"Scorpion symbolizes resilience, persistence, control and determination. In symbolical sense, scorpions are creatures able to survive the toughest situations, just as real life scorpions do. They are able to adapt to various circumstances and to regenerate their strength. Scorpions symbolize the power of will, enthusiasm and not giving up. Scorpion people are strong, indeed. They are dominant and demanding. They are highly enthusiastic and ambitious once they get inspiration and motivation."
When a scorpion stung a person what was felt first, shock or pain? The answer was shock, before pain could even register in our minds, shock stung itself faster than the scorpion's venom. So, before the horror of the situation could sink into Ae-Ra, shock dug itself into her flesh and bones. The teacup felt from Ae-Ra's hands, the sweet and musky herbal tea spilling out of the porcelain vessel, all over her skirts. Thankfully, the skirts padded the landing of the cup and it didn't break. But her poor skirt, why did it have to suffer? Ae-Ra looked down to her soiled skirts, had she heard the Emperor, right? No, she had probably misheard him, Empress? What was that supposed to mean? God, maybe she shouldn't have slammed her head into those soldiers so hard, she probably had brain damage.
"No, you didn't mishear me, dear. You will be the Empress, after my death.", the Emperor said coolly before continuing,
"Oh dear! Shall I call the maids, to clean that up? Do you wish to get changed?", he laughed a light airy laugh,
"I know, I know, it was quite a shock wasn't it?", he laughed a little more. Was he alright? Ae-Ra was concerned for his mental health. She waved her hand in the air,
"No..no..it's alright…no need to call anyone.", she said her mind reeling, how had he heard her thoughts? Was he a Psychic? A wizard?! And what in the Heavens did he mean by being the Empress?! Ae-Ra took deep breaths, her chest heaving, it felt as though her whole world was spinning, she was convinced she had gotten herself some brain damage while slamming her head into those soldiers.
"Are you alright Ae-Ra yah? Should I call the doctor? You look a little pale…", the Emperor asked, genuine concern lining his voice. Was he for real?
"Empress? What do you mean by that?", Ae-Ra asked her voice lightly quivering.
"Empress as in Empress. You will be the wife of the Emperor after me that is Ji-Ho. You will be the next monarch after my reign."
"What?!", cried Ji-Ho and Ae-Ra at same time. For the first time in the terribly awkward conversation Ae-Ra looked at Ji-Ho. Did that pest have this all planned? But he also looked genuinely shocked as her, so this was probably just a scheme of the King.
"I object. How can she be the Empress?! She could kill me in my sleep! She is dangerous! How can you trust her to be my wife?! She..she is, to put it gently, very violent!", Ji-Ho screeched, like a dying crow. Though Ae-Ra was in the same page as him, she rolled her eyes. Kill him in his sleep? Maybe she should try that. Actually no, she did not want treason.
The King smacked Ji-Ho on the Head.
"Babo yah! Stop pretending as if you oppose to the idea! If you didn't trust her in the first place, why would you beg me to let her be your bodyguard?"
Ae-Ra looked at Ji-Ho weirdly. He begged for her to be his bodyguard? He was a creep.
Ji-Ho looked like a thief caught red handed. His ears tinged pink with embarrassment,
"I.. I just thought she was capable to protect me as a bodyguard, when in the Good Heavens, did her being my wife come into play?" He gave a horrified gasp and clasped his hands over his mouth,
"You two..you planned this all along didn't you?! Making my innocent intentions into a mudbath!"
Ae-Ra's mouth opened in horror, he had the cheek to blame her for all of this? He was the one who brought her into this damned palace in the first place. Her hand raised out of instinct to smack him, but suddenly realising the presence of the King, she lowered it down with an awkward cough.
"See! You saw that father! She has extremely violent tendencies, I might end up maimed if I were to live with her for the rest of my life!"
"That's the point.", The King said calmly, sipping his tea.
Both Ae-Ra and Ji-Ho looked at him in shock. He wanted Ji-Ho to be maimed?
"I never thought I would see his day, the day that my own father would want me dead.", Ji-Ho said in an exaggerated whisper, hanging his head low. The King smacked him again, giving Ae-Ra some amount of satisfaction.
"You fool you will drive me crazy! My point is Ae-Ra is strong, I have never seen any woman, noble, peasant or princess, who is this strong. Strong, both mentally, to have the courage to fight five well trained soldiers, and strong physically, to be able to win against them. That is what an Empress should be. Ji-Ho you have all the qualities of a good King, but Gogureyeo can not be ruled by two hands only. You need a strong Empress, someone to put you on line, someone to help you rule. Someone to protect you forever. Ae-Ra is perfect for that. Now, I do not want any more argument based on this. You both are betrothed as of today. Ae-Ra will become the Empress, when you become the Emperor. If you could trust her to protect the Monarch of Kingdom, then you must trust her to protect the Kingdom as well.", the King paused taking a breath.
"And Ae-Ra yah, do not worry, Ji-Ho might be a fool, but he is kind. I can say that as his father, he is a good man."
"You are making the future Empress, the future monarch of Gogureyeo, an impulsive violent and crazy woman?", Ji-Ho said, almost dumbfounded by what was happening. Good man her foot. Ae-Ra was on the same page as him, she did not want to be tied to such a dramatic and idiotic person forever, yet alone be a monarch. The thought of ruling a kingdom sent shiver down Ae-Ra's spine. But for some odd reason she took offence in his words. She looked at him angrily, completely forgetting the King's presence,
"Ya! I saved you. Do not forget that. If I wanted to kill you, I would have just let you die that night. And I am not impulsive, you are just annoying.", she huffed, letting her words come out sharp and clear. Fine, if being the Empress vexed this fool so much, that was exactly what she would do. She looked at the King,
"It's an honour your Highness, I will serve Gogureyeo till my last breath as the Empress." Ji-Ho gasped, and Ae-Ra smirked. He shouldn't have annoyed her really, because she didn't kill people, she made them suffer. The King smiled,
"Perfect. May the Heavens bless Emperor Ji-Ho and Empress Ae-Ra, the twenty -third Monarchs of Gogureyeo."
The Heavens heard his plea, but so did Hell.
"If I cannot move Heaven, I will raise Hell."
-Aeneid
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