You don't need reasons to be happy or sad, don't forget it's all in your head. Lucifer said it to Jade often. She didn't understand back then but now she knows what he meant. Getting up early she entered the kitchen. The workers greeted her and let her in. After thinking she ended up making cookies. Once she was done she offered it to Lucifer who took them silently and ate it. Jade sat beside him hopefully.
"This is how you lure me into forgiving you," Lucifer asked with a wide smile.
"If it works." Jade grinned. Jade knew this was a weird tradition but she couldn't help it. Lucifer patted her head.
"I was worried, it won't stop me from letting you do your things."
"Thanks, Dad. I am dealing with something very evil so let it go."
"You have to go today?"
"Yes, since I won the competition I was supposed to meet the emperor but something came up last time. I have to reject being an aide today before I get tangled up with them." Jade explained.
"Alright, I will be checking up on you from now on. I don't want to lose my only daughter."
"You will never lose me, Dad."
"You are strong and smart but life is unexpected. I better keep you safe than regretting it later."
"You worry too much."
Lucifer rested his head on his palm and stared at his daughter eating breakfast satisfied. Lucifer knew he couldn't be a good parent no matter what anyone said, he believed all he could create was darkness. He felt proud of himself about how his daughter turned out. He raised a child who knows what she is doing and is strong enough to withstand any God. She is not a mindless darkness who wants ultimate power instead she is the darkness that provides comfort to broken creatures. She will go farther than anyone expected. Even her creator is in awe of her.
"Jade if someone hurts you then I won't stop until I inflict the same pain on them," Lucifer said. Jade gazed at her father with a knowing look.
"Then you will kill them." Jade offered.
"See you know your parent well."
Jade smiled. Done with her breakfast she stood up and hugged her father. Telling him goodbye she teleported back into the imperial palace with Valerie. They can feel the powers of the Leaders of different sects. Jade noticed of not feel the emperor's power, she couldn't feel it during the match either. How strong he is? Jade wondered to herself.
They get taken to the place where they will meet the emperor. Getting in she noticed others were already present. Lance smiled at her. Jade nods and takes the seat further away from everyone. The emperor isn't here yet but the leaders and their heirs are already present. The head of Valor offered her smile, unlike others. Jade is grateful that at least someone is being nice.
"You think the crown prince will accept you as an Aide? You will be disappointed." The head of the Demonic sect said with no emotions in his tone.
"I hope he doesn't accept me. I am not interested anyway." Jade replied politely. The heads of other families glance at her in disbelief while others seem happy about not joining her.
"Good, you know your place. Lowly creature."
"Watch your mouth," Valerie warned him in a deadly tone. Head of demonic set his glare on her. Valerie didn't back down. No one disrespects her master. Before the situation gets worse the Emperor enters without a crown prince. Taking his seat he greeted his people.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting. The Crown Prince won't be able to join." Emperor announced. Others didn't look pleased by it and Jade was more disappointed. She wouldn't be able to reject the offer today.
"The crown prince didn't show you important things, it's concerning. Your majesty." The head of the Angelic sect pointed out.
"He needs to take care of other things," the Emperor responds. "Anyway, I am pleased by the participants, and Jade you did well too. There is the thing that you need to do to prove yourself as a future heir."
Jade sighed in disbelief. The emperor noticed it and smiled at her. His behavior surprised her. Unlike others, he isn't hostile to her at all. Maybe that's why he is a high person here.
"Evil spirits are roaming around and I think the Great Evil will rise again. I need you to stop it before the situation gets worse."
The emperor's words made others surprised leaving Jade and the head of Valok, his heir Lance. They already knew what they were dealing with.
"Jade already knows about it but for others, I hope you take it seriously from now on. All of the heirs will work together and diffuse the situation before it gets worse."
"Understood, Your Majesty." The heirs said simultaneously.
"Great then. Jade keep your work up and stay here in the palace." Emperor said.
"That is difficult. My dad is protective so I won't stay here but I will work." Jade said.
"Are you questioning his majesty?" The head of the demonic sect interrupted.
"No. I am telling him." Jade replied making him angry.
"It's alright I understand. Fathers are protective of their daughters." The emperor agreed with her. "Anything else, we need to consider?"
"Her being Aide of the future emperor isn't a good idea. It never happened." Head of Lynx sect said.
"She won alone against all the competitors. It's fair and she is strong enough to be an Aide." Emperor responds with irritation clear in his tone.
"Fair as Emperor says. But Your Majesty how about the position of the crown Princess, It needs to be filled up." The head of the demonic sect said.
Emperor chuckled. He knew it would come up sooner or later. His son is just like him not caring about others' opinions and doing his things. He is handling the crown prince position well considering his age. He didn't attend any royal celebrations making citizens concerned about the future but only if they knew. The emperor was mad at him that he didn't even show his face but he had a valid reason so it couldn't be helped.
"We will come there once the situation is dealt with," the Emperor said dismissing them. "You can leave, Jade I want to talk to you."
The head of the demonic sect didn't like the answer but complied. Once everyone left Jade nudged Valerie to go out. Valerie glared at her master but followed them out. Leaving her master with strangers isn't good especially ones who hide their powers. Valerie knows the importance of Jade as his Lord's life. But she thinks Jade doesn't care about her life like they do. It can't be helped.
Once they are gone the emperor relaxed leaning down on the table. Dealing with people is something he will never get used to. The trait his son got from him.
"Jade you did great in the tournament. Where were you all my life?" Emperor exclaim.
"Under my dad's wings," Jade muttered relaxing when the emperor didn't try to intimidate her.
"Having a daughter must be nice. Unfortunately, I have a son." said the emperor. "Get used to my presence we will be seeing each other a lot."
"Are you going to trust me like this?"
"Yes, I trust my son."
Jade gazed at him confused. Emperor shook her head. "Tell me something about yourself. I don't know you."
"Well I am great at fighting and I want to travel."
"I like the idea. Being emperor doesn't give you much time to travel. I will travel once my son becomes emperor."
"Your majesty, why did you call me here?"
Emperor Zolten smiled as he remembered the familiar face of his old friend. Somehow she reminds Zolten of him. The only person whom he ever trusted. Zolten raised his palm and magic swirled through him. Jade noticed it and raised her eyebrow asking what he was trying to pull off.
"Swords of unlimited attack." He muttered. The swords formed around him, and Zolten directed them to Jade. Jade casually siped the juice in front of her. When the swords were an inch away the portal opened in front of Jade and one behind the Emperor. The swords made their way to the emperor's back. They stopped inches away from the emperor's back making him smirk. Jade tilted her head.
The result satisfied the emperor and he vanished the swords and his mana. He didn't expect Jade to use his attack against him. Zolten thought she would only protect herself by destroying them.
"I admit you are best for the position of Aide. But why attack the Emperor, should I take it as treason?" Zolten asked her amused. Testing her turned out to be fun.
"Get rid of the problem from its roots, cutting off branches will be a waste of time," Jade replied, making Zolten more amused.
"Smart kid."
Zolten has to admit she is the third person who surprised him in all his years. His son is second while his own Aide is first.
"I hope it was a test or are you trying to get rid of me?" Jade questioned.
"It was a test and you passed. Remember Jade getting rid of roots is important but don't forget to clear the things watering the plant," said Zolten remembering the war he fought.
"To remove the cause of war permanently. I bid you farewell, majesty."
Zolten chuckled hearing her reply, she understood what he meant. Indeed a smart kid he thought.