The Diabolical

Troublemaker

Rose’s PoV

“Oh- are you going to be sleeping in our bed chamber tonight?” I smiled at Kian before closing the door behind me.

“I thought I would spend a night with you after we went through earlier.” Kian smiled.

“I see- I thought you missed me.” Oh- is my husband being playful? I smiled back before taking a seat on the bed.

“Kian, how is Kiera? Is she still mad at me?” Kian nodded his head yes.

“Of course she is. You force her to take sword lessons when she wants to learn ballet. We both know that Kiera doesn’t like doing anything that requires her to act rough.” I sighed.

“But as the princess, she needs to learn how to protect herself. The guards don’t always be there to save her. We need to prepare her well for the future.” Kian agreed, but I know he has a different opinion than I am.

“But you think Kiera should learn something she is interested in than something she hates to do?” Kian nodded.

“I’m sorry, Rose, but Kiera is at that age where she will be a most likely rebel against her parents. So I suggest that we should give what she wants.” I scoffed.

“If we are that kind of parents, Kiera will grow up to be a snobbish little princess, and once she rises to the throne, she will bring this empire to its ruin.” I stood up from the bed and walked towards my husband standing in front of the mirror.

“Tell me, Kian. Did you find yourself a lady when you visited the House of Beauty?” Kian chuckled as she looked at me through the mirror.

“Of course, I didn’t. Why would I try to find someone not as perfect as my wife? I know we married each other because it benefited us both, but after all those years and having a child from this marriage, I think even I would fall in love with my wife. And I do agree that I am scared of you and your unexpected temperament.” I hugged Kian from behind and sighed.

“Good. That’s the whole point, after all. Kian, The elders are not happy because I want to replace them with those who know how to do their job. What do you think? Will you be able to complete your task?” Kian nodded.

“Rose, for you, for our family, I will do anything even if I have to sacrifice myself.” I chuckled.

“Don’t sacrifice yourself because Kiera will hate me even more if you die on us.” Kian sighed.

“Don’t you want to talk to Kiera? Do you want to make our only child hate you?” Of course, I don’t want that child to hate me. But someone needs to be the bad guy, and I think I am the bad guy that hunts her nightmare.

“Kiera will learn how to be an adult whether she likes it. I will continue to be her reminder. Kian, do not spoil our daughter rotten.” I let go of Kian’s body and strut towards the balcony overlooking the vast capital.

“I know that the relationship between Kiera and me is strained, but trust me when I say I’m doing what I can to protect her. Beyond that garrison is something Kiera has never seen before. What if we told Kiera that dragons and witches exist outside the capital? What if we told her that those supernatural beings hide their identity as humans? Do you think she will be alright without knowing how to protect herself?” Kian stood beside me as we admired the scenery together.

“Since we celebrated the empire's newest knight commander, why don’t we take the opportunity to introduce Kiera to other beings? It will serve as a way to make a statement to our enemies that we are not alone. We have allies from all species, which should be an interesting gala.” Kian has a point.

“That means we will let the rulers of other species be their normal self without using transformation spells?” Kian nodded.

“Do you think Kiera will be able to handle it when the lizard clan comes and greet the princess?” Kian hummed.

“Well, that child needs to start from somewhere.” I rested my head on Kian’s shoulder.

“Do you think Gisele will ever let this go?” Kian shakes her head.

“Knowing Gisele, she will try to kill us. Taking Gisele back to court means the elders will do something behind the scene again. What are you planning to do with Gisele? Do you think the citizen will let a killer lead the imperial knights?” Of course, the people of Goterra will never let Gisele protect them. But that’s the whole point.

“Gisele was a talented knight who I’m sure could do a better job than the former commander. Look- those mercenaries are having fun shaping the imperial knights in their way. Gisele was angry at the way we do things. But she took her new job seriously.” Kian watched the imperial knights being tortured by the mercenaries.

“What are they doing at this time of hour? It’s too late.” Kian was about to leave when I stopped him.

“Your wife is here after so long, and you’re going to leave?” Kian seems to be contemplating whether he should leave or stay with me.

“But the knights- Gisele will make a lot of enemies among them. We don’t want that.” I waved my hands.

“Oh please, Gisele can handle herself. Did you forget how Gisele was when we were students of the academy?” Kian shakes his head no.

“Who could forget? Mr. Liam came one day, bringing a girl from an unknown background into a prestigious academy. Everyone seems to be making a fuss about Gisele on her first day, and some even made such rumors saying she’s a bastard child of Mr. Liam. But the moment Gisele holds a sword; she is a completely different person. Only those who know the fundamentals will notice such stare within hr black orbs. It looks like I was absorbed into an abyss.” Gisele was the first human who managed to defeat a dragon with a sword and a shield.

