*** AN IMPERIAL ENVOY ***
My life ended on the morning the imperial decree arrived.
The sun had barely risen over the red-tiled roofs of Lian Valley Palace when the sound of drums shattered the quietness. Thick, rolling heavy beats. The kind used only when the Xuan Empire sent a message that could not be refused.
I remember stepping outside, bare feet against cold stone, my hair uncombed, still half-asleep when I heard the drum… and I saw them.
Imperial soldiers from the Xuan Empire. More than twenty of them. I hurried into a dress, my hair done and hurried to my father. He'd summoned me.
And standing in front—an imperial envoy holding a scroll tied with crimson silk. A decree.
A command from the man they called the Son of Heaven. A man I knew only from horrors whispers.
Emperor Xuan Wuling.
A tyrant, a womanizer, a man whose palace swallowed women the way fire consumed paper. The same man rumored to have beheaded the last woman who dared resist him.
My breath froze in my throat. What could this visit mean? I whispered underneath my breath. And why do I've to be summons before them? I couldn't find any answers to my curiosity but then I tried to believe it was nothing but deep down, I felt something wasn't right.
The envoy unrolled the scroll, his voice loud enough for the entire valley to hear.
"By order of His Majesty, Emperor Xuan Wuling of the Xuan Dynasty, Princess Lian Ruyue of the Lian Kingdom is hereby summoned to enter the harem as an Imperial Consort, to fulfill destiny as foretold by the Heavenly Shaman."
I felt the world tilt before my eyes immediately, my heart dropped in my stomach.
What? Enter… his harem? I was still trying to comprehend what he meant, praying silently I was definitely mistaken when my father joyous laughter burst out at once.
He stepped forward immediately, beaming like a fool while brushing the long beard on his jaw.
"As expected!" he said, bowing so low his forehead nearly kissed the ground. "It is an honor beyond heaven itself. Our humble family is unworthy of such blessing."
Blessing? Giving his daughter away to that tyrant king, not just to become the empress but to be one among his hundred consort.
I wanted to laugh out loud, or scream but instead, I heard myself whispering, "Father, please… you've to decline this offer." Which I know wasn't even possible.
He didn't even look at me neither does the smile in his eyes wavered. It was almost as if I was invisible at that moment.
The envoy continued, "Her Highness shall depart at dawn. Any refusal will be considered defiance of the empire and punishment will fall on the Lian Kingdom."
My father flinched at that, fear flickering in his eyes before he forced another smile.
"We shall prepare her at once."
The soldiers bowed, turned, and left.
Just as they disappeared down the valley road, I spun toward my father.
"Father, please. You cannot send me to him. The emperor is..."
"A great man," my father interrupted sharply. "We owe the empire more than we can ever repay. The taxes, the grain debts. This is heaven's mercy Ruyue!"
"Heaven's mercy?" My voice trembled. "You're selling me to a man known for destroying women!"
He frowned, impatient. "He is the emperor. His will is absolute. And if you give him the son he desires, our kingdom will prosper for generations."
I stepped back, cold washing over me. I thought of what to say but it doesn't look like my father was going to change his mind no matter what I'd to say.
"So I am a womb to be traded," I whispered admit sobs. My eyes were already teary. "A tool to pay off your debts."
And he didn't even try to deny it. Turing his back to me and walking back to his thrown, his voice fill the air again.
"Your carriage leaves at dawn. Do not shame me, Ruyue. You will be proud to call such a powerful man your husband one day."
Husband? The tears in my eyes broke down and row in single line down my cheeks. The word tasted like poison. My fingers clutched into a hard fits besides me and yet, it couldn't solve anything.
Nothing I say or do could make him change his mind so I stoned out of his presence and curried to my room.
The night before my departure, sleep refused to touch me.
I sat by the lantern in my chamber, my hair unbound, my fingers twisting restlessly around the jade pendant my mother left me before she died. The only thing that prove she ever existed.
Every single time I thought of entering the emperor's harem, bile rose in my throat.
I cried until my eyes became red, swallow and hurting. I'd unleashed my frustration on almost every single thing in my room. If I could, I'd have run away but I was locked up and behind the door stood soldiers.
Was this my fate as a princess?
I had no intention of getting married to him no matter how powerful he clouded himself but right now and few hours from now, I'll be in his chamber, laying on his bed, forcing a fake smile on otherwise, face the fate of being beheaded.
A soft knock tapped against my door.
"Your Highness?" Xiu Mei's, my personal and most trusted maid voice trembled from the other side. "May I enter?"
"Come in," I managed to whispered.
Xiu Mei slipped inside and the soldiers shut the door behind her. Her eyes were already wet. Definitely, she'd been crying for me too.
"You're leaving tomorrow," she said finally after minutes of staring at me pitifully and I remain silent, not even a nod.
She understand my frustration better than anyone. "I… I wish I could take your place." She murmured and that sentence stopped the breath in my chest. Something click up in my head.
She continued quietly, her head bow to the ground. "I wish I could protect you from the emperor. I would do anything."
And then the idea struck. The dangerous, reckless but perfect idea. I sit straight at once, look up to meet her face.
"Xiu Mei," I said slowly. "What if… you did take my place?"