Hi everyone! Missed me a lot, didn't you? xD..No problem, again, your beloved "Kingdom" has appeared.
Thank you thank you so much Emerald Rami, Guests, Scarlet Witch of Terra, Cutetyhil, Sohana Sarkar, TwilightUniverse018, LadyPeach7, TLP, Justafan and IshuRock8 for reviewing.
Guest (1): Umm...in the next chapter, it will be clarified who influenced Tyson actually. Kai got to know it maybe...he knew those eyes? Anyways, thank you so much for reviewing.
Guest (2): Oh no no, don't be so hard on Tyson. In the next chapter, you'll start feeling pity for him. Thanks a lot for reviewing.
TLP: Yes, Tyson went pretty hard on Dew. But soon, he'll realize his mistakes. Tyson was surely under the control of something (Or someone?), but was it only his anger? Thank you so much for reviewing.
Justafan: Isn't it simple? What Tyson did never did willingly. Besides, neither he has been dead yet, nor has he turned evil. In the next chapter, everything will be clarified. Thank you so much for reviewing.
IshuRock8: No problem, I'm happy that you have reviewed. Besides, who told you that you're talentless? You mayn't know which talent you contain in yourself. Just give writing a try, you'll emerge out more talented than I. Hehehe...thank you so much for reviewing :D
So...here's the chapter. Enjoy!
In the large hall-room, different-sized and colored velvet couches were scattering here and there. Maroon and dark blue-covered bolsters with golden and silver fringes were resting on them. At the center of the room, there was a round jute carpet brought from Persia. The compartment was surrounded both by the Brazilian and the Chinese guards from all the directions. Holding spears, they were lowering their heads. It was separated from the ladies' chamber through baby-pink and lavender georgette curtains. Beautiful maids were pouring wine in the goblets of the invited guests. The old people were puffing tobacco pipes, exhaling white and intoxicating vapors in the air. Welcomed noblemen were gossiping and having fun. Drinking too much inebriating stuff, the blunette was giggling, almost lying down on his divan.
Sluggishly, the raven-haired neko-jin entered the room, holding a tray with golden kettles and cups. His beryl orbs calmly observed the princes of Hong Kong and China destroying kingdoms after kingdoms only using their mouths. In inebriation, the blue pupils of his ex-classmate turned bloodshot. He was literally hiccupping while speaking to his comrades. Automatically, the teeth of the disguised soldier became grated.
He hated that stuff.
Flashback:
Receiving a heavy slap on his soft left cheek, the toddler fell on the ground. Perhaps, the torturer wasn't much satisfied with him at his action. That's why, grasping the ebony hair of him, he pulled the child up. Despite a freezing weather, the eight-year old boy was sweating. Saline droplets of fatigue were trickling down from his forehead and lower nose, rolling down on his cheeks and chin. Already his cheek had got the stains of five fingers on it. His dry throat was yearning for a single droplet of cold purified water. His lungs were craving for fresh oxygenated air. But, surprisingly, a single globule of waterworks couldn't be seen beneath his golden-colored orbs. His eyebrows were screwed, his teeth and fists were gritted. The little boy was trying his best to bear all the tortures on his small body.
"Motherfucker!" His alcoholic father thrashed him against the wall and clutched his throat, "Give me that necklace! Otherwise, I'll break your neck."
Flash forward:
'I can still remember the day when Master Tao lectured in front us about the bad effects of alcohol,' He mused, 'That day, we all promised him that we would never drink that. Returning from the learning center, Kane has forgotten it completely. Otherwise, how could he break the promise which he made before Master Tao along with all of us? I know...I know that he doesn't like our teacher at all. But it doesn't mean that he has to insult his teachings in this way. Nobody has given him the right to do that. Nobody!'
His face turned to the royal members of Brazil. As they gestured him, bowing, he approached them. They were also engaged in chattering with the Asian aristocrats. Half-naked soldiers were bringing foods for them. To his utter horror, the raven-haired witnessed that some Chinese men were also included in the battalion of Douglas. They were serving the Latin Americans in such a way as though they had been born in Brazil, not in China or Asia. Again, a bolt of thunder struck his brain.
