I let out a light sigh and then a smile. "The time will come. And when it does, I won't hold back." I said, boldly.
"Oh my, here I was thinking of teasing you just a little. But, I guess there isn't a reason to. But even still. Tell me, how do you hold yourself back?" Flower Shadow asked.
"It's simple really, I just want my children to have the best environment I can give them. I am not nearly strong enough to ensure their future. Furthermore, this war should end with my generation. At least that is what I am hoping for." I explained. "Though, I am not so foolish as to cling onto such fragile hopes. And is why I have spread that pill far and wide. Laying the groundwork for if I should be wrong. For if I am to fall at the hands of Ink, There will need to be an overwhelming bastion behind me. Then… And only then will we survive." I added, as I stood up from my seat to look out at the view.
"Do you plan on losing?" Flower Shadow accidentally asked aloud, even pausing her tea cup after realizing that she had said her thoughts aloud.
"No one plans on losing. However, I am destined to fight a being that not even the first 10 Masters of the Open Heaven realm could hope to challenge let alone defeat. Losing is a very real possibility." I said, in a soft monotone voice. "However, that being said. Even if I should lose, the enemy won't get off without suffering a permanent injury. That I am confident of. If that isn't reassuring, then ask me after I've broken through. I'll have more of a handle on the situation at that time." I added, attempting to bring up the slightly somber mood.
It was just then that a maid servant came to report. "My lord, a chef's assistant, has come with an urgent matter…" She said, kneeling down.
"I know. I've already instructed them on the resolution. You may return to your own matters now." I said, still looking out, taking in the view.
To the maid servant I looked like a god glistening in the sunlight with hair flowing in the gentle breeze. "As you wish, thank you. It is always a pleasure to serve you, Young Palace Master. Such regal form… Is breathtaking." She said, with flushed cheeks as she stood up and bowed a recently deep bow before turning and skipping away excitedly.
"Hmm, it seems she was quite moved by your presence, Leiji. The grass is slightly watery there now." Huo Lei teased.
"I just hope it doesn't happen while walking through the cities." I sighed. "Well, anyways, the wedding celebrations are starting soon. We shouldn't let anything lower our moods. After all, the only thing we can do is to continue what we've already done. So no sense in getting solemn too soon." I explained with a smile.
"Hmm, I see… So then, what was the problem that would cause a chef's assistant to come by here? It must have been serious if they risked the punishment for disturbing you?" Flower Shadow asked, deciding to accept my offer of letting the previous topic go.
"Oh, nothing too serious. Just one of the orders for some various meats was rejected for a truly stupid reason." I said, as my face twitched, unable to hide the anger.
"Really? Not serious huh? Your face says otherwise." Flower Shadow giggled, then looked at my wives for reassurance. "Wait, is there something wrong ladies?" She asked.
"How dare they refuse to deliver the orders!" Bing Xue and Bing Hua shouted in rage.
"How dare they indeed… Such a disgrace doesn't deserve to exist any longer. For a butcher to fail in providing meat from a paid order. Utterly shameful." Lu Yu Qin added, crushing her tea cup in a fit.
"Uhm, am I missing something?" Flower Shadow asked.
"For Dragons, meat is everything. And consider it the pinnacle of food. Us phoenix are much the same way. However, we only view this as the refuser asking for death. Dragons see it as the refuser begging for a death of the entire self." Chi Qiu explained, with a look clearly indicating never to do it.
"Honestly, I'm surprised that Husband hasn't already flown off to teach the refuser a lesson. Give them the freight of a lifetime." Feng Qiang laughed jokingly.
"Oh, that's because I deemed the reason for their refusal to be valid. It was actually one of the other assistants who had forgotten their identification upon picking the order up. So naturally the Butcher not handing the order over was the right course of action." I explained.
"But I bet that the idiot who caused the problem isn't having a great time now." Xiu Che giggled.
"Oh, him. Yeah, he is learning the hard way what happens when someone forgets their identity token." I said, as I sat back down and comforted the Bing sisters to calm them down.
"Oh, so they received that punishment then? Hmm, seems like it isn't enough." Flower Shadow said. "That is, if the delivery was the issue." She added.
"Oh, that's the thing, the delivery may have been an issue, but it wasn't a result of the provider. Rather a result of the deliverer. Though, because they lied and tried to pin the blame on the butcher instead of just going back with someone else. Their punishment won't be done until I, or my father say so." I said. "Actually, my father might actually kill him for that. It's just as bad as running from the enemy without orders. Hopefully we don't get any idiots like that on the battlefield in the future. Talk about a truly annoying problem." I added.
"That does sound like something Void would do. He's always been like that." Flower Shadow said.
"It might seem cruel on the surface, but when you're in the thick of a blood soaked battlefield. You want to be able to trust those beside you won't stab you in the back." I said. "Anyways, it seems I'm going to be busy for a while. I have to make some pills before the wedding. If anything else happens try to have the managers solve it first. These pills must be perfect." I continued, preparing to get up from the table.