CHAPTER 1

TWENTY YEARS LATER

'Saintess, are you sure you are fine?' Nora asked her as she sat on her bed.

'How can I be? Where is he now?'

'He has been staying at the flower house ever since you had that fight,' Nora replied.

'That's good then. I wouldn't want him to see me this way anyway. Make sure there are enough people to protect him,' she said.

'Don't worry about that. The young Lord is protected well,' Nora said.

'That's a relief then. So what has been happening for the past two months?' she asked.

Nora began to tell her the affairs of the palace while she had been asleep. A lot had surely occurred.

'There is a new merchant in the city? Where did he come from?'

'He doesn't mean any harm, Saintess. He gave his tribute the moment he opened his establishment in the city,' Nora said.

'That's good because I wouldn't want anyone to put on airs. I'm not in any mood to shed any blood. I have shed enough already,' she said as she stood on her feet.

'Be careful Saintess, your body isn't well enough.'

'I know my body very well. I just didn't imagine that this time I would sleep for two months. I guess my mother was right back then.'

'We have sent for the divine doctor, the Left Guardian already sent news and said that they will be arriving later today.'

'If that's so then I'm relieved. Prepare me a hot bath and tell the kitchen to prepare some shrimp porridge for me.'

'I will do that immediately,' Nora said and left her alone in her room.

Valery looked around in the room she was now using ever since her mother passed away. It was beautiful, its beauty amazes her every day she stepped into it. Her mother was a very passionate woman who put so much effort into starting this palace. The Lotus palace was started with her blood, sweat and tears and she was going to protect it until the end.

As the Saintess and the mistress of the palace her duties were many. She had to make sure that the palace was well taken care of; the matters of the pugilistic world too and of the normal citizens. The civil population did no harm and rarely caused it but those in her circle were always troublesome.

After the death of her mother she found those who were responsible for poisoning her. They took away the only family she had left with, so she made them suffer something worse than death until they were all gone. After revenging her mother she expanded her palace and ventured into many businesses. Her palace may be feared by everyone but she had people to feed too.

She walked on the narrow aisle that led to the door and stopped into the middle. Her bedroom had two ponds built in it which were separated by the aisle that she was standing on. The ponds contained one huge white lotus flower each. The lotuses had been there before she was born; her power came from them and that was what people thought. They had been many cases where people would break in just to destroy the flowers.

Her mother was surely a crafty person and she admired her for that. She continued with her walk until she left her bedroom. She began to walk in the hallway, passing many disciples who knelt down in respect immediately. As she was walking she met Nora who told her that her bath was ready. Valery followed her and the maids undressed her; Valery climbed down into the huge bath tub filled with scented rose petals and sat down. She closed her eyes and let the herbal water heal her. The maids were busy washing her long hair while the others were busy wiping her body.

As the mistress of the palace, she had at least ten maids to serve her during her bath; ten more to serve her for every meal and when she was leaving the palace she would have ten maids, ten female bodyguards and ten male bodyguards.

She never loved to carry a weapon wherever she goes, the weapons were meant for those that served her and not her. She was just fine without a sword, a dagger or anything of that sort.

After being in the water for thirty minutes she emerged and the maids helped her to put on the inner robe to wipe the water from her. The other maids began to wipe her hair so that it would dry up while she remains seated. The other was busy applying cream on her body. That brought memories of when her mother was still alive, her mother was served by at least twenty maids and yet they couldn't prevent her from being poisoned. She found that at least ten of them were spies and she had them executed in front of every disciple as a warning.

Having fewer maids was for the better, not that anyone would harm her. She stood up and let them dress her in her favorite colors; red and black.

'I love this gown,' she said as she looked at the gown she had been dressed in.

'The young Lord had these made while you were sleeping,' Nora said.

'He did?'

'Yes, there are many of them. I will show you after you have your porridge,' she said.

'Let's do that then,' she said.

The maids were finally doesn't and she made her way to another hall where her food had already been prepared for her. It's been too long she ate, she said taking a seat on her usual seat. The maids tasted her food first before she dug into the porridge and finished the whole bowl that had been prepared for her.

'Mistress, the Left Guardian heard that you are awake and he is here seeking your audience,' Nora said.

'Send him in,' Valery said washing her hands.

The Left Guardian walked in and she smiled. This man was a loyal man. She had known him for decades and yet he never betrayed her or the palace.

'Oh hail my Saintess and Mistress,' he praised as he knelt down and crossed his arms.

'You may rise,' she said and he did so.

'You look more beautiful and refined mistress,' he said and she smiled.

'You know how to make me smile all the time Guardian. Why are you here?'

'There is an invitation that the royal family sent one month ago and since you are now awake, how should we deal with it? I never gave them a reply.'

Valery pondered over the issue for a while. She had always turned all invitations down from the palace and yet these people just couldn't give up.