'Cannot believe!' He mentally exclaimed, transferring wine from the jug to the chalices of the Brazilians, 'Sometimes, necessities make us defenseless. I've to serve those who are the enemies of Mother China.'
Done with his job, the neko-jin moved away to the group of Latin American soldiers. His ears shook a bit as they sensed the nattering of some China-Brazilian guards.
"The news is..." One of them started, "We have to honor prince Yamashita by giving him gifts tomorrow."
"Not only that," Another whispered, "We have to make varieties of dishes, keeping awake throughout the entire night. Guess the beautiful sleep of tonight no more belongs to us!"
'It's the right chance!' The patriotic Chinese mused, 'Now, I have to do something so that I can win the faith of these Brazilians.'
From the ladies' court, pushing the silky hangings a bit, the lavender-haired girl peeped at the prince of Hong Kong who was madly exulting with his friends from China. Her lips curved a smile. One of her hands was holding a rolled paper. Targeting his feet, she gently revolved it. Wheeling, it reached the blunette. As his eyes fell on it, blushing, the Brazilian fled, letting the curtains shiver a bit.
Frowning, the blunette picked the paper up and unfolded it. It was a letter. To be franker, it was a love letter.
"Dear prince of Hong Kong,
Ever since my eyes got laid on you, they have recurrently failed to remove your image from their canvas. Why to blame them? You're so handsome, bold, attractive, talented-no no, pardon me. Bringing these adjectives to define you, I'm only humiliating you. Excuse my idiocy, pretty please.
For you, I'll keep waiting for you in the forest wearing traditional Chinese outfits. If you're ready, just roll this paper again inside the ladies' chamber. Don't worry, nobody will suspect you. I'm assuring you.
Yours ever,
Your ardent admirer."
Blushes like a ripe apple flared up in his jowls. Before it, he had received a lot of love letters from the princesses and noblewomen of different kingdoms and states. But this time, the message of admiration filled his heart with so much blisses and amour which he had never gained in his 20-year long life. Though the sender didn't mention her name in the letter, the receiver could easily portray her face. In the image, she was smiling at him with her new-moon-shaped lips, tainted with the tints of blood roses. Her long, thick, cherry-colored hair was dancing with the tempo of the nature. The tresses were tapping her apple-like cheeks. Those gleaming, mystified jet orbs were waving at him.
He had fallen in love with her on the day when they had met each other for the first time in their lives. She'd been only four years old. Her giggling had made his ears be twitched as if they had sensed the resonation of the streaming cataracts. Her voice had been...no no, was the chirpings of the nightingales; the messengers of the spring. Many times. Many times he had thought to confess to her once but his embarrassment-streaked languor had never let him do that. Ever since she had arrived there, he'd been thinking all the time to clarify his feelings for her before her. But the love letter just came to him like a boon.
Finally, the lord has showered his mercy,
On the love, turning it into a boon from the bane,
Ultimately, He has been kind to me.
He has listened to the prayers of this Kane.
Oh lord! Thank you! Thank you a lot!
For writing her name on my lot.
Folding the letter back, the prince of Hong Kong rolled it again towards the women room beneath the curtains. Someone's slender, white lotus-like hand picked it up. Smirking, the blunette got back to his seat. Pouring liquor into his crystal wineglass, he took a sip from it. That time, it was seeming way sweeter than sugar to him. Maybe, someone had added the crux of love inside the bitter fluid. Intoxication was doubled, so did the speed of his heartbeats.
Just like the columns of a renowned citadel, green bamboos were standing straightly in the forest, raising their heads and wanting to touch the sky. It was so dense that the rays of sunshine could hardly peep through them at the woods. On the colorless ground, fallen bamboo leaves were messily resting. A few black stallions were aimlessly roaming around the bamboo forest. Some people were inside it, seeming their owners. They were wearing black cloths covering their tops to bottoms along with bronze armors. Their hands were holding naked Katana swords. Only their lethal orbs could be seen, gleaming for blood, lust and wealth in the shadiness of the bamboos.
