Mysterious one POV
We rushed and leave the carnage scene behind us. none of us dare to utter a single word. we were afraid that might set the woman's gaze on us and she may perceive us as a threat. If i'm not that convinced about my suspicion of her, now i do. she is definitely the one.
part of me, want to use her for the greater good of our kingdom but the sane part of me screaming to stay away from that woman. a double edge sword... you do not play games with higher beings. you can only outsmart them for a short period time, then the day will come for you to pay the retribution. sooner or later.
i still remember My mother told me a story about the what had happened in the past. one of my ancestor had made the biggest mistake of his life, which almost cost the whole nation. he gambled of his plan by ruling with iron fist and had forcefully took a princess of elven as his wife. the kingdom prospered for thirty years... but the next three months later... is what had doomed the whole kingdom. all education system, culture, knowledge... arts... was forever lost. even the secret recipes for alchemy and medicine making that was stored in national treasure room completely decimated by a magical fire. The same fire that had completely engulf the whole kingdom away until none was spared except few numbers of people that managed to run away.. the whole nation was devastated, completely barren, the land was completely useless and couldn't cultivate any plants... from ten millions of people, what was left was few fifteen thousands and all was hungry, helpless and sick.. it was thanks to the grace of the god that a blessing of rain falls and purify the land... by the time the whole land is purified, five thousands people was dead. with what left, the whole kingdom was rebuilt again, painstakingly hard. Until it had become what it is today.
Yet, it was a lost for us that lots of ancient arts, culture and medicine was forever gone. So, if anyone asked me if I should gambled once more and used that woman... I will kill them. Never, I will never repeat my grand ancestor mistakes.
Or so I thought...
Reaching at my palace, washing away the grimes... waiting for the chamber lady to prepare my food.. my thought wander back to the fiery, beautiful and ethereal heart shape face.. every movement was etched and burned into my mind, and no matter what I do.. nothing could erase it..
I called for them to play zither for me, erhu and even sing and dance... nothing. I tried reading my documents and some books.
"To conquer a nation.. one need to be firm, and never waiver from their conviction. Set your reasoning why do you govern a kingdom as the one who sit on a throne." I read. And this is the part where my mind suddenly zoomed into shadow of thoughts. on a particular scene, zooming on the empty seat beside me. A queen seat. I had four concubine. I choose not to have a lot of them despite being forced by the ministers. I knew first hand the struggles and rivalry that comes between siblings and concubines. I wish my children to have a longer and prosperous life. But the queen seat was still empty.
None of my concubine fit to be one. They maybe knowledgeable and wise in their peer, but a queen is someone who can support this kingdom and become a pillar. Queen is the last defence of this nation.. and the most suitable candidate I ever saw.. is her. That woman..
My god.. please.. cant I break away from this chain of thoughts and leave it be? But it was as if I was hold entranced by her.. did she put me under her spell? Or was I simply charmed by her beauty and strength?
I sat up straight and gaze on the stars.
"I want her"
My aide came forward and look at me, worried by what he had just heard. I think I saw him crossing his fingers, wishing that he was just dreaming. Maybe he wished that he was somewhere else right now.
"Do I need to say it twice?"
"No, your highness.. but as your wise aide, I would like to advise you against that. Your highness, she is not some ordinary-"
"I know that!" I boomed out, throwing my book away and grabbing a fistful of my own hair. Frustrated.
"You have four most fairest, beautiful and graceful women in this kingdom as your wife.. remember the royal family first and foremost rule. Never rule the kingdom with your desire."
I exhaled loudly, getting more frustrated and helpless.
"Get the priest and healer here. Maybe I'm under a spell or maybe I'm sick. If I'm none of the above,get them to erase my memory of her."
The aide look at me again with surprised, but quickly bowed low and without another word, left to fullfil my request.
I took a brush and a paper, writing a poem.
'Under the heaven tree,
she drank to her stupor,
As if the world hung on her shoulders
She cheers the dark skies
with a bitter smile,
The light descend before she fall
A rough goddess of war
That unbound by norm
She who swung her swords
Fought the giants of eight
All fell under her feet
None was spared,
Not even my heart'
I look at it bitterly and felt torturous.
I wanted her now, right here beside me. I finally understood how my ancestor had fallen. This desire, I never want something like I want her.. its new, too dangerous, explosive and definitely make one felt helpless. Oh, I am not helpless to get it done. No. I know I can get her if I put my mind on it.. but the consequences that it may bring later on.. is what I could not bear to watch. Maybe it's best if I forget.
I slipped the paper inside a book that I really hate, knowing that I will never open it in this lifetime.. I sigh and then went to lie down on my bed. I dont want to be the second fool emperor to destroy his kingdom for the sake of assuaging his own desire.