👑 HER GRACE 👑

The Emperor stopped clapping putting back on his robe he got up from the bed and Jade’s gaze followed him.

“Where are you going?”. She asked her eyes not leaving him as he finished wearing his robe.

“My bath chamber. Do you want to come along?”. The Emperor asked and Jade quickly made to get up from the bed but she fell back down.

“Ouch!”. She whinced out, blowing air out of her mouth, and the Emperor blinked walking to her.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”. Emperor Damien asked sitting beside her and cupping her left cheeks in his hand, as concern clouded his gaze, and Jade threw his hand away, frowning at him.

“I can’t move now and its your fault!”. Jade snapped and the Emperor blinked in confusion.

“How? I don’t remember stealing your legs”. Emperor Damien said and Jade scoffed looking away from him in anger.

Then the Emperor pulled closer kissing her shortly on the lips.

“I’ll carry you then. Do you like that?”. He asked and Jade faced him smiling and he scoffed at her before lifting her from the bed into his arms.

“And you wanted another round. What if I made you crippled?”. The Emperor asked as he took Jade outside and her eyes widened as she faced.

“And you said you didn’t know what you did”. Jade glared as they walked out of the chamber.

“Do i look that dumb?”. Emperor Damien scoffed and Jade frowned at him instead.
***
“How have you been doing?”. The head maid asked and Asa only nodded slightly. They were currently in the servants court and she was putting on the necklace Kai hid in her jewelries box.

“Can’t you speak?”. The head maid asked.

“I’m good”. Asa replied.

“Do you want to know why I called you late at night?”. The head maid asked and Asa shook her head at her.

“Tomorrow’s the civil exam and we need extra hands to help in cleaning the palace grounds before the exams”. The head maid said and Asa nodded.

“I’m not asking for your permission, but my son will be needing a full breakfast before the exam. Give it to him and I’ll reconsider giving you your monthly payment, and if you work well your payments will double”. The head maid said and Asa blinked in shock.

“Really? What are his favorite food I’ll prepare it and give it to—

Asa wasn’t done talking when the head maid broke into laughter.

“Are you stupid or just naive. If it was food i meant aren’t there countless maids over here that are better than you?!”. The head maid said and Asa bit her lower lip.

“So–what do you mean—

“segz feed him. You’re the only beautiful maid I’ve come accross. Plus you have no status or family like the other servants so it won’t look immoral or wrong. And I’ll be paying you—

The Head maid paused when Asa scoffed loudly.

“What did you just do?”. The head maid asked with a sharp glare on her face.

“You’re trying to tell me that your son can’t pass the exam if he doesn’t mount anyone’s daughter? Do I look that lowly to you?! Gosh! Look at this woman talk”. Asa eyed looking away in disgust and the head maid’s eyes widened, walking to Asa she made to slap her hard, but Kai walked into the court and the head maid quickly dropped her hand smiling at him.

“What brings you here by this time of the night Kai?”. The head maid asked with a smile and that was when Asa turned to face him.

Kai got to them and stopped walking looking at the head maid he handed her a scroll.

“From the Emperor”. He said staring blankly at the Head maid who bowed as she took the scroll from him..

Then Kai turned to leave but he stopped and face Asa.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed by now?”. He asked and Asa only gave the head maid a mean look before walking out of the court without sparing Kai a glance.

Kai glanced at the head maid who was now reading the scroll with widened eyes before leaving also.

“He removed my son from applying for the exam and then ordered me to resign?! Why?! Is it because i used to serve the Queen Mother?!”. The head maid shouted in tears as she fell to the ground.

Coming out of the servants court he saw Asa waiting for him outside the huge door, her arms crossed and eyes blank and he stopped at first before turning to leave the otherway.

“You like me right?”. Asa asked walking to stand right in front of him and Kai turned his back on her, but she went to stand right in front of him.