"I don't want to hear anything!" The tallest of them blurted, "Be the place secured or not, we have to abduct any queen or princess tonight!"
"But why only queen or princess?" Another asked, confused.
"Because we need money to smother our hunger," The leader replied, "The higher the rank, the more the ransom. Queens and princesses are the dignity of their kingdoms. A king can give away all his treasures in order to protect the dignity of his kingdom. Today, everyone is busy to celebrate the home-coming ceremony of prince Yamashita. We have to utilize this opportunity. Once we are successful, we will get so much wealth that we won't even have to work for the rest of the year."
"Then it's been fixed!" The second-in-command declared, "Today, a queen or a princess has to be kidnapped."
"Of course!" Everyone agreed in unison, outstretching their foils as the horses neighed a bit.
"What? Chinese dress?" The gleaming dark orbs of the redhead twinkled a bit in curiosity, "But why?"
"Ah...well..." The Brazilian stuttered a bit, before preparing a suitable answer to the question of her friend, "Because I loved the customs and cultures of China a lot."
"Really?" Salima pouted, "Then why are you feeling so shy? Why're you hiding your face from me?"
"What?"
"You don't only love the dresses, foods and cultures of China," The redhead rolled her eyes, "But also you love the people of this region too. To be clearer, you love only one person, right?"
"Duh!" Frankie flushed, "Not like that!"
"C'mon, Frankie," Salima hugged her from back, "More than moments, in our friendship, the depth is significant. Now wasting no more time, tell me the truth about where you are going."
"Umm..." The lavender-haired girl bent her head down in shyness, "I'm going to meet someone."
The innocent face of the Chinese became brightened in excitement. Jumping like a rabbit, she squealed, "Seriously? Who's he? Has he come in this ceremony too? Is he any king? Prince? Just tell me who he is!"
"Hold your horses, Sal," The Brazilian huffed, "I cannot answer to so many questions at a time, you know. The Creator has given me only one mouth. Umm...yeah, he's the crown prince of his kingdom. But...if I go there wearing my own cloths, someone may get to recognize me easily. I want to go there wearing your outfits so that nobody can suspect me."
"Guess everything has been ready!" Salima punched on her palm, "But what is his name? From which kingdom has he come here?"
"I cannot tell these things to you right now." Frankie shook her head bashfully, "When our alliance will be fixed with the consent of our elders, I'll tell you the first about it."
"Alright!" Salima cheered, "I'm hoping to know the good news as soon as possible."
"One thing more, Sal," The purplette became abstracted a bit. Turning away her face from her friend, she strolled towards a pitcher-shaped metal vase. As her fingers stroked the white and yellow gladiolas, she continued, "Love is...a feeling which is different from all other emotions and senses. A feeling what you can feel and enjoy the most when you get the opportunity to spend the rest of your life with the person whom you loved the most."
"Of course, Frank," The redhead nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Love is really very necessary in the relation between life-partners. Not only life-partners, but also it's significant for all the relations on the earth. Likewise, I love my father a lot. We have to pass our time and stay with those who are adored by us. That's why, I'll choose such a person as my soulmate who will love me and be loved by me forever."
The lavenderette dimly smiled when the scarlet wheeled to her quickly. Holding her chin, she spoke, "Frankie, today, I'll adorn you with my own hands. I'll make you so beautiful that his gazes will be fixed on your appearance forever. Come on, let's get started!"
Clasping her wrist, the princess of China almost pulled her friends towards the dressing table. The Brazilian didn't protest a bit. Her heart was bubbling in the jubilation of love.
Little did she know about her upcoming future. The same was applicable for her crimson-haired confidante.
The guards weren't standing in the narrow lane of entrance anymore. Nightfall had already poured all its ink over the earth. Under the kohl-smeared parasol, the whole world was sleeping. Firepots kept in pole-like stands were burning beside the white tents of the guests. The blazes were making the swaying leaves of the shrubberies eerier. Coconut trees like the axe of the angel of death were observing the whole atmosphere calmly. Not caring at them, some Tang-suit worn men approached the area, holding bare swords and lances. Obvious it was; they didn't belong to China or Hong Kong at all. They were in disguises.
