Shen's P.O.V
How did I even get here in the first place? Ah, right, because I was captured by the alluring appearance of Lady Chen and fell for her personality. Then she fell in love with me too and now I am facing the consequences of falling in love with a woman. Did that old hag also have these kinds of things? Letting them eat their own words by defeating everyone? Did she also do this?
"Why so deep in thought?"
"Ah, nothing." Lady Chen sits besides me, stroking my forehand. She still has that expressionless face but I know that isn't as emotionless as she seems.
"Your battle is tomorrow."
"I know,"
"Are you afraid?"
"Of what?"
"That you'll make a fool out of the prince?"
"No, not really." I laughed. I didn't think of that.
"Then, what is it, Shen?"
"I just thought that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
"What?" her tone went down a bit and that triggered me. Did she understand that wrongly?
"Ah, ah, what I mean is, if I hadn't met you, my life would be boring and I'd be lazing around."
"Ah, right. I did remember the first time I saw you. You were held captive."
"Yeah, right, embarrassing."
I grab Lady Chen's hand and kissed it softly, as tender as my affections for her.
"You were supposed to take the exam three years before, right?"
"Yes,"
"Why didn't you?"
"Why would I?" me and Lady Chen looked at each other.
"You were supposed to."
"That doesn't mean I have to."
I grinned at Lady Chen. She rolls her eyes before squeezing my hand lightly. She smiles a bit and leans her head on my shoulder. Her silver hair draped over her shoulder. Her collarbone was showing and her neck and shoulder was so easy to access.
A baby?
"Hmm?"
"Ha? What?" goodness. Did she hear me?
"A baby?"
Yeah, she did hear me.
"Oh, uhm, nothing."
Then, we heard a knock on the door, telling us to go and eat supper. When we ate, the room was silent. Even Lady Chen's little sister. General Chen also let me be. Lady Chen still brought food to my plate. General Chen didn't react, he just focuses on eating. When we were done, Lady Chen told me to scout the area before the battle tomorrow.
"Oh, then, I'll be goin-"
"You're not going alone."
I'm not? What did she mean? Is she going to send someone to come with me? It wouldn't be her since it was late, right?
"Who am I going with?"
"Me, a moment."
She disappears to the door and leaves me here in her room. The night that I was captivated by the night image of her room still takes my breath away. I look around her room and it was like I fell in love with her room. It was as if Lady Chen and her room are one. I had the same feeling when Lady Chen was illuminated by the moon's light. It made me stay in place and made me obey to just look and not go away.
"Shen?"
"Yes?"
"Are you alright? I called you a couple of times."
"Ah, I was just taken aback by how you and your place seem to be going well with the moon's light."
"Such deep in thought. Come,"
I nod and followed suit. The snow had already stopped when we got outside and the lights seemed all romantic all of a sudden. My heart was beating so fast. I have noticed a very big change in Lady Chen. She was touchy, clingy, sometimes a pervert, assertive. I liked it all and she knew that so she made it into her advantage.
"Lady Chen,"
"Shen,"
"I love you."
Lady Chen stops in her tracks and looks at me. I stop too and look at her straight in the eyes. Her face was bright red and I don't know if it's the cold or from what I said. I had blurted something that I didn't want to say after all of this was done. What if her feelings for me is not that deep yet? What if we'll grow distant? I'm not ready for that.
There was silence.
"You," then she paused again.
She turns her back against me. Her very action made me think that she really doesn't still love me yet. I thought she wanted to marry me? Well, if I hadn't ruined our moment, then she would-
"I like you."
Huh?
Lady Chen turns around again. It was in slow motion. Her hair was still flying and swaying elegantly. Her smile under the bright moon seemed like heaven to me and she looked godly. Her smile was so sincere that I just had to stop breathing and stare. Her eyes sparkled more than it did.
"I like you. I don't love you yet but I'm near there. I will marry you because you're the only one who made me feel like a light feather."
It was as if it was not Lady Chen that I was talking to. It was as if someone else had possessed Lady Chen. Her words struck deep in my heart.
"I don't want anyone else to have you while I still fall for you day by day. It's selfish of me to ask, but would you wait for me?"
I fell down on my knees. It felt great. It felt nice. I feel like dying from happiness.
Lady Chen came to my side, asking if I was okay. Tears had already rolled down my cheeks. This moment is so euphoric. And all I could express that was through a kiss.
"Sh-Shen."
"I would wait for you even until my last breath."
She smiles and shares the same tears. I cry as I rest my forehead onto hers. The snow was cold but I felt extremely warm right now. Being this close to your loved one and being the receiving end of such words work wonders to me. I am in love with this woman and no one can ever take her away from me.
