Capítulo 43: [Ch. 43] A Great Nation Falls (Past)
For some of those who heard about the Hong Guang Nation being destroyed overnight, it was a really good thing. The Hong Guang Nation liked to bully the other Nations and didn't respect anyone they thought was lower than them. So once they fell, everyone else rejoiced saying they got what they deserved.
For me, I could care less.
Even though I was the one behind their ultimate downfall, I didn't really care. I only did it because Korph and Raylon had stared at me with puppy eyes....
However...
If I would have known it would be the domino effect that marked the beginning of the end for me...
I wouldn't have ever done it.
....
Within the month, the Dong Huang Nation fell apart leaving only familial clans to govern themselves. The courts had turned against their emperor, Hong Guang, after they discovered he had been sending all of the tax money to an offshore account. Looking into it further, they discovered documents plotting out the deaths of the high-ranking officials of the court who were challenging the Emperor. They would have never been able to find the evidence if it hadn't been for the fire set to the palace very few were allowed into.
What happened after was true chaos.
The sons of Hong Guang began to fight for the crown, killing each other indiscriminately. The one who ultimately took the crown was Lin. He then ordered the officials to collect the taxes from the commoners again for double the original amount. The taxes had already been high and paid, so when the officials came asking for money the people refused. The court then set fire to anyone's homes that did not pay as punishment. They even took those who refused to pay as slaves. The people, now furious over the injustice, stormed the palace where a bloodbath ensued.
Lin surrendered as soon as his room was breached and was overthrown by the people. The court then struggled to find a suitable replacement. However, due to their lack of money and selfishness, they quickly gave up and started stealing from the main palace. Some turned on their colleagues and killed them in order to steal more treasures. The ones who lived, rushed back to their family home.
Word spread quickly that the Hong Guang nation was now broken up. In order for the family clans to survive, they sold off land to the Nords and The Phoenix clan. The Dragon clan gained total control over the Forbidden Forest. They had been in a long dispute with the Hong Guang nation because they had believed that they were the ones who should control it. However, the Hong Guang nation wanted total control over the continent, so they would never give up a single piece of land.
Even if they couldn't do anything with it.
The Dragon clan no longer had to fight over control of the forest since there was no one left to fight. Ultimately, it was a good thing that the Hong Guang nation was no longer a nation. No one would mourn its passing.
Everyone thought that it was only by chance that the Hong Guang nation fell. However, there were three people who knew the truth. I decided it would be better for everyone if they thought the resistance was behind the freeing of the slaves and if everyone thought that the Hong Guang nation fell from their own mistakes. Thus, they promised to keep the truth secret.
Once returning back to the school, we resumed our regular activities as if nothing ever happened. We leisurely spent the afternoons with each other. Mona began to suspect that something had happened while on break since Raylon acted tense around me and Korph acted friendlier towards me. Of course, Korph would still insult me, but now it looked like a little boy bullying the girl he liked. It was very different than before.
"So." Mona said, sipping at her tea calmly. "What exactly happened during that short break of yours?"
Raylon and Korph hid their guilty expressions while I continued to read without answering. Raylon composed himself and responded casually, "Nothing exciting. The Baron's nation is so strict it was really boring."
"Mmn." I hummed in disinterest.
Raylon was a good actor, but there were two people in the world he couldn't act in front of. One of them was Mona who was currently staring at him suspiciously. She didn't buy it, "Oh really? Then why do I get the feeling you are hiding something from me?"
He cleared his throat anxiously, "I don't know what you mean."
Raylong avoided her accusing stare while trying not to panic. Korph noticed that he might reveal their secret and looked to Mona. He cut in, "He is just embarrassed to tell you the truth, Mona."
"Oh?"
"Yeah! He told Moao he was in love with her in one of those fits he has, and she totally turned him down!"
Raylon shouted, "Oi! That's not what happened!"
Mona glanced at Raylon and saw his particularly red face. She nodded with a thoughtful look, "I suppose that would make sense. That would explain why he is so tense around Lady Moao."
Raylon roared at Korph, "I am going to beat you!"
Korph jumped up and quickly dashed away with Raylon chasing him. Mona watched them and turned to me. "Was that true Lady Moao?"
"Mmn."
I don't care enough to say the truth.
Mona sat back disappointed, "Oh, what a shame. I would have loved to have you as a sister. Would you permit me to be discourteous for a moment, Lady Moao?"
"Mmn."
"Why do you not like my brother? Did he say something to you? I know he can occasionally be a bit ruthless and cruel to his enemies, so it's possible he accidentally insulted you. However, I don't think he thinks of you as the daughter of the Baron anymore. I think he just thinks of you as Moao."
I flinched.
She continued, "To be honest, I've never seen my brother cling to a woman before. He is quite charming and has a lot of suitors, but he has never seemed interested in any of them. Of course we would love to see him married, but we won't go against his wishes. I really did hope you would be interested in him; I was beginning to lose hope he'd ever get married. Perhaps you are interested in another?"
"No."
Why are people so obsessed with marriage here?
"Oh. I see."
I pulled my eyes away from my book and glanced at Raylon as he chased around Korph. It's true that he is my type despite having long hair. Not to mention his personality is rather agreeable...
My heart warmed at this thought before I forced myself to look away. I mumbled, "I don't dislike him."
She smiled warmly as if catching something I missed myself, "I see. That's good then."
Raylon came back grumbling and pulling Korph by the collar. Korph flailed in his arms, "Oi! Let me go!"
Raylon gave Korph a dirty look before tossing him onto the ground. He sat back down with his arms crossed still fuming.
…..
After everyone left for the day, Mona nudged Raylon on the walk home. She grinned smugly, "Guess what."
"What?"
"While you were gone, I had a chat with Lady Moao about you."
He shot her a look of anxiety before looking away in shame. He mumbled trying to act like he didn't care, "Oh? What did she say?"
Mona giggled, "Well, she isn't interested in anyone."
Raylon pursed his lips together disappointed, "How can you say that in such an upbeat way?"
Mona continued with a mischievous smile, "She also said she didn't dislike you."
He let out a huff, "Why do you look so happy about that?"
She laughed, "Are you an idiot, brother? Have you ever heard Lady Moao speak about someone favorably?"
He thought for a moment, "No. I don't think so."
"So maybe that's her way of saying she is a little interested in you."
Raylon felt his face heat up in embarrassment, "Why do I care if she's interested? It's not like I care. I DON'T! Not one bit!"
She giggled, "Brother. You need to work on your attitude. In order to catch Lady Moao in your web, you need to draw her in with that sweet personality of yours."
"E-Enough... Stop teasing me." He cleared his throat, "Anyway. Do you know how her gift is coming along?"
"Yes, they told me it should be ready by the parade."
"That's good."
"Eek!"
"What?!" He jumped at her squeal.
She clapped her hands together in excitement, "I can't wait to see it! I heard that it's really extravagant and busy with all kinds of exotic food and souvenirs!"
He snickered, "Yeah, that they buy from the pirates."
She shrugged, "I guess it's not the cleanest exchange. But brother, aren't you excited as well? You get to spend more time with Lady Moao!"
He scoffed, "Why would I be excited to participate in the Baron's birthday celebration?"
"Then I suppose you won't be coming then."
"I never said that." He said quickly. She laughed at his obvious interest.
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Nekoru
Nekoru Author just wants to quit her day job and focus on writing...
But alas....
I can't afford to...
*sigh*
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