They were heading towards the cabin of the women. Before their reaching, someone pushed the silky drapes aside, making their task easy. Noticing the throb, they quickly hid behind a bush. From the bivouac, a lavender-haired girl came out. She was wearing a black and deep violet cotton-georgette changpao having three layers. Her hair was slightly puffed up with a tiny high bun like the crest of a mound, keeping the rest free and unfastened. Wooden hairpins having colorful tassels were tucked inside her pleat. Unfolding a lilac Chinese umbrella, she looked here and there. Seeing nobody, sighing in relief, she stepped forward. A smile was clinging to her lips. That smile belonged to love. That feeling belonged to the sensations of the first meeting and confession. She had the plans of making it memorable.
"Just look at her attires!" One of the dacoits whispered, "Looks like she's the princess of a mighty kingdom."
"Then, we will seize none but her!" The leader inaudibly announced.
As the girl crossed the bush behind which the raiders were hiding, the captain of the group gestured his team members. Soon, the robbers started following her, tiptoeing.
The raven-haired Chinese was going to his cabin. All of a sudden, his eyes fell on the shrouded lavenderette. Within a blink, he easily recognized her. She was walking almost with jerky dance steps, fixing her amethyst earrings. The undercover soldier frowned, seeing the hobbyist fisherwoman.
'Lady Frankie?' He grouched, 'Where is she going wearing Chinese cloths at this moment? These Brazilians are so weird. They do whatever they want.'
Not looking at the soldier, the Latina crossed the territory of the castle. No sooner had she done it than the dacoits encircled her from all the four directions. Rushing to her, they captured her arms and feet. She was about to scream but some of the raiders shushed her, placing naked swords and knives against her throat. Another man hurriedly covered her with a black shawl.
Hearing the noise, the neko-jin screwed his eyebrows and tried to look outside. The same thing was done by the Chinese princess who was inside her cabin. No, she dared take another step forward. She directly ran in the direction of her friend. The kidnappers had already lifted the Brazilian on their shoulders. Done with their job, they started sprinting fast.
Ray was about to rush towards the Brazilian lady for her aid. Seeing the redhead, he couldn't do that except turning back only for hiding his identity. The scarlet-haired princess kept running through the footsteps of the robbers only for saving her friend. The neko-jin felt himself at a loss. He couldn't decide what to do then.
'Lady Frankie is a woman,' He determined, 'At this moment, she's in danger. It's my responsibility to rescue her. But if princess Salima identifies me, I won't be able to reach the goal of Master Tao. Now what should I do?'
Then again, the senses of his duties superseded his fears. Not caring for his dear life, he dashed to the nearby horse. Seizing its rein, he mounted it. As he pulled the bridle, the stallion started galloping, whinnying slightly.
"Thump!"
The mobsters dropped the covered hostage on the ground and distanced themselves from her a bit, still raising their blades. Standing up, she removed the shawl from her face and threw it on the ground. Panting, she turned left. Since she saw more dacoits, her jaw dropped. Her feet started shaking in fright. The blood-pumping organ inside her chest was banging madly. She started stepping back. At that time, she had no weapon with her. Howling, the dacoits kept progressing to her.
"Leave my friend alone!"
Gasping, the Brazilian moved her stares at the source of the voice. There, the red-haired princess of China was sitting on the back of her black steed, holding a rapier in her left hand. Her eyebrows were wrinkled and orbs were amplified both in shock and anger. She was fuming at the abductors.
"Go!" One of them commanded, "Catch her!"
All the bandits dashed to her horse. Not wasting a single moment, she swung her sword right. Slashing one, she hauled the harness of her charger. It wheeled, getting the order from its mistress. Another dacoit approached but soon, his dead body fell on the muddy ground, getting his jugular veins slit by the Chinese.
"Sleech!"
