding like a rat in Chukuo. A wanted criminal with a huge bounty above his head. Their main source of income is r****g women before exploiting them as slaves to other noble families.

Looks like he already killed the slave he bought last week, and is looking for another family who is willing to sell their daughter. Unlucky him, I am not for sale, and he just seeks his doom.

I pour the wine into my cup and drink it flirtatiously. "Sera."

"Hmm, the infamous assassin who lives near the cliff."

A sinister smile formed on my lips as I gripped his clothes and put his face closer to mine. "I feel honored that someone like you knows what I'm capable of." Then, I positioned my dagger that hides under the belt of my robe to cut this precious man's neck.

This man is the perfect prey to feed my family. He will die peacefully in my hands, without anyone looking.

Before I could execute my plan, a familiar scream echoed across the whole street. I know this voice!

Ali!

I put some money on the table for the wine and ran as fast as a lion to make sure I recognized the voice correctly.

It is really her! He is being harassed by one of Bat'er's men. Damn! It looks like Bat'er already senses that I am waiting for him.

I kicked the man in his chest and drew my sword as I slashed this man mercilessly, leaving a deep cut on his arm. I missed the chance to fully remove his sinful hands after touching her.

He screams in agony and quickly hides behind Bat'er. A dog will always be with its owner. People started to gather near us. I can feel that people are already placing their bets on who's going to win.

Behind Bat'er's group, I saw some of my people coming towards us with swords in their hands. I quickly kicked a small rock that was in front of me to distract our enemy, and I mouthed to leave as soon as possible and alert our people. It will be bloody many minutes from now.

"Sera, I know you are keeping tabs on me so you can feed that little clan of yours with the bounty you can get in exchange for my head."

As I expected. He already knows my plan.

"Let's have a bargain," he added.

My heartbeat accelerated and I gripped my hold of Ali's wrist. I may have hurt her, but I have a bad feeling about that. He wants her in exchange for sparing his gang's life. He is also scared, and using one of my people to threaten me is the only way he could think of.

"I don't do bargain, Bat'er. I only kill."

I smirk when I see his chest bouncing rapidly from anger, gritting his teeth as he grips his hand into fist and even before he could draw his saber. I held Ali from the waist and jumped high at her as I effortlessly tore his neck.

I used my foot as I pivoted my way to face the remaining members. Fear is evident from their faces as they have witnessed how I beheaded their leader. On the other hand, Ali is hugging me and burying her head on my chest. The next scene would be too hard for her to handle, so I grabbed her wrist, turned her around and pushed her to run as fast as she could.

From that moment, my sword mercilessly killed and bathed itself in other people's blood.

How ironic, I was only occupied learning how to be the Empress and playing with my pipa. Now things have changed. Instead of holding a brush and instrument, I have a sword full of blood to wield whose main purpose is to kill and protect.

I breathe rapidly as I eliminate another group, I can feel a blood stain on my cheek and let the loose strand of my hair cover my face. My robe was full of blood, as well as my hands. I sigh deeply and turn to see people who look at me with hatred and disgust. However, I didn't bother to worry about them as I walked towards the dead bodies in front of me, scanning if a single person was still breathing.

It looked like everybody was dead so I went straight into Bat'er's body and picked up his head and wrapped it in clothes.

I can hear gasps from people around us, but again, I do not care about them. I look away from his stare and strip the other man's naked and use his clothes to hide a horrifying present for the West people.

I rode the boat and quickly sailed to the west. The sun had already set when I arrived and the guards stopped me.

"State your name and reason for entering."

"My name's Sera from Chukuo, and I have a present for your King." I replied then, I raised the cloth I am holding and the blood dripped from it.

When they heard my words, they suddenly froze and were reluctant to let me enter.

"Sera?"

I turned away to see who it was. It was Teresa, a courtesan who resides in the West. She quickly came to my side and secretly handed out a piece of gold to the guards while smiling at them lustfully.

"Good thing I see you and what is it that you are holding?"

"If I told you, you would be terrified."

"I think I already have the idea. How much is the bounty?"

"10,000 taels of silver."

She stops for a while looking a bit hesitant, but I look at her. I know she is hiding something. She has a habit of biting her lips when she was hiding, as if forcing herself not to speak.

Teresa came from our tribe and she married a wealthy merchant from the West. However, her husband was abusing her even though she was pregnant and later sold her to a wine house to be a courtesan when she lost their baby.

Is she getting married or pregnant again?

"Is 10,000 taels that low for you?"

I joked, hoping that it could lift up her mood, but still her emotions didn't change. She looked at me with seriousness and told me-not-so surprising news.

"Your Majesty, Emperor Louis visited."

I looked away and walked faster, leaving her standing alone in the middle of the port. Like Bat'er, I also have a huge bounty above my head. That's why I changed my name, since Lois doesn't know my appearance.

He can't see me here.

Teresa chased after me and led me to where I could get my bounty, and escorted me back to my boat.

Aside from 10,000 taels I got from the bounty, she also gave a generous amount of 5,000 taels. I told her that I could still manage to provide for them but she insisted, and pushed me to my boat. "Remember that I am an ally. I will never betray you."

I boarded the boat and waved my hand to her. "Take care Teresa. One day I will get you back."

She smiled and waved her hands back.

I will definitely get you all back. This is what I promise.

It took me hours to sail back to Chukuo and my body already feels sticky from sweat and blood.

Holding a pouch full of silver, I walk to a silently dangerous alley to the cliff when I sense movements behind me. I stopped for a second and gripped the pouch and hid it in my robe. I pulled the hood onto my head, covering at least half of my face, and slowly pulled out the dagger.

Suddenly, the wind was blowing aggressively in the area where I was standing but I noticed something strange. The wind only blows in my area, so it doesn't affect other trees.

I stretched both of my legs sideways to the ground to avoid the dagger thrown behind me. Using my inner strength, I jumped from house to house until I reached the cliff.

Who is it? He has a massive inner force within him.

Until I reached the wooden gate of our house, my thoughts still lingered about that mysterious man. I am in particular that it is a man. No woman can have that kind of inner force aside from that woman practicing martial arts.

I straighten my face when I see them outside their houses.

Ali, who seemed to be troubled by what had happened earlier, came to me running. She keeps asking if I'm alright, which I respond with a smile and raise that pouch of silver.

They didn't all care and urged me to sit beside the elders, as they gave me a cup of warm water.

"I heard about the gang. What if they disturb you?"

"They won't. I promise."