Divine Empress (COMPLETED)

Chapter Ten

Raina's POV

Our skin touched when we held the candle, slowly lower the candle until the flames touched the three sticks of incenses. Light grey smoke rose from the three sticks, we lifted the candle and held it high, “Cero No, goddess of marriage and promise, bless and protect us like a charm. Ros Cu light up the love and flames between us like the light and flames of the candles.” We said together, then turned to face each, still holding the candle.

“I vow to be with you in life until death and promise to stay by your side until then,” we turned back to face the burning incenses and alter of marbles that carried names on them. “We stand before Wooha(h) family, together as one promise, we ask for blessing and protection. Guide us as heads of the Empire, to each other as we rule…” Bowing our heads, “Many thanks for today.”

Surprised that I remembered the vow, we rose from our bow and waited for the Omen to take the candle. Empire extended his hand, I took his hand and seemed we had to turn, face the Omen, who held a book. “In the eyes of the Heavens, family and earth, you are one.” Looking into the book, and they wrote our names on the page.

At least they did not write Divine Raina Lee.

Feeling a warm soft squeeze, turning my gaze to the Emperor, he did not turn his gaze to me but his shifting. I realised we had to turn as I followed, and the Omen announced, “All rise for the Wooha(h) royals, Emperor Kai Jai and Empress Raina Sol Maka.”

Sol Maka? Divine Being?

As we turned, my eyes widened in shock. Just across from the hall the Empire and I were in, there was another gazebo-like hall and there were people, “Many blessings and praise to the Royal Rulers!” They all said, bowing to our direction.

Oh, I have a bad feeling this is going to be a long day… And boy was right.

The Emperor and I sat together on one big chair, stayed still with no food or drink given to us and had to listen and thank guest as each approached and bowed to us. Every time I think it was done, more comes out from nowhere. The sweet smell of food called my name, but the servants rushed passed our table and headed for the guests’ table and placed their tray of dishes. You Rina and the Emperor’s eunuch placed short size glasses in front, a smile beamed on my face, as they poured in the glasses, then other servants followed and poured drinks for the guests.

As the Emperor raised, You Rina helped me up and handed me my glass, and excitement was bubbling within me. “We thank you for coming to our joyous day…”

‘Joyous day’? Yeah, right, I thought in my head and rolled my eyes.

“A toast to for a new begin,” he continued. He lifted his glass, and I, ready and set to throw that short straight down my throat. The glass was just inches from my lips, but You Rina grabbed my wrist, glanced at her in confusion. She shook her head, my lips parted and glanced to the guest who drank their short, then the Emperor. It seemed he also did not drink, as he placed his glass back down on the table and I followed with a pout. “Please enjoy,” he said.

Everyone stood with their glasses refilled, they lifted them and bowed, “Long live the heads of the Empire!” They all said, stayed bowing as the Emperor was being helped down, and You Rina also helped me from our table. The Emperor waited by the entrance of the door when I was beside him, he offered his arm. I took his arm, and we walked side-by-side heading for the exit from the garden.

When I was certain that we far from the guest, I released a long-waited sigh and groan, “I’m hungry, I want to get out from this pail of clothing and my head hurts from carrying all that stuff. I mean, why couldn’t I at least get a drink before leaving.” I glanced at him, “are we not the guests of honour? Shouldn’t we be in the celebration?”

“It’s a Promise Love ceremony, meaning the couple which us, do not spend their time with others but with each other. And that is why we don’t eat nor drink with the guests, and we don’t need their company to celebrate a union.”

“It speaks,” I murmured, stunned that he responded to question.

He turned his head and his crimson red eyes stared down at me, holding no expression, “do you wish I don’t speak, Divine Empress?” He asked.

Quickly shaking my head and said, “no, no, no! It’s not like that, it’s just… that you never addressed to me.”

“Forgive my rudeness, Divine Empress,” he bowed his head and looked ahead. I glanced over my shoulders, recognizing my group of handmaidens, then beside them was the Emperor’s. Following us from a respectful distance, but also keeping their distance. Glanced back at the Emperor, he was seriously too formal.

Silence was back on between the Emperor, and I, until we reached his palace, dining hall. With the help of You Rina and another handmaiden, they removed the gold wide waistband and Imperial, then my hair accessory, which was one relief. Second joy was the number of dishes waiting on the dining table, quick to take a seat, my gaze was on every dish that waited to gulp down by me.

Hearing footsteps coming my way, I glanced up and saw the Emperor who also lost his coat approached the table. He took a sit across from me; he reached for a jug and poured himself, then me a glass, lifting his glass, “to us?” He said.

I stared at him for some time, before taking my glass and lifted the glass, “there’s not really us. Just a misunderstanding until I get back to my world.” I said, he shrugged his shoulders, and I lifted an eyebrow, wanting an answer.

He sighed, “I don’t really care, I’m just trying to figure out my position on the throne. In public eye we are Emperor and Empress, but behind the walls of the palace, we are just thinking about ourselves.”

“So… You won’t mind if I just vanish back to my world?”

“You don’t have to feel you have a duty because of a misunderstanding. I will not blame you,” he shook his head.

“Okay!” I sighed, leaned forward with my glass. “To us… I guess.”

“To us…” Our glass clicked, and I threw the short straight into my mouth, gulped a burning liquid down my throat. A familiar taste, I groaned, recalling my first meeting with Trix. This was the same drink we shared in the park. Before I could pour another drink, the Emperor grabbed the jug and stood up. “I take the sofa; you can have the bed.” He said, he turned his heels and was about to walk out.

Jumping on my feet, “wait!” I yelled, he stopped and glanced my way. “Huh…” I pointed at the jug.

He glanced down at it then me, “there’s another jug…” He pointed at the servant who stood waiting by the wall, holding a similar jug. The servant hurried to my side, bowed, and poured into my glass. Nervously, I laughed and lifted my glass, toast to him and he nodded his head before disappearing.

Under the rim of the glass, I muttered, “boring wedding… And it is mine.” Threw the short down my throat, “more!”

Maybe… This drink was key back to Earth.

…

“Divine Empress…” A soft voice called out to me, “Divine Empress…” It called out again, as massive headache crept in. Groaning in pain, “Divine Empress, we must get you ready. You’re meeting Grand Empress Dowager. Divine Empress…”

“Okay, okay, I’m up!” I groan, turning to my side. My head was pounding, “ah! I have a hangover.” I cried, feeling someone wrapping their arms around me and forcing me up.

“Divine Empress, drink this tea…” I felt a warm rim touching my lips as the person tilt the cup, I lifted my head and parted my lips. Warm liquid flowed into my mouth, but when my taste awoken by strong bitter taste.

Snapping my eyes opened, pushed myself off the person and spitting the drink out from my delicate mouth. “Ew!” I cried, snapped my gaze to the person responsible for my morning torture. “What was that!?” I asked, narrowing my gaze at You Rina, who giggled sheepishly.

“Good morning, Divine Empress.” She jumped onto her feet and bowed, “your morning bath is ready, and your Greeting dress has arrived.” She said, clearly ignoring my question.

“What did you make me drink?” I asked again, narrowing my gaze on the cup that was still in her hand.

She nervously laughed, “it is hangover tea, Emperor suggested it. After all, you had three jugs of wine, Divine Empress.”

I groaned, and the headache came back with a bang, “kill me!” cried and laying back into bed. I thought drinking that wine would be the key to going back to earth. Instead, I got a massive hangover, at least my throat was not raw from the drinking all that wine.

God help me!