Chapter 13 – Kill the Royalty
Morning - Imperial Palace
The gallant Sheev knelt before the emperor and the prime minster had extremely happy looks on their faces as the stain glass windows glistened on to the room. The hardy prime minister then broke the silence.
Honest: This is most wonderful news Sheev. This proves that you are our most capable and powerful sentinel at this moment. You've managed to snuff out some revolutionary weapons smith whose weapons quality are unmatched even by our standards. They won't be receiving anymore armament from us. For this deed, we thank you.
Emperor: Yes, I agree this is most wonderful.
He said with a clap and a joyous expression.
Sheev: It was nothing my liege, I merely trailed that traitorous [Name] back to his home. I had suspicions that he was in league with the revolution and I now turn all my focus to him.
Honest: Never mind him my son, there are more important tasks that require your attention. Over in the Celestial Commonwealth the princess who is now open to marriage is your next task. You will go and spearhead imperial ties between us and them. Marry into her bloodline and their wealth will become ours as well.
Sheev: Me?! Prime minister, this is such an honor! I read about her availability in the Daily Empirical but I'd would've never thought.
Honest: This is all yours for your deed. There is a mass of imperial loyalists who wish to open trade with tariff that's a steal. It'll be a boon for our economy.
Esdeath also stood in the massive room leaning against the wall. Her expression was of pure sourness and anyone could see as her face twisted into a snarl. To her Sheev is no man, he lost to [Name]; her soon to be husband. It's disgusting to see him being held to such high esteem while the one who truly deserves this is off somewhere else. It sickened her to her stomach, she just couldn't wait until she was given her assignment.
Morning – Outskirts of the Empire
[Name] sat in front of a mound of damped dirt. The dirt of course was damp due to how far down it was into the ground. It was a grave for his friend. It was upon a hill overlooking the entire capital. [Name] sat cross legged on the ground and lamented on how Rom's death was his fault. From the testimony others had given him he deduced that it must've been imperials looking for him. He hadn't been able to find Kasumi either and that almost felt worse.
Not only did he take her from a burnt-out village with her family slaughtered, but he'd done so with the intention of a raising her into a proper young woman who respects all living things and that no one can do as they wish no matter the occupation. He failed this task, only having her for months on end and to have the empire raid and destroy his life and home indiscriminately.
For all [Name] knows she's was taken away, violated, tortured, and killed. She could be held captive at the local holding center with harsh conditions. However, it's unlikely given that Rom was murdered in the street. Kasumi couldn't have gotten away. So [Name] placed a pouch of coins down on the grave and spoke aloud.
[Name]: This is everything I owed you and more. I'm sorry it had to happen this way, I just wanted to surprise you with a lot more than you were expecting. I know we didn't know each other all that well, but you were a good man. I'll make things right.
Morning – Night Raid Fortress
Najenda sat at the long table by herself smoking as the morning sun gleamed through the dwindling clouds and into the room. She wondered what peace will truly feel like once the empire is defeated. Even now living in a lavish and secluded life she felt as there wasn't true peace. There was this one place in the Artican Tribunal where hundreds of citizens were being massacred daily as part of a civil war. While the Empire has a civil war, it's more of a shadow war where citizens will be slain during the end of the conflict as it intensifies.
This train of thought was interrupted by Akame who was still in a short nightgown. She didn't care all that much of her appearance especially around her female colleagues. She with a notably concerning aura greeted her boss and asked.
Akame: Do you think letting [Name] go was a good idea?
Najenda blew smoke over her shoulder as to not do so in Akame's face. After doing so she tapped the dead ash off her cigarette.
Najenda: What do you mean?
Akame: He's different, I admit. But he knows too much of us to be let go. He did say that he also worked for the empire and I don't like having such a loose end stick around.
Najenda: I thought about that from the moment I saw him. He won't spill anything.
Akame: It think it's unlikely. I got a dark feeling whenever I was around him.