“Just answer my question—

“I have a lot of work to do. Goodnight”. Kai said bowing but before he could leave held his hand.

“You’re very annoying do you know that? I’ve never seen a guy as shy as you!”. Asa snapped and Kai who was avoiding her gaze looked at her.

“I can’t like you?”. He asked in a low tone and Asa dropped his hand.

“Why should you? I might just tarnish your good reputation, are you forgetting I’m the kingdom’s enemy now”. Asa mumbled looking down at her feet.

“Well i can’t like you cause i ki||ed your sister and ruined your family”. Kai said and Asa looked up at him.

“I was just overwhelmed with everything that was happening. I know it’s not your fault”. Asa said and Kai’s eyes brightened.

“Really?! That’s good!-i-i mean goodnight”. Kai bowed and began walking away while Asa’s confused gaze followed him, but then he came back and she gave him a puzzled look.

“If you don’t like the necklace, give it back. I’ll sell it and get a better one”. Kai said stretching out his hand and Asa’s eyes widened as she held the necklace on her neck tight.

“Did i tell you that?! Don’t come near it!”. Asa said before running away to her room.

“Does that mean she likes it?”. Kai asked himself as he watched her run off.

NEXT MORNING>>
(DEMON CLAN)

“If we move tonight, the land will surely become ours”. Zucchini said to Damon who was sitted on his throne.

The ministers stood at both sides of the huge court, with some high ranking soldiers also.

“The land was first acquired by the late Emperor, but now that he’s gone, it has long been forgotten by people of the tenth province”. Zucchini said looking at Damon who had already zoned but, his hand was beneath his chin, as his mind traveled far.

“Your majesty?”. Zucchini called, but no answer came from Damon.

“Your majesty—

Zucchini paused when Damon stood up from his throne.

“Do wh@ťěver you think is more profitable”. Damon said and began walking out of the court, while everyone in confusion bowed after him.

Damon walked straight to Sindura’s chamber. He made to know on the door but atopped himself.

‘What if she’s still sleeping?’. He asked himself and turned away from the door, but Sindura came out of the chamber seeing Damon’s back facing her she stopped on her track and Damon sensing her presence turned to face her.

“Good morning, your majesty”. Sindura greeted, but Damon ignored her greeting as he stared at what she was putting on. She was putting on a purple and white fancy robe, her hair wasn’t really adorned but she let it loose making it reach her back.

“You’re going somewhere?”. Damon asked and Sindura nodded as she began walking away.

“Where?”. Damon asked following her.

“The garden to pick some flowers”. Sindura said showing him the flower basket she was holding and he took it from her.

“Let’s go together then”. Damon said and began leading the way down the stairs. He took her hand her hands and began helping her descend the stairs safely. Sindura only stared after him wondering what was going on.

Finally they got to the garden and Damon couldn’t believe his eyes. There was not even a single black flower and his eyes widened as he turned to stare at Sindura who smiled at the whole pretty white flower.

“My hardwork finally paid off”. Sindura smiled taking her basket from Damon who only stared at her in daze.

Sindura bent and began picking out the most healthy flowers in the garden while Damon only stood behind her, looking round the garden.

‘I don’t even recognize it again’. Damon thought as his gaze traveled around only for them to land softly on Sindura who smiled angelically, as she picked up the flowers, then suddenly she pricked her finger and it began bleeding.

“Sindura!”. Damon called rushing to bend beside her as he took her hand staring at her bleeding finger.

“You should have been careful”. Damon scolded and Sindura bit her lower lip.

“I didn’t know the stem of the flower was a little sharp”. Sindura muttered and Damon took her finger to his lips, licking off her blood Sindura’s eyes widened.

“I could have done that myself”. Sindura said but Damon stood up and made her stand up also.

“If a flower can hurt you, what makes you think you can do anything else yourself”. Damon scoffed and Sindura took in her lips.

“Stop that. I don’t want to kiss you”. Damon said taking Sindura’s hand leading her out of the garden.

