Chapter One: The Letter

The group gather inside a dining hall as they break their fast. Located at the end of the palace. The garden can be viewed, the place contained many haunted memories. Gardeners can be seen tending to the dead areas, where black draconium stained the trees and grass from the bomb. Chin said in a remark that it is an eyesore. But by his mother's request, he needed sunlight. As Chin looked so pale he can be mistaken for a corpse. Lei smiles politely as he sits next to his oldest brother on his right. Saying a few things to cheer the Grand Prince up.

Chin is finally eating normally as he sits next to his wife Shu Lan. She is happy and smiling as she kisses Chin on the cheek. But to Chin's frustration, a servant has to help cut up his food. He sighs as he feels ashamed that he could not do a simple task. Chin looks down at the wheels of his wheelchair. Lei tapping his shoulder as he tells old jokes from his childhood. Lei knew they were not funny. But it was all he could do to help distract his mind.

Lexi sits next to Shu Lan as they whisper about the bedding that occurred the night before. As Chin has been regularly testing himself until he can perform. Yesterday morning he succeeded and so Shu Lan now sleeps in his bed.

Shu Lan knowing that Lexi is from the Red Empire asks her questions. This is not surprising as Lexi is experienced with the art of lovemaking. She gives Shu some advice as to what a woman can do in bed. Shu Lan and Lexi were so close face to face, that a person could think they are about to kiss.

Iolene grins as she can overhear only parts of their conversation. The two almost giggled like little girls. As she sits across from them. That will be me one day… Iolene thinks to herself. Knowing that one day she will have to marry and lose her maidenhead. She will need to have children one day.

Shu Lan prays that her womb will quicken for a son. Even though the Empress and the court shall vote to abolish primogeniture all across the country. The Empress feels that the old law is no longer important. As many fathers have been asking for their oldest daughters to rule. Prevent another Okimi and Jona…

"It's so wonderful to see you at breakfast, your highness," Iolene says happily. Mali sitting next to her smiling as he drinks a glass of milk.

"Thank you my lady…" The Grand Prince replies. He then questions her about her friends.

"Aaron is training with Beau as they still need to practice together. They are getting better! Stein is with them at the moment." Iolene happily ate as she finally mastered chopsticks.

"When does Aaron not train?" Lexi laughs as she eats mangosteen.

The saddest person at the table is Aika. Iolene tried to comfort her as much as she could. Iolene has been taking her out of the palace with Lexi and Stein as guards. But nothing could cheer the poor girl up. She made it clear that she wanted to go home… But her father forbid it. She is to marry a prince, end of discussion. Lei tries his hardest to convince his mother for Aika to marry him. If a prince is needed… Lei is THE prince. Knowing well he will not love her like a man would. But she will be safe and secure…

Cheng her betrothed and Lei's older brother has not been seen by anyone for weeks. Visitors have been getting injured as they enter his room. So only soldiers are now only permitted to enter.

However, Arai, Aika's father insisted Aika be married to Cheng. Lei's secret is now well known as Arai pompously put, that his daughter doesn't have a sausage for Lei to play with.

Aika barely eats as she excuses herself to leave and go back to her room. Iolene grabbing her hand as Aika shakes it away. Iolene wants to help her as much as she could but didn't know how.

Eleya and Nekhii walk into the room. Nekhii looking much cleaner and happier. Even wearing a tailor-made pastel yellow and green hanfu. That Lei commissioned his royal tailor. Her blue hair was cut into a pixie cut similar to Lexi's. Iolene happy compliments her beauty. Even though Nekhii is small and stout with many cuts and scraps. She is happy to hear as she has never been called beautiful before. She full well knows that she is not conventionally pretty. Her square jaw and small breasts have always kept her self-esteem low since she was a child. But she is a terrific fighter which gave her confidence. Still wearing her wrist shooters she keeps them clean so shiny it can gleam in the sun.

Eleya has been so happy with Nekhii's presence. Iolene gave Eleya leave so she can talk to Nekhii. After all they are from the same country. Amongst their discussions there seemed to be a deep sadness. Their home is in tatters as Vipstraunius works his slaves to death.

"Nekhii!" Lexi says standing up to greet her. Iolene bows her head in respect to Nekhii. For the past few weeks, Nekhii has been alone refusing the palace company. However, Lei allowed her access to the palace if she needed it.