Najenda: I did too, but that darkness you felt was being suppressed heavily. By a good heart anyway.
Akame: Just exactly how do you know whether he'll tell? Especially just off the hunch that he has a "good heart".
Najenda: You can call it a woman's intuition.
Akame and Najenda shared a moment of light heartedness to ease the severity of the situation. Akame felt the darkness in [Name] that he spoke of. Akame would know of this, as many people said that she has the same thing. She hates it, but even though she didn't say it she was happy. She was happy to have found some semblance of a kinship with [Name]. But in her mind, why does that make her happy?
Late Morning – Outskirts of the Empire
[Name] has been wandering around the barren lands outside of imperial jurisdiction on his horse. The thing he felt calling to him wasn't in the manor over at the crimson empire, it was merely in the same direction just much farther away. There's no place for him in the empire anymore, not him and not the shadow. That persona is dead. That persona and his morals did nothing at all to scrape the Empire.
Time to leave and make a life somewhere far away from anyone or anything. Being with other people does nothing but hurt them more than anything else. But [Name] thought about this horse too. It has to be a ghost of some kind. Its eyes are too red and vibrant and it has a ghostly essence and it appears almost instantly. He kept it after his master vanished and went to the empire.
[Name] then saw a horse and carriage being attacked by marauders on horseback. They were swinging axes while cackling like hyenas. He heard the screams of younger women as several males dressed in guard robes were easily cut down by the savages.
[Name] quickly lept from his horse and into the fray. The savages circled [Name] on horseback and even attempting to hack his head off but [Name] ducked without effort. [Name] then grabbed one of the axes, jumped up on the horse behind the savage and choked him out with his own axe handle and jumped off backwards.
The men dismounted and unleashed a flurry of attacks with axes. [Name] easily blocked, parried, and broke several of the axes. He then rendered several of them unconscious with insanely stiff knees and elbows to the face. [Name] then sighed in brief instance of exhaustion. A beautiful young princess with an extremely elegant fluffy pick dress emerged with joy and ran to [Name]. Her curled hair was a crisp golden, eyes a light green, and paled skinned with freckles.
?: We're saved! you have my eternal thanks soldier.
[Name]: I'm glad you're safe.
An older women who shared her features and wore similar clothing emerged from the carriage as several of the recovering guards helped her down. She then walked up to [Name] with a smile.
[Name]: Can I have your names?
Queen Shera: I am queen Shera and this is my daughter Princess Uta.
[Name]: It's nice to meet you both. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be on my way.
Uta: Wait soldier, I have yet to ask for your name!
[Name]: It's [Name].
Uta: Well [Name] will you join us for our banquet tonight? You've earned a place at our palace for your actions.
[Name]: No thank you.
Uta: Oh please!?
She ran to [Name] and grabbed [Name]'s arm with her delicate hands.
Shera: Please soldier. My daughter is most gracious for you saving our lives. Please just dine with us and at least witness Uta's Ascension to Queendom ceremony.
He mused on it for a moment. Would staying for a night hurt? It couldn't end that badly right? He thought.
[Name]: I can't see the harm of staying the night.
The enthusiasm left Uta before he even answered. Was it something he said? That didn't matter right now, he was just focused getting to where they lived.
Afternoon – Celestial Commonwealth
The sky was a beautiful blue as the spring weather permeated the lands of this foreign place. Far from the Empire [Name] was bewildered with some of the amazing architectures. Spherical homes, dome roofing, and other types of housing. After exchanging pleasantries with Shera, he noticed that Uta was silent for most of the time. Something was wrong. But within moments of entering [Name] noticed a massive crème colored palace with multiple gondolas heading from numerous places into the palace.
As they pulled up in carriage they were met with throngs of armored guards and a man with blonde features who was evidently the king with a crown to boot.
They all disembarked and the King and queen shared a kiss before the king inquired on [Name].
King: Shera? Who is this fellow?
