THE TYRANNICAL EMPRESS & THE PRIESTESS

THIRD PERSON POV ~ The border between Sarasvati Empire and the allied kingdoms ~ “Your majesty, there is no need for a new reign ruler like you to be here. Let us handle the matter regarding the border issues.” Freya Sarasvati, the empress of the Sarasvati Empire, kept a casual look as she observed the knights stationed at the borders. A few days ago, Freya was immediately crown as the empire's ruler after her father; the late emperor succumbed to illness. Everyone, except for the dowager empress and the crown prince were shocked to hear that the youngest princess rose to be the empress of a vast empire. “I heard that the Sarasvati knights are being pushed back because of the allied kingdom's greater forces. I am not happy to hear that my knights, exceptional warriors, are being bullied by these scoundrels. I will lead the knights in battle.” The captain was shocked to hear that the empress wish to lead the knights. “But, your majesty- we-,” Freya raised her hand. “Bring me the captain of each knights’ order. I will brief them myself.” Freya turned around and went back to her tent. “Mira, what do you think of the current state? Do you think the knight's morale seems low for some reason? What did you find out about the allied kingdom’s knights?” Mira placed a freshly brewed cup of tea in front of the empress before giving her thoughts on the matter. “If your majesty wishes to know, I think this group of knights doesn’t deserve to be called the Sarasvati knights at all. These knights have lost the will to fight for the empire, and if I may add, they should get their heads cut off for this. The Sarasvati Empire values people with integrity and a strong sense of patriotism. But this bunch of blockhead doesn’t have any of it.” Freya hummed as her maid belittling the hardworking knights. Two of the knights who guard the tent entrance were offended by Mira’s words, but they couldn’t do anything since they know that the empress would punish them. “What does a woman know bout protecting the country?! All they do is making sure they’re pretty enough when their partner arrives from the battlefield! These women don’t even know how to appreciate their hardworking husband!” One of the knights spouted. “You need to keep your voice down, or else we will losing our head. Since the empress is here, perhaps her majesty has a plan to drive the allied soldiers away. Although we’re in dispute with the Vitalis Kingdom, king Cecil decided to join forces with the other four kingdoms. Sarasvati Empire might survive this ordeal.” The other knight scoffed. “Will a woman be able to survive this?! We’ve been guarding the borders for weeks! But what did the imperial family did while we’re sacrificing ourselves out here?! The palace was hosting parties for the new reign empress!” The knights suddenly gasped when they felt something protruding from their chest. “I head enough of this nonsense!” Freya pulled out her sword after killing the knights who talk behind her back. “Your majesty?! What happened?!” Several knights were surprised to see their fellow brethren facing down on the ground with blood pooling around their motionless bodies. “These two deadweight were questioning the imperial family. I have no choice but to kill them.” Although the knights couldn’t see the logic in the empress's words, they couldn’t do anything while holding her swords. “Find me a better guard and make sure that those new one doesn’t question the imperial family.” Freya walks back into her tenth before throwing her swords at Mira. “Clean that up.” Mira nodded. *** Freya smiled at the prisoner of war when she manages to take over the border. As Mira and the rest of the knights under then empress command force the enemies to kneel on the ground, Freya wielded her sword once again. “Knights of the Allied Kingdoms consist of those from the Vitalis Kingdom, Galilee Kingdom, Centuros Kingdom, Balthair Kingdom, and the Azov Kingdom- today, I will be the judge of your crime against the Sarasvati Empire. Please listen as I recite your crime.” Freya take a step forward and says, “You all burned down a village within my territory. Not only that, you took men, women, children, and the elderly of the Sarasvati Empire, force them to do hard labor in your camps. My aide told me that young women in the village were used to satisfy the knights' s****l needs without the women’s consent. Some of you used children as s*x objects, force them to swallow your spore and laugh when the children choke.” The knights of the Sarasvati Empire finally arrived at the sight. They were surprised to see the empress holding both of her swords while talking to the enemies. “I always thought that the Allied Kingdoms has no morals since your kings aren’t the best leader. But I didn’t expect that full-grown men like you all would even consider using little children as a way to relieve your s****l tension. For that, I have given my final verdict- death to all prisoners.” Freya raised both of her swords and started to cut off each of the kneeling knight's heads. When the empress raised her sword for one last time, the final knight of the Allied Kingdoms looks up to Freya and said, “You monster! God will never be on your side!” Freya suddenly laughed at the knight. “We’re in a war! And it was your kings who decided to anger me. Mark my words, I will make sure to repay your kings’ kindness towards my empire tenfold.” As Freya swings her sword, the head of the last remaining knight rolls down on the ground. “My God-,” Freya heard the voice of her captain behind her. “Pick up those heads and send them back to their respective country. Send my message to the leader of the Allied Kingdoms, King Alaric of Balthair Kingdom.” Freya handed her sword to Mira. “What message would that be, your majesty?” Freya giggled. “You’re next, Alaric.” *** “Commander, I have always known the former princess was crazy, but I didn’t expect her to be this