章 2: Prologue: A Human Wife.
Prologue: A Human Wife.
The East and West Kingdom- were not in good terms.
The East Emperor of Xin Dynasty of rulers were prideful, seeing strength and wisdom as the only power you'll need to rule over your people.
The Emperor Xin sought for more lands to conquer. Hoping this would bring comfort and promise to his daughter, he'll bring her more lands for her to wander.
"We wage war and conquer the demon lands." He held a map placing it down in the table with all of his war generals inspecting his plan in motion. "We ration, breed or buy more war horses from the south- and train our warriors' spirit so that they may fight with bravery and honor."
"Every man over sixteen shall server the army, and would be compensated handsomely."
Everyone knew the Emperor was rather rash, protective and has become impatient ever since their empress has died.
"My Emperor please reconsider- this would bring ruin and many would die by your orders. We should wait for the south kingdom if they would like to join the battle, after all they have been our most trusted allies and adding more troops would do no harm." One general expressed his concern only to be met by a disappointed look from the emperor as he waved him off.
"You seem yourself a coward, general Xiu I expected more from you." The old Emperor Xin takes something by his sleeve and throws him a scroll. The war general catches it and reads the contents, after reading it he no longer complained.
The [Jade Title Scroll], a sacred item that would guarantee his social climbing to be secured. It seemed to have made the general forgetful of his part concern, life may be wasted but at least he got something in return.
"When do we start, my emperor?"
It was the list of rewards for anyone who can kill the Serpent Queen.
It seems that money can easily change minds of people. Everyone became busy planning all that they can, a few arguments ensued but they managed to work around them.
Feeling confident, the emperor felt happy and excited for his first conquest to gain more territory.
The sun slowly went down, it was now dawn. He excused himself from the war room and decided to visit his most beloved daughter.
Having two sons, the crown prince and the second prince- he loved them but not like quite the same with his only daughter that reminded him so much of his wife.
The emperor spoiled her rotten, giving everything she wanted and letting her roam free around the gardens even if-
Thud!
Hearing the sound the emperor went into a panic and quickly found himself running with the guards following him into the princess' room.
"Bà bǎo!" He yells quickly opening the wooden sliding door fearing for the worst and saw his daughter on the ground, trying to find something.
Note: The phrase bà bǎo translates as "daddy's big treasure."
"...bàba?" The little princess heard her father's voice in the room, as well as the loud sliding door opening. "Oh... I um... I can't find my book."
It seemed the cause of the sound was from a book falling. Everyone's heart ceased and calmed down.
"Daughter of mine, please don't give your father a heart attack. You know you should call on a servant lady for anything you need." He quickly helps his daughter find the book, giving it to her and helping her stand up.
"Bàba... Thank you, I just couldn't bother the servant lady for such a thing. I thought I could pick it up on my own." The princess says softly, sitting on the bed feeling her father's kind presence.
Hearing this the emperor shakes his head and wanted to tell his daughter that she can't pick up anything with her condition. "But you're-"
Emperor Xin stops himself shaking his head thinking that his next words might hurt his daughter. "I know you can do it bà bǎo, but remember it's alright to ask for help." he held her daughter's soft and small hands, leading her back into her bed.
"I know... bàba, you're a bit too worried for me. Even I can pick things up even if I'm blind, it just takes me time to find it." The little princess gave her father, the emperor a smile. How it hurts for him to her own daughter not being able to see the world with vision.
Many regrets, many wishes, many doctors and rumored miracle workers he summoned upon the palace promised on giving any wish one would desire if they could cure the princess of the Xin kingdom. "Are you mad at me, bàba? I'm sorry... I know I worry you and mother but please don't be mad."
The princess tries holding her father's face, trying to grasp the trace of his expression seeing if his eyes were furrowed or his lips were curved into a frown.
"Yáng Li Xin, my daughter. I am not mad but you are right I am worried, you see father... might not visit you for a while because of some affairs in our kingdom." (Emperor Xin) excitedly took her daughter's hand away from his face, assuring her that he wasn't mad. "One day I will have many lands to give to you and when we find you a doctor who can make your eyes see better- you can run like the wind and feel the grass beneath your feet."