Shera: Oh this is [Name]. [Name] this is my husband and master King Lilth.
[Name]: It's an honor to meet you.
Lilth didn't answer with a response.
Lilth: What business does he have with us Shera?
Shera: He saved our lives, both Uta and I's. We were attacked and he came to the rescue. I've invited him to Uta's banquet and even her ascension.
Lilth: Her ascension?! Shera you know this is only for direct royal blood and the newly added to the line.
Shera: Relax master, he deserves this he saved my life.
Lilth: Well fine.
He shook [Name]'s hand and spoke further.
Lilth: The dinner and ceremony will take place in 5 standard hours. I grant you room and board along with further accommodations, you've earned that much.
[Name]: Thank you king. By the way what exactly is her queendom ceremony?
Lilth then gave a weird ed-out face and looked back at Shera.
Lilth: You must be an outsider. If that's the case it'll be much more of a surprise when you see.
Afternoon – Wealth Palace Training Gym
Around two hours later [Name] found himself in an outdoor training ground with weights, dummies, and other training equipment. This training ground was acres above the rest of the city as was the palace. It was a beautiful sight. He imagined how it would be night, how nice that would look. [Name] took his mind off it to train.
Wearing light clothing and muscles strained from intense training [Name] trained his balance, strength for his legs, arms, abdomen, and other parts of his now strained muscles. [Name] was incredibly grateful to have a gondola leaving from a center nearby heavily guarded by royal troops. There was a gondola in every single area of importance that led straight to the palace itself. So, getting back won't be a problem at all, he got there in nearly ten minutes. Convenience was also a good thing. However, from the massive indoor pool's exit leading to the training platform emerged Princess Uta herself.
Fitted with a pink thigh length gown, pink hair bow and how [Name] even noticed her was her bare feet clapping against the hardened floor.
[Name]: To what do I owe your visit your highness majesty?
He tripped on some of his words, not used to speaking so robotically formal. Uta noticed this as she smirked and nodded her head.
Uta: You may drop the charade [Name]. It's rather obvious that your vernacular isn't molded by royalty.
[Name] smiled as he was caught up trying to unnecessarily compensate.
[Name]: Okay Princess Uta, what's up? Shouldn't you be getting made up for the banquet tonight?
She gave a sour expression as she looked downward. She then proceeded to walk around the outdoor training ground as she spoke.
Uta: I hate being made up. And I also have a strong distaste for royalty.
[Name]: Why? You have everything you could possibly want.
Uta: You are correct, but only to a certain extant [Name]. Material things of course, expensive clothing, hair do's, make up, rooms, lavish parties, toys, and carriages of all kinds are at my hands. Yet, I haven't many people to share my experiences with. My whole life I've been royal and it's not fulfilling.
The princess recalled a memory in which she played with what her parents called commoners. They both had a strong disdain for working class citizens and less fortunate people in the city. Uta on the other hand never understood the lack of sentiment that her parents had. She liked the dirt, playing ball with boys, playing tag and hopscotch with the girls. But these experiences she had all with children of commoners. She was scolded deeply not for dirtying a thirty thousand credit dress that day, but for playing with the kids.
[Name]: I'm still not understanding you Princess.
Uta: Not many can, they all think that credits and prestige is all of life's glory. It isn't for me, I want to eat with my hands sometimes, serve my own tea, play with other kids and not ones that are too wrapped up with nice things. I wish there was some way that I could just escape and never return to that dreaded palace.
[Name]: I wish I can relate.
Uta: I can tell by the look of a person of who's a "commoner" and who's not. I can tell that you want more out of life by your demeanor. What you like for me to buy you? I can get you anything so long as it's of my father or mothers will.
[Name]: You couldn't buy me what I want.
Uta: What is it you want?
[Name]: Peace, a sense of belonging. A place in the world. So far I have nothing. But this isn't about me princess, because by the morning time you and I will never meet again. So if there's anything else I can do for you, can you tell me?