'I haven't been to the capital city in years after that incident. Write to them and tell them that I will come but what event is there this time?' she asked when she realized she didn't even know.

The Left Guardian smiled at her and said, 'I'm glad that you never changed. I would have been worried if my mistress was lost. The Royal Consort gave birth to another baby boy and the Emperor will be hosting a huge celebration for him in a week.'

'That's the case; I guess the consort is busy. How many children had she birthed after she entered the palace?'

'That would be the fourth child,' he replied.

'She sure is lucky, no wonder why she is highly favored,' she commented thinking of how she would never be able to have that feeling of birthing a child.

'It's because you raised her well mistress. Because of your grace she is who she is today.'

'I guess you could say that. So does Xavier know?'

'He does.'

'What was his response?'

'He is still drinking; he probably isn't taking it well.'

'That's good then. Prepare for the journey, we will be leaving in two days and Xavier would be joining us. Send him a message and tell him to return to the palace immediately,' she instructed.

'I will do that immediately. I will take my leave now.'

'Farewell!'

Valery watched as the Left Guardian left and sighed. It was time to settle an issue she had been pushing aside for years.

'Nora!'

'I'm here, what can I do for you?'

'Prepare the men and let them settle in the capital first. Have them scout and spy on those generals. It's time to uproot them,' she said.

'I will get down to it now.'

'Go and do your thing, I will take a walk,' she said standing up.

Nora left the hall and she made her move too.

She took her time seeing what her palace was like now. While she was asleep it had been taken care of very well. She was going to reward everyone for being responsible.

The Lotus Palace consisted of many halls; there was the main hall which she conducted the palace affairs in; her golden hall which she resided in as the mistress; the red hall she used to live before when she was the young mistress and recently unoccupied; another hall which the Left Guardian resides in with his family; halls for maids and the guards.

The palace took the whole mountain and since they didn't lack financially they easily expanded and built more halls if they get too many. Her mountain had over three thousands disciples; some were responsible for farming the lands, some were merchants, spies, royal guards, soldiers, scholars.

There wasn't any city you wouldn't find a lotus palace follower or disciple. They were everyone like a plague and difficult to find sometimes though some would get caught. Without information one wouldn't get anywhere, one need to know what was happening around him or her in order to grasp the situation and to plan for the next step.

She exited the palace and walked towards her parents' tomb. She prayed and hoped that they were reunited and fine where they were. She really missed them a lot. She was young when her father passed away leaving her and her mother alone. Her mother was so devastated she couldn't see anyone. She was very young at that time and didn't understand anything. Her mother didn't see her for three years but went on a killing spree. She understood why she did it when she was grown up. Her father was murdered and her mother was only seeking justice for the love of her life. She never really had her mother's love since she was busy mourning the love of her life and who will love her now?

She sat down next to the tomb and wondered what life would be if they were both besides her right now? Would they be proud of her? Would they blame her for what she did these past two decades? Would they smile at her and tell her that she is the best? She had so many questions and yet there was no one to answer her.

She sighed and took a deep breath; she had a long journey ahead of her now. She didn't remember the last time she went to the capital but it was time to do that. She had scores to settle down and it was the perfect time for that.

'Saintess, you have guests,' Nora said and she looked at her. When did she begin walking like a cat? She didn't hear her approaching at all.

'Who is it?'

'It's the Willow City Mayor,' she replied.

Why that old geez would come to her the day she woke up? Did they put spies in her palace while she was sleeping?

'Take me to him,' Valery said and Nora helped her up.

She went back to the palace and found the mayor waiting for her in the main hall she receives guests in. he greeted her respectfully and waited for her until she took her seat.

'Mayor, why are you here?'

'Saintess, I'm here to ask you for a favor,' he said.

'Just get straight to the point, I have things to do,' she said.

'I have heard that you will be travelling to the capital and I was wondering if you could make me tag along,' he said and she smiled.

'I don't know how you heard all that news but it makes me wonder if you have planted your people in my house,' she said and saw the man shaking.

'I wouldn't dare, Saintess.'

'It better be that way because if I ever find anyone spying on me, I will skin them alive and hang them on the trees in the mountain road so that everyone would see them while passing through the mountain as a reminder and a warning of who I am,' she threatened and the man fell down on his knees.

'I wouldn't do that Saintess. It's because of your grace that I can still be mayor of the city. I wouldn't do anything shameful to you.'

'I really do hope so because I'm in a bad mood. So what do I get for taking you to the capital?' she asked changing the subject.

'I have something in my manor that can be to your liking,' he replied and she wondered what that would be.

'What is it?' she asked.

'It will be better for you if you see it for yourself. I'm afraid I can't move it easily,' he said.

'I will be leaving in two days, so let's go and see what this thing is before I decide to let you come along,' she said and looked at Nora.

'I will get the carriage ready,' Nora said and left the hall.