Princess Yáng Li Xin tried imagining what her father has told her but she couldn't...
What does grass look like?
What does she look like?
What does her father look like?
Perhaps it may be better instead that her father would just stay at home with her, reading books and eating their favorite peach cake. "I don't need lands to run in to. I like being at home with you Bàba, reading braille and visiting mother in the garden. Mother would be lonely if you leave."
"No... a braille book is not enough, something in those lands will help you and the things in there are not willing to give me what I want." (Emperor Xin) shakes his head, the demon lands are prohibited by any humans to be entered but the medicine his daughter needs to cure her eyesight is in there. "I'm sure of it, this will make you happy."
"Happy... Can father run with me in the grass? That will make me happy." (Princess Yáng) asked the Emperor Xin if they could run together in the land he will soon show her once she's well. The princess never had much hope of her getting her eyes cured, she has accepted that she will be nothing more but a girl stuck inside the room of her palace.
"I... Yes, we will run to the grasslands together hand in hand when father returns." (Emperor Xin) kisses his daughter by the forehead and caresses her hair. He cannot say no to whatever her daughter wishes, "You be good, I have to go and get ready with the army."
"Army... Did something happen?" (Princess Yáng) asked worriedly, whenever there is business involving the kingdom's army it means that something big is going to happen and she won't be able to see it.
"Bàba will not be visiting you because of duties, this is one of them. I'll make sure to be back before the festival you like." (Emperor Xin) takes her braille book and places it tightly into her daughter's hands. "I love you, bà bǎo."
The emperor stands up and orders all the servants to stand guard, wanting to make sure that his little treasure would be safe at all cost.
Princess Yáng holds her book, laying gently on her soft bed before hugging it feeling a little alone now that her father wouldn't be able to play with her. "Be... safe, Bàba I wish I could at least see you go."
...
The war between the two kingdoms were a short month since his attack, waging war has started.
The Emperor hasn't slept in days for he insisted on taking the glory of victory, with this horse reigns in hands and holding his spear on the other he charged onto battle against the many demons in armored scale.
He fought like a soldier, riding in the wind and stabbing through the hearts of every demon he sees. Emperor Xin, breathed hard before taking out his bloodied spear and raiding it up in the air as the light reflected, everyone could see- that their emperor was determined on winning, boosting everyone's morale.
"Charge! For my daughter!"
"For the princess!"
Every soldier fought their way through the barrier of soldiers not letting them through inside, cannons were used and the humans did their very best trying to place a dent in the demon kingdom's defense.
...
Meanwhile... in the demon kingdom throne room.
Crash! Boom!
The sound of cannons could be heard all over the palace, it may be faint but still loud enough for the demon ears to reach.
"..."
The Queen of Demons, from the West Serpent clan was tired from doing nothing but sitting so comfortably in her chair, decorated from the finest materials and standing at ten feet tall.
"Yawn... state your report. What is that blasted human king doing in my yard, suddenly attacking in such a random day." A serpent-woman like creature rolls her eyes, looking over the window seeing the smoke coming out from the distance. "Humans- their ignorance and selfishness would leave them to their doom."
The scaled-serpent soldier from the reconnaissance salutes his queen, "The human king have gone mad after your denial of his request to visit our kingdom. It seems that it won't be long until they break down our border wall, my queen what are your orders?"
The Serpent Queen she slithers out of her throne slowly and walked towards the window, the humans are trying desperately to destroy what's hers. "Prepare my mantel, armor and weapon. A king rushing in to lead his own people is admirable. I have to return his desperation with my- respect."
"Y-You... into battle my queen?!" The soldier was shocked upon hearing that the serpent queen of the demon lands would finally go out?!
The shut-in is going out of the castle, what a miracle!
The serpent queen looked a little unsettled with the reaction his soldier gave her but was wise enough to ignore it and continued to stretch her arms, getting ready for a long battle. "I have been born doing nothing in the throne room anyways, it's been so long after the recorded invasion fifty years ago. Peace has finally come to an end, once this is over let's see if we can make something out of the ignorant human king."
"Yes, my queen!"
Every other soldier in the hall, swallowed the lump in their throat. They are not sure if they should be happy that their queen is finally going out to vent her boredom into the humans or they should feel bad that she's going to vent her boredom out into the humans.
