Chapter 27: Prelude
"Agni, straighten your back more. Open your foot wider and lower your hips then concentrate your punches at the front."
Agni nodded and do what was told to him. His sweats soaked his shirt from training. Still he continued and punch full of concentration and power.
"Espen, lower your kicks a little. If you kick is that high it will tire your hips faster. Try to find a sense of balance on how you will execute your kicks."
Espen stopped his kicking on the practice dummy they made for practice and then stretched out a bit before doing what was told to him.
Then there's a lady sitting under the shade of the tree with her eyes closed and meditating. Of course, the one instructing the two kids is none other than Reenste. Despite her eyes close, she still can hear and feel the two's movement as she concentrate on her daily morning meditation.
It has been a week since the Banquet for the Ladies Introduction to the public, but despite being on the selection and expecting a hard test ahead for each lady. It has been peaceful for them inside the palace.
At least, that is what is for Reenste.
Since Shen Courtyard is farther than most courtyard from Palaces, news and rumors doesn't reach her place.
Reenste, being that she was somewhat "lucky" to be able to walk with the Emperor at the banquet and most importantly have the three powerful clan supporting her. News such this spread across all over the capital and people started wondering how she got acquainted with the three big shot of the clans.
Some have speculation that she was an offspring of someone from a wealthy clan from far away. While those noble family that found out the truth, started treating the Trushen Family differently.
Despite this, being the Trushen Family have a huge network of connection inside and outside the capital, the families was hesitant to cut ties with them.
Still, this affected Cassidy a lot as her family have been blaming everything to her because of her reckless behavior.
"Lady Cassidy..." A servant tried to called out to the Lady in the room who has been shutting herself in after her father beat him and took away some of her treasures.
But after a week of recuperating and sweet talking of her mother and siblings she got some of
her stuff back from her father and was given some money for her use inside the Palace.
"That bitch Reenste. This is all her fault. I'll make sure she'll receive the pain I received all this week." Cassidy said to herself as she grit her teeth out of anger.
"Servant! Did my younger brother send his reply?" Cassidy asked after she got up and opened the door of her room. The servant then bowed down before answering.
"Lady's young brother reply is said to be its on the way, my lady." The servant answered. Cassidy's eyes had a sharp gleam reflected on them as she heard the answer.
"Great. After I prepared this all flawlessly, I'll make sure not only she'll be remove in the selection, in the end she'll inevitable die."
Cassidy covered her sly smile with her sleeves as she walk out of her courtyard.
In North palace's courtyard, Lady Alexanderia is sitting inside a small pavilion near a pond. Her silky blonde hair is being brushed lightly by her maid. The light peaking in the pavilion and shining to her skin makes her pearly white skin looks more heavenly. Her expression is one of peace as she sips her fragrant tea.
"My lady, what is bothering you for the last few days?" Said her maid as she continues to gently brush her hair making sure to get everything sorted.
Alexandria's peaceful expression turned into something isn't always quite shown in her face as she remembers the details of the banquet, but then she smiled and once more took a sip before speaking.
"Which ever are you referring to, my dear maid?" She asked smiling. Her maid saw the smile her lady have and sigh.
"It seems I am mistaken. Forgive my impudence." The maid finished combing her hair and braiding it down. She then stepped aside and bow waiting for her lady's orders.
Alexandria remembered one of her most recent friend's face and the kindness this person show to her. But then she questions why is she having this conflicted feeling, something unfit for the facts she have seen in the banquet.
Going around to the whole palace, in the Southern Earth Palace, there is Questa infront of her courtyard. Her mid-length brown hair is tied up by a long mustard yellow ribbon and her outfit is one that wears by martial artist of the Southerners. She's currently rigorously training without minding anything and just enjoying her training.
On Western Lake Palace, besides a glistening pond and in her chair, Annette with tea served to her by the personal maid as she reads a book. Her seemingly cold brown eyes have a tinge of peacefulness and joy as she silently read her books near a wondrous pond.
While at the Eastern Sun Palace. There is Yisa in her room with her eyes closed. Sitting at the sofa while listening to the report of her subordinate.
"My Lady, His Majesty the Emperor is currently talking with Lord Erden. They are currently in the Zenith Palace as we speak. While Master Zuo have since finalized his test for the first part of the selection, he have called for his assistant to manage the upcoming challenges for the candidates."
Her eyes opened and her blue eyes that contradicts to her long red hair nodded and dismissed her subordinate. She took out a small wooden chest under her sofa. There's cylindrical case containing a scroll and a letter can be found inside. Her blue eyes slowly showed sorrow and then resolution.
"I will be able to keep my promise soon, Mistress Avyana."
Yisa whispered to herself and then hid the small wooden chest again.
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"Your Highness, greetings." A man greeted the Emperor as he reached in front of the throne.
"I have received your information about the events on Eishen Kingdom. It is with the information given the I implore you to immediately head south and gather your men and prepare to infiltrate their territory." The Emperor ordered. The man nodded and bowed to His Highness, the Emperor.
"I, Erden, would follow His Highnesses command. I would depart soon." The Man said in full of pride as he accepted the Emperor's wish.
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With all this path unlocking and unfolding leading to different path. We have our Reenste, who after taking a bath slept like a child in her silky red robes and still wet hair. Not knowing that each of this path might come from different places and unfolding in different time and paces, but inevitably ending to one person, which is Reenste.
"My lady! Please don't sleep with your hair still wet!" Rory said as he tries to not look at his master and wake her up. Then again, Reenste hugged her pillows more and sunk into deep sleep.
A/N Hi! It has been over a month. I am truly sorry about that. As much as I want to update soon. I am unable to do so. As I am feeling unwell in many aspects of my life this past few weeks. I have many plans for this story, but I am too preoccupied to regularly update. I'm sorry about that.
I am delighted that for all those who still waits and support this. Please do be assured that I won't be dropping this story and so my other ones, but it would be slow to update. Which sucks, I know as I am a reader too before even a writer. So I won't be that surprised if a lot of you stopped reading this, but I am still thankful for you guys staying this far.
Anyways, I know it has been a month and this particular chapter didn't really answer questions yet raises more. But I am thrilled as you are when it is time to answer those questions as the story progress. Thank you guys and see you on the next chapter, which is hopefully next week.
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