Divine Empress (COMPLETED)

Chapter Eleven

Raina's POV

Grand Empress Dowager, Emperor Kai Jai’s grandmother, the pervious Emperor's mother. I know little of her, other than she holds more power and well-respected in the Empire. She sounds like someone no one must never mess with, and I need to make sure I was on her good side. This morning, the Emperor and I had an audience with as we get her blessing over the marriage, and for her to meet me.

Glad my formal dressing today had fewer layers of clothing, and was simple, but elegant. Once again, the colour was scarlet red and two side-slits starting from below the hips, but with floral embellishment and was sleeveless with a cape added. The under shirt and skirt were off white, the gathered skirt added volumes to my dress and had two gold bands above the hem to match with the two gold bands from the scarlet red dress. The dress may be sleeveless, but my under shirt had narrow sleeves, heavily embellished by red floral, gold feathers and pearls from the wrist to my elbow.

I also over the moon when given the green light to wear wedge boots, I had my eye on, the heel/wedge made from wood as sole was black leather and fabric to complete the boot matched my scarlet red with floral embellishment. Sadly, my head had to carry the wig and hairpins, worse even my hangover still had not cleared up because I refused to finish that thing, they called tea. Slightly glaring at the Emperor who suggested it.

He wore a similar outfit like mine, royal blue with a floral embellishment, but he had sleeves and the cuffs heavily embellished like my under-skirt sleeves. Wore a black trousers and boots royal blue with floral embellishment, then his cape looked like upgrade from mine. Same length, but in front had thick gold ropes going across his chest. He got hotter than he already was. How was that possible!?

“His Royal Imperial Grace, Emperor Kai Jai, and Her Royal Imperial Grace, Empress Raina Sol Maka!” That was a familiar voice announcing our arrival, I wondered as Emperor and I entered the meeting hall of Grand Empress Dowager.

My gaze was on the prideful woman, who looked to grace her fifties, clear by her midnight-black hair with slight grey hairs from the temple, decorated by electric blue butterfly hairpins, gold flowers and pearls on her head like a crown. Her head held up with no visible express on her face as her royal purple-brown eyes gazed down at Emperor and I as approached her, seated at the head of the room like an Empress.

Stopping at the foot, both Emperor and I bowed, “many blessings and praise, Grand Empress Dowager.” We said in perfect sync.

Pet on the back…

“Rise,” she said, or should I say, she ordered.

“Many thanks, Grand Empress Dowager.” We raised. My eyes noticed a familiar face, standing next to Grand Empress Dowager. Court Lady Rin.

She must be Grand Empress Dowager’s handmaiden, “is everything well?” Grand Empress Dowager asked, it was hard to tell if she was being sincere or not. She held ‘don’t mess with me’ look and was not helping me, epically since there was Court Lady Rin, right next to her.

One wrong move and I would be down in seconds, “everything is well, Grand Empress Dowager. Our marriage ceremony had no issue, and every council member was present to pay their respect.” Emperor said, I noticed his head was slightly down and his gaze was on the ground. Is there a rule on talking to the Grand Empress Dowager?

“Empress, I hope everything has reached your expirations?” She asked me.

“Huh—yes, Grand Empress Dowager. Thank you for your concern,” I said with a smile, and slightly bowed to her.

“Have you thought of which exams, you'll be taking? Or you would you be taking a short course of military services?”

“Exam? Military services?” Realising I blurted out, I slapped my hand on my lips and glanced over at Court Lady Rin. She looked unbothered like I did not just make a mistake, but I had a gut feeling she was itching to grab stick friend. Clearly my throat and turned my gaze back to Grand Empress Dowager, “forgive my outburst, but I do not understand what you meant by exams and military services, Grand Empress Dowager?”

Her gaze narrowed down at me, and my hairs became of a point. Tension thickened in the room, “if you don’t take the exams or military, then my first advice is producing an heir.” I gaped, wanting to say something, but I felt like I was going to make things worse. “I believe it is time to leave and see Empress Dowager,” she turned her gaze away from us.