"...good luck, human fools."
...
An hour after the Queen of the demon lands arrived, every demon soldier walked by her side proudly wanting to see their monarch in action.
The Emperor saw her figure out in the distance, and almost a hundred soldiers following her behind.
"...what the hell?" (Emperor Xin) could see the Queen of demons, walking- barefooted and in human form. "That's... the Serpent Queen right?" He takes a pair of binoculars to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
The General by his side did the same, and recognized the demon queen's figure not being sure why she showed up so suddenly. "What's she doing out here?! How come she has human legs- is she that powerful enough to change forms? We should retreat-!"
"No- this is perfect once we kill her we get all the demons to obey. Killing their leader would make them vulnerable!"
The generals looked at their Emperor whose been fueled with who knows what to be that determined to just attack head on with no strategy. "My Emperor please reconsider we have to follow plans, prepare, ration and-"
The Emperor being reckless, went on to charge and the generals yelled his name warning him of the dangers that he would face but it was all for nothing. He didn't come back, no one did for almost another month, they became prisoners of demon kingdom.
"Wake up, human king. Big nerve of you to try and conquer us today, you are no match for our ruler." A were-wolf man throws a lump of dry bread onto the king's feet and a bowl of water as if he was a dog.
"..." (Emperor Xin) was thin, and malnourished. Not showering for weeks, he felt filthy- He's been inside this prison for who knows how many days but slowly, his sanity was slipping. "No windows... what of my daughter... I want to see her. Are her brothers treating her well?"
He crawls over at the locked cage door, reaching to hold the breath and weakly taking a bite.
"So how are you, Emperor Xin of the Human Kingdom of the East."
"...?!"
Emperor Xin almost choked on the bread he was eating after seeing the glossy, shiny scale that was before him. It was the Serpent Queen, no longer hiding her true self- a being with half the body of a snake and the upper part being of a human.
His face was dreaded with fear, he knows what the demon kingdom could do to humans.
"I won't eat you, apologies have I startled you with my form?" She laughs coyly before her serpent part changed quickly into human legs, making consideration for the human to not be in fear of her snake form. "Be not afraid, I am only here to talk and ask for the reason why you attacked us so suddenly."
"Tch, you demons are selfish. I came in peace before you asking to be let inside and take a few medicinal plants but you refuse me." (Emperor Xin)
"Huh, I remember denying your request but I assure you it is for your own good. Our medicinal plants here is not good for humans, they are only meant for demons." The Serpent Queen crosses her arms explaining, she really didn't want to have humans such important things like demon plants because if they do- she fears of the things they could make with it.
Humans are clever creatures after all.
"Serpent Queen Pythia, you... are selfish. I know not all your medicine there is poison for humans, I need your lands."
"No... and a reminder, you're not alone inside this cell. All of your people, the young men in your kingdom lies in my home."
"W-What?!" (Emperor Xin) was shocked to hear that every single one of his soldiers was captured, even those who have deserted have been caught. He rushes through the metal bars to see the prison halls that had a thousand cells.
"Ungh..."
"Let us out!"
"Please have mercy!"
He could hear the voice of his soldiers yelling for help, to be let out and for the demons to have mercy on them. "M-My men!" (Emperor Xin) realized that he was trapped like a mouse.
"If the men are gone in your country, who would go back and protect them?" (Queen Pythia) tries to talk with the human emperor who only stayed quiet in his seat.
He has doomed them all, they have been captured all because of his own selfish desire to give a better life for her daughter.
"Sigh... I do admit you at least gave me a reason to go outside. I haven't done that in a while, so how about this- I will place a curse within you and I want something in exchange for offending me." (Queen Pythia) tries her best to not wage wars with other countries, because after so many years of ruling her own- it has deemed her pointless and became a neutral kingdom to all.
"A curse- you can't do that!" (Emperor Xin)
"Maledicta veritatis."
The Emperor felt something in his heart pang, after being enchanted by the demon to whatever spell it was she used. "Now, then let's test it. My curse for you to always tell the truth, where is your most precious treasure you keep?"
Emperor Xin's eyes glowed green, and his mouthed moved entirely on its own.