That’s why I wanted to be friends with her before. But now it is different; Gisele had become a mercenary, and she has lost why she held a sword. But I know that wouldn't stop her from looking for Mr. Liam’s killer.

“I- I hope Gisele does find the killer. Because that way, we could find our son’s killer too.” Kian placed his arm around me.

“Me too, Rose.”

LATER THAT DAY

“Hey! I was talking to you! Didn’t you hear me?! Rose!” I stopped on my track before facing Gisele.

“You’re working for me now. So you need to call me by my title properly. Try to say it with me, Gisele. Your majesty-“ Gisele clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“Is this the face of someone in the mood to call you by your title?! What the f**k is wrong with you? Have you forgotten what I’ve done to the people of Goterra? And now you want me to be the knight’s commander?! Have you lost your mind?” Is that it?

“I’m sure you will bring victory to our empire. Don’t worry about the silly little things.” I was about to leave when Gisele grabbed me by the shoulder.

“Rose- you have to find someone else to be the commander. I swore that I would find the person who poisoned your child. But I can’t be here. I’ve sinned!” Oh- this is the first time Gisele has acted like this.

“Dame Gisele, please- you’re talking to the same person who destroys a village with its occupant. Do you think I would care what my commander did before?” I removed her hands from my shoulder before walking towards the dining hall.

“Why don’t you join me for lunch. Perhaps you could tell me what is hidden inside your chest. It seems you’re ready to kill someone with that look of yours.” I invited Gisele for lunch, to whom she accepted without saying a word.

That’s new.

“Why did you choose me? Is it because of that promise you made?” Well, part of it. If Calypso didn’t bring this woman back to the capital, I wouldn’t have met Gisele again. Perhaps I should compensate that courtesan for her contribution.

“Because you will bring victory for Goterra. Your task is simple; prepare the imperial knights for war. You’ve seen how pathetic the knights are under the lead of the former commander. Fix it.” Gisele sighed while the servants served our lunch.

“Your knights are a lost cause. I observed them with my own eyes last night, and they were an addiction to some drug that made them invincible for a few hours. After the rugs wear off, they’re nothing but useless vessels.” What?!

“Any ideas as to how they manage to get this drug?” Gisele shrugged.

“Who knows- even if I asked them while they were sober, they have no idea since everything was prepared for them by the former commander. Now that he’s gone, there seems to be quite a problem.” First the betrayal and now drugs. How did I let this happen?

I’ve lost my touch.

“How did you know about the drug, and how long does it last?” Gisele smiled.

“Oh please- I’ve traveled to many places and had my share of experiences.” Experiences Huh-

“And no, I didn’t take any illegal substances into my body. The guys did. It took a lot for them to stop relying on the drug. But they became quite a useless pawn whenever I needed them to put their life my risk. Being a mercenary doesn’t mean having a good life. We always travel from town to town to find food to feed ourselves.” Gisele had been through a lot.

“Then why didn’t you reach for help? The three of us were close friends before the incident. Is it because of my notorious reputation?” Gisele nodded.

“You’re not the same person that I met at the academy. How many lives had you taken with your hands? How many wars had you started? In my travels, I heard a lot about your stories, and it became worse each time too. What happened to you, Rose?” Hmmm- what happened to me? Even I have no idea.

“I did what I did to survive. The future of this empire is uncertain since an untrustworthy group of people surrounds me. It’s a blessing that the courtesan manages to coax you back to the capital. If not, we would be having lunch together.” Gisele sighed.

“And I’m planning to leave as soon as I can. I can’t take over this job you offered. I am not worthy. I’m sorry, but I can’t accept it.” Well, I had predicted this to happen sooner or later.

“You can’t escape from me. You killed the former commander in my presence.”

“That was because you asked me too!”

“Do you have proof?“ Gisele was taken aback.

“Well- Calypso and Kian were there!” I started to laugh while cutting my steak with the knife.

“And you think my husband and my guest would choose your side? Why would they do that?” Gisele closed her eyes before sighing hard.

“You’re f****d up! Do you know that?” I smiled.

“I know. I mean, I have a lot of nicknames. Even my child hates me. Did you think I care what others think?” Gisele suddenly looks at me.

“I met your daughter earlier. Did you know she’s been escaping from the palace and to the town?” I dropped my knife when I heard what this woman had just said.

“If you think you could lie to me, you’re wrong.” Gisele hummed.

“Well, I was telling you what I saw. I mean, you can ask your servants. They seem a little bit suspicious if you ask me.” I glared at the servants.

“Well? Where is the nanny? Find her for me.” The servants nodded.

“Gisele, go and find my child.” Gisele seemed confused as she chewed her food.

“Now?”

“Now would be best.” Gisele sighed before excusing herself.