Taking another wheel of an obtuse angle, she swiped her weapon. Swirling, she beheaded another. A fourth one advanced towards her with his uncovered one but got defeated within a blink. Understanding that they were going to be caught, a cunning robber clasped the bridle of the horse and flung it back, shaking it. Misbalanced, the dumb beast neighed, elevating its front hooves from the ground. Unable to maintain stability, the redhead fell back.
"Salima!" The Brazilian screamed.
As the fallen princess tumbled, her head hit a nearby rock. A gash appeared on her forehead, littering a few droplets of blood. She clutched her head in pain. Her teeth were gritted. She tried to stand up to protect her friend but failed. Unexpectedly or expectedly, her whole body was going numb. Exhaling once, she closed her eyes in slumber, laying her left arm straightly on the ground.
"No!" The lavender-haired girl stretched her hand, "Salima!"
"Hahaha!" One of the muggers rolled his eyes, "Today's day is so auspicious. We have kidnapped one princess and another herself has jumped in our treasure-box!"
"Do you know who we are?" Frankie seethed, clenching her fists.
"No," The hostage taker shook his head, seeming amused, "But you better know that we're robbers. We don't like to be questioned...ouch!"
The devil couldn't complete his sentence. He gasped, his eyes became enlarged in pain. Slowly, his lifeless body fell down. Horrified, the Latin American saw a dagger breached in the head of the kidnapper. Behind him and all his teammates, a raven-haired neko-jin wearing Brazilian outfits was sitting on the back of his charger. His golden ogles shimmered in the darkness of the night, trying to fulfill the absence of the moon. His long, black hair got untied, swaying metrically. The lavender-haired lady struggled hard to make her own eyes believe.
"By the way, what's your name?" Ricardo asked.
Placing the tray on a table, he turned back. Before leaving the room, he spoke:
"Ray."
Everyone became dumbfounded right at that moment. With naked swords, they rushed to him.
"You bastard!"
"I mean..." The raven-haired cleared his throat, "Ray calls me Toujin. I'm Toujin, Toujin Pojiu."
With a leap, he descended on the earth. Unhooking a Dao which was under the seat on the horse, he approached slowly but had to increase his speed as another's weapon bumped on his. With a blow, he pierced the chest of his opponent. From left, a belligerent progressed to him diagonally, accepting the same fate of his comrade from the neko-jin and his weapon.
Penetrating the blade into the abdomen of a dacoit, the disguised Chinese man pulled it out. Twisting his wrist anticlockwise, he sliced the chest of the next as well as the last, not even looking at him. The dead figurine thudded the ground.
Soon, the eyes of the Brazilian fell on her friend who was lying unconscious on the surface. Kneeling down by her, the purplette shook her face gently, "Salima! Open your eyes!"
No response. Worriedly, Frankie looked at her savior who was sluggishly trudging towards her. Standing up, she rushed to him. Her mauve orbs met his golden ones in the night. For the first time, she gazed at his eyes in the way of observing them carefully.
The prince of Hong Kong was tying his belt around his waist. Right at that moment, someone dashed into his room, not even bothering for his permission. Wrinkling his brows, the blunette turned to him. The person came out as a mere soldier.
"Pardon me, prince Yamashita," His voice seemed quivering, "But there's a bad news. Lady Frankie has been abducted!"
The mouth of the prince remained opened. Rage stormed inside his heart. Gnashing his jaw, he approached the guard and grasped his neck firmly.
"You dumb!" He hissed, "What were you doing then? Have we been so weak that we have lost the ability of protecting our guest? Go and gather the soldiers! Get lost!"
The prince almost pushed the watchman back but the soldier didn't seem hurt or confused a bit. Thanking the Almighty for saving his dear life, he ran back to his chalet in order to call his comrades. Not looking right and left, Kane also pulled his feet fast to the stable where his horse was kept.
The lavender-haired was about to open her mouth to say something grateful to her savior. Before it, sensing the sounds of the galloping hooves of mounts, she moved her face left. Following her, the neko-jin also turned in her direction. Their eyes captured the view of the prince of Hong Kong leading a battalion of soldiers racing in their route. The smile of assurance rose all over her face. On the other hand, his one got covered with panic. Quickly, he veered back, tying his hair properly and standing under a shady tree.