"My treasure... is in my palace."
"Good, it seems that the curse works." (Queen Pythia) licks her lips, feeling excited to know what treasure the human Emperor would offer. "You give me your treasure, and you shall get back all of your men. Every single one will be uninjured and be treated fairly, all I want is what's most important from you."
"...!"
"Do we have a deal?"
...
"Hah! Hah...! Hah...!"
Emperor Xin was ran away, all on his own. The demons watched his back as he left with his horse, galloping out of breath and coming back to be welcome by his people- but wondered why only the Emperor came back.
Not one soldier was left.
"My son- where is my son?!" A mother wailed and threw a tomato quickly taking it from a nearby stall, throwing it it into the emperor, who was dirty and improper. He barely looked like someone from royalty, everyone raged and joined in to throw things at him in anger.
Emperor Xin begged for his people to stop, and promise all of their sons will come back.
After he gives his most prized possession to the Serpent Queen.
The palace welcomed him, with worry and disappointment. His own wife and concubines tried comforting him but it was all for naught, he quickly fixed and washed himself- to meet the treasure he has been keeping for years inside the palace.
"Bà bǎo."
Thud!
A book fell out of the princess' hands and immediately stood up, trying to find the voice of her father. "Bàba! You're home! Will we go run together in the grasslands yet?!" she yelled on excitedly, having her arms raised and walked carefully planning to hug his father tightly after being gone for so long.
Emperor Xin cried, he kneeled down onto the floor of his daughter's room and wailed.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
"Why are you saying sorry?"
"F-Father made a mistake. I'm sorry- I'm sorry, Bà bǎo. I-I just wanted you to get well."
The Emperor told everything to her daughter, expecting for her daughter to be mad he closed his eyes and waited but she only sat in silence, smiling happily. "Bàba... I'm happy to hear that I am your greatest treasure you keep. It's okay- I understand, I'm alright- I'll be fine so don't be sad."
"...!"
Emperor Xin, hearing her words made him cry more until he fell asleep heavy with guilt in his heart for ever being a fool.
...
The Serpent Queen waited for days, then soon one of his soldier reported that the Emperor of the East Kingdom has returned.
"Finally." She clasped her hands together excitedly what jewel or treasure he brought. "Tell him to meet me in the throne room."
Orders were carried out.
The father and daughter, held hands together as Queen Pythia sat down on the throne.
"So you came back, good. I am fond of treasures- what is it that you brought back from your home country that a wealthy emperor like you would offer?" (Queen Pythia) asks, resting her chin into her hand and expected for the human to take out a pouch or something like that out of his pockets but-
"To the Serpent Queen, I give you my daughter. Promise me you won't do anymore harm to my lands and people, frail and sickly she may be but she can do any favor you may ask of her." The Emperor bit his lip feeling guilty and horrible for his choices. He has talked to his daughter beforehand of her faith, for the people she loved to grant safety she decided to agree with the prospects of marriage with a being she hasn't met.
"...!"
Queen Pythia was stunned hearing that she was going to be offered a human- not an inanimate shiny object, she leaned to the right to see a shy looking figure of a girl wearing a cloak.
"You bring me your daughter? An offering worthy for a demon such as I, a princess to devour-" The Serpent Queen using her human form, walked on her legs and came forward to meet the princess that has been offered.
"Hmm... take off your cloak."
The human princess nods and curtsies, taking off her cloak the Serpent Queen was taken aback.
A beauty- to envy.
"Greetings to her highness." The princess opened her eyes and saw that she wasn't afraid.
Intrigued she saw her eyes were different, cloudy and of milky color.
A blind princess, something easy to manipulate and surely she's spoiled.
"I am in a bind, I am thankful the king is gracious with such a gift. I was looking for a wife." She held the girl's chin, eyeing the beauty carefully and thought she'll do just nicely.
"A... Wife?" The princess tilted her head innocently, the Serpent Queen nods and kisses the girl sweetly, her tongue slithering in and the father averted his eyes feeling angry.
"Marry me, human or your whole kingdom will suffer under my thumb."
The princess agreed, but soon she never realized she would have the Serpent Queen under her thumb instead.
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