Uta: Yes [Name] I do.
She rubbed her arm and responded after a few seconds of silence.
Uta: Though I feel it's too inappropriate to ask.
[Name]: You want me to help you run away don't you?
Her radiant green eyes shot open and she gasped.
Uta: Will you [Name].
She began to raise her voice to a much higher level, indicating desperation and anger.
Uta: My parents care nothing for me. And I can't bear to go through with my Queendom ceremony!
[Name]: Just what does that ceremony entail?
Uta: I don't feel like at liberty to tell. You're too much a righteous person to do such a wrong deed.
[Name]: Princess Uta-
Uta: You can call me Uta. Just Uta.
[Name]: Cool, Uta you have things to do here. As much as you despise your position you can't just abandoned all of it just for yourself. It wouldn't be right to do such a thing. Plus, it's a cold world out there, you can get hurt or worse.
Uta's demeanor reeked of utter sadness. She then sighed and stated.
Uta: I don't know if I can go through with this.
And she walked away. But before she left, she stopped and turn ever so slightly and said.
Uta: My ceremony is a marriage.
She then walked out of sight.
A bewildered [Name] stood with no words.
Twilight – Commonwealth Palace Uta's Quarters
Uta sat in her vanity dresser as around five different dressers tended to her needs. Applying makeup, nails, hair, and clothing all at the same time as the dejected princess sat in consternation. Suddenly her father entered the room and ordered all of them to give him and his daughter privacy. Upon the women leaving Lilth spoke.
Lilth: Well Uta your Husband has arrived. Not only is he handsome and wealth, but he is of the empires finest sentinel.
She still sat motionless as though she didn't hear him.
Lilth: Fool, I would advise you use caution when you interact with me.
Uta: Yes, father. Why must we move forward with this? Surely my will is more important to you than imperial wealth and pleasures.
Lilth: Your will is only of mine and you will do as I instruct.
She got up and shook a fist as her father and raised her voice.
Uta: This is wrong father I desire none of this!
She was immediately backhanded and sent tumbling to the floor by her father. The soft skin of her delicate cheek turned red in irritation as her father's hardened hand firmly ran across her face.
Lilth: How dare you raise your hand at me! Your father the one who gave you life! Now you had better not mess this up you will receive more than that.
[Name] winced at this as the door slammed. The height of the ledge in which he stood atop was probably hundreds of feet up high. Standing next to the window, He was spying to get more knowledge of this suspicious party. But instead he heard this. What hurt him even more were he quiet sobs as the handmaidens rushed in to comfort her.
Night – Celestial CommonWealth Palace Diner
About one hundred people were in attendance for the dinner. This dinner is super special because this is the first time in several generations where a Queendom ceremony had to take place. The carpet was a royal red, gargantuan windows had long flowing drapes and the room was wonderfully lit. The table itself was extremely long enough to fit the number of people and after the dinner came the ceremony.
Everyone was being escorted to various sections of the table and [Name] met with Lilth as everything came to fruition.
Lilth: Luckily we were able to secure a seat for you at the table. As last minute this was, we still managed.
[Name]: I'm honored.
He said as he moved his neck around in this very tight suit tailored for him last minute.
Lilth: This is so wonderful; the man of the show will be here in a moment. I look forward to you meeting him once he arrives.
[Name]: I can't wait.
Then as he said this a well dressed man walked through tall double doors and introduced the man.
Announcer: Ladies and Gentleman or the Commonwealth I present to you a grand exulted son of the Empire! Sheev!
[Name]'s heart nearly shot out of his chest as Sheev came through wearing very lavish red garbs. His short hair was done up nicely and he was swarmed by women and effeminate males alike in admiration.
Sheev: My apologies ladies but I am here for the Princess.
Lilth: A true fine master piece is he not?!
[Name] replied under his breath.
[Name]: a true masterpiece of shit.
Lilth: Come again sir?