“You’ve abandoned the idea of weighing war against the tenth province right?”. Sindura asked as they walked back to her chamber.

“As long as Damien doesn’t cross his lane, everyone here will be calm without preparing for any war”. Damon said and Sindura smiled stopping to peck him on his cheeks.

“That’s very good of you!”. She said with a beautiful smile and Damon only stood staring blankly at her, seeing that he had no expression on his face, Sindura stopped smiling.

“I’ll be in my chamber”. She said waving an hand before turning to her chamber direction but Damon suddenly pulled her back by the waist and slammed his lips on hers.

Sindura though in daze kissed him back as she rested her palms on his chest while he only pulled her closer to himself to deepen the passionate kiss.

(YONGXI PALACE)
Jade opened her eyes on the bed staring straight at the window that permitted the sun to come in.

She turned to her side and blinked profusely when she couldn’t find the Emperor.

“Oh, the exam’s today”. Jade mumbled getting off the bed. She smiled when she noticed her lower body didn’t hurt anyone.

“His massage really worked”. Jade muttered staring at her feet as she smiled. The Emperor had actually stayed up all night massaging the pains surrounding her thighs.

“Good morning your majesty!!!!”.

Jade heard loudly from outside and she rushed to the window only to see various servants running helter-skelter just to make sure everything was in order.

She was sure the Emperor was already addressing the scholars but the exam ground was still far, so she couldn’t see them.

“I should go get dressed”. Jade said glancing at what she was putting on. She was actually putting on the Emperor’s night robe.

She walked towards the door so as to head to the bath chamber but the door soon opened and three servants walked into the room, smiling at her.

“Long time no see your grace”. One of them greeted.

“Same here Miso”. Jade smiled back and the servant blushed.

“She still remembers my name”. Miso smiled.

“We’re here to help you get ready. The Emperor’s waiting for you outside”. One of the servant said.

“What about food? I’ll get to eat before joining him right?”. Jade asked as she walked out of the chamber with them.

“The Emperor said you only eat once you’re dressed”. Miso grinned and Jade’s eyes widened.

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’. Jade asked within herself.
*****
Jade walked out of her chamber fully adorned and dressed in the attire of a royal, she looked very beautiful as she walked down the hall accompanied by her servants.

“Good morning your grace”. Most servants greeted on their way but she only nodded till she got to outside of the palace and walking towards the exam ground.

Then suddenly Kai approached her and she dismissed her servants when she saw the look on his face only means he wanted to talk in private.

“Is there an issue?”. Jade asked and Kai shook his head at her.

“Not really. But I need your help”. Kai said and Jade nodded..

“What do you need my help for?”. She asked.

“I’m supposed to invigilate the exam but I’ll also be writing it so I need you to help supervise during the whole exam period”. Kai said and Jade gasped.

“You’re also going to write the exams? Why?! You finally found your worth? What position do you want, minister of war? Army general?”. Jade winked and Kai grinned a little.

“Do i look like a fighting machine to you? I’ll go for the one Asa will be comfortable with”. Kai said before he could even realize, and Jade’s eyes widened.

“You really like her?! Oh my Kai, my best teacher likes a fashion icon? Can you stand her? She can be very overbearing”. Jade winked and Kai cleared his throat loudly.

“What position do you think she’ll be good with? Though i tried talking to the Emperor about relieving her from her position as a servant but he doesnt seem to like it, he keeps Ignoring me”. Jade asked.

“I tried a little too. But everything ends once i hold a better position in this kingdom right? think minister of taxation will be okay”. Kai said and Jade shook her head.

“No prime minister is better you just have to score the highest point. Plus the Emperor already knows your potential, he won’t blink before giving it to you—

“That position is too far-fetched, help me think of something else—

“I’ll tell the Emperor you’ll love to become our new prime minister. You’ll do great controlling the other ministers!”. Jade gushed pulling Kai’s cheeks before running off to the exam ground.