"It is time to say farewell…" Nehkii said.

Iolene, Lexi and Lei look surprised.

"Why?" Iolene asks.

"You will be safer here and I can get you a job," Lei says as he knows that some families need new stewards and handmaids.

"I have to head north…" She says sadly. "As much as it is lovely here, my home needs me. The rebellion still stands and I shall continue fighting."

"I understand…" Iolene says with kind acceptance.

Nekhii bows to everyone individually. As she quickly learned that the people here do not shake hands.

She then gestures Iolene to lean forward. "Gold one…" Nekhii whispers. "I am part of the rebellion. I need to go and give my people hope as you did to me. Take this…"

Iolene opens her hand as Nekhii places an amulet into her hand and closes it. Iolene inspects it closely. "A key?" She asks curiously.

"Yes, it was the symbol of the royal family, since we created the skeleton key..." Nekhii said it sadly.

"You're a princess?" Iolene whispers.

"No a duchess… I was a cousin the Princess Sarnai. She and her immediate family were murdered during the invasion. I was nine when my family fled. I have been living in the northern wilds ever since."

"I am so sorry…" Iolene says sadly as she places the amulet on her necklace. "Is there anything you need?"

"Well armies and ships would be great," Nekhii says as she jests. But she looks down in sadness. Her heart clearly aches for her home. She remembers the days when Suravi was free. She yearns for them again.

Iolene grabs her hand and kneels so they stand eye to eye. "I promise you this Nekhii. Once I win back my family's crown. I shall help you take back your family's lands and scourge our enemies back to their tower city." She squeezes Nekhiis hand tightly. Nekhii replying in kind. It is the first time she has heard hope in years. But knowing she will have to be patient.

"I hope you win your crown back," Nekhii says as she kisses Iolenes hand.

Mali looks at Iolene intently. It is the first time she spoke in such a way. Like an Empress… But can she give such a promise? The Light-Green Empire is at the top of the world. Where gold is on the bottom. Mali does not object as one day that country must be freed from them.

Iolene nods as the two women let go. Iolene stands back up and they both bow as Nekhii takes her to leave. Lei addresses a servant to make sure that Nekhii has all she for the journey home. It will be a long travel for her. The neighbouring country of the Blue Empire North is the Purple Empire. A dangerous country is full of savages and clans who have no honour or bounds.

"Goodbye Nekhii! We shall meet again!" Iolene waves.

It was in a moment when Murray walks into the dining room.

"Iolene my room now!" He demanded. Iolene swallows nervously as she has no idea what is happening. She and Mali quickly follow into Murrays' personal quarters. The home he has been living for months now. His hair has grown long as he now wears it into a small ponytail. However, he looks tired and exhausted. Iolene could tell he is homesick.

After waiting half an hour Stein walks in alone. "Princess are you alright?" He asks urgently.

"Iolene is fine…" Murray says. "I received a letter from Stein. Read it." He hands the letter over to Iolene.

"It is from Constant and Queen Avery De Vilier." She says excitedly. "They are asking us to go to MILLE VOIX!" She says breathlessly.

Stein, Mali and Murray look at each other anxiously. The room fell silent. The only person ecstatic was Iolene.

"Constant revealed you to the QUEEN!" Stein says angrily. "Does he know how dangerous that move is?!" Stein sits on a nearby chair as he rubs his forehead. He was not ready to face those people. They only do anything for their own personal gain. It can easily be a trap… But it is Constant he thinks back. He helped them with their most dire need. Giving them shelter when they had none as dire it was for Constant. Even helped Mali when he had nothing after all these years. Mali pleads Constants case… He was best friends with Laelia. Even subtly mentioning that Constant could have loved Laelia.

Iolene walks over to Stein with enthusiasm.

"I am going to be revealed eventually, Stein. We need allies… At the moment we have Brown, Light-Blue and Blue. Brown and Blue are tired from war it is not enough… I will speak to Queen Avery, and plead my case."

"Spoken like your mother." Stein smiles as Iolene blushes.

"We shall make plans to leave tomorrow morning," Murray says confidently. "So Iolene make your farewells to everyone as your party shall move!"

Iolene nods and claps. "To Mille Voix we go!"