After our sweet moment, we had a look around where the battle was going to happen tomorrow. After our inspection, we went back to the Chen's Residence. Lady Chen took a hot bath before laying in bed with me. She scoots closer to me snuggled on my back.
"Don't you want me to turn around?"
"Please do,"
I turn around and faced her. She looks directly to my eyes and sighed with a smile.
"Goodnight,"
"Goodnight, My Lady."
When morning came, I had a run around for exercise. I want to be in my best shape when fighting for my woman's heart. I want to prove to Lady Chen's father that I am capable of fighting and protecting his daughter. He doesn't need to worry.
"Where have you been?"
Lady Chen has just woken up. Her hair was a little messy but she still looked like a goddess. Why is the world unfair? Her sleeve got loose and it was hanging around her chest. If her chest wasn't big, that sleeve would've already been down.
"I went out for a bit of an exercise."
She looks at me for a second and stands up.
"I should've told you this sooner,"
"What is it?"
"Just, don't push the Prince too hard."
"Uh, okay?"
Is the Prince super strong when he is angry? Should I push him over the edge? I want to see his potential. I want him to prove to me that he's just a pretty face. Would he be a worthy opponent? Gah, my hands are tingling for some action. I sure hope that the Prince won't be a disappointment.
We had our usual breakfast and after that, General Chen hassled us to the venue. He was excited to rub it in my face that the Prince can beat me and that I am just a puny woman. I will surely show him that I am capable.
A lot of people have gathered already. The town's folk were told and they were excited to see me fail. I bet that's what they want.
"I sure hope that the opponent will win."
"Tell me about it."
"The royal family doesn't help us at all."
"For once, I hope they get humiliated."
I couldn't help but overhear. Did the Royal Family do something bad? What did they mean of 'help'? I want to know everything. Can I help though? Aren't I just being nosy?
"There you go again,"
"Huh?"
"Don't worry sister-in-law. You'll beat the Prince. I know so."
I smiled.
"I will try my hardest."
I excused myself to wash my face. I need to get my head in the game. I shouldn't worry about anything unnecessary. The Prince would be strong so I need to clear my head and focus on defeating the Prince.
"Your Highness, the first daughter of General Chen found out yesterday and she filed a complaint."
"Tsk. What were those homeless people doing there anyway?"
"Y-Your Highness, what should we do?"
"Isn't it obvious? Kill all the homeless people. Tsk. This place doesn't need useless people."
"Understood, Your Highness. You should go back, the battle is about to commence, Your Highness."
"Right."
I hear their footsteps getting distant and distant until it was no more. So, it was his doings, huh. Why did I have to hear that now? Now, I'm getting angry and fired up.
I came back late, trying to calm myself down.
I made an entrance. They were looking for me, waiting for me to show up so that the battle can start. If it's the Prince, then I'm sure he's planted cheats everywhere.
"Our competitor has now showed up! A woman! A woman with a woman? Isn't it absurd?" ah, he's annoying. His voice. He was with the Prince earlier.
"Such relationship shouldn't be-" I extended an ice sword until to his throat.
He gulps and steps down from the elevated platform. I look at the Prince. His face made me want to ruin it. His looks aren't in line with his personality.
"How could you,"
"I heard you were with my beloved when she had found out about-"
"Do I look like I fucking care?"
"Tsk. And I thought I was going to spare you. You leave me no choice."
He charges towards at me, not minding all his openings. I dodge and dodge, not wanting to ruin him before I got the answers I wanted.
"You're good at dodging."
He says, wiping his sweat under his chin.
"Why?"
"What?"
"Why do you want to kill all those homeless people?"
"Isn't it clear? They are of no use. They will only bring the royalties down."
"Is that all?"
"Isn't there?"
"You royalties are as useless as you think others are."
"Why, you!"
He charges again but this time, I had no intentions of dodging his attack. I summoned my black fire and let it hit his stomach before his blade could come in contact with my skin. He coughed out blood.
"You kill useless people, so should I do the same?"
"Wha-"
"I thought you were more than a pretty face. You don't deserve Lady Chen if you can't even protect yourself."
"Shut-"
I punched him in the gut.
"You're nothing without your status. You fucker."
He managed to land a punch on my face before coughing out blood again. I back away and threw a kick to his beautiful face.
"Let's see if people still deem you useful without your pretty face."
He screamed as blood started gushing from his face. I scratched his now ugly face. A scratch that I know will never fade. He will be scarred. This is the only thing that I can do to repay those who have already been eradicated by his order.
The people cheered while others cried. I'm sorry, everyone. This is all I can do for you. I can't bring back the lives that are lost but I can at least avenge them.
I step down from the elevated platform and stepped in front of General Chen.
"You used me."
"I'm sorry."
"Father? Shen?"
"You're a coward. Here I thought you were someone better than everyone else."
And with that, I left.