âShe doesn't! Your majesty, let's get in, soon we'll reach the Palace. âAaron said hoping to calm Felix and return peacefully.
Felix pushed Aaron away and attacked Zhia Xiang who blocked the attack with her dagger.
She laughed at Felix who continued to attack her. Aaron stood frozen asking:
âWhy me? What have I done to suffer like this? â
Felix and Zhia Xiang continued to fight until it was clear none would win. Both were panting.
Aaron couldn't believe that his majesty couldn't win against her.
âYour majesty?âAaron asked cautious.
Felix began to laugh shocking everyone.
âI see how it is. You dare be disrespectful because you can fight like that. I can't believe we are equals in battle.âFelix said putting his sword back.
Zhia Xiang put her dagger back as well.
âLet's get back. âFelix said getting back in the carriage. Aaron and Zhia Xiang followed.
At the Palace they were welcomed by nobles.
Felix entered the throne room with Zhia Xiang and Aaron after him.
âAs I said, I came back with a wife. âFelix said and sat on the throne.
Everyone looked at each other in silence, they couldn't believe that his majesty really left to find a wife.
âYour highness... she's a woman of unknown origins... she shouldn't be our Empress. â a noble man said.
Felix gave him a death glare.
âIs that so? Fight me and win if you want me to listen to your opinion. âFelix said smirking.
âI do not dare. âthe noble man said and kept his mouth shut.
âAny other opinions? âFelix asked looking around.
Silence.
âGood, then tomorrow we'll held the wedding, dismissed. âFelix said.
The nobles left reluctant, even if they didn't agreed with his majesty decision, they couldn't chance his mind nor provoke him.
Their chance of marrying their daughters to his majesty were crushed.
Zhia Xiang looked around silent.
âDid you noticed too? âFelix said staring at Zhia Xiang.
âYes. âZhia Xiang said.
âThey'll make moves soon. If they managed to marry one of their daughters to me, they'll be in advantage. âFelix said supporting his hand in his palm.
âSeems like you're more hated than loved. âZhia Xiang said looking at him.
âBy nobility at least.I revoked titles and took wealth from a lot of them. âFelix said looking around the now empty room.
âAlright, I shall do my role then. âZhia Xiang said sighing.
âGood. You're dismissed. âFelix said leaving to his bussines.
Zhia Xiang walked around the Palace.
____________________
âWhat do you mean she left with the Emperor of Sortia? âAdrien asked stunned.
âYou heard me. âGiselle said swinging her fan.
âBut...be honest, did he forced her? He took her against her will, am I right? âAdrien asked.
âTsk, how annoying you can be. No, she left on her own accord. âGiselle replied.
âI can't believe it. She wouldn't do that... why with him? âAdrien asked and left determined to get his ex-wife back.
__________________
The next day arrived and the Palace's servants were running without break. They had a wedding to prepare in such a short time.
Zhia Xiang was having breakfast with Felix.
âSo... what do you think their plan is? â She asked putting her fork down.
âI can guess that they want to start war. â Felix said.
âHow much military power do they hold? â Zhia Xiang asked.
âEach nobles has their secrets, but it's about the number. They may be weak, but they have big numbers. â
Zhia Xiang analyzed the information. If a war where to start and they refuse to lend military power, that may cause Felix big problems. Especially if their enemy is strong. He may even be killed.
âOh? If they cause war and refuse to lend help then blame you publicly for staring a war for fun, they may get the commoners on their side and a rebellion can rise. These nobles aren't dumb. âZhia Xiang said and laughed.
âThat's right. âFelix said.
âAnd your plan? âZhia Xiang asked taking the wine glass.
âDestroy their powers secretly then see them struggle like roaches. âFelix said smirking with a sadistic look on his face.
âI see. So what's my role in this? â Zhia Xiang asked downing the wine.
âJust do as I say. â
Zhia Xiang looked at him.
âAll right. â she said replied.
After the breakfast, the two began to prepare for the wedding.
____________________
Zhia Xiang and Felix were in the middle of the ceremony when a certain desperate man had to barge in.
âDenise! âAdrein called forcing his way in.
Zhia Xiang rolled her eyes. Felix looked at her then at the men, he already know who Adrien was and guessed his reason to be here.
âDo you dare barge and interrupt my wedding? Do you want to die today? âFelix asked looking down on Adrien.
âI came to take her back. âAdrien said looking at Zhia Xiang.
âWith what right? âshe asked looking at this audacious man.
âListen to me, he isn't good for you, Denise. Come back with me. âAdrien said holding his hand out for her to take it.
Zhia Xiang laughed loudly.
âAdrien, you're pathetic. Get lost. âZhia Xiang said harsh with no intention to spare him another glance.
Felix looked at Aaron who understood and threw Adrien out.
âDenise! You can't marry him! âAdrien shouted.
âContinue.âFelix said and the ceremony continued like nothing happened.
At the after party Felix showed Zhia Xiang the nobles that targeted him : Duke Averstein, Viscount Duelle, Baron Misoque and Count Shelby.
âWho do we target first? âZhia Xiang asked.
âDuke Averstein, let's shake him up a little and see how they react. â Felix said smiling.
âHe has a secret storehouse filled with antiques. âFelix said knowing Zhia Xiang will understand his meaning.
âOho, do I steal them or destroy them? âZhia Xiang asked.
âSteal. I would like to sell them after I'm done with him. âFelix said grinning excited.
âThen I shall do it tonight. âZhia Xiang said and Felix nodded his head.
The party was over and everyone went home. Zhia Xiang changed in her assassin clothes and chose a few knights to accompany in the mission.
Soon, she reached this secret store house that was disguised as a usual store house for grain, rice and other stuff like this.
Underneath, a basement filled with precious antiques welcomed Zhia Xiang. She stole them without difficulty and returned.
âI feel like I've stolen a toy from a child, the guards there were weak. âZhia Xiang said upset and sat down in the chair.
Felix looked out of the window excited to see the Duke's gloomy face tomorrow.
________________
âWhat?! My secret storehouse has been emptied?! How? Who did this? Who would dare? âthe Duke shouted his lungs out.
He fainted from shock and didn't woke up to attend the Palace meeting.
âIs Duke Averstein not here? â Felix asked looking at the empty spot.
âYour Highness, the Duke is sick and wishes to apologize for his absence today. He hopes your majesty won't take it personal. â
âHe is sick? How unfortunate. â Felix said with fake worry and carried on with the meeting.
Count Shelby who was afraid his belongings will be next hid them in his house knowing that's the most guarded place.
The other two haven't moved theirs.
Tonight, Zhia Xiang visited Baron Misoque, infiltrated his kitchen and slipped some poison in his food.
Not a poison that will kill him, but one that will make him hallucinate regularly.
The next day at the meeting, Baron Misoque acted weird, he was paranoic that someone is after him therefore he attracted negative attention.
âIt seems that some of you lost your manners. â Felix said he stunt for the guards to throw him out.
He was secretly laughing. The nobles began to be scared that they will be targeted. They believed his majesty is behind this so they sent people to keep their eyes on him.
That night Zhia Xiang went to see Felix and proposed a plan.
âApproved. â Felix said, his eyes glowing with murderous intent.
Zhia Xiang planned on tricking the nobles that she's on their side so the next day she dressed simple and covered her face with a veil and went to see Duke Averstein.