Reaching the spot, the prince alighted from his mount. As soon as his eyes caught the lavender-haired princess slightly shivering, they became filled with concerns for her. Trudging to her, he worriedly asked, "My lady, are you alright?"
"Yes," Furiously, she nodded, "When I was coming out, these robbers caught and brought me here. Thankfully, our soldier, Toujin has saved my life."
"Thank goodness!" Kane huffed, "You're alright."
"Yes but..." Gloomily, Frankie spoke, pointing at the unconscious scarlet, "My friend, Salima, has got herself injured while trying to protect me from these thugs."
Frowning, he turned to the collapsed princess. He shrilled as he saw his crush lying stranded on the ground. There was a cut on her temple. Beads of the crimson liquid of life were trickling down from it on the muddy surface. His heart thumped hard. Bolting to her, he kowtowed beside her. Placing her head on his lap, he gently tapped her cheek, yelling, "Princess Salima!"
"You know her?" Frankie glowered.
"Yes," Kane nodded, concernedly watching the fainted redette, "She's my childhood friend."
"We've befriended only today," The Brazilian sighed, "Only for me, she has risked her own life."
Not listening to her words, the blunette lifted the redhead in a bridal style. Seeing it, the Brazilian held his arm protectively as well as possessively.
"Don't worry about her, prince," Frankie tried to assure the indigo-haired guy, "We share the same room. My soldier, Toujin, will safely leave her there."
"But..."
"Prince, try to understand," Frankie almost pleaded, "If anyone sees you carrying her in this way, God knows what he or she will think about you both. It may spread all over Hong Kong. Your character may get defamed. Though Salima is innocent, people will raise a finger at her too. Let Toujin take care of her."
Turning to the soldier who was standing beneath the tree, the Brazilian ordered, "Toujin, you have to leave princess Salima in our cabin. I hope you know where it is."
"Yes." Bending his head, Ray concurred.
"Remember one thing more," Kane alerted, placing the princess on the horse of the neko-jin, "This thing shouldn't be known to anyone. I don't want my guests to be slandered only for coming in my coronation ceremony. Got it?"
"As your wish, prince Yamashita."
Kane pouted as the voice of the soldier seemed familiar to him. Shrugging it off at the next moment, he spoke, "Lady Frankie, you can safely reach your tent with my soldiers. If anyone asks you about it, you have to say that you went for hunting. Okay?"
"Okay." The lavender-head nodded as both of them left the place. Once they were out of the vision of the neko-jin, he moved towards the scarlet-haired princess who was reposed on the steed. Blood was continuing to ooze down from her forehead. Her breaths were being slower but shakier. Though he didn't touch her, he could feel her pulse rate dropping. Sighing, he mounted his horse. Hooking his arm under her neck and waist, he made her sit. With one of his hands, he pulled her head closer to his chest, wrapping it around her shoulders. Another hand of him pulled the rein of the stallion. It neighed, then scurried.
Zephyr of the night became active once again. Thanks to it, blowing from the face of the knocked-out princess, her garnet tresses slightly tickled the neck of the soldier. He shuddered but didn't leave her or the bridle. Unknowingly, she tucked her face in the warmth of his broad chest, entwining his torso in the ropes of her arms tightly. As the paths were fluctuating, often his lips were touching her face. The neko-jin was trying his best to distance himself from her as much as possible. Yet, their fates were cooperating each other, shoving the duo towards each other again and again.
Carrying her in the bridal style, the raven-haired neko-jin gently placed her on the round velvet bed. White bandage had already been swathed around her temple. Resting her head on the pillow, he was about to get up but again, his lot stuck his locket with the chest-belt of her qipao. His face was leaned on hers. Those golden eyes silently watched the serene façade of the scarlet-haired princess of China. Her lips were slightly parted. Her long, thick eyelashes were falling on her inferior orbital foramens. For a moment, Ray thought as if an angel had been sleeping in front of him. Then again, he couldn't believe the fact that an angel could be born in the house of a devil.
