When the public wagon entered the border gate of the kingdom's capital, a round of applause was heard inside as the old storyteller ended his narrative about the country's famous folklore.
The mercenary’s gaze wandered outside the wagon carelessly. Her black hoodie was back in place. The black cloak she donned fitted perfectly on her frame.
She glanced at the old man who was now narrating another story while his audience was raining copper in his tattered hat before his feet.
The story of the Moon Goddess and the founding of their kingdom, De Luna, was a famous tale passed down to many generations.
Different versions were created, and each was more exaggerated than the other. Mostly, it was all to justify the king and his predecessors' philandering ways and the reason they were cursed never to have a true mate.
The old man's claim was preposterous. At this age and time, he had the guts to claim that his ancestor was one of the Moon Goddess's wizards.
From the props he had around to the way he narrated his story, she could tell that it was all a scheme. He never mentioned the king's "curse," though, which was the only redeeming point to this entire sham.
"But I'm confused," a cute voice came in, catching everyone's attention. It came from a child, probably in her 6th year.
"If King Noark was the founding king, why is it that all the kings after him have silver hair and golden eyes just like the brave warrior Elio? Does that mean all the kings of the kingdom are Elio's descendants and not from King Noark?" the girl continued.
'Hmm? Ah, that's right. Silver hair and golden eyes symbolize the royal bloodline,' she thought to herself as she tilted her head to the side. The kid seemed to be smart.
But it could also mean that the storyteller's version was just a hoax, indeed.
"This is also the first time I've heard that a future queen has a birthmark." She heard one of the listeners' remarks. "Oh, well! So long as we are entertained by this lore, then who cares?"
And the lady in black couldn't agree more. If all of this old man's statement was true, then she might as well offer herself to the royal family on a silver platter. Tsk!
"Eh?!" The storyteller finally reacted as though he couldn't believe his audience's conclusion.
"No! What I am telling you isn't just a myth for mere entertainment. I am teaching you history! The days of yore that this generation had long forgotten because of all the false claims of those nomads–"
The mercenary could no longer take it. She immediately collected her big burlap sack and prepared to alight. Her destination was near.
She jumped out of the wagon, throwing the silver directly at the coachman. Since the wagon was still moving, it attracted the people's attention.
As they watched the woman run off, they were left behind in awe and wonder.
The morning sun was a bit hot for The Mercenary. Coupled with her outfit, she only hoped she wouldn't waste too much time.
Alas! Her hope was crushed when she arrived at the palace gate.
'Damn it! With all those people around, how am I going to get inside as fast as possible?' she grumbled.
She heaved the sack over her back carelessly. Her movement was no different from a male labourer.
She took a fighting stance and charged like a mad bull at the crowd. She shoved, hit, screamed, and swam her way through the imposing guards at the gates.
When she finally reached the front, she waved her mission letter to the guards just like everyone else.
"Hey, good sir! I have a very, very, very important mission ordered by the palace. I need to speak with the Commander of the Imperial Knights immediately!" she spoke aloud as if her life depended on it.
She even gave the guards her most professionally polite smile to get their attention.
However, one of the guards only ran a glance at her but did not even budge from his post.
"Fall in line. You can enter once your turn is up," he stated with his stern voice and rigid face.
"No, sir, you don't understand. I need to go inside the palace right now! Oh, hey, why don't you just call the Knights' Commander to meet me instead? Ouch! You motherfucker, you just stepped on my foot! Hey! Stop pushing. I'm still talking here, son of a bitch!" she snapped at the public when some of them interrupted her moment.
As much as she tried to hide her wild nature, it just slipped out when she was irritated or provoked.
The guards looked at her in disdain. Who in their right mind would dare command someone in the palace to come out just to meet a rogue with questionable origin?
They wouldn't even dare say it to the palace maids, much less to the Commander of the Imperial Knights.
She understood the looks they were giving her and sighed in frustration. Then, her eyes sparkled in mischief when an idea suddenly dawned on her. She clicked her tongue and whispered to herself, "Fine! You asked for it."
For the second time, she raised the mission letter she was holding and waved it again in the air. But her confession this time not only caught the attention of the guards and the crowd around her, but also those who were just passing by.
"I HAVE A FUCKING DEAD, ROTTING BODY INSIDE MY BAG!"
Upon her announcement, the surroundings instantly fell into a deafening silence. They gawked at her both in fear and disbelief.
She only smirked and continued, "Look, as much as I would love to wait patiently for my turn, I have a rotting corpse waiting here." She tapped the bulging sack she was carrying to emphasize her sentiment.
"If you deny me entry now, its wretched smell will reek throughout the palace up to the king's throne. Ugh, I can already smell it from here, woah!" She sniffed the bag and shook her head as if the smell was too much, and made her dizzy.
Of course, it was all a bluff. She already took measures to deter the corpse's head from decomposing. But she was amazed at how great of an actor she was. She was probably even better than that sham storyteller she met earlier.
"So, do I still have to wait in line? Oh, by the way, let me rectify myself. It's not an entire corpse's body but just the severed head of Tivali. Oh, well, I guess it isn't that big of a deal, huh?"
At the sound of the nemesis's name, the crowd stepped on the side at a lightning speed, as though the vast ocean was split into two to give way to her. The once indifferent guards scurried to open the gates as if the very ghost of Tivali was on their trail.
Tivali
Rumour had it that her size was like that of a burly seven-footer man. She was the queen of the thieving cats in the southern part of the Yellow Plains. They were infamous for attacking merchant caravans and tourists' carriages that were going in and out of the Moon Kingdom.
Recently, they even killed numerous refugees on their way to seek asylum under the Wolf King's mighty fur, which brought overwhelming headaches to the Imperial Knights.
Hence, everyone in the capital knew Tivali and her clowder of nemesis.
With a satisfied smirk on her face, she leisurely walked on the path opened for her. But after a few steps, she was called to halt by one of the guards and demanded, "State your name first."
"Ah, yeah, I almost forgot! It's Natalia. Just ... Natalia." She made a quick salute before sauntering towards her destination.
Behind her, many shook their heads in incredulity. Same thoughts were running in their minds; ‘what kind of sane person would dare use the prophesied name of the future Alpha Queen as their alias?’
In ancient times, many had used that name to deceive the royal family. Therefore, it was decreed that it was a forbidden name unless they were the real deal.
In this generation, there were still a few foolish beings who wished to rebel and challenge the might of the Alpha King and used such a name ... just like her.
Before long, Natalia's business with the Commander of the Imperial Knights was completed. It was smooth and way faster than what she went through at the palace gates. After verifying the head, the commander gratefully handed her commission.
Now, she was more than excited to have a big, warm meal and a nice, long bath. Her stride became more lively as she continued to toss in her hand the tiny bag of silver coins she got as a reward.
When she was almost at the front of the palace gates again, a distinct scent stopped her in her tracks.
She took a couple of deep breaths and gripped her chest. The scent felt like it was engulfing her entire being to the point of suffocation.
All her senses were heightened and the beating of her heart suddenly became intense as though something inside her was anticipating the appearance of... someone?
But who?
Natalia's eyes dilated as her instinct was directing her to a certain place. The invisible pull was too strong to ignore, and cold sweat immediately soaked her back. Her feet started to move on their own.
It was the first time she experienced this kind of feeling. She did not know how, but at that moment, her mind seemed to blackout, and could only think of one thing–
'My mate!'