insane. How did she manage to be the empress instead of the talented crown prince?” The commander of the knights' order hushed his underling before one of the empress’s loyal dogs heard his words. “Be mindful of your words, young man. Did you forgot what happened to those who talk about the empress behind her back?” The young knight shakes his head no. “But sir, aren’t you curious? Because a lot of us are. What will happened to the crown prince now that the crazy princess takes over the throne?!” The commander didn’t manage to stop the young knight from utter such words when the knights who escorted the empress all turned their attention to the knights who used to be under the control of the crown prince. “Young man, if you don’t stop this, you won’t be able to see your unborn child. Remember that your wife is waiting for you back in Sarasvati Empire. I understand that we have a lot of questions about the current situation. But as knights who serve under the Sarasvati imperial family, we aren’t allowed to questions the ruler of the empire.” The young man nodded his head while the commander apologized to the empress knights for such rudeness. Not far from the commander was, a group of knights was eyeing a beautiful female dame guarding the rear of the empress carriage. “Do I see things or this trip back home is somewhat cleansing my eyes from the brutality of war we’ve been through? My God- never in my life would I say this, but that same is beautiful! What was her name? Mira? Did any of you seen her skills with the sword?” The other knights shake their heads no. “That woman never leaves the empress side at all. It’s hard to approach such a beautiful dame.” One of the senior knights suddenly remembered something. “Am I the only one who thinks that the dame seems familiar? And her name- don’t you guys think that you heard it somewhere before?” The others were looking at each other before realizing something. “Mira, the terror! I heard that Mira the terror has such a beautiful figure and facial that her enemies were all swoon by her looks alone. The dame is ruthless and swore that she would never dedicate her life to one master. How did the empress manage to recruit such beast into her side?” The senior knights continued to observe those who are guarding the empress carriage against afar. “Aren’t they all look a little bit rough to be the empire’s knights? They may wear the knight's armor, but the way they bring themselves looks a little like a group of mercenaries. Unlike the knights who received proper education, mercenaries don’t receive any proper education, nor do they come from noble families. What on Earth was the empress thinking bringing people like those into the empire?” The senior knights were warned by the others when one of the empress knights suddenly appeared beside them. “Because we are far better soldiers than you all combine. Mind your words in the presence of the empress, or death shall befall you.” The empress knight warned before going to his post. “What happened while we’re protecting the borders? Just what is happening after the death of the late emperor?” *** “Your majesty, here is your dinner.” Freya watched as Mira struggling to remember which cutlery that the empress would use. “Just give me a knife and fork.” Mira nodded and did as told. While Freya was cutting her meat to bite pieces, Mira was pouring a fresh cup of tea when a guard suddenly pushed a man into the empress tent and was forced to kneel. “What is it now?” Mira asked as Freya enjoys her dinner without batting an eye for whatever is happening in her tent. “This man was caught snooping around the empress tent.” Said the guards. “So? What’s the matter? Just cut his head off. Does the empress need to tell you everything?” Mira gave the kneeling man a scornful look. Freya was curious, so she decided to turn and look at the snooping man. “Are you that tired of living? Should I hang your body for everyone to see? I’ve noticed how hungry the animals out there are. Should I give your body for those animals to feast on? What’s the reason for you to be snooping around my tent?” Freya asked before bringing a piece of juicy steak into her mouth. The snooping man decided to keep his thoughts to himself. “Are you deaf? Answer the empress now!” The guard pushed the man’s head down. “Someone told me to investigate! I am one of the crown prince people! The crown prince was supposed to be the emperor! Those who followed the crown prince want to know if the current empress has done something to our prince!” Freya raised an eyebrow at how bold the man is. “The crown prince is simply incompetent to be the leader of this empire. That’s all you need to know. Mira; set an example from this incident. Make sure that everyone witnesses the moment you cut his head off. Let this be a warning for those who dare to question my position. I would like to enjoy my dinner.” Mira bow before dragging the man out of the tent. Once Mira found the perfect spot, she asked the knights who is under the empress's command to gathered the imperial knights so that they could be here and witness the death of their comrade. “What is going on?” Asked one of the captains. “Not long ago, this pitiful man decided to snoop around the empress tent and demand to know what happened to the crown prince. Unfortunately, the empress was enjoying her meal, and because of this man, the empress lost her appetite to eat. Because of that, the empress has ordered me to set an example.” Mira pulled out her sword and placed the blade on the back of the man’s neck. “You’re all proud knights of the empire. Please do remember that you’re not answering to the crown prince anymore. Let this be an example of how superior the empress influences is on your life. Remember that the empress has the final say if you deserve to live or die. For those who still wish to be under the incompetent crown prince, please do. But remember, anyone who is under the crown prince