Ah! How holy, how sinless she was! Who could say that she was the child of Zagart, that Zagart who used to crave for a girl around the age of his daughter?
Untangling his pendant from her chest-strap, he stood up. Sighing, keeping the redhead lying behind him, the neko-jin strode towards the exit. Before leaving the room, he ruminated, 'How diverse the fate is! I had to protect the daughter of my archenemy because she is helpless now.'
Heaving another sigh, he left the room.
"What?" The redhead raised an eyebrow, lying lazily on her bed, "A Chinese soldier has saved my life?"
"Yes." The Brazilian nodded.
"It's such a matter of pride," Smiling, she got up, "I want to meet the hero. I myself will talk to father and get him admitted to the royal battalion of China."
"Decisions shouldn't be wasted by thinking much," Frankie smirked, "You'll keep thinking and someone will supersede you."
"I couldn't understand." Salima shrugged.
"Let me clarify then," Frankie sat by her, "Whom you want to make the part of your battalion has already been included in the regal troop of Latin America. See, you kept thinking and I kept advancing."
"Unfair!" The redhead stood up, pouting and keeping her hands on her waist.
"What to do now?" The Brazilian dramatically sighed, "After all, it's my problem. I love always to be at the first, not after anyone. Not even after my friend."
"But my mother says that it is not important to be the first one," The Chinese debated, "Rather, it is more significant to see that nobody is coming after me. After my arrival, none has to need anything from anyone."
"Whereas, I think that nobody should be before or after me," Frankie proudly discussed, "I wanna be the only one!"
"Now who'll be before us or after us," Salima grinned, "Only time will decide that!"
Meanwhile, a maid had come there in the room of the princess. Bowing, she spoke, "Hail princess Salima and lady Frankie!"
Hearing her, both the royal ladies turned back. The servant spoke, "Pardon me but there's a good news. His Majesty of China has reached Hong Kong."
Getting the message, the eyes of the Chinese princess beamed up with joy. A broad smile spread throughout her lips. Moving to her friend, she squeezed her shoulders, "Frankie, my father has arrived. Let me greet him, then I'll talk to you. Bye!"
Not giving her comrade a chance to speak, the redhead stormed past her, crossing the territory of the room. The lavender-haired girl evilly simpered, watching her friend go.
'Another lesson for today by Frankie,' She pondered, 'Even in ecstasies, you shouldn't forget about your rivals. You have to know the properly and clearly. It may be a great opportunity for them to wash you away!'
The king of China was sitting on his bed, keeping his palms on the downy bedsheets. His fingers were trying to clasp the fluffy eiderdowns and tear them off. He was panting in growing rage. His emerald orbs were becoming bloodshot bit by bit. Gritting his teeth, he was badmouthing both the prince of Russia and the princess of Japan. He wished he could have murdered them with his bare hands and rip them into thousands of pieces. His heart was aching at their thoughts. They were reminding him about another raven-haired guy. Not at the same time, but in the same way, those three had literally splashed all his dignity off.
"Father!"
Having heard the soothing voice of his princess, his gnashed jaw loosened a bit. Leaving the bedsheets, he stood up. The pain inside his heart got healed without any remedy. His breaths stabled themselves. Pondering, he saw his daughter who rushed towards him, spreading her arms. Smiling, he also hugged her back.
"How was your journey, father?" Releasing herself, Salima asked, "Have you accomplished the task for which you couldn't come here earlier?"
"No, my girl," Gloomily, Zagart shook his head, "Sometimes, the tasks don't come out as easy as our thoughts are. But I'll keep trying."
His eyes got laid on the forehead of the Chinese princess which was bandage-wrapped. Dropping his jaw, he worriedly asked, "But what happened to your forehead, Sal? Are you alright?"
"Father, don't worry," Salima kept her hands on his shoulders, "It was a mere accident. I'm alright now."
"Be careful, my child," Affectionately, the father cupped her face, "You know I don't like it when you get hurt."
