Chapter 4
1086 Words
One month later, the marriage procession from Western Xia arrived in Aeloria.
Charles held a banquet in the palace to welcome the princess and her entourage.
Princess Althea was seated opposite me. Her face was hidden behind a veil, so I could not see her features clearly, but her eyes were graceful and enchanting. Even with half her face concealed, it was clear she was an exceptional beauty.
During the banquet, the emissaries of Western Xia loudly praised the Emperor of Aeloria for his kindness and wisdom. They said the princess had long admired His Majesty and had brought countless rare treasures as a token of sincerity, wishing for everlasting friendship between the two nations.
I lifted the wine jug, filled my cup, and drank it in one swallow.
Across the hall, Princess Althea glanced at me.
“I have long heard of Aeloria’s legendary female general,” she said, her voice melodious. “Seeing you today, General Seraphina, I find that you are indeed different from ordinary women.”
I set down my cup.
Somehow, I knew at once that whatever followed would not be pleasant.
“General Seraphina is heroic and graceful, a model for all women. I have admired you for a long time.” Her eyes curved slightly. “I wonder whether I might have the honour of witnessing your martial skill?”
The music softened.
The hall fell strangely quiet.
Everyone knew my martial skill had been ruined. What skill could I possibly display now?
Yet the request had come personally from the Princess of Western Xia. To refuse would make me seem discourteous.
Only then did I realise that she was deliberately provoking me.
Perhaps she had heard rumours about my past with Charles and wished to test me. Perhaps she already knew I had lost my martial ability and wanted to humiliate me before both courts.
Either way, she was not someone to underestimate.
I lifted my eyes towards the imperial seat.
Charles was watching me.
He said nothing. His gaze was dark and unreadable.
Since the emperor had not spoken, no one else dared to intervene.
I gave a faint laugh and was about to answer when another voice rang out before mine.
“My fighting skills were personally taught by General Seraphina. If the princess wishes to see her skill, allow me to demonstrate a fraction of it on her behalf.”
I turned.
A man seated to my right stood and walked to the centre of the hall.
The attendants brought him two swords. He took them casually, spun them once in his hands, and as the music rose again, settled into his opening stance.
The young man wore a snow-white robe threaded with silver. When he moved, he was still as a crouching tiger, swift as a flying dragon. One moment his swordplay was gentle as drifting cloud, the next it flashed like lightning.
Steady. Elegant. Effortless.
He even had the leisure to glance at me, his eyes bright with amusement, a charming smile tugging at his lips.
The swords moved faster and faster. Their red tassels whipped through the air like tongues of flame, and the blades cut through the wind with a cold, singing sound.
The music reached its peak.
Then it stopped.
The young man lowered one sword.
The other pointed directly at Princess Althea.
The silver blade halted a breath before her veil. Its force stirred the gauze, making it ripple against her face.
She stared at the shining edge, her complexion paling.
“Enough!”
A cold reprimand came from the imperial seat.
The young man sheathed his swords and knelt.
“To disrespect the princess under the pretence of displaying your skill,” Charles said, his expression unreadable. “Juz, you have considerable nerve.”
Juz lowered his head. A lazy smile still lingered at the corner of his mouth.
“My skill is lacking. I have frightened the princess. I deserve death a thousand times over.”
“Very well,” Charles said coldly. “Then I will punish you with fifty military lashes. Do you object?”
Fifty lashes.
A common man might not survive such a punishment. Even though Juz was a martial artist, fifty military lashes would leave him bedridden for months.
What was Charles doing?
Why was he being so ruthless?
I could no longer remain seated. I stood, walked to the centre of the hall, and knelt beside Juz.
“Your Majesty, Commander Juz is my disciple. His offence against the princess came from my failure to discipline him properly. Moreover, he only performed in my place because the princess wished to see my martial skill. I humbly ask Your Majesty to allow me to share his punishment.”
Juz turned to look at me.
The smile had vanished from his face.
I felt him tug lightly at my sleeve, trying to stop me, but I ignored him and continued kneeling.
Charles’s expression darkened at once.
Anyone could see the anger he was suppressing.
He knew exactly what I was doing.
I was relying on the old affection between us to save Juz.
My injuries had not yet healed. I could not endure fifty military lashes. If I were punished, it might cost me half my life.
Juz hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, this matter was entirely my fault. It has nothing to do with General Seraphina. I am willing to bear the punishment alone.”
Charles laughed softly in anger, the corner of his mouth lifting in a cold arc.
He was about to speak when Princess Althea raised her silk fan.
“Since Commander Juz did not act intentionally, I do not wish to play the villain and damage the harmony between His Majesty and his subjects.” Her gaze swept over the two of us kneeling on the floor. “Let the matter pass. I will not pursue it.”
In an instant, Charles’s expression changed.
He returned to his usual indifference.
“Juz’s offence is punishable by death. Since the princess is magnanimous and unwilling to hold a grudge, I will show leniency.” He paused. “Go to the Discipline Office and receive twenty-five lashes.”
I let out a quiet breath.
At least it was only half.
Juz accepted the punishment and withdrew. Before leaving, he turned back and glanced at me, silently mouthing for me not to worry.
I was too concerned about his injuries to notice Charles’s gaze fixed on me from the imperial seat.
- Writer