[Name]: Oh, I agree. He is a masterpiece.
He said as the thought churned his stomach. Then with perfect timing, Princess Uta in a incredibly lavish light blue princess dress while being flanked by ten handmaidens in similar clothing. She was beautiful and it saddened [Name] to know she was going to marry a bad man like sheev. The last time he'd seen him was when he defeated him during his execution a while back, how did he get in such a position to marry royalty and link two settlements?
She looked around the room as if seeking someone out. She was and she spotted [Name] and ran to him while holding her dress slightly off the ground. Smiling Uta spoke to [Name].
Uta: Greetings [Name], I hope everything is to your liking.
[Name]: So far it is Uta, You look beautiful. And by the way, I've never asked for your age.
Uta: I'm fourteen.
[Name]'s brain almost shutdown. This was gross, that a grown man would be marrying a mere child. However, he must sit and watch none the less. Then her father stepped in and gave her a glare. She understood what this meant and went to go meet her soon to be husband. As she walked from one side of the room to the other, Sheev noticed [Name] and his eyes shot open. But they didn't stay that way. Sheev's night was worth more than worrying himself with scum like [Name].
Everyone sat down and eat while exchanging pleasantries. [Name] and Sheev were having a war with eyes as they continued to fire glare after glare to one another. It was a furious fight of sight as they both eat and finished as they both exclaimed.
Both: Done!
Everyone looked at them both as the two held each other's deadly glares.
Uta's plate was filled as she hadn't ate one bite. She was only forking around in her food as he mother Shera took noticed.
Shera: Uta, it's quite un lady like to play in your food. Our chefs went through a great deal to prepare this for you.
Uta: My apologies mother, I just couldn't gather the nerve to eat.
Her mother nodded her head in motherly pity.
Shera: It's quite alright, you mustn't worry as you can conserve your energies for the ceremony in a few moments.
Uta: Yes mother.
[Name] felt sorry, maybe he should've helped her escape some time ago. Now it's too late. She's suffering in silence. It makes [Name] feel worse that he himself even goaded her further into this predicament. But there's nothing he can do now.
Palace Entertainment Room
Around a half an hour later [Name] found himself in a small circular arena like room. Were everyone was seated and Uta and Sheev were noticeable absent. The room was extremely dim as the middle of the room sat a very small bed like formation. [Name]'s heart began pounding at an alarming rate as this was so strange he didn't know what to expect. There must be some sort of show going on for the couple who will emerge together. There was a full orchestra who was already playing at the situation and would play throughout the ceremony.
Then moments later Uta emerged from one of the arena doors and down into the spot light. She was trembling like [Name] had never seen before and she then sat onto the bed formation. Sheev then entered from arena doors from the opposite side as people let out thunderous applause and whistled while throwing roses. He was a champion, and this must be time for the vows he thought. But there was no one to sanctify them, why?
As the crowd silenced, Sheev spoke.
Sheev: Well my princess. My fair lady, you know what to do.
She did nothing for a minute.
[Name] then nudged the king he had the pleasure of sitting next to and asked with a low whisper.
[Name]: Um, your majesty? What is going on? Please tell me.
Lilth: Fine, since you are so insistent in knowing fine. He will lay upon her and bring her to womanhood. He will pound upon her flesh and prove to us that he is worthy of marrying into the bloodline. After he is finished with his work the marriage will have been performed. It's union of the flesh if you will.
[Name]'s mind nearly shut down in white hot anger. This was disgusting in his mind. This girl will be violated in front of one hundred people for the sake of royal tradition. She was shaking as she slowly began to undo her dress, she was trying her hardest not to sob to not dishonor her family.
[Name] then got up and screamed at the top of his lungs.
[Name]: STOP!
Sheev: YES I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD DO THIS!
She said as he immediately unsheathed sword.
Sheev: By the Emperor this be the night in which I spill your blood! This time, our duel will be to the DEATH!