"I know, father," She grouched, lifting his right hand which had still the stain of a dried cut, "But what's this? How have you got yourself hurt? Do I like it when you get injured?"
Again, the emperor of China gnawed his fangs in wrath. He didn't answer, remaining silent. Unknowingly, the innocent question of his daughter reminded him of something unpleasant.
Not waiting for a moment, the Chinese emperor clasped the milky wrist of the Japanese girl. Then, he started pulling her forcefully in his direction. Clenching her teeth, the princess thrusted the king cogently but she felt him too heavy. With no profit the attempt came.
"Leave my hand!" She snarled, "Otherwise, the outcomes won't be in your favor!"
Her feet were skidding on the field. Zagart contorted at her efforts. The subjects wanted to protect their princess but they were standing being dumbfounded before the blades of the spears steered at their faces by the Chinese soldiers.
Another hand of the brunette found its way towards the dagger which was inserted under the waist-strap of her kimono. Popping it out, she unleashed it with the help of her mouth. She didn't take much time to slash the hand of the emperor who was dragging her, opening a straight cut. The crimson droplets of blood started seeping from the gash. Leaving the princess, the king retreated but didn't fall back. The chocolate-haired girl wheeled on her ankles and distanced herself from the abductor.
"It's also a mere accident, my daughter," Zagart patted her head, "Don't be so upset regarding it. These cuts and scrapes are the jewelries of a warrior."
'But not this one,' At the same time, his brain spoke something else, 'This will always be remembered as a stain of humiliation, as a sign of disgrace. No...I cannot digest it. I've to revenge. At any cost, I've to bite back. Otherwise, I'll remain weaker then they. Now, I've to inform Boris Balkov through a letter. Only he can help me in this case!'
At one corner, Ray was pulling his legs inside the cave of the Brazilians. Whereas, Tao was helping him strengthening his legs. Time to time, he was coming for his dear student to show him the right path, the path of light. Though he didn't admit, to him, the raven-haired neko-jin was like his own son. He had brought him up as a father, not as a teacher.
"So...what's the update, Ray?" The bald guy asked, "Don't tell me that you've become a Brazilian staying with those Brazilians."
"Before it, you'll see my head separated from my body, Master," The neko-jin chortled, "I'm trying to gain the trust of those Latin Americans. I've already taken a step on that way by saving the life of lady Frankie. She's admitted me to the royal battalion of their kingdom."
"Good job, my son," He questioned, "What about Zagart?"
"Well, he was seeming offended a lot," Ray took a breath, "For knowing details, I kept an eye on him."
"What have you got to know?"
"He went to Japan in order to bring their princess to Boris Balkov as his sex slave," The neko-jin gritted his teeth, "When I got the news, I was wishing to punch hard at his mouth and break all his teeth right then and there. Struggling a lot, I managed myself."
"Then?"
"Thankfully, someone prevented him from doing that. I don't know his identity, maybe Zagart was feeling too embarrassed to utter his name," Ray grinned, "But I've known that he's only stepped in his twenties, just like me. Apparently, it's seeming that the person has dared crush his pride in a pathetic way."
"Woah!" For one of the rarest times in his life, Tao's teeth got flashed, producing a grin, "I always wanted to do the same ever since I'd been humiliated by him in the packed courtroom of him. Hearing you, I'm feeling as if someone had poured cold water in the fire of my vengeance. I don't know who he is but my blessings will always be for him. Ray, he's an inspiration for you. Be fueled from him."
'Sure, Master Tao,' Ray pondered, 'Today, the unknown guy has presented himself with a new ideal in front of me. I'll learn from him. He has surely inspired me a lot. I wish I could meet him. Well...will I ever be able to meet him in my life?'
Will Ray ever be able to meet that person who has crushed Zagart's pride terribly? What do you think?
Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and the spelling errors. Take care and stay safe :D
-Misty ^_^
P.S: Help me fulfill my first half a millennium..pretty please! xD
P.S(2): Those who haven't read my latest story, "Agent 31: The Silent Assassin", please give it a read :P