faction doesn’t live long enough.” Mira chuckled before she cuts the man’s head off and let it rolled on the ground. “Take care of the rest. The empress is waiting for me.” The empress knights nodded while the imperial knights were speechless. It took some time for them to process what is going on. “We- we shouldn’t offend the empress.” The commander muttered. *** “Your majesty, aren’t you going to do anything about this kind of welcoming? Not even one of the people of Sarasvati shows their sincerity as they saw your carriage enter the capital city. Should I do something to show them how real your influence is?” Freya grabbed hold of Mira’s wrist before pulling her back to her seat. “I expected this much. It doesn’t matter what kind of good deeds I’ve done; they will always think that I took my brother’s rightful place as the emperor. The only reason why I choose mercenaries as my knights is because the imperial knights don’t view me as part of the royal princess. I am nothing but the evil princess in their eyes who married to the grand duke.” Freya scoffed as she thought back to her miserable life and how far has she gone to be the person she is today. “And what did those imbeciles did to my husband after I gave birth to the triplet? They decided to kill him just because he’s showing a bit of sympathy and love for me.” Mira watched as the empress clenched her fist. “But that was ten years ago. And in those years, I’ve established enough power for myself to be the empress today. These people may call me any names they think suitable, but as long as this empire doesn’t fall from its greatness, I’m happy.” Mira sighed. “Your majesty, you called yourself the tyrannical empress, but your action doesn’t show me that you’re a tyrant at all. Sure, you end the life who show disrespect to your superiority but-,” Mira was interrupted when the coachman announced their arrival at the imperial palace. “Save your thoughts for another day. It’s been two months since I met the little princes and princess.” Mira sighed once again before opening the carriage door and walks out. “Welcome back, your majesty.” Freya watched as her children, Elias, Ezra, and Eliana, bow upon seeing their mother walking out from the carriage. “Have you been well, children?” The triplets nodded before they show their relief expression. “Welcome back, mother.” Elias was the first to strike a conversation with his mother, the tyrant empress. Although the imperial children are scared that they would say the wrong things in front of their mother, they know Freya wouldn’t act recklessly. “Thank you, Elias.” Freya turned to the princess with a nonchalant expression. “Eliana, have you been well?” The princess nodded. Freya noticed that her children seem to be hiding something from her. But because Freya sense that something is about to happen to her body, she decided to let it go. “It’s been a long journey. I expect to see you three tomorrow morning at breakfast.” Freya walked past her children, followed by Mira and several other maids. “Your majesty, isn’t that too harsh? The princes and princess have probably have been missing you since you’ve been gone for two months. And it seems the eldest prince wanted to say something to you.” Freya pinched the bridge of her nose before showing Mira her throbbing wrist. “Tonight must be a full moon. You may have the night off, Mira. I want to be alone.” Mira wanted to say something, but she knows better than to question the empress’s decision. “Of course, your majesty. I will make sure that none of the servants disturb your rest.” Freya walks into her chamber before locking herself inside. The maids were curious why the empress decided to isolate herself after she came back from the battlefield. “Dame Mira, what is going on?” One of the servants asked. “Nothing. The empress simply wishes to be alone for tonight. I will inform the head maid to keep this area off-limits until the empress goes out from her chamber.” The maids look at each other before nodding their heads. “Dame Mira, how was the battlefield?” Mira hummed her response. “It was an experience. I never thought that I would be happy to go back to my natural habitat, ever.” Mira chuckled. “Isn’t that a bit harsh, dame Mira? Although you had a reputation before becoming her majesty personal maid, it doesn’t make you a monster.” Mira finds it amusing to hear the head maid praise. “It’s been a long journey back home. I want to go to my quarters. If there is anything, please let me know as soon as possible. I bet it’s going to be a hard process for the empress. But whatever happens, you mustn’t let anyone other than the empress's servants knows about the issue. Do you understand me, head maid?” The head maid nodded. “And those who are here- if I heard that any of you decided to open that big mouth of yours about the empress situation, I will not hesitate to end your life. I am not as merciful as the rest. My only concern is for the empress alone.” The maids nodded their heads before bowing at the dame. Before Mira leaves, the head maid said something that intrigues the dame’s interest. “Dame Mira, about the task you asked me to complete before your expedition- I have found the person that maybe can help the empress.” The head maid handed a piece of paper that has the information Mira needed. “The priestess that the dame referring to before, her name is Aphrodite Maroth. The priestess has quite the reputation in the Holy Land, and there is a story of how the priestess could cure any illness. It might be hard for the empire to require their help since they decided to side with the allied kingdoms.” Mira smirk. “Good! I will handle the rest. Thank you for your hard work, head maid.” Mira excuse herself. “Aphrodite Maroth- I finally found you. The empress will be happy to know this. The high priestess might be doing her best to keep you hidden from our knowledge, but it seems God has better plans for you.” Mira continues to laugh.