Valery left the palace with the mayor and her guards. The place looked different she noticed, the flowers were blooming. She wondered what the city was like now. Would she be able to see him now that she was personally entering the city? Her heart really aches but she couldn't help it. She closed her eyes to chase every thought away and let herself to reach the manor in a peaceful manner.

Her carriage was never stopped at the city gates; they knew how deadly it was. So they passed smoothly and she opened the carriage window; the people couldn't see her face since there was a curtain inside. People were happy, they were busy with their daily life, some were moving away upon realizing whose carriage was passing by which made her smile. It's been two months and they still remember.

The carriage finally came to a halt and the door was opened. She stood up and Nora helped her to get down the carriage. Whenever she was in public she never showed her real face. She hated being looked upon. She was in her thirties and yet she still looked the same as she was when her mother died. People were scared of her already and adding that to the list was something she wouldn't want at all.

She took the stairs down the carriage and her feet touched the ground. She held her hands together and followed the mayor into his manor. He gave her his seat which she took happily and settled herself comfortably. The maids brought some snacks and wine. Nora did the tasting; she couldn't trust anyone except for Nora.

Nora was a child she took after she became the mistress of the palace. She found her on the streets. She was a survivor, an intelligent girl and witty too. Given proper education and direction, Valery knew that she will become the best. She personally trained her and gave her all she could and now Nora was the best at protecting her from the unseen danger that always lurks everywhere.

'I don't have much time to wine and dine in your manor, Mayor. So you better be quick before I change I mind,' Valery said sipping the cherry wine.

The mayor clapped his hands and the guards came in holding a huge box which looked heavy from the look of it. What would be hidden inside of that thing? They put the box down and opened it.

She waited anxiously to see what was so important she had to leave the mountain and enter the city for? She finally saw it and she smiled. The old man was so good at currying favors. She stood up and walked towards the item that was hidden in the box. She circled it, admiring it and looked at the mayor who was now waiting for her reaction.

'I will forgive you this once for making me coming all this way,' she said looking at him and saw his face being drained of all the energy and she continued, 'since you made an effort I will take you to the capital and whatever happens to you there will be on you.'

'Thank you very much Saintess,' he said his face happy all over again.

It felt good fooling the old man. She loved the gift. Someone had made a huge effort of carving a lotus flower using the finest and purest white jade. Who would say no to such a gift?

'Nora, had this gift return to the palace and come with me somewhere,' Valery instructed.

'I will do that,' Nora said and began to work.

She returned back to the seat she was on and took a bite of the snacks that was in her plate.

'These are delicious, you should reward whoever made them,' she said it meaningfully.

'I will do that. If you love them so much, I can gift you the cook,' the mayor said.

'I have enough cooks in my palace, I won't be able to sleep if I take such a person from you,' she said standing up.

'If you say so then I should thank you,' he said.

'I will send a man to you; remember that we will be leaving in two days and in the morning.'

'I will be ready Saintess.'

'My job is done here, I will take my leave,' Valery said walking out.

The mayor sends her off up to the gate and she made him return inside.

'Are you getting onto the carriage, Mistress?' Nora asked.

'No, I will take a walk. Is he still there?'

'Yes, he is.'

'Good, make sure he doesn't leave. I will personally drag him out of that place,' Valery said and began to walk.

Walking might be dangerous for a person like her but luckily the people knew who to mess around with.

They looked at her, made comments about her, some were whispering but she just threw everything away. She passed through a market place and it reminded her when she was still young. She would sneak out of the mountain and come to the city and shop all she wanted. She stopped at one stall and gazed at the jewelry being sold.

'Saintess, pick whatever you want. It's on me,' the old man said and she looked at him.

How did he even know that it was her? Valery smiled and looked at the hairpins being sold and found one. It was a rose hairpin and she knew exactly who to give. She picked the hairpin and pulled Nora closer and put the hairpin on her head.

'Mistress, this..'

'Take it as a gift from me and pay this man,' she said and left.

She hated taking something without paying for it. She continued with her journey until she stopped right in front of the flower house where her person was hiding in.

She took a deep breath and walked inside. She was welcomed by the lady of the house.

'Saintess, I didn't know you were coming,' she said.

'I know. Where is he?'

'He is in the room right now,' she replied.

'Good. Nora, go and get him,' Valery said and took a seat at one of the tables. These people had left their tables the second she entered the house.

'Bring me some wine,' she told the lady who immediately ordered her people.

The wine was on her table in seconds; she poured the wine in a cup and gulped it all down at once. She heard some noise and she knew that boy was refusing to come down.

She looked up and she met his gaze. He looked different from the last time she saw him. She felt so much pain in her chest but she couldn't clutch it. With so many people watching, she couldn't reveal her weakness at all. Not being able to continue, she stood up and looked at Nora.

'Take him back to the palace,' she said and left the flower house.

She wanted to be alone; with so many eyes on her she jumped and used her martial arts to fly away. She wanted to be alone and let this pain fade away.

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