“Stop running you’re in a long robe Jade–i mean your grace! And look intimidating! If you look too playful no scholar will take you serious!”. Kai called running after Jade who didn’t stop at all, but he came to an halt when he saw Asa staring at them from afar.

Kai stared at Asa for a while and he noticed she wasn’t putting on the necklace.

‘I guess she didn’t really like it’. He thought staring at her neck before going his way.

“He’s more free with her than he is with me”. Asa mumbled sadly as she watched Kai leave, she took her hand to her chest to touch the necklace he bought for her but she couldn’t feel it and her eyes widened.

“Where’s my necklace?!”. She asked touching her neck this time around but she still felt nothing.

“Where did I drop it?”. Asa asked herself trying to remember and she jumped when she finally did.

“I remember. I his it in my wardrobe last night before going to take my bath!”. Asa said and immediately ran back to the servants quarters.

<SERVANTS QUARTERS>

“I was searching for my night garment in my wardrobe and mistakenly opened hers. You won’t believe what I saw in her wardrobe”. A servant said to the other three servants who gathered around her.

They were about twelve who sat idly in the little garden for servants.

“What did you see? Please tell us I’m curious!”. A servant asked.

“Clothes! Lots of clothes! Sheets and even jewelries!!”. The servant said and all of them gasped.

“Really! Stop lying Sheena!”. A servant scoffed rolling eyes as she removed some petals from the daisy flower she was holding.

“Sheena’s not lying we’re roommates with that peaÇ0çƙ and truly i noticed something weird with her wardrobe! Normally it opens and closes easily but now it’s very hard to close because of the things inside”. Another servant said and everyone’s eyes widened.

“This is crazy!! Jewelries too?! What’s she trying to prove that she’s bigger than us?!”. A servant snapped and the others frowned.

“But the head maid stopped paying her before she left the palace, so how did she get the money to buy those stuffs?!”. The fat servant said and the others nodded.

“Maybe she bought fakes at a cheaper price”. Another said and the others nodded but the one that first brought up the discussion shook her head and brought out one of the necklace gifted to Asa and the others gasped at how shiny it was.

“I took this to a pawnshop just early this morning and couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the price”. A servant said and the others mouth opened widely.

“Its obvious then! She must have stolen it! Gosh that bold thing!! I heard her father just died recently and her sisters and step mothers left his body to decay in the forbidden forest. Rumors has it they all ran away to the third province”. The fat slave said getting up in anger.

“She should have just followed them instead!”. Another servant scoffed wrapping her hands.

“If i was you Sheena! I’d sell that necklace and get myselt a good shoe, cause the one you have has already worn out”. A servant said and Sheena smiled wearing the necklace on her neck.

“But it’s really beautiful. I’ll ask the peaÇ0çƙ where she stole it from, so I’ll be in her next mission”. Sheena winked at the others admiring the necklace she wore and they all laughed.

“But first you said you saw a lot of goodies in her wardrobe? Why don’t we go take some for ourselves?”. The fat servant said and others nodded immediately. Then they got up and began making their way to Asa’s room but they met her on their way and her eyes widened when she saw her necklace on Sheena’s neck.

“Is that my necklace?! Why is it with you?!”. Asa asked and Sheena scoffed.

“Do you think you’re the only one with goodstuffs?! I bought this also—

“Stop lying you thief!!”. Asa cut her off rushing towards Sheena but the fat maid stood in front of Sheena.

“Of course she’ll stop lying! So what if she stole it from you, didn’t yiu steal it also, you rag?!”. The fat servant snapped and the other servants nodded.

“Rag?”. Asa scoffed packing up her hair and tying her long servant uniform to the side.

“Woah! Shenghai’s neice in the building!!!”. The servants mocked and laughed at their own jokes.