Emperor bowed, and I followed, “thank you for your time, Grand Empress Dowager.” Emperor said as I muttered, confused about everything that happened.

Exams? military services? Produce an heir!? Empress Dowager?

I wondered as we walked out from Grand Empress Dowager’s meeting hall. Once outside, Emperor suddenly picked up some pace, I tried to chase after him, but You Rina stopped me. She held my arm, glanced at her, “You Rina?” I questioned.

She glanced around and smiled, “your carriage is ready.” She said, stilling holding my arm and pulling me to follow. I glanced over my shoulder, noticing Grand Empress Dowager’s servants had their eyes on us while dealing with the duties.

Staying silent as You Rina dragged me to the carriage, it seemed Emperor and I were travelling in separate carriages. Once inside, “okay child, start talking.” I said, narrowing my gaze on her.

“Huh…” She nervously giggled then cleared her throat, “there’s five exams that every citizen most take decides who they are and what career path they most venture in. All nobles especially Royals make sure they take all five exams and pass it. Then there're military services, everyone goes to service the Empire, and as usual nobles and Royal had served. As Empress, you need to have knowledge of the laws and rules of the Empire, because you’ll be involved in government and when you have an heir, he or she becomes Emperor or Empress, you must be help them. Just like Grand Empress Dowager is, but you’d be an Empress Dowager.”

“Empress Dowager? I heard Grand Empress Dowager say something like that?” You Rina became tense, lowered her gaze to her hands that laid on her lap. “You Rina?”

“We’re going to the Temple of Darkness, that is where Empress Dowager lives,” she spoke in soft tone.

“Is she… The Emperor’s mother?” Nodding her head, “why is she staying in the palace?”

Lifted her head, glanced around even though we were alone in the carriage. She leaned forward, and I leaned in too, “no one really talks about it since she’s the reason His Grace is cursed. She committed a serious crime in the palace to be in this position.”

“What did she do?” She shook her head as leaned back, she looked terrified. I remembered asking Tearl, and she did not want to go deep into details. I shook my head and gave her warm smile, “it’s okay. You don’t need to worry.” I said.

“We have to worry about her, we’re going to meet her!” She rambled.

Rolling my eyes, “if you’re afraid then you don’t have to come with me.”

“I can’t leave your side, Divine Empress!” She gasped; she takes her duty way too serious for a sixteen-year-old.

“Okay then…” I shrugged, leaning back. I was going to meet the Emperor’s mother.

That will be interesting…

Reaching Temple of Darkness was nerve wricking, the temple itself reflected its name—gothic appeal with a hint of horror movie feel to the building. I felt the Emperor and my clothing was too bright for the scene, but no one said anything as an Omen greeted us by the entrance and led us to the deepest part the temple. Shivers ran down my spine from both the cold and eerie silent in the temple—almost like the dead lived here.

My grip around the Emperor’s arm tightened and walked closer to his side. I flinched in surprise when I heard a loud bang and click echoing down the dim hallway. The Omen in front of us dragged open the door and bowed her head, taking one long deep breath as we strolled into the room. The room was dark with only having a mountain of candles from ahead to give what light they could, but it looked like the was empty and cold at the same time.

Inches away from the entrance, we stopped. I looked at Emperor, and showed no emotion, just stared at the altar of candles. I stared over at the alter; I noticed a picture hanging above the candles, but I could not see who it was on. Again, I flinched, hearing clatter coming from the darkness. Slowly stepping out of the darkness, laughter followed, and a woman appeared from the bit of light.

Her grey hair dripped down from her head over one side of her face and one crimson-forest green eye stared straight our way, needles pinched my skin when saw her smirked devilishly. “Son…” She whispered, slowly stepping our way, hearing the cold clatter again, my gaze slide down to her feet, and I saw chains wrapped around each of her ankles. “It has been so long since we see you,” she snapped her gaze to the picture that hanged up. “What so you think, Emperor?”

Emperor? Does she mean… Emperor Kai Jai’s father?

“We’re leaving,” Emperor muttered angrily, he turned, dragging me along with him.

“SON! SON!” She screamed, then laughed evilly. “SON!”