“Give me back my necklace”. Asa said calmly stretching her hands towards Sheena who ignored her hand and the fat servant slapped her hand away but Asa instantly slapped her back on the face and everyone present gasped.

“You wretched crook!!”. The fat servant shouted angrily as she ran towards aiming to give her a punch but a flying kick from Asa sent her striaght to the floor and the whole floor vibrated while the fat servant who landed heavily on her stomach began bleeding from her nose and mouth, then finally she fainted.

Sheena’s eyes widened as she made to run away but Asa grabbed her hair from behind and forcefully removed the necklace from her neck and wore it on her own neck.

“Double cross me again and I promise you’ll all regret it!”. Asa glared at everyone standing before walking away.

“She’s quite strong”. The servants mumbled as they tried carrying the fat servant to her chamber.

“We’ll report to the Emperor after the exam’s over, she deserves to be purnished for stealing and still making Lim faint”. They all concluded before going their way.

FORBIDDEN FOREST>>

“You’re not done yet? And you need my help? Of what use is a cripple to you?”. Mina said as Danxu used his dark powers to heal her legs. They’ve been on it all night.

Danxu’s abode was a dark cave illuminated with only candles and nothing else.

Mina sat on a wooden chair as he worked on her legs.

“If after making you walk once again and you prove to be useless I’ll ki|| you”. Danxu said focusing as he infused more energy into her legs.

“I have never seen the Emperor face before, why did i still thought you were the Empero”. Mina asked Danxu who ignored her question at first.

“Mostly because I wore his mask and usual black robe”. Danxu said and Mina nodded immediately.

“Exactly, because your figure looks nothing like his. The mask was what made me think you were the Emperor”. Mina said but Danxu only kept quiet.

“I just need you to free my mother. Once I’ve successfully ki||ed Damien and his bride, the kingdom will finally become mine”. Danxu said finally done with Mina’s legs and she smiled when she stood and noticed she could actually walk.

“Great! I love this!”. Mina smiled happily.

“There’s no time to be excited. Let’s commence with our plan”. Danxu said walking into the inner cave.

“You can do wh@ťěver you want with the Emperor. But leave Jade’s death to me, I’ll send her completely to her maker and this time she won’t be able to cheat death again”. Mina muttered deadly before walking into the inner cave as well.

<EXAM GROUND>

“Let the civil exam begin!!”. A soldier began and Jade instantly stood up from where she sat beside the Emperor.

“Where are you going to?”. Emperor Damien asked.

“Covering for Kai”. Jade said and walked down the mini stairs to where all the examiners sat busy on their white sheets.

Putting her hand behind her Jade made her face into a very intimidating look on as she walked through each row and most of the scholars bowed in greetings at her.

“I have just three rules. Repeat after me!”. Jade said and Kai who was amongst the students gave her a confused gaze as everyone repeated after her. The Emperor sat on his throne in front staring at Kai and wondering when he applied for the exam.

“And my rules are no talking, no sneezing, no coughing and no breathing!!”. Jade said loudly and everyone’s eyes widened as they exchanged glances, Kai only blinked in daze.

“Repeat what I just said!!”. Jade shouted staring intimidatingly at every scholar.

“No talking, no sneezing, no coughing and no breathing!”. They all chorused and the Emperor shook head at her.

“No breathing? Does she expect us to die?”. Kai scoffed staring at his empty sheets and Jade turned sharply to him.

“You! Stand up!!”. Jade ordered and Kai turned to the guy behind him.

“Didn’t you hear the future Empress? Get up!”. He ordered harshly.

“I meant you, not him, get up! I said no talking but you talked and why are you breathing?!”. Jade questioned walking to Kai whose eyes widened and most of the scholars already began laughing secretly.

“Why am I breathing? Everyone else is breathing”. Kai said and immediately everyone held their breaths.

“Are you talking back at her grace?”. Jade asked pointing at herself and the Emperor scoffed from his seat, while Kai only stood staring